Adorned in aprons and chef’s hats, nearly 400 guests gathered for the most-anticipated interactive brunch experience held at the InterContinental Miami – United Way Miami’s Young Leaders Build Your Own Brunch (BYOB).   

The seventh annual BYOB, held on Sunday, December 17, blended culinary cooking, led by a trio of talented Miami chefs, with charitable giving. In a show of philanthropic support, Young Leaders shattered BYOB records by surpassing $225,000 in funds raised during the interactive cooking affair, making the event an unforgettable showcase of their profound commitment to United Way.   

The proceeds generated are instrumental in supporting United Way and its nearly 100 programs focused on building a stronger Miami through education, financial stability and health initiatives. United Way’s Young Leaders are an engaged group of young professionals, ages 40 and younger, who are dedicated to supporting United Way and the community.

Check out all the fun our Young Leaders had at this year’s BYOB below!

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Whether skilled cooks or novices in the kitchen, guests at every table prepared a three-course brunch menu, live, with the help of BYOB’s guest chefs: Chef Cesar Zapata from the restaurant Phuc Yea, who guided guests through the first course, arepas with scrambled eggs and tomatoes; Chef Francesco Martini, from the InterContinental Miami, who prepared the second course, an heirloom beet salad; and Chef Tristen Epps, the executive chef at Eden Roc Miami Beach, who presented the final course, a Tibs and Grits recipe.   

During the culinary cooking demonstrations, guests also enjoyed bidding on live auction items, such as lavish vacations, private dining and entertainment experiences and tickets to sporting events and concerts.  

Thank you to our Young Leaders, sponsors and guests for contributing to the success of this year’s BYOB event. Your partnerships are vital in advancing our mission to build a stronger Miami for all.

Watch local media coverage from CBS News Miami capture our Young Leaders cooking a delicious brunch at the InterContinental Miami.

More Than 400 People Gathered for the Interactive Cooking Experience to Benefit United Way Miami and Its Mission to Build a Stronger Miami

Miami, FL (March 21, 2023) – On Saturday, March 12, United Way Miami’s Young Leaders hosted their sixth annual Build Your Own Brunch (B.Y.O.B) at the Intercontinental Miami. Nearly 400 people attended the interactive cooking and eating experience that allows guests to cook, eat and drink under the tutelage of some of Miami’s most creative and innovative chefs while benefitting United Way Miami and its mission to build a stronger Miami through education, financial stability, and health.

United Way Miami’s Young Leaders are an engaged group of young professionals – 40 and younger who are dedicated to building a stronger Miami. This year’s event was co-chaired by Jonathan Alfonso of Portal Real Estate and Jake Freeman of Colliers. Donations reached over $170,000 – a record-breaking amount that will benefit United Way Miami.

This year’s line-up of all-star chefs included Oscar del Rivero, chef and restaurateur of Coconut Grove staple, Jaguar Restaurant; Karla Hoyos, Miami New Times’s 2022 Best Chef and disaster relief head chef for World Central Kitchen; and Giorgio Rapicavoli, chef and owner of Luca Osteria and the new location of Miami favorite, Eating House. In addition to preparing the three-course brunch, guests enjoyed networking and bidding on live auction items, such as private dining experiences and lavish travel packages.

“B.Y.O.B has become a highly anticipated event for our young professionals, donors and volunteers,” said Karla Hernandez, Senior Vice President, Development at United Way Miami. It is inspiring to see our young professionals come together to benefit the most vulnerable residents in our community. We hope their efforts encourage the next generation of business and community leaders to continue United Way’s ongoing mission to make our Miami a better place to live for everyone,” continued Hernandez.

Sponsors of the Sixth Annual B.Y.O.B. included: Executive Chef Presenting Sponsors JPMorgan Chase & Co. and King Ocean Services; Hollandaise Sponsors H&CO and The Keyes Company; Bearnaise Sponsors Amazon, AT&T, Bilzin Sumberg, Greenberg Traurig, Holland & Knight, Panorama Tower and Ryder System, Inc.; and Florentine Sponsors Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, BDO USA, LLP, Colliers International, Jackson Health System, Jones Day, Kaufman Rossin, Landmark Surveying & Associates, Inc., MasTec, Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, Northern Trust, PNC, Portal Real Estate, Quirch Foods, Royal Caribbean Group, Stearns Weaver Miller, TD Bank, United Property Management, University of Miami and Winston & Strawn LLP.