"A half-dozen star players from across the South Florida dining scene have for several years made an irregular pilgrimage to a Broward County restaurant to rekindle their friendship and talk shop. These reunions, which began after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, were organized by Eric San Pedro, co-owner of Palm Beach Meats in West Palm Beach, a purveyor of luxurious Japanese Wagyu beef that earned a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand award earlier this year. He has an eclectic and decorated circle of friends."
"Joining them at the table was San Pedro's longtime friend, Takeshi Kamioka, once a sushi chef at the exclusive Nobu Miami at the Eden Roc resort, then chef-owner at Wilton Manors' word-of-mouth hit Gaysha Sushi, now operator of Fort Lauderdale-based Kaminari Ramen, one of South Florida's favorite food trucks. The group also included Jason "Jay Rok" Smith, a South Florida food-truck legend who opened brick-and-mortar BMC Smash Burgers in downtown Oakland Park in 2024 and this year was on the list of the Burger Beast's "10 Best Burgers in Broward.""
"Making the drive up from Miami-Dade County was Renata Ferraro, a co-founder of hip Key Biscayne bakery Flour and Weirdoughs. She is now executive sous chef at Michael's Genuine in the Miami Design District, recently awarded its fourth consecutive Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. The destination for this accomplished band of culinary super friends? Humble and remote Skyline Chili. If you assumed that South Florida's top chefs spend their downtime dining on foie gras and Champagne, you'd be wrong. All of them have a fast-food crush, a déclassé dining destination that they swing through when no one is looking."
Six notable South Florida culinary figures routinely reunite at a Broward County Skyline Chili to reconnect and exchange ideas. Eric San Pedro, co-owner of Palm Beach Meats, organized the post-pandemic get-togethers and often transported colleagues including baker Caroline McGinley and pizza chef Sean Abel. Regular participants have included sushi-trained chef Takeshi Kamioka, burger entrepreneur Jason "Jay Rok" Smith, and chef Renata Ferraro. Several attendees operate or supply businesses recognized by the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. The gatherings underscore an affection for modest, comfort-food dining among accomplished chefs.
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