Inside Haute Living And Hublot’s Exclusive Dinner Honoring Nobu Matsuhisa During SOBEWFF

World-renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa spent Friday evening of the coveted SOBEWFF with Haute Living and Hublot at his namesake restaurant at the Nobu Eden Rock Hotel South Beach to celebrate his cover debut of Haute Living Miami’s February/March 2018 issue.

The humble and gracious chef made his way into the restaurant’s private back room, which was decked out in honor of the grand occasion. Nobu-San sported a stunning Hublot timepiece and his signature chef’s jacket as he made his way around the room, shaking everyone’s hands and thanking them for coming to celebrate with him.

Before dinner began, guests enjoyed specialty cocktails from Belvedere as well as sips of champagne and decadent classic Nobu bites, such as Uni Tacos covered with truffle and the famed Salmon Pear Nashi. Gorgeous Hublot timepieces on display in backlit vitrines made the occasion all the more luxurious.

Notable guests included Nobu-San, Hiro Tahara, Hublot Managing Director of North America Jean-Francois Sberro and his wife, Veronique, Haute Living CEO Kamal Hotchandani, Barry Skolnick and Missy Brody, Marita Stavrou, Louis and Angela Birdman, Nadav Benimetzky, Noah Schwartz, Alan and Ruth Zelcer and more.

Once seated for dinner, attendees received a special gift from Hublot as well as a personally signed copy of the magazine by none other than Nobu-San himself. The dinner was even more special, as Nobu chose to use the occasion to give guests an exclusive sneak-peek at his upcoming Nobu Cookbook, which is compiled of three different recipes from each of his 38 executive chefs from Nobu locations across the globe. While the book is still in the works, upon its release, all proceeds will be donated to different charities every few months throughout the world.

Menu highlights included a Toro Tartare Mediterranean Style, topped with caviar created by Tony Vratsanos—sushi chef of Matsuhisa Athens; Santenmori Botan Ebi with Shiso Gazpacho from Teruya Noriyoshi—sushi chef from Nobu Hotel Shoreditch; Nobu-San’s Selection of fresh Nigiri with signature flavors; and the extravagant Wagyu Hot Stone with wasabi gremolata, which was flambéed table side, from Thomas Buckley—executive chef of Nobu Miami.

Chef Nobu made a sweet speech, thanking everyone for coming to celebrate with him and giving special acknowledgment to Haute Living for featuring him on the cover, and Hublot for joining in the occasion. Hublot North America Managing Director Jean-Francois Sberro praised the chef for his accolades and global accomplishments while Haute Living CEO Kamal Hotchandani raised his glass to Nobu’s greatness as a chef, as well as his inspirational story of non-quitting spirit and his giving back to the community.

The evening was made complete with the presentation of a special custom Shawn Kolodny piece of artwork. It was indeed, a one-of-a-kind experience and no better way to celebrate the South Beach Wine & Food Festival weekend.