Published: July 11, 2011
Miami Dade College's Miami Culinary Institute and Natural Greenscape Launch Seed-To-Table Organic Garden on July 14th
MIAMI - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Miami
Culinary Institute, the newest addition to Miami Dade College's
downtown Wolfson Campus and Natural Greenscape, are proud to announce
the grand opening-harvest day of the institute's on-site culinary garden
on Thursday, July 14th 2011 at 10 AM.
The partnership aligns their mutual vision of the seed-to-table
concept by building a living organic garden positioned in the
heart of downtown Miami's urban landscape. Created on approximately a
one-third of an acre site, this living pantry provides the culinary
enthusiasts and student chefs with a perfect blend of technology,
sustainability, and world-class education.
The unique garden design by Natural
Greenscape welcomes students and visitors into its inspirational
ambiance via a walking path that extends past intimate picnic tables and
benches. "We incorporated distinct garden circles, each containing
carefully selected vegetables, greens, flowers, and herbs surrounded by
a lush backdrop of tropical fruit trees, plants, and edible flowering
vines," says Gabriele
Marewski Lead Designer for Natural Greenscape. Focused on providing
a stimulating yet soothing environment, this greenscape seeks to inspire
a deep relationship between the culinary students and the source of
their ingredients, while creating a vibrant and fresh backyard pantry
for the institute's instructional kitchens and on-site restaurant.
The organic edible garden supports the Miami Culinary Institute Director John
Richards's vision to build community, conscience, and culture at the
core of culinary education. "Fresh thinking can change the world," says
Richards. This garden, and the collaborative team bringing it to
fruition, articulate Miami Culinary Institute's educational
curriculum and entrepreneurial spirit through a strategically
designed and executed ecosystem of sustainable plantings. In accordance
with certified organic farming methods the institute is committed to a
soil-to-soil program by recycling waste and appropriate refuse into
nutrient-rich compost that will be returned to the garden to condition
and fertilize the soil, creating a truly self-sustaining environment.
Gabriele Marewski will teach a series of classes on the culinary garden
as part of Miami Culinary Institute's Enthusiasts Program. Upcoming
program details can be found at http://www.MiamiDadeCulinary.com.
About Natural Greenscape
Natural Greenscape (http://www.NaturalGreenscape.com)
is a South Florida eco-friendly organization rooted in organic farming
and edible landscapes. The company is the brainchild of two friends -
Gabriele Marewski of Paradise Farms (http://www.ParadiseFarms.net),
a respected organic farmer and Diane Sugimoto, a CPA and business
strategist. Together, they have assembled an expert team of
professionals who share their passion for an environmentally sustainable
and socially conscious relationship with the world. Through the
visionary talents of Natural Greenscape's gardening specialists, they
provide a variety of organic and eco-sensitive products, reliable
installation and service, and ongoing educational opportunities for
commercial and residential customers.
About the Miami Culinary Institute
A front-runner in the seed-to-table movement; Miami Culinary Institute
is the first public culinary school to install and integrate a farm
fresh garden into its core curriculum. The institute is housed in a Leed
certified building and offers a comprehensive curriculum centered on
cuisine and food innovation, top quality food and beverage enthusiast
programs, and customized professional development courses for students
and educational partners around the globe. Featuring a professionally
run restaurant, organic food lab, top-of-the-line instructional
kitchens, and food and wine demonstration studios, Miami Dade College's
rich history will continue to take root in South Florida's educational
landscape.

Natural Greenscape
Diane Sugimoto, 305-814-7988
CEO
info@NaturalGreenscape.com
or
Miami
Culinary Institute
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611
MDC
Communications Director
jmendiet@mdc.edu
or
Tere
Estorino, 305-237-3949
MDC Media Relations Director
testorin@mdc.edu
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