Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani (Riviera by Fabio Viviani) was named South Florida Meatball King after winning a live cook-off against South Florida Chef Marco Vico (Cafรฉ Vico in Ft. Lauderdale and Cafรฉ Vico Ocean) at the Hotel Maren on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Meatball Challenge, which took place on Jan. 11 before a panel of judges, was the culmination of a three-month philanthropic initiative to raise money for Joe DiMaggio Childrenโs Hospital and Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. During the months-long competition, the two Chefs invited the public to visit their Fort Lauderdale restaurants to sample their meatball appetizers, with proceeds benefiting the two nonprofit organizations.
A judging panel decided the crown for Meatball King. The judges consisted of notable South Florida foodies, including Mike Mayo โ Host ofย Mike Mayoโs Lunchbox, Arlene Borenstein – Former Food & Culture Writer for theย Sun Sentinel, Laine Doss – Food and Spirits Writer atย Miami New Timesย and Renee Quinn – Bites and Sips Editor atย Go Riverwalk Magazine. The charity event raised $3,125 for the Joe DiMaggio Childrenโs Hospital Foundation and $6,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.ย
