We are very proud to announce that Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale in partnership with Patriot National Insurance Group and the City of Fort Lauderdale were selected for a Community Appearance Award recognizing the  Riverwalk Recreation Exercise Stations. We thank our partners and congratulate our Board and Staff on a great job.

The Community Appearance Board is a City Advisory Board that was established by the Fort Lauderdale City Commission in 1978.  The board is dedicated to developing, implementing and promoting programs and initiatives that improve and enhance the overall community appearance of the City of Fort Lauderdale. The board’s mission is, “To promote an aesthetic environment through the recognition of outstanding urban design with an awards program that is based on our heritage of preservation and its stewardship for present and future generations.”

For our 5th year, we decided to bring a new judging team together headed by two dynamic sisters who own and operate their own catering company and local cafe. We then added three award winning Chefs and a food industry CEO, whose team won back to back Fan Favorite Trophy’s at this very Battle.  These six judges represent ten of South Florida’s best dining establishments.

Executive Chef Paula DaSilva states “A good burger requires the right garnishes and flavors. It’s not as simple as it seems“. Our judges look forward to trying all the different ideas our contenders come up with for the Burger Battle’s Best Burger Bite! Riverwalk Burger Battle V attendees get to sample slider size burger from all sixteen competitors, and so do our judges. The Burger Battle culminates in the awarding the coveted hand-crafted Burger Battle Trophy.

Jonny Altobell

Owner/Chef 11th Street Annex

Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University

Broward College in Catering, Supervisory Development and Human Resources

We offer Crab and Veggie Burgers (Oven Roasted of course) but getting to taste the great burgers available in our area will be a great honor. Co-owner of 11^th Street Annex and Ala Carte Catering, Ms. Altobell has over 18 years experience in the food service industry. With her Sister, Penny Sanfilippo they also provide school lunch programs for Lutheran Schools.   Ms. Altobell spent over 20 years in the construction industry coordinating, purchasing, set-up of kitchens and kitchen equipment for industrial and private facilities. Education includes a Degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University and Broward College in Catering, Supervisory Development and Human Resources.

Penny Sanfilippo

Owner/Chef 11th Street Annex

Johnson and Wales graduate in the Culinary Arts

Lectures on culinary topics and gives cooking classes in the tri-county area

Penny Sanfilippo, co-sister owner of 11th Street Annex is a daughter of “foodies”  (before there was such a term). Imagine Mom making egg rolls at home in 1960’s Detroit. After attending the University of Michigan life took her into business – first assuming Dad’s Orthopedic shoe practice (1976)  – then into catering in 1980. Her move to Florida in 1990 rejoined the sisters where they did private catering until 1996  after  graduation from Johnson and Wales (Culinary Arts) put them into their present  kitchen location in Fort Lauderdale. In 2002 14 SW 11th Street became vacant and the Annex began. Penny lectures on culinary topics and gives cooking classes in the tri-county area.

Paula DaSilva

3030 Ocean, Executive Chef

The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale graduate

Paula demonstrates a remarkable talent for executing imaginative, farm-to-fork dishes that highlight the flavors and freshness of South Florida’s local ingredients. After beginning her culinary career at 3030 Ocean in 2000, the Brazil native has returned to where it all started—bringing with her a diverse culinary vitae and her signature soulful cooking style. She appeared on season five of the popular FOX reality cooking show Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. She was named “Best Celebrity Chef” in the Broward/Palm Beach New Times 2009 Best Of issue. Later that year DaSilva was honored as one of Broward County’s “40 Under 40” by Gold Coast magazine. She is a Chef Liaison for the successful JA World Uncorked! Culinary event benefiting Junior Achievement of South Florida.

