On a warm Miami evening, guests entered the Rubell Museum and were immediately carried into the heart of Brazil. Framed by glowing gallery walls and filtered by garden light, H&C Collective, a Miami luxury caterer, had the honor of, for the fourth year in a row, curating the dining experience for Playing for Change Foundation’s annual Impact Awards Gala. Our task was to transform the gala into a journey, through flavor, culture, and connection, showcasing what luxury event catering in Miami can be when every detail is designed with purpose.
The theme for this year’s celebration was This is Brazil, a nod to the country’s rich rhythms, bold flavors, and vibrant energy. The gala honored the Marley family, Juanes, and Anitta for their contributions to global change through music. It was an evening with purpose: to celebrate music as a force for unity while raising support for the Playing For Change Foundation’s mission of inspiring positive change through education and connection.
Setting The Stage: A Miami Garden Immersed in Flavor
The evening began in the museum’s garden, where cocktails set the tone for this experiential catering event. Guests were welcomed with caipirinhas, Brazil’s signature drink, offered in both classic and strawberry variations. For those preferring something non-alcoholic, the limonada suíça, a refreshing creamy limeade, offered the same spirit of brightness.
At the Capital One Entertainment bar, the details became conversation pieces: fresh limes etched with the brand’s logo, nestled against the glow of candlelight. A simple lime transformed into a memorable touchpoint, a detail that spoke volumes about the care poured into every element of the evening.
Servers wove through the garden with trays of Brazilian-inspired hors d’oeuvres, part of our bespoke catering experience. Guests discovered chicken coxinhas, the crispy, golden teardrop-shaped fritters beloved on Rio’s streets, paired with a fragrant cilantro sauce. Açai tuna tartare with mango and avocado mirrored the colors of a Copacabana sunset, while churrasco tostadas and braised short rib on plantain chips brought warmth and depth. Each bite was a note in a melody of flavor, carrying the theme forward in delicate, playful harmony.
From Garden to Gallery: A Four-Course Culinary Journey
As twilight settled, the party transitioned into the museum’s gallery for dinner, the heart of the luxury catering experience in Miami for the night. The shift from garden mingling to seated elegance was seamless, orchestrated with the expertise of MVA Experiential and Event Factor. At every table, an amuse bouche awaited: heart of palm ceviche nestled on crisp plantain chips, a first taste that was both polished and deeply rooted in Brazil’s culinary heritage.
The second course unfolded like a painting, a vibrant salad inspired by the Brazilian flag. Yellow beets and avocado paired with feta mousse and fennel, finished with tapioca crackers that brought texture and a nod to native Brazilian ingredients. It was bright, layered, and as visually striking as the art on the walls.
Woven baskets of warm pão de queijo replaced the ordinary bread service, their cheesy aroma drifting across the tables and evoking the comforting, unmistakable flavor of Brazil.
The main course anchored the menu in Brazilian tradition. Grilled skirt steak with sofrito coulis and mango chimichurri brought the essence of churrasco to the plate. A pan-seared branzino offered a lighter expression with asparagus and fingerling succotash, while a cauliflower trio offered a vegan course every bit as bold and celebratory as the rest.
Dessert arrived family-style, encouraging guests to linger and share. Brigadeiros, Brazil’s iconic chocolate truffles, were joined by maracuyá mousse with lime zest and a Brazil nut carrot cake glazed in orange. At every table, laughter mingled with sweetness, and the dinner reached its flavorful finale, an unforgettable example of culinary event design in Miami.
Late-Night Flavors at Superblue: Experiential Catering Done Differently
After dinner, the story shifted to Superblue Miami, where the afterparty invited guests into a new dimension of experience. The mood grew electric, and so did the menu, the signature of creative catering in Miami.
A Brazilian-style pizza station drew crowds with hot, cheesy slices: calebresa sausage, hearts of palm, and the classic mozzarella. Guests grabbed slices between dances, the casual comfort food offering a delicious counterpoint to the evening’s formality.
Nearby, the nitrogen ice cream station created its own spectacle. Billows of vapor curled around scoops of açai sorbet and passionfruit cream, topped with Brazilian nut crumbles, tapioca pearls, and tropical fruit. It was dessert as theater, interactive, sensory, and unmistakably experiential catering.
And then came the music. Grammy-nominated artist Cimafunk took the stage, galvanizing the audience with his electric performance. His sound, a blend of Afro-Cuban rhythm and funk, turned the afterparty into a pulse of movement and joy.
To round out the night, a branded coffee bar poured cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes late into the night. Whether for a caffeine boost or a comforting pause, it was hospitality that carried through until the very last guest.
When Flavor Meets Purpose: Culinary Storytelling with Heart
While the menu was designed for the palate, one particular moment was crafted for the eye. Espresso martinis, served with delicate foam art that read “Playing For Change,” became the night’s most photographed sip. Phones flashed, glasses clinked, and suddenly the drink itself was part of the memory.
The 2025 Playing for Change Gala wasn’t just a fundraiser. It was about weaving culture, purpose, and artistry into an evening that guests would carry with them. Food and beverage became the language of connection, telling Brazil’s story bite by bite, sip by sip.
For H&C Collective, this fourth year of this partnership was a reminder of why details matter. From branded limes to pāo de queijo, from a garden cocktail to a midnight slice of pizza, every choice reflected the heart of our luxury catering company in Miami, blending design, storytelling, and taste into unforgettable experiences.
Partnering with Purpose: H&C Collective x Playing For Change Foundation
The gala was a celebration of collaboration, with partners like MVA Experiential and Event Factor bringing the vision to life. Together, we transformed an evening into an immersive culinary event experience in Miami, where food became a bridge for connection and purpose.
Ready to create an event that tells your story through food?
Get in touch with H&C Collective to bring experiential catering in Miami to your next luxury event.