GR8 Experience, the leading international agency for luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, alongside W South Beach, announces the return of their highly anticipated epicurean event, Once Upon a Kitchen to Miami in celebration of Formula 1. The multi-layered sensorial dinner, which started in 2017, offers guests an intimate evening with award-winning culinary masters behind the best restaurants around the globe.
In collaboration with world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura and his team from Osteria Francescana, this year’s Once Upon a Kitchen will unite Bottura with globally recognized Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez of Central Restaurante – voted the World’s Best Restaurant in 2023. Known for his trailblazing multidisciplinary approach to fine dining, incorporating Peru’s biodiversity and rich culture into his cuisine, Martínez will fuse his style and flavors with Bottura’s iconic Italian cuisine.
Once Upon a Kitchen 2024 is designed as a deconstruction of traditional dinner gatherings, leaving Massimo, Virgilio, and attendees free to interact throughout the evening. Guests are encouraged to speak with the chefs and learn about the intricacies of their dishes, as well as Massimo and Virgilio’s philosophies, passions, and the impact they’ve left on the culinary industry and beyond.
The dinner will be enhanced by this year’s venue and host partner: the new, immersive ballroom at W South Beach. The luxury, oceanfront property—known as the epicenter of Miami’s social scene—has become the first hotel in North America to install immersive video mapping technology. The floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree projections can transport guests anywhere in the world — from the fields of Tuscany to the top of Machu Picchu — and will provide a unique audio-visual experience to accompany the evening’s culinary journey.
“Massimo and Virgilio are both known for revolutionizing their respective countries’ cuisines, and we’re excited to give people the opportunity to witness two culinary masters from opposite sides of the globe at work,” said Barnabas Carrega, CEO and Co-Founder of GR8 Experience. “While getting a table at either of their restaurants can be difficult, it’s even rarer to see 3 Michelin Star chefs cooking live, telling stories and directly answering audience questions. Our goal is to create an intimate setting, almost as if two of the world’s best chefs are cooking for you in their kitchens at home.”
GR8 Experience and Massimo Bottura are returning to Miami’s F1 weekend following the success of Once Upon a Kitchen 2023. Held at The Deck at Island Gardens, last year’s edition featured creations from Juan Manuel Barrientos of El Cielo, Chef Bernardo Paladini of Torno Subito, and master alchemist Alex Ott. The event was attended by F1 Miami mastermind and billionaire Stephen Ross, Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Vonn, and Lebron James’ longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter.
Once Upon a Kitchen will be held on May 4, 2024, with a cocktail and canapes hour starting at 7 pm and a six-course dinner beginning at 8 pm. The intimate event will host only 120 guests and availability is limited. Tickets are $3,500 per person and can be purchased by contacting experience@gr8-group.com. Read more about the host and venue at www.wsouthbeachballroom.com.
