By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will transform into an open-air supper club on Thursday, July 31, as acclaimed chef and James Beard-nominated author Nicole Ponseca headlines the next installment of its immersive culinary series, Flavors of Fairchild. The event, held from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Garden’s Arts Center, promises a multi-sensory journey through Filipino cuisine viewed through a tropical South Florida lens.

A Garden setting for culinary innovation

Known for its lush 83-acre landscape and world-class horticultural programs, Fairchild has increasingly become a cultural hub as well. In recent years, the Garden has introduced a growing roster of curated experiences that bring food, art, and science together in meaningful ways. The Flavors of Fairchild series, launched in 2023, is among its most popular, combining the talents of nationally recognized chefs with the ambiance of one of the country’s most distinctive tropical gardens.

“It’s about storytelling through food and landscape,” said a Fairchild representative. “We’re not just offering a meal—we’re offering a cultural dialogue rooted in the natural world.”

A trailblazer in Filipino cuisine

Nicole Ponseca, the evening’s featured guest, is widely credited with elevating Filipino cuisine in American fine dining. Her New York City restaurants Maharlika and Jeepney introduced diners to bold Filipino flavors with unapologetic cultural pride, earning her critical acclaim and a cult following. Her best-selling cookbook, I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook, co-authored with Miguel Trinidad, was a 2019 James Beard Award finalist and a New York Times favorite.

In recent years, Ponseca has brought her inventive style to Miami, where her pop-ups and fast-casual concepts continue to explore the boundary between tradition and innovation. This Fairchild collaboration marks her most ambitious Miami event to date—a carefully curated, fruit-forward Filipino menu inspired by the Garden’s exotic flora.

Traditional lumpia (spring rolls) with a pork and shrimp filling, served alongside a tamarind and guava dipping sauce are on the menu.

Menu highlights

Guests will be welcomed with a Pancho Villa-Collins cocktail—a vibrant mix of Santa Teresa 1796 Rum, Bombay Gin, apricot liqueur, pineapple juice, and lime. Later, a Calamansi Margarita complements the main course with its signature blend of tequila, citrus, and tropical sweetness.

The food, meanwhile, offers a masterclass in Filipino flavors, beginning with Kinilaw, a ceviche-style dish made with avocado and star apple. Next comes traditional lumpia (spring rolls) with a pork and shrimp filling, served alongside a tamarind and guava dipping sauce.

Vegetarian and heritage dishes follow, including coconut creamed green jackfruit and taro leaves with fermented shrimp paste, and the deeply satisfying banana ketchup pork ribs with garlic rice. Dessert will be a refreshing mango and mamey granita, a sweet, chilly homage to the fruits of the tropics.

Cultural context and culinary heritage

Ponseca’s presence at Fairchild reflects a broader effort to elevate diverse culinary voices in institutional spaces. “This is not just a dinner—it’s an education in culture, in history, in storytelling,” said one of the organizers. “Nicole’s work invites us to see food as both personal and political.”

Filipino cuisine—long overlooked in mainstream food media—has seen a renaissance in recent years, with chefs like Ponseca leading the way. Her approach weaves together memory, family recipes, and contemporary presentation, all within a framework of cultural advocacy.

Tickets are $150 for Fairchild members and $175 for non-members, with advance reservations strongly encouraged. Seating is limited, and interest is expected to be high.

About the Garden

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is one of Coral Gables’ crown jewels and a leading institution in the world of tropical botany. Home to the only rainforest in the continental United States, Fairchild also houses Wings of the Tropics, an immersive butterfly exhibit, and manages education programs that reach more than 300,000 students annually. Its calendar includes beloved events like the Mango Festival, Chocolate Festival, and the Orchid Garden Festival.

Beyond its programming, Fairchild is also a coveted venue for weddings and private celebrations, thanks to its romantic vistas and expertly designed grounds.

Event information

• What: Flavors of Fairchild: A Supper Club Experience with Chef Nicole Ponseca
• When: Thursday, July 31, 7:30–9:00 p.m.
• Where: Arts Center at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Fla.
• Tickets: $150 members / $175 non-members
• Info: Visit fairchildgarden.org or call 305-667-1651

A space to honor culinary heritage

In a city where food is often fused with identity, Flavors of Fairchild offers something more: a space to honor culinary heritage, challenge assumptions, and indulge the senses in an unforgettable environment. For those who want to support innovative chefs and cultural programming, it’s an evening not to miss.