Last week I was in Miami visiting my parents. A hurried hospital visit had brought me there in time for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which I was unable to attend. But it was unavoidable to come across some of the many culinary stars who had flocked to this celebrity-studded event. They were not only all over trendy South Beach, but you could also see them dining at the city’s best restaurants like Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink in the Design District.

Kathy Martin, my food editor at the Herald, had taken me there for lunch a few weeks before and I loved the space, the chef, and the food. Miami is my second home and a town I know very well. When I find a good restaurant there, Latin or of any kind, I rejoice.

Michael’s food is fresh and inventive and totally satisfying. I found the crispy fried hominy  irresistible and the pork belly succulent and tender. I could see the chef’s steady hand on everything we ate and there were thoughtful touches like dozens of multicolored heirloom tomatoes, gnarled and meaty, stacked on a counter to frame the wood burning oven behind it. Michael gets much of his produce from farms at South Florida’s Redland.

One night after spending time with my dad at the hospital, I was famished and could not think for a better place to unwind and spend a quiet evening with a couple of old friends than at Michael’s.

 

To the left Jamie Oliver, Maricel Presilla, center, and Michael Schwartz, right

I had no idea the place would be mobbed. But my friend Victoria Pesce Elliott, who is the restaurant critic for the Herald, was there as well and she asked us to join her party. At some point, she discretely pointed at the table behind us. There he was, Jamie Oliver, the rambunctious British chef of The Naked Chef series, with his boyish look, spiky haircut and a broad smile having a grand time. Also at his table was Alice Waters, the mother of modern California cuisine, looking very stylish.

Michael called Victoria and me aside and introduced us to Jamie who seemed like a fun, lively chap. He wanted to know about my restaurants and asked me for my business cards.

From the group of young male TV chefs who rule the Foodnetwork, Jamie Oliver stands out for its spontaneity and fearlessness. He is the crocodile hunter (Steve Irwin) of food TV, always fun, hands on, and often irreverent. His new series shows him cooking at home on a tiny kitchen I would love to call my own. On a recent show his main theme was eggs. He used lovely eggs with multicolored shells (some were Auracana eggs with blue and green hues) and vivid orangey yolks, and he transformed them into tasty dishes from sweets to savories. For instance he made thin round crepes with eggs and cut them into thin strips that he later used in a salad, a great idea. Can’t wait to try it! Perhaps one day, Jamie will visit us at Cucharamama and Zafra. I know he will find much inspiration in our cooking.

And thanks Michael for giving Miami a taste of the good life and taking the time to introduce us to Jamie. Later that week, my colleague at the Herald Lydia Martin interviewed Jamie at the food show and asked him about his favorite Miami restaurants. “Michael’s,” he piped.