Helm to Hearth Culinary Weekend

Be part of the third annual Helm to Hearth, a one-of-a-kind oceanfront culinary celebration where flavor meets purpose. This unforgettable weekend features seven acclaimed chefs who will showcase their talents through bold, sustainable dishes that honor the bounty of the sea. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Coral Restoration Foundation, promoting marine conservation.

Full 2027 Chef Line-Up

Confirmed Chefs: 

FEATURED CHEF: Chef Norman Van Aken 
James Beard Award-Winning Culinary Pioneer 
The only chef in Florida's history to receive the James Beard Foundation's Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America honor, Chef Norman Van Aken is widely recognized as the Founding Father of New World Cuisine. Credited with introducing the term "fusion cooking" in 1991, his groundbreaking approach has shaped American cuisine for more than four decades. 

Chef Michael Beltran 
James Beard Award Semifinalist and Michelin-Starred Chef 
Chef Michael Beltran is the chef and owner of the Michelin-starred Ariete, along with Chug's Diner, Navarro's, and other acclaimed concepts in Miami. Celebrated for his modern interpretation of Cuban-American cuisine, Beltran has become one of South Florida's most influential culinary voices. 

Chef Eileen Andrade 
James Beard Award Semifinalist & Champion of Modern Cuban Cuisine 
Chef Eileen Andrade is the chef and owner of beloved Miami restaurants: Finka Table & Tap, Amelia's 1931, and Barbakoa by Finka, that have developed a cult following with locals and visitors alike. Known for blending her Cuban heritage with bold global flavors, Andrade has earned national recognition for redefining Latin cuisine through a fresh, contemporary lens.

Chef Jacob Rios
Culinary Director of Next Level Brands and Food Network “Chopped” champion
Chef Jacob Rios serves as Culinary Director for Next Level Brands, overseeing the culinary vision behind three of Tampa’s most sought-after restaurants: Union New American, Boulon Brasserie & Bakery and Forbici Modern Italian. A rising force in the culinary scene, Rios took home the top prize on Food Network’s Chopped in 2025, adding to a career that has included training at Le Cordon Bleu and working alongside culinary icon Wolfgang Puck. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, his cooking is deeply influenced by the flavors he first discovered in his grandmother’s kitchen, which he brings together with classical technique and a globally inspired approach.

Chef Cesar Zapata
Chef and Co-owner of Phuc Yea, Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient and StarChefs Rising Star
Chef Cesar Zapata is the co-founder and chef extraordinaire behind Phuc Yea, the Vietnamese-Cajun restaurant that has become one of Miami’s most distinctive dining destinations, earning Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recognition for four consecutive years. He first made history in 2011 when Phuc Yea debuted as Miami’s first pop-up restaurant before later returning as a permanent fixture in the city’s MiMo District. Drawing on his Colombian roots, Zapata brings a distinct and dynamic perspective to Vietnamese-Cajun cooking.