Diverse Miami Menus, Local Minority-Owned Restaurants Highlight Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Food & Drink Offerings

Hard Rock Stadium, Sodexo Live! deliver on best-in-class fan experience for inaugural event in May

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (May 3, 2022) – Hard Rock Stadium and food and beverage partner Sodexo Live! have a best-in-class lineup of food and beverage offerings in place for the inaugural Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix event this upcoming weekend May 6th – 8th. The offerings capture the world-class diversity of Miami and greater South Florida and will help ensure all racing fans have a memorable experience at the new Miami International Autodrome. The global event will bring economic impact to many different stakeholders around the region and is expected to welcome over 250,000 guests throughout the highly anticipated three days. 

From general concourse areas to the premium hospitality spaces, we have been preparing the dining experience for F1 racing fans for more than a year, said Steve Pangburn, CEO, North America, Sodexo Live! This is the best scene for people from all over the globe to come enjoy an incredible weekend of hospitality. The menus and the restaurant concepts will showcase the very best of the 305!  

I know fans from across the world will love these unique offerings celebrating our diverse food culture, especially those from the local and minority owned restaurateurs, said Tom Garfinkel, Managing Partner, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. The Sodexo Live! culinary team will help deliver a local-authentic winning approach to food, beverage and hospitality at what will be a spectacular global event.

The Team Beyond the Track

On race weekend, Executive Chef Dayanny De La Cruz and the Sodexo Live! culinary team will be responsible for the menus throughout the innovative campus in and around Hard Rock Stadium, including the terraces, the villas, suites and the yacht club. Premium, high-end service will be on display throughout the weekend from each and every member of the team. The executive chef will be supported by more than 2,500 employees, 75 temporary kitchens and more than 30 supporting culinarians flown in for the race.

The menus will feature a distinct Miami feel, including creative, locally-inspired items, such as: Rock Shrimp Ceviche, Smoked Lobster Arancini, Filet Mignon Bites, Crab Avocado Toast, Mini Cuban Egg Sandwiches, Smoked Marlin Dip, Beef Wagyu Satay, Chicharron Bites, Key West Pink Shrimp Cocktail and more.

The team is prepared to serve an endless list of food items, served from the general spaces to high-end hospitality suites. Many of the products have been sourced from South Florida farms and purveyors, including breads from Old School Bakery, gourmet Pastry Is Art confectionary items, and produce from Lady Moon, Teena’s Pride (a third-generation local farm) and Brooke Tropical Farms.

Over the course of the race weekend, over 34 different participating restaurants will be responsible for curating menus throughout the Miami Campus and the Miami International Autodrome. From the fan areas to the premium hospitality locations, such as the suites and MSC Cruises Yacht Club, everything will feature a distinct Miami feel, combining the culinary expertise and produce of the area.

Highlights of the Hospitality Experience

Other highlights of the dining experience for the Grand Prix include:

• A best-in-class wine program, created in close collaboration with Carlton McCoy, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Named a Master Sommelier in 2013 at just 28 years old, McCoy was one of the youngest people and the second African American to earn this prestigious title.
• An expansive slate of iconic local restaurant concepts emblematic of South Florida, like Seaspice, Michael’s Genuine, Harry’s Pizza, Groot Hospitality, Casa Tua, ZZ’s Club, Michelin-starred restaurants COTE Miami and Kosushi Miami, James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein, Suviche, Novecento, CHICA, Capri, Yardbird, Menchie’s, Fuku by David Chang, Ella Café, Casa Florida, Dos Croquetas, OMAKAI Sushi, Sushi Maki, Pubbelly Sushi, Havana 1957, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Kiki on the River, Spring Chicken, WET Miami, Forte dei Marmi, Benihana and more.
• A dazzling display of other options from Chef Jimmy Dean BBQ, Global Eats, Garden of Soul Food, Coldstone Creamery, La Nostra, Santo Dulce, El Orgullo, Monster Burger, Ms. Cheezious, Forno Italiano Pizzeria, La Vela Coffee Roasters, Cilantro 27, Fishology, Twin Dragon Hibachi, Angie’s Epicurean and more.
• Race Weekend guests will also have the opportunity to explore unique bar experiences throughout the campus with Hendricks, Herradura, Glenfiddich, Cincoro, Flor de Cana, Organika, Whistle Pig and more.
• Herradura will create the signature MIA cocktail for this year which will be a refreshing MIA Skinny Margarita.

 

Sustainability Innovation: Aluminum Cups

As part of a broader mission to advance sustainability efforts in sports and entertainment, Sodexo Live! is working with the Ball Corporation to bring over 300,000 infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum Cups™ to fans attending the event this May, as opposed to utilizing single-use plastic cups.

Together with Sodexo Live!, Ball is encouraging recycling and sustainability behaviors among sports fans in support of Formula 1’s ambitious sustainability goals to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.

The expanded aluminum cup partnership builds on the success stemming from Hard Rock Stadium’s initiative to phase out 99.4% of single-use plastics from its venue.

Minority-Owned Restaurant Partners

14 local minority owned restaurants will have a presence at this year’s inaugural event. In fact, these partners took part in a minority restaurant summit in November 2021 where they had the opportunity to network and get involved ahead of the event. The participating restaurants are:

• Adams Catering: BBQ staple in the community.
• Drinks on Me 305: Food truck offering American cuisine in the local Miami area.
• Fryhead: Gourmet seafood and chicken mobile bistro.
• La Vela Coffee: High-quality, freshly roasted coffee.
• Lovely’s On The Go: Healthy lifestyle cuisine.
• Miami Rice: Delicious hibachi meals.
• Miami Slush: Flavorful slush with unique flavors.
• Misfit Cupcakes: Dessert/pastry shop specializing in cupcakes, cakes, and sweets.
• Nola Bites: Cajun and seafood.
• Opulent Sweets: Gourmet popcorn.
• Reggae Beats: Delectable vegan menu and healthy Jerk Chicken.
• SEED: Sustainable food truck offering custom menus.
• Shuckin’ and Jivin:’: Cajun themed featuring shrimp, fish and southern homecooked classics.
• Soulfly Kitchen: Soul food.

 

Giving Back to the Local Community

At the conclusion of the event, Hard Rock Stadium and Sodexo Live! will work to donate prepared but unused food items to the Miami chapter of Food Rescue US, to directly benefit local missions and shelters around South Florida.

The group regularly rescues food from Hard Rock Stadium and has kept 3 million pounds of food out of landfills since its inception in 2018.

About the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

Scheduled to make its debut on 6-8 May, 2022, the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix is the sport’s newest race on the Formula 1® calendar. Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, the world’s top drivers are set to compete on a brand-new circuit located within the complex of the Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the legendary Miami Dolphins NFL team. The 5.41km Miami International Autodrome features 19 corners, three straights and has an estimated top speed of 320km/h. 

The race will also provide an additional tourist boost and economic impact to local businesses in the greater Miami region. Formula 1® and South Florida Motorsports are working closely with the local community to provide an allotment of discounted tickets for the residents of Miami Gardens, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the sport. Additionally, South Florida Motorsports have launched a programme to support both local businesses and the community to ensure they get the full benefits of the race being held in Miami Gardens. This includes a STEM education programme through F1 in Schools, as well as the opportunity for local restaurants to be part of the race weekend.

About Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium is a global entertainment destination and cultural curator of world-class events. The best-in-class venue is a home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami football team, Orange Bowl, Miami Open, F1 Miami Grand Prix, major concerts, championship boxing and international soccer.