‘Once Upon A Kitchen’ Brings Michelin Stars And Elixirs to Miami For F1

Foodies, rejoice! A once-in-a-lifetime culinary event will take place in the Magic City this Friday, May 5, as part of the build-up to the highly anticipated Formula 1 Miami race, which runs from May 5-7. “Once Upon a Kitchen” will bring together culinary giants Massimo Bottura, Juan Manuel Barrientos, Bernardo Pladini and Dr. Alex Ott for an unforgettable dining experience. The multi-sensory dinner will fuse Italian cuisine with Latin culture, creating an event that's sure to be a hit with foodies from all around the world.

Bottura, the renowned chef behind Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, is known for his innovative interpretations of classic Italian dishes. Winning three Michelin stars and a spot at the top of The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2016 and 2018, Bottura is a true culinary superstar. He'll be joined by Barrientos, the Colombian chef behind the Michelin-starred eatery El Cielo and Pladini, the chef behind Torno Subito in Dubai — and the soon-to-open Torno Subito Miami.

To add to the experience, Ott will be serving up a series of elixirs during the cocktail hour. A master alchemist, molecular biologist, flavor scientist and author, Ott has over 300 elixir programs to his name. His work has been featured at events like the Oscars, Emmys, and VMAs, as well as at NASA/JPL's Space Food System Laboratory. Through nutritional biochemistry and olfactory neuroscience, he takes the drinking experience to a whole new level.

"All of our elixirs are born out of pure inspiration of nature, deep respect for the healing wisdom of indigenous communities around the world, and humanity’s call for more HEAD–HEART harmony ... It is a result of perfecting the art of neuroscience, sensorial biochemistry and flavor science to bring to life formulations of empathogenic botanicals that calibrate the brain and feel as good as they taste," Ott says.  

An in-depth experience with no detail forgotten awaits.

"We have planned something really unique this time: An edible forest floor where you can sample sensorial flavor bursts disguised as common plants and fungi. Every item contains a different plant extract including one from a plant known to many as the happiest plant on earth. Kanna has been an essential ingredient of indigenous Khoisan medicinal, social and spiritual culture for millennia. These South-African hunter-gatherers chew on the succulent roots to enhance mood, eliminate pain and fear and boost focus and energy while on multi-day hunts," Ott says.

"We are also diffusing scents into the air via means of edible mosses and fogs that are present at this particular station. So it’s going to be a very visceral experience just as if you were sitting on a forest floor, but also being able to eat everything you see, including mushrooms that are not real mushrooms, solely created to instill empathy and grounded energy to prepare every single guest for a culinary afterparty aka Massimo’s dinner," he adds.

The evening will culminate in a performance by DJ and producer Benny Benassi, known for hits like "Satisfaction" and "Beautiful People."

Organized by GR8 Experience, the event will take place at The Deck at Island Gardens. At $6,000 per person, tickets are not cheap, but given the powerhouse of talent the evening encompasses, fans of fine dining experiences are sure to find it a worthy treat.  Around 200 people are expected to attend.

"Massimo, Bernardo, and Juanma’s passion for innovation and storytelling through food is so inspiring. To have talent like this collaborate for one night only is unprecedented and we can’t wait to share this multi-sensory event with an intimate group," Barnabas Carrega, CEO of GR8, the experience agency that created the event, says.  

Sponsors include Brugal, Lobos 1707, Louis XIII Cognac, Ethica Wine, Go Wine, Château d'Yquem, Sabatino Tartufo, Wheels Up, Alto, FGI Yacht Group, Accutron Watch, Space Perspective, Missoni and the W South Beach hotel.

If you're a food lover looking for a unique experience, “Once Upon a Kitchen” is an event you won't want to miss. With some of the world's best chefs, drink alchemist and music talent coming together to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience, this is sure to be an unforgettable night.

“Once Upon a Kitchen” will be held on May 5, 2023, from 6 pm – 2 am at The Deck at Island Gardens. The evening will consist of a cocktail hour, dinner and an after-party. While the event is almost sold out, remaining tickets can be purchased here.