Common Threads, the national non-profit organization founded by Chef Art Smith in 2003 with the goal of fighting childhood obesity by teaching kids healthy cooking skills, is hosting a Miami weekend which includes Cooking Boot Camps, Beach Yoga and Brunch at Seagrape beginning this weekend, April 17-19.

The “Cooking for Life Festival”, hosted by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, who has been the Miami Common Threads ambassador since the beginning, and Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho, is a three-day festival that will provide unique opportunities to celebrate healthy cooking and support Common Threads Miami.

Here is a quick snapshot of what’s “on the plate”:

(Full schedule and ticket details at http://www.commonthreads.org/events/Cooking-for-Life-Festival)

Friday April 17th: Kick-off Dinner at Mignonette: Make a reservation Friday, April 17 at Mignonette and 10 % of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Common Threads.

Saturday April 18th: Culinary Boot Camp: An intimate and interactive experience held in the professional kitchens of FIU Culinary School, gives foodies the opportunity to rub elbows with some of Miami’s favorite chefs including Dena Marino of MC Kitchen, Timon Balloo of Sugarcane and Todd Erickson of Hua Huas.  Each class is priced at $45 -60, with full day pass at $250.

Sunday April 19th: Sunrise Beach Yoga: Escape for a serene and beautiful morning Sunday, April 19, 8AM on the private beach at the Thompson Miami Beach for an hour-long yoga experience. All participants walk away with hand-selected goodies. A $20 donation is suggested.

Sunday April 19th: Seagrape Fundraising Brunch: A handpicked group of chefs will join Chef Michelle Bernstein at her newest restaurant, Seagrape at the Thompson Miami Beach. Guests can enjoy a special afternoon featuring amazing food and exciting auction. An exclusive VIP event offers select guests the chance to personally meet the A-List chefs. General admission tickets are $150 and VIP costs $250.

Healthy cooking, healthy eating and fighting childhood obesity in Miami and all over the world is a cause worth supporting…and you sure can’t beat the chef lineup! The chefs participating in support of Common Threads reads like a “Who’s Who” of creative and delicious dining and include:

Timon Balloo of Sugarcane; Author, Chef & Restaurateur John Besh; Jamie DeRosa of Tongue & Cheek; Todd Erickson of HaVen and HuaHuas; Justin Flit of Proof Pasta and Pizza; Richard Ingraham, Private Chef for Dwyane Wade; Stephanie Izzard of Girl and the Goat & Little Goat; Dena Marino of MC Kitchen; Diego Oka of La Mar; Danny Serfer of Mignonette and Blue Collar; and Fabio Viviani of Siena Tavern & Siena Tavern Miami.

For more information about Common Threads National movement please visit http://commonthreads.org/

(Information provided by Brustman Carrino PR, CommonThreads.org, and Carma PR)