Mastercard Priceless Miami with Chef Steve Santana

MasterCard cardholders have a very special opportunity to meet Chef Steve Santana for tortilla making lessons at his Miami restaurant, Taquiza, on March 18, 2016. The restaurant is located in the heart of South beach, in the HI Miami Beach Hostel (the old Eva hotel.) The charming street style taqueria has exploded in popularity since its 2014 launch. The tacos at Taquiza continually earn a spot on the "best of" food lists for Miami restaurants, drawing visitors from not only the Miami area but from all over the United States. In Mexico, a

Taquiza is a special event. Essentially, it means that people invite their friends and family over for a casual taco party. This casual gathering includes piles of fresh corn tortillas and all the tortillas ingredients on a central table where people can serve themselves. Chef Santana wanted the concept of this Mexican social gathering to carry over to his new Miami restaurant, and so Taquiza was born. Diners can order and eat at the restaurant, or they can order a to go package that includes everything needed for a traditional taco party in their own home.

By owning a MasterCard, you will earn earn entry into a truly unique experience - a tortilla making class with Chef Santana. Following the lesson, you'll enjoy a fun family style meal at Taquiza that includes pulled pork shoulder along with a menu of sodas from Mexico such as Agua Fresca and Jarritos. Tortillas are handcrafted from scratch every day, using only responsibly sourced ingredients. The blue masa corn that comes from Michoacán, Mexico is the centerpiece of the tortillas at Taquiza, and you'll learn how to create these culinary delights yourself.

The lesson will include not only a tortilla making tutorial and meal, but also an education on the different types of corn used in tortillas today and tips on how to recreate these amazing tortillas on your own at home. The most essential part of the taco is undoubtedly the tortilla, so the type of corn and the way that it's used is extremely important. Traditional Mexican tortilla making is truly an art - a lost art in many places - and that art is what Chef Santana will discuss and demonstrate during this lesson.

The tortilla making lessons will start on March 18 at 10:30 a.m. and will cost $15 per person. To learn more about the tortilla making lessons at Taquiza, visit the website today.

South Florida Taste of the Nation at Soho Studios

Every single day a child goes hungry in America. Thankfully, there are people and organizations willing to help by gathering the collective resources needed to curb childhood hunger. One such organization is Share Our Strength, more famously recognized as the No Kid Hungry campaign. Here in Miami, Soho Studios will be the 2016 site of the next No Kid Hungry fundraising event.

Helping to Fight Childhood Hunger

South Florida’s Taste of the Nation, hosted on behalf of the nonprofit organization Share Our Strength, brings attention to the importance of ending childhood hunger in America. This culinary extravaganza is the nation’s finest night for all things food. Taking place on June 17, 2016, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Make your plans now to attend this culinary showcase while supporting a great cause. VIP tickets are $250 and offer early admission at 6 pm. General admission is $125 for entrance at 7 pm. The event ends at 10 pm.

No Kid Hungry Dinner in Little Rock

Last year, the Little Rock No Kid Hungry Dinner raised $70,000 to support the fight against childhood hunger in Arkansas. At this fundraiser, chefs from Arkansas dominated the stage alongside Chef Cassidee Dabnet from The Barn at Blackberry Farm, one of the best places to dine in Tennessee. The goal of the 2016 Taste of the Nation is to exceed the financial reaches of Little Rock’s success.

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What to Expect in 2016

Taste of the Nation is bringing out the culinary champions. Legends in the kitchen, Chef Allen Susser and Chef Timon Balloo are teaming up for the evening. Following the theme of Taste of the Nation, the event will showcase the fine dining experiences of more than 50 restaurants and food vendors from Fort Lauderdale and Miami. As Chef Susser has lead Taste of the Nation here in Miami for almost three decades, his talents and experience will shine, as he helps host one of the city’s favorite culinary events.

The evening involves more than just excellent wine and gourmet cuisine. Prepare to participate in a variety of auctions including a wine, silent and live auction, with all proceeds going to support the campaign. One hundred percent of ticket sales are going directly to the Share Our Strength organization. The Taste of the Nation is a long formed tradition here in South Florida, following its inception in 1988. Become a part of the local community while enjoying a fabulous night out in Miami.