Not long ago the Palm Beach Wine and Food Festival was just a one-night affair taking over Palm Beach's very exclusive Worth Avenue. That is, of course, until our Tastemaker number 10, David Sabin brought it to another level. He's brought the festival from a one night event into a five day celebration filled with celebrity chefs ranging from James Beard winners, like Chris Hastings, Marc Vetri, and Jacques Torres to Restaurant Impossible's Robert Irvine, Chopped judge Marc Murphy, and Top Chefs Stephanie Izard and Kevin Sbraga. He also orchestrated the prestigious Le Cirque Tribute Dinner, a commendation of the renowned restauranteur Sirio Maccioni.
When's he's not preparing, organizing, or overseeing the festival, Sabin is serving as president of the very busy Brickhouse Public Relations -- the company is the PR powerhouse for Palm Beach county representing high-end clients ranging from Clay Conley's Buccan and Imoto to Master Sommelier Virginia Philip. When it comes to bringing prestigious chefs and culinary talent together, this guy has figured it out.
The most influential person in my career has been... The most influential person in my career has been my mom. We always want to make our parents proud!
When I'm alone and in need of comfort (and no one is there to watch or judge), the one food or drink I turn to is... Jack and Coke.
What does the Broward/Palm Beach food scene need more of? Speakeasy lounges, (celebrity) chef-driven restaurants, late-night dining.
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it? I'm not a big fan of the farm egg trend. I'm tired of the (over)use of eggs on top of dishes. For example, a burger does not need an egg on top. Chicken liver and truffle oil are up there too.
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name, and what do you serve? I would re-open Sushi Blues Café & Blue Monk Lounge (formerly of Hollywood, Florida) and give it another stab. They had the best crunchy sweet potato fries with dipping sauces. A place to make Kenny Millions and Junko Maslak proud.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Getting ready to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival. Taking a vacation.
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting? Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Bill Murray, Chris Farley.
New Times' Best Of Broward-Palm Beach 2013 issue arrives June 13. To celebrate, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up 30 of our favorite tastemakers -- restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders, and other foodies who make the South Florida food scene what it is. We'll start with number 30 and lead up to South Florida's number one. All previous 2013 Tastemakers are listed below.
30. Robyn Almodovar of Palate Party Food Truck
29. Chris and Jordan Bellus of Laser Wolf
28. Fulvio Sardelli of Sardelli's Italian Steakhouse
27. Brett Chiavari of BC Tacos
26. Mike Halker of Due South Brewing
25. Chrissy Benoit of the Little House Boynton Beach
24. Dean Max of DJM Restaurants
22. Vaughan Lazar of Kapow!
21. Eric Guerro, Mark Fee, and Jeff Evans of Angry Union Brewing
20. Ben Lubin of The Blind Monk
18. Julieta Bocos of Casa Frida
16. Frank Coniglio of E.R. Bradley's Saloon
15. Iliya Dimitrov of Valentino's Cucina Italiana
14 Tim Lipman of Coolinary Cafe
13. Lauren DeShields of Market 17
12. Cleve Mash of Dirty Martini
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