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On this episode of The Whet Palette Podcast, host Brenda Popritkin sits down with David Whitaker, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, to discuss Miami’s ever-evolving culinary identity.

The last time Whitaker joined the show, Miami had just been named Bon Appétit’s Food City of the Year and was taking its first steps into the Michelin Guide Florida partnership. Fast-forward to today, and the Magic City’s restaurant scene has exploded—claiming James Beard Award wins, Michelin Keys, and countless national headlines celebrating its chefs and culture. This time, Travel + Leisure reported on the  WalletHub report that officially named Miami the "#1 Food City in North America" in September 2025.

Michelin, Miami, and Managing Success

Whitaker credits Miami’s success to both innovation and community resilience.

“Once you get to the top, managing success is much harder than building to success,” he notes. “But what a privilege it is to maintain our position as one of the world’s top dining destinations.”

He highlights how Michelin’s arrival didn’t just reward 17 or so restaurants, it lifted all of Miami’s culinary landscape. From Wynwood to Coconut Grove and Downtown Doral, fine dining has become a lifestyle, not a luxury.

Beyond the Stars: Miami Spice and Local Support

Programs like Miami Spice, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, continue to help both diners and restaurateurs thrive. In 2024 alone, a record 387 restaurants participated, generating more than seven million visits to the GMCVB’s landing page.

“Food is synonymous with lifestyle,” says Whitaker. “It’s incumbent on all of us to continue to support our chefs. We can’t take them for granted.”

The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond

Whitaker also teases a massive upcoming year for Miami:

• FIFA World Cup 2026 (nine matches hosted locally)
• College Football National Championship
• NHL Winter Classic
• Formula One and Miami Open returning

And through it all, food will remain at the center of the city’s global brand.

“Miami is where you go if you want to make it big as a chef,” Whitaker adds.

The Takeaway

From Michelin stars to farm-to-table innovation, Miami’s dining scene continues to evolve with creativity, resilience, and heart.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on The Whet Palette Podcast to hear Whitaker’s insider insights on Miami’s culinary future, local initiatives, and the chefs shaping the city’s story.

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Taste the world’s best wines and meet visionary winemakers at Vinous Icons: Miami. The experts at the wine site Vinous have selected over 100 internationally renowned wine estates to join them in Miami over two days, November 14 and 15. They’ll share exceptional wines and the stories behind them, all from within the beautiful Bloom ballroom at Jungle Island, overlooking the Miami skyline. 

Use code WHET30PALETTE to receive 30% off ticket prices

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