BY CRISTA BARNES
Photographs by Lorena Sicilia

I’m sure it was once said that prima di guidare, devi mangiare. And on a gloriously cool and sun-drenched South Florida afternoon, an impressive group of nearly eighty Ferrari owners and their guests did just that. 

After fueling up their cars in preparation for the annual Tour di Palm Beach, a 25 mile leisurely drive through Palm Beach and along South Ocean Boulevard, the Ferrari drivers and passengers were invited to fuel up their stomachs as well, and were presented with a delicious-looking array of Asian and Latin inspired dishes provided by The Breakers Hotel. 

Set against a backdrop of perfectly landscaped flora, with the familiar sound of engines roaring in the background, the endless bouquet of food displayed before us would whet the appetite of any hungry driver.

First we were presented with a refreshing salad of tatsoi and mizuna Asian greens, combined with crunchy water chestnuts, mung bean sprouts, and sweet peppers in a tamari sesame vinaigrette. Continuing down the table with plate in hand, we came to three more salad selections – a Chilian crab and pasta salad with curried pineapple vinaigrette, a not-too-spicy jicama, watercress and tangerine salad, and a tasty boniato (Cuban sweet potato) and chorizo salad (a personal favorite – seconds anyone?). 

With our plates already full, we were then challenged to find room for the mouth watering assortment of meats and fish. First a plum and mango glazed chicken breast dressed with fingerling potatoes, caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and spinach, all topped with a delicious orange and cilantro vinaigrette. Next, a pepper crusted tuna nicoise seared to perfection, traditionally served with haricot verts, red bliss potatoes, hard boiled eggs, nicoise olives, anchovies, and a lemon dijon vinaigrette. And finally, we were presented with, quite honestly, a lip smacking arrangement of expertly cooked, medium-rare, hoisen and sesame marinated tenderloin of beef sliced paper thin and served with angel hair pasta, julienne carrots, scallions, basil and cilantro with a sweet and sour dressing. La perfezione sul piatto!

And as I like to think, if you can fit in on your plate, you can fit it in your stomach, and the lucky participants of this delectable lunch did just that….

Promptly at 2:00 pm, with bellies content, one by one the Ferraris set off on their way. But as they obediently followed the speed limit down South County Road, one thought kept racing through their minds: Where will I find something sweet to wash down this delicious lunch I just enjoyed? Luckily they did not have to look that far, for at the second checkpoint dessert was generously provided by SunTrust Bank. 

There, on the corner of South Ocean Boulevard and Royal Palm Way, the participants were invited to sample (and devour) a delectable array of desserts created by Catering by Martha out of Deerfield Beach. A native Floridian (nearly extinct in these here parts), Martha herself was there to serve us countless slices of graham cracker crusted key lime pie, white chocolate and strawberry frisee cake, fruit tart cheesecake, and an apple tart with caramelized walnuts. As we sat on the second level of the SunTrust building overlooking the famous royal palms and the vibrant blue ocean, fork in one hand and expertly made cappuccino in the other, we realized that we had a little bit more room left to taste the diverse assortment of cookies and pastries and white and dark chocolate covered strawberries Martha and SunTrust provided for us, not to mention the endless bowls of fresh strawberries and whipped crème (probably provided as a healthy alternative for those foolishly watching their weight during this feasting and driving extravaganza, however enjoyed by all).

Fully satiated, the tour participants set off again into the Florida sunshine to continue along the carefully chosen route, meandering south past perfectly manicured mansions and simultaneous views of the ocean and Intracoastal waterway. The smooth purrs of the engines made it known that, yes, the Ferraris, too, were smiling.

After turning back north at the third checkpoint in Ocean Ridge, we were then invited to drive through the now famous (infamous?) Mar-a-Lago Estate, where tour participants were lucky enough to get a sneak-peak of the last minute details being set in place for Donald Trump’s wedding. Upon exiting the grounds, the tour then circled back around South Ocean Boulevard and onto the local roads of Palm Beach towards the fifth checkpoint, The Chesterfield Hotel. 

After a glorious hour or so of driving thus far (who could be keeping track of time on such a day?), we suddenly noticed another rumbling besides that of the Ferrari engines – our stomachs! As if reading our minds, there at the entrance to the hotel were two visions of loveliness graciously anticipating each and every Ferrari, with bottles of Figi water and freshly-baked packages of chocolate chip and toffee cookies provided by The Chesterfield Hotel. This was just the nourishment we needed to get us to the last checkpoint – a reception at Jet Aviation. 

As the Ferraris drove onto the runways of Palm Beach International Airport, acquiring the last stamp in their tour books, the drivers were then invited to park their Ferraris among the incredible display of pristine jets provided by Jet Aviation. As the sun set behind the horizon of man-made speed machines, the tour participants, and those who alternately chose to brave the elements at Moroso Speedway, were able to regroup and relish over the days activities. Perhaps the track participants had more of an appetite at this point, considering all the fabulous food they had missed out on during the tour. Lucky for them, Jet Aviation anticipated their hunger by providing delicious hors d'oeuvres and pastries from Amici Restaurant in Palm Beach. And to wash it all down? Why, champagne by Moet et Chandon and vodka martinis by Ciroc, of course!   

As the party rolled on, tour and track participants were joined by many others wanting to take part in the festivities. What better way to give closure to a fabulous day of guidando and mangiando than with a Ciroc grape martini in one hand, a bite-sized prosciutto, speck and arugula finger sandwich in the other, and being surrounded by the beauty of both Ferraris and friends. I’m sure it is safe to say that both the participants and the Ferraris went home very content that night, eagerly looking forward to what the rest of the weekend had to offer!

We wish to thank The Breakers Hotel, SunTrust Bank, The Chesterfield Hotel, the Mar-a-Lago Club, and Jet Aviation for hosting the Tour and for making it a memorable afternoon.

NEXT: FERRARIS AND JETS IN REVIEW

Copyright © 2005 Cavallino Magazine.