Miami, FL
This Miami chef took home a James Beard Award last night, just a year after his sister won
If you needed extra proof that culinary bonafides run in the Chang family, last night you got it. At the 35th annual James Beard Foundation awards—which were held on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago—Nando Chang of Itamae AO took home the coveted medal in the Best Chef: South category, following closely in the footsteps of his sister Valerie, who won the exact same award a year earlier for her own acclaimed kitchen work over at Maty’s.
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The Chang siblings, as well as their father Fernando, opened the first iteration of Itamae in 2018, when it was a mere food counter at the then-St. Roch Market (now known as MIA Market) in the Design District. The original counter—which served Nikkei cuisine, a delicious fusion of Peruvian and Japanese food—eventually grew into a standalone restaurant across the Palm Court, before it closed in 2023 so both Nando and Valerie could work on their own solo concepts.
For Valerie, that was Maty’s, a Peruvian charmer named for their grandmother and for Nando, Itamae AO, a 10-seat omakase counter directly connected to its sister restaurant (literally) that turns out a beautiful and beguiling tasting menu of Japanese-Peruvian bites. Nando’s refined reimaginings earned the Miami restaurant its first-ever Michelin star earlier this year, so the James Beard sparkler is simply another glorious garnish on top of one tasty year.
Itamae AO was one of two Miami-based finalists among this year’s James Beard nominees, with ViceVersa—the aperitivo bar off the lobby of the Elser Hotel in downtown Miami—being recognized in the Best New Bar category. Alas, that local haunt was ultimately beat out by Identidad Cocktail Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Prior to Valerie Chang’s 2024 victory in the Best Chef: South category, and her bro’s subsequent win a year after, a Miami-based chef hadn’t taken home a James Beard Award since all the way back in 2010.
Along with the Miami nods, Florida also saw two other finalists this year: Sue Chin and Jason Chin of Orlando’s Good Salt Restaurant Group (Seito Sushi, Reyes Mezcaleria, The Osprey, and others) in the Outstanding Restaurateur category, and Winter Park’s Ômo by Jônt in the Best New Restaurant category. Congrats to all of our Florida winners and finalists!
Miami, FL
Strong storm topples trees, damages homes in a Miami-Dade neighborhood, with days of cleanup ahead for residents
A fast-moving storm swept through the Palm Springs North neighborhood early Tuesday evening, knocking down trees, damaging homes, and leaving some residents with days of cleanup ahead.
The damage was concentrated in a small area, where powerful wind and heavy rain uprooted large trees and scattered debris across front yards. A massive tree fell onto its side, trapping a small car beneath its branches.
The Gamba family spent hours clearing debris from their property, working late into the night with chainsaws and hand tools.
“I just want to clear as much as possible so that the city can take the rest tomorrow,” said Jose Gamba.
Just around the corner, strong gusts tore shingles from a home, leaving them strewn across the yard. Viewers shared videos showing intense rain and wind pounding the neighborhood as outdoor furniture was sent flying.
“Not even a hurricane took this down, but this did in two seconds,” Gamba said about the tree in his parents’ yard. “We didn’t expect this to happen”.
Florida Power and Light crews were in the area after nightfall, working to restore power and address downed lines caused by the storm.
Despite the damage, neighbors said the overall impact was limited.
“They used to have shade, and now that’s gone,” Gamba said about the downed tree. “That’s probably the worst part”.
No injuries were reported.
Miami, FL
Unlicensed contractor arrested after allegedly scamming Miami Catholic school out of $220,000
A Miami‑Dade County man is behind bars after authorities say he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Catholic school for repairs that were never completed.
Nestor Olivares, 50, is charged with grand theft of more than $100,000, organized fraud and operating without a contractor’s license, according to court records. Investigators allege the theft began in 2024 and involved money paid to repair the roof at St. Kevin’s Catholic School.
Court documents show the school paid Olivares more than $220,000 beginning last year for materials and labor to fix the roof. However, prosecutors say no work was ever done.
During a bond court hearing Monday, Olivares appeared before a judge and spoke through an interpreter.
“He doesn’t have a valid contractor license in the state of Florida or Miami‑Dade County,” Judge Mindy Glazer said during the hearing.
According to investigators, Olivares later tried to negotiate with the school after the work failed to materialize.
Court records state he ultimately promised to issue a full refund by Feb. 26, but the school never received a payment.
After his arrest, Olivares told investigators he was unable to repay the full amount at one time, the documents say.
Olivares remains in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $30,150 bond. As a condition of his release, he will be required to prove any money used to post bond comes from a legitimate source.
Miami, FL
Dolphins 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Miami could catch the wave just right and get a monster draw in the top-50 picks
The Miami Dolphins will serve as one of the main characters for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts across the internet have propositioned countless player combinations for Miami’s seven-pick top-100 haul that is scheduled for the end of the month. I hope you’re ready for another one.
© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Miami Dolphins will serve as one of the main characters for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts across the internet have propositioned countless player combinations for Miami’s seven-pick top-100 haul that is scheduled for the end of the month. I hope you’re ready for another one.
Here’s my latest 2026 7-round Miami Dolphins mock draft, in which I used the new A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator to make my picks.
Miami Dolphins 2026 7-round NFL mock draft secures plug-in starters at several positions
11th overall – SAF Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
I’d be willing to bet the Dolphins are eager to do as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has alluded and build this roster from the inside out. But head coach Jeff Hafley did recently disclose just how important safeties are to how he calls a football game. I’d take 1+1 and accept that it equals two: Downs would have a strong argument for best player on the board and fits a vital position for the Dolphins.
Key players not on the board in this simulation: OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami), EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State), CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)
30th overall – EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson Tigers
I have long maintained that this draft will get interesting fast for the Dolphins. If Clemson EDGE TJ Parker is on the board, he’d serve as an excellent option for a pass rush room that needs more snap takers, more physicality, and more competition. Parker makes for an excellent foil in skills opposite Chop Robinson and Joshua Uche. The question isn’t if the Dolphins should draft Parker, but rather if he’ll make it to pick No. 30 overall. He did in this simulation and I gobbled him up.
43rd overall – OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M Aggies
The risk Miami is taking from a depth of draft position cannot be underestimated in this draft. There are 10 firm contenders in the offensive line group to hear their names called in the top-40 picks. If that entire group runs off the board, you could be on the outside looking in.
I took the risk at 11th overall because of Downs’ value, then the value at No. 30 because I got a high-volume player to rush the passer. Bisontis does not have offensive tackle flexibility but would likely present an upgrade at offensive guard. Seeing his name on the list of available players list at No. 43 made for a quick decision.
75th overall – WR Skyler Bell, Connecticut Huskies
Miami’s dream scenario in the top-50 still leaves four third-round selections to make and plenty of position groups that need attention. I’ll start with a double-dip at wide receiver to capitalize on the depth of the pass-catcher group in the 2026 NFL Draft with third round picks. Bell is a 2025 breakout player who thrived as a marquee option for the Huskies; he thrived with the ball in his hands and downfield thanks to his speed and explosiveness.
Bell is a little rough around the edges and drops were an issue prior to 2025, which is why he may end up on the board with Miami’s pick here.
87th overall – WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State Panthers
As promised, a double dip at wide receiver. There are still going to be major questions about QB Malik Willis’ supporting cast after drafting Bell and now Ted Hurst, but at least there’s youth, explosiveness, downfield ability, and potential for the Dolphins to embrace in a wide open competition for playing time. Hurst is a long-framed receiver who also flashes great open-field ability and vertical receiving as the Dolphins seek to build explosive plays off of their potential running game.
90th overall – CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington Huskies
There’s a certain DNA that many of the corners in Miami’s position room share this offseason. Big, physical, and long. Prysock is all of the above. He’s a legit 6-foot-3, has an 80.5″ wingspan (95th percentile for cornerbacks since 1999) and he offers the profile of a press corner to compete for playing time in Miami along with the other dozen corners the Dolphins have hoarded.
94th overall – LB/EDGE Jaishawn Barham, Michigan Wolverines
If you like players who are compared to the Tasmanian Devil, you’re in luck. Barham is an absolutely unhinged player in the best way possible. He’s aggressive, he punches above his weight class, and he could serve as a hybrid linebacker/edge defender player for a little front flexibility for Coach Hafley. His profile as an edge is only scratching the surface of his potential but slotting him into the room with Parker and the veteran group gives Miami a chance to see someone emerge.
130th overall – CB Hezekiah Masses, California Golden Bears
Masses isn’t big like Prysock. But man, is he a tenacious son of a gun out there on the perimeter. Masses is an “in your face” player at the cornerback position and I love his attitude on film. When Jeff Hafley says ‘put on the tape’ to determine if someone loves football, Masses is the kind of player that comes to mind.
151st overall – TE Dallen Bentley, Utah Utes
Bentley was a breakout player for the Utes offense in 2025. He’s a sure-handed, big-bodied receiving type at tight end who showcases sufficient ability to make plays underneath in the passing game. There’s some surprising “after catch” skills to work with here for Bentley in his bid to win a role in the tight end room.
227th overall – FB Max Bredeson, Michigan Wolverines
Miami does not currently have a fullback on the roster and it is probably safe to assume that they will add one. Bredeson fits the mauler play style that I suspect this team is after amid the talk of the tone and intensity they play the game with.
238th overall – QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas Jayhawks
Daniels is my mock draft quarterback of choice to join the quarterback room behind Malik Willis. Getting a signal caller with some similar traits, even if they aren’t the same caliber, should be an objective to allow the identity of the offense to stay the same if injuries arise in 2026.
Miami Dolphins News
Miami Dolphins News
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