Airbnb isn’t just about where you stay on vacay — but now, it’s curating unique experiences to elevate your trip as well.
It’s certainly true that a visit to the glittering, glamorous, glorious city of Miami may well be one of the most thoroughly enjoyable parts about coming to Miami Art Week. Not only does the city offer art lovers a variety of stylish places to stay… but Airbnb has also made it even easier for those that want to see what it’s like to call the Magic City home… checking out residences from a variety of iconic neighborhoods throughout the Wynwood Design District to Coconut Grove to Little Havana and beyond.
And for those looking to immerse themselves even further in Miami’s art scene, Airbnb has partnered with top artists and VIP reps to offer insider access.
aIR MIAMI, FLORIDA – Airbnb Culinary Experience with Calique Tizzi. Photo by Lauren Goldenberg
I had the opportunity to check out one of these tailored experiences, with Brazilian-born, Berlin-based artist and chef Calique Tizzi. As an artist who’s been cooking dinners and presenting food installations in museums, galleries, and art events across the globe, Calique has used food as a medium to express the ongoing, symbiotic relationship between human culture and nature while creating multisensorial narratives.
As part of the thoughtful event, guests engaged with food through an intimate dining experience that went beyond feeding stomachs by blending art, culture, and cuisine into a multi-sensory journey that deliciously captured the outrageously lyrical spirit of Art Basel Miami Beach. This luncheon took place in a hidden pop-up restaurant inside the Collector’s Lounge at the Miami Convention Center (aka the location of Art Basel Miami itself), which was adorned with several of the artist’s culinary ice sculptures.
Guests indulged in a five course meal centered around a selection of tropical elements. We’re in Miami, after all. Starting with a refreshing pineapple drink (with alcohol or served virgin-style), diners learned about the fruit’s symbolism and origins in Latin America where the sweet fruit is often considered a symbol of hospitality and welcoming.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – Airbnb Culinary Experience with Calique Tizzi. Photo courtesy of Airbnb
Diners then tasted an appetizer where pineapple was again the star of the dish. Next, guests were presented with polvilhos and a scallop placed atop a fresh corn tortilla taco. The artist then got extra arty with the presentations, serving up a prawn and moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew) inside a coconut, followed by a bite of beef mole negro served with potatoes, salsa verde, and the traditional Brarazilian side dish of farofa… which was presented in a planter pot.
Why go for one dessert when you can double the enjoyment? Diners were treated to coconut gelato, served with lime granita and an icy beijinho miso before being wowed by a snake made from white chocolate and jambu peppers.
The takeaway: the experience went beyond ‘playing with our food,’ but enjoying an experience with an intimate group that everyone was able to connect with. And with an importnat reminder that we can all add a lovely artistic flair to our everyday lives, including the way we dine.
What if you missed it this year?
Not to worry. Art Basel Miami may only come once a year… but that’s also the good news. It’ll be back bigger than ever next year. And spoiler alert: so will Airbnb’s special offerings.
