George Martinez

Miami is known for some of the best food events in the nation. One of them is Iron Fork, the Miami New Times extravaganza where chefs battle for glory. Another is Miami Spice, a two-month bonanza sponsored by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), in which diners enjoy cool dining deals during the area's hottest months.

This year, New Times and the GMCVB have joined forces to present Iron Fork as the official kickoff to Miami Spice. The venue? The beautiful Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The evening will be presented by the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

On Thursday, August 1, from 7 to 10 p.m., attendees will dine on epicurean delights from 50 of Miami's best restaurants. They will also drink fine vino from Wines of Chile and enjoy cocktails by Bacardi and beer by Stella Artois while listening to live music by local artists. Best of all, guests will be able to scout out some of the finest Miami Spice restaurants so they'll have a definitive dining strategy for the months ahead.

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All photos by Laine Doss

Robyn Almodovar and Alfredo Montero are friendly competitors.

Phillip Bryant on Getting Ready for Battle 
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We started a war.

When I spoke with the Iron Fork Food Truck Battle contestants to get a little piece on strategy, I thought it would be the usual "the other chef is so talented...I'll do my best...blah blah blah."
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Iron Fork, Miami's ultimate event for food lovers, is one day away and we just have one question to ask:More »

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Chef Phillip Bryant talks strategy.

The fifth annual Iron Fork competition, set for October 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Grand Central, showcases not only good food and cocktails from some of Miami's best restaurants but also an awesome death-match-style battle in which two of South Florida's finest chefs fight for the supreme title of Iron Fork master. 

Read Also: Iron Fork Competitor Daniel Serfer on How He's Preparing for Battle

Iron Fork: New Chef Announcement and Half Priced VIP Ticket Offer

This year sees Blue Collar's Daniel Serfer take on Phillip Bryant, chef de cuisine at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. As we reported last week, Bryant was named the replacement for Kenny Gilbert, who was originally scheduled to compete.



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The mere thought of Iron Fork, the premiere Miami event on October 18 from 7 - 10 p.m. at Grand Central that features the best Miami restaurants serving up tasty morsels for your nibbling enjoyment has got your mouth watering.

Add to that an open bar featuring crafted cocktails made with Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, and Guinness Black Lager and it's almost too good to bear.

As you're thinking to yourself, "this evening simply cannot get any more tantalizing", you'll remember the chefs competition where Blue Collar chef/owner Daniel Serfer will battle Phillip Bryant, chef de cuisine of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in a death match of epic proportions.

Now -- what if we said we wanted to give you a pair of VIP tickets? Just because, you know, we like you and stuff.

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Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Chef Phillip Bryant will battle Danny Serfer for the Iron Fork title.

The fifth annual Iron Fork competition, set for October 18 at Grand Central, has a new chef lineup for its featured competition. In it, two of Miami's top chefs battle in a gladiator-style competition of wits and skill using knives, fire, and raw meat as their weapons of choice. Only one will remain victorious and be crowned the Iron Fork 2012 champion.

Read also:
- Kenny Gilbert No Longer With 50 Eggs and Swine Southern Table and Bar
- Iron Fork Competitor Daniel Serfer on How He's Prepping For Battle

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Chef Daniel Serfer

As you all know, the best fall food event, Iron Fork, is fast approaching.

On October 18 at Grand Central, chefs Daniel Serfer (Blue Collar) and Kenny Gilbert (Top Chef alum and Swine Southern Table and Bar) will battle to the death in a cooking competition worth sweating over. And of course, we will be objective about this....Miami New Times is the sponsor.

We caught up with competing chef Serfer to see how he's mentally and emotionally preparing for the big day.

Is he tossing back the egg yolks every morning to prep for the competition?

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Balloo is getting ready for the challenge.

​The 4th Annual Iron Fork event takes place Thursday, October 20th, from 7 to 10 pm at Ice Palace Film Studios in Downtown Miami (make sure to bring earmuffs -- I've heard it said that ice palaces can be cold). Lots of restaurants will be participating -- too many to list here, but a few highlights are AltaMare, Hakkasan, db Bistro Moderne, Chef Adrienne's Vineyard Restaurant & Wine Bar, Makoto, Barton G, Rosa Mexicano, Latin Burger and Taco, Fifi's Place Restaurant...
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