Chef George Patti

Owner/Chef at SALT Fusion Cuisine & Caña Lounge

Chef/Owner at Tasters Taco Emporium

Chef/Owner at MEAT Eatery and Taproom

Johnson & Whales culinary graduate

Chef George Patti’s restaurants have been featured in USA Today Travel 10 Best.com, Travel + Leisure, Tasting Table, Social Florida Guide and Florida Travel and Life. In the past five years he has won local awards for Best Chef (three times in the Keys)and a South Florida Burgie Award by Burger Beast). He won Best Overall Restaurant (Tasters Grille), Soups (twice),Desserts (twice), Burgers (twice) and three years in a row for his Smoked Fish Dip. Chef Patti has been written up in Bon Appetite Magazine for his grilled filet mignon with chocolate port wine sauce and tempura battered bok choy and as Executive Chef and partner at Sweet Sop Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, in 2003 was given glowing reviews in the Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald, and televised on the national TV show, Finer Living, preparing his signature dish, pan-seared scallops with sweet potato rum sauce and roasted scotch bonnet.

Marc Falsetto

CEO/Founder JEY Hospitality Group: Himmarshee Public House

ROK:BRGR burger bar + gastropub in South Miami & Fort Lauderdale

2x Riverwalk Burger Battle Fan Favorite trophy winner!

Co-Founder, Marc Falsetto is a hospitality expert with over 20 years of experience. Graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in finance with a specialization in real estate. Falsetto specializes in business operations, management and training, menu development and venue layout and design. Falsetto was recently nominated for “Entrepreneur of the Year” from the South Florida Business Journal, “Top 40 under 40” as well as “Up & Comer of the Year” in the hospitality field. His attention to detail and passion for the business truly separates him from anyone else in the industry.

Chris Miracolo

S3, Executive

Chef Chris Miracolo has been around the South Florida restaurant scene for quite some time now. His history with The Restaurant People (TRP) dates back to 1995 when he worked at Mark’s Las Olas with TRP co-founders Tim Petrillo and Chef Peter Boulukos, with whom he credits as being his mentor. Having been bitten by the culinary bug early in life, Miracolo knew by the age of 20 that he wanted to make cooking his life. After foregoing culinary school to spend time under the tutelage of South Florida premier chefs such as Mark Militello, Norman Van Aken and Boulukos, Miracolo met Dennis Max and Chef Patrick Broadhead of Max’s Grille and helped them open Max’s Place in Bal Harbour as Executive Sous Chef in 2000. He then ventured west to Dallas to work at The Mansion on Turtle Creek under Dean Fearing, and Abacus under Kent Rathbun before moving to Denver, Colorado to open Rhapsody at Clear Creek in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Upon his return to South Florida in 2005, he rejoined the Max’s family and worked at Max’s Grille as Executive Sous Chef until 2009 when he left to head up Himmarshee Bar & Grille in Fort Lauderdale. Prior to working as Executive Chef at S3, his most recent post as Executive Chef at Delray Beach’s Max’s Harvest garnered critical acclaim.

The Downtown crowd gathered as Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale honored Lisa Scott­-Founds, President and CEO of the Winterfest, Inc. for her role in the growth and development of Riverwalk Park and Downtown Fort Lauderdale at the Riverwalk Annual Tribute in the spring of 2014.

• Media Lab/Power Images

• Eye on South Florida VIDEO

“Through the growing success of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade and her personal contributions of time and leadership to both civic and charitable organizations, Lisa Scott-Founds has ensured that Fort Lauderdale is known as a great city, and by extension, our Riverwalk and Downtown have been showcased,” said Courtney Callahan Crush, chairman of the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale board of directors. “She leads by example and we are most fortunate to be able to honor her at our 14th Annual Riverwalk Tribute.”

Genia Duncan Ellis, President and CEO of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, added: “Lisa’s contributions to the Riverwalk District and to Downtown Fort Lauderdale span the past two decades and her commitment to the City is demonstrated through her tireless advocacy and leadership on behalf of the Winterfest Boat Parade, as well as her involvement in numerous civic and charitable organizations. Lisa’s passion for our City and its betterment is unparalleled and we are a better City for her involvement.”

