Kerri Paizzi already has her retirement planned. “When I retire, I’m going back to being a hostess,” says Paizzi. “I want to be that old lady at the door greeting people and asking how the grandkids are doing.” For Paizzi, the owner of Flavor South Florida, the restaurant industry has been her passion since her days working in a New York deli at the age of 14. Today the Hobe Sound resident champions local restaurants every September through her Flavor South Florida program.
The official restaurant month for Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, Flavor South Florida spans 122 miles with more than 100 participating restaurants. Each restaurant features a three-course menu at a special price. “This is the month where you are going to get the best dining deals at the best restaurants,” says Paizzi. “The incentive is to get the locals out dining and supporting the restaurants in their slowest month of the year.”
Paizzi recently launched a new podcast called Forking Around with Flavor South Florida to talk about the restaurant business from the inside out. It features an in-depth look at the industry through the voices of chefs, owners, influencers, and businesspeople. “I want to know how they got here and why did they get here?” says Paizzi. “It’s 100 hours a week on your feet and people are yelling at you. It’s really high pressure to work in the industry.” Still, part of Paizzi yearns to be back at the hostess stand. “I remember doing 500 dinners on a Saturday night. When people get hungry, they get really mean and you have to keep smiling. I thrive in that. I just love it,” she laughs.
Q: Do you cook?
A: I’m a great cook! I love making Italian food and fish dishes. My problem is that I am so used to eating at restaurants that I now plate things to look pretty at my own home. I can’t keep it simple.
Q: What’s the most exotic food you have eaten?
A: I was at this tequila tasting where they had you shoot the tequila and chase it with a fried cricket. It tasted like a potato chip.
Q: What’s your go-to cocktail?
A: I love martinis that are creative and different. The Peas & Thank You Martini at The Butcher’s Club is my current favorite.
Q: What’s missing from the local food scene?
A: Martin County needs more good bagel stores. Everyone keeps telling me to open one.
Q: Care to share your top three hidden gems?
A: Rembar is a little wine bar in Jupiter, and their food is shockingly fantastic. I am obsessed with Giordi in Stuart. Michelin should have given them a star. PGA National is a hidden gem of really good food. During the summer, I do a staycation with my son and eat at Sushi by Bou, Honeybelle, and The Butcher’s Club. I adore all three of those restaurants.
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