To celebrate Carbone Beach’s 5th annual Sandy Supper Club, Mario Carbone shared some of his favorite celebrity memories from the exclusive event celebrating the Miami Grand Prix.
“I think my favorite moments are when you see[the stars]in a space where they let their hair down and are just having a good time,” the celebrity chef exclusively tells Page 6 of the Three Night Dinner Series presented by American Express.
The Major Food Group co-founder reflected on “so many instances” of “just rubbing shoulders with anybody in the building” at the Miami Beach event, which runs May 1-3 this year.
He continued, “Whether you’re dancing to the music or eating at the table, I think this is a safe space where everyone can rub shoulders.
“People just come to have a fun night,” Mario said.
He went on to recall his favorite star-studded moment of watching surprise performer Andrea Bocelli take to the stage at the first-ever Carbone Beach in 2022, claiming he’ll “never forget” it.
Mario recalled serving dinner to all 400 guests after the Italian tenor’s performance because Bocelli, 67, needed a quiet room.
“He was distracted by people eating and the sounds of people eating,” the culinary mogul explained. “To have a performer of that caliber in our space singing songs that I know so well and that my mom loves…the whole experience was very, very emotional.”
Mario has invited some lucky A-listers to tour inside his pop-up kitchen in the past.
“I bring people back, people I know well,” he revealed.
This year there will be some quality performances, including a show by Snoop Dogg.
“We’re lucky that the Carbon brand can accommodate so many different genres (of music),” Mario said, highlighting its “wide range of styles and performances” over the years. “We do everything from Andrea Bocelli to Jelly Roll, from country music to hip-hop to R&B to rock ‘n’ roll,” he said.
He continued: “Our clientele is really wide-ranging, across generations, so everything seems to suit us, from music from the ’50s and ’60s to the latest music. So when we talk about this year’s performers, there’s very little that’s off-limits.”
The lavish soirée will feature Carbon’s signature dishes, including the acclaimed spicy rigatoni vodka, Caesar alla ZZ, and veal parmesan.
“The main highlight of the evening will be Carbone’s classic dishes and what we expect to offer,” Mario said, adding that “new riffs” will be unveiled in the raw bar area during cocktail hour.
As for what gives Carbon Beach its secret sauce, he gushed that the event offers attendees a unique experience that improves and evolves each year.
“There’s nothing like this during a Grand Prix,” said Mario. “But I think in general, over the last few years, it’s really come into its own. It’s a really, very special event between the food production, the event production, the setting, the location, and definitely the entertainment. It’s a combination of all of those things.”
Carbon Beach, also hosted by Mario’s MFG co-founders Jeff Zalaznick and Rich Torrisi, opens Friday and runs through Sunday after the final race.
A-list stars who have attended the private gala in the past include Ivanka Trump, Brooklyn Beckham, David Beckham, Travis Kelsey, Tom Brady, LeBron James, James Codren, Serena Williams, Jamie Foxx and Jeff Bezos.
Previous surprise performers have included Lauryn Hill, Kygo, The Chainsmokers, T-Pain, Diana Ross, Nas, LL Cool J, Wyclef Jean and Busta Rhymes.