Lisa Scott­-Founds began her career with Winterfest in 1995 as their Corporate and Community Relations Manager. She was named Executive Director in April, 1996. Her love of Winterfest was nurtured by childhood parade memories with her family and by volunteering after her college years. As a Fort Lauderdale native, Lisa’s holiday connection with Winterfest catapulted her desire to produce this South Florida tradition. Under her direction, Winterfest has grown into an internationally recognized event, which has earned the title “The World’s Most Watched Boat Parade.”

What does a charitable donation look like? In this case, it looks like a way to help create healthy residents and visitors. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale in conjunction with the City of Fort Lauderdale proudly hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new 10-unit exercise station on the north side of the New River on Riverwalk behind Huizenga Plaza.

This ribbon cutting ceremony was to honor our generous donors, Christopher Pizzo and John Brandt of Patriot National Insurance Group. Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler presented the plaque along with Courtney Callahan Crush, chair of Riverwalk, Michael Weymouth of the Downtown Development Authority, and Phil Thornburg, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Fort Lauderdale, all key players in making this happen.

From the moment the protective tape for the area was removed, it has become a great attraction. In conjunction with the new mile markers that have been added to Riverwalk, we are seeing more people using the area and stations. Our story to date: when we went down to take a couple of photos on the first day, we found a very nice gentleman using the new gear. He asked if we worked for Riverwalk — and of course we proudly said yes. He immediately reached in his pocket and joined Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale with some very nice words about our additions.

Christopher Pizzo and John Brandt of Patriot National Insurance Group, and great community supporters, found a good match with the proposed project and agreed that keeping our public healthy is the right thing to do. They immediately stepped up to partner with Riverwalk and we again thank them for their continuing services to the community. We are currently working to fund a second station on the south side of the New River for the residents who live there and the new ones who are joining us here soon. As usual, charitable donations are always appreciated. Help us grow our Downtown into an even better place to live, work and play. We encourage you to get fit and enjoy the beauty of Riverwalk and Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Join us and be apart of positive change in our community!

The latest issue of Go Riverwalk magazine is online now featuring Food & Wine and so much more!

Click this link for our flip book or PDF version https://www.goriverwalk.com/goriverwalk-magazine

On Saturday, March 15, The Richard J. Fox Foundation in conjunction with Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc. hosted this concert under the stars in recognition of prostate and pancreatic cancer awareness. BAN CANCER 2014, was held on Saturday March 15^th 2014 at Esplanade Park – Downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Featured bands included Community Property, Blue Fire Band, Sovereign State, Roberto Perera, Terry Wollman Band with Melanie Taylor and Greg Manning, Thom Sessa with Igy and  Wyld Fly. Net proceeds from this fundraising event will be made in memory of Richard Mancuso, Fort Lauderdale’s 2012 Citizen of the year to the following: Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale and Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Washington DC. Stay Social with us: Facebook | Instagram |​ Twitter | ​Website

Watch highlights here! Check out our Photo Albums

• EYE on South Florida Video HERE
• Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Video by Media Labs HERE
• Randy Steel Photo Album
• Blacktie South Florida Facebook Photo Album

Thank you to our Sponsors and partners:

• Automobiles from sponsor JM LEXUS
• Featuring America’s Backyard Beer Garden
• Cash bars coordinated with the Dubiner and TMex Cantina.
• Food Trucks coordinated by BurgerBeast.com: The Empanada Truck | ​JOJI Yogurt | ​La Nostra Pizza | ​Nacho Business | ​Pescados Unidos

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and the Riverwalk Linear Park is a lush tropical oasis in the downtown center of an urban metropolis. Our mission is “to be the catalyst in building and nurturing Riverwalk as a vibrant community connected by the New River“. We take our mission seriously and strive to oversee the park, plan for the future, assure compliance and help create this amazing destination in our downtown.  We partner with many groups, including the City of Fort Lauderdale, Downtown Development Authority, Broward County and local area associations, businesses and organizations that are integral in the success of our downtown.

You voted and we came in 2nd Pace! Great for our first year. Thank you!