Join Rethink Food and chef Michael Schwartz for a transformative dining experience at Amara at Paraiso on Jan. 22. The gala will celebrate a $1 million milestone and features a star-studded chef lineup, an exquisite five-course meal and a mission to uplift Miami’s local restaurants while tackling food insecurity.

On Jan. 22, 2025, Miami will host Table for Change, a one-of-a-kind dinner gala presented by Rethink Food in partnership with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz. Held at Amara at Paraiso, this exclusive event celebrates a remarkable $1 million milestone raised by the Genuine Hospitality Group to support small, local restaurants that prepare meals for food-insecure communities. With its stunning Biscayne Bay backdrop, the evening promises an unforgettable blend of fine dining, community impact, and culinary artistry.

The event begins with an array of exquisite canapés crafted by culinary icons Michael Schwartz, Andrew Zimmern, and Marc Vetri, alongside local restaurant collaborators. Highlights include goat loin tartare with epis and pikliz, foie gras pastrami with cranberry mostarda, and fried chicken nuggets with Black River caviar. A five-course seated dinner follows, starting with Amara’s heirloom tomato carpaccio, Vetri’s rigatoni fiorella with sausage ragu, and Zimmern’s grilled mackerel with lemongrass sambal. For the main course, the trio collaborates on slow-roasted and wood-grilled short rib with exotic mushrooms and heirloom polenta, culminating with Amara’s gateaux à l’orange and petit fours.

Chef Michael Schwartz. Photo courtesy of The Genuine Hospitality Group

Beyond celebrating this fundraising milestone, Table for Change highlights Rethink Food’s efforts to empower small restaurants and address food insecurity. Since late 2021, this initiative has provided over 300,000 culturally appropriate meals to Miami’s food-insecure communities through a simple donation model at Amara and Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink. The partnership sustains local restaurants while tackling critical community needs.

Chef Schwartz shared his excitement: “I am thrilled to collaborate with my dear friends Andrew and Marc and our talented local chefs to showcase the vibrant food culture of Miami while supporting small businesses that are the heart and soul of our community.” Matt Jozwiak, founder of Rethink Food, added, “Table for Change represents the heart of what we do—connecting communities and empowering local restaurants to shine while providing nutritious meals to communities impacted by food insecurity.”

Guests will enjoy meticulously crafted bites and breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, all for a great cause. Photo courtesy of The Genuine Hospitality Group

With 100% of proceeds supporting small restaurants and their communities, Table for Change is more than a gala—it’s a celebration of food as a force for connection and positive change. 3101 NE 7th Ave, Miami, @amaraatparaiso