The hook-up: Miami Beach officials ask Major Food, Boucher for favors

Miami Beach officials’ cozy relationship with beach concessionaires Boucher Brothers and fancy restaurateur Major Food Group allotted them some perks. 

On several occasions, Mayor Dan Gelber, city commissioners and staff sought favors from executives of the two companies, according to the Miami Herald. For instance, in May, Gelber texted Major Food Group co-founder Jeff Zalaznick to secure a reservation for five people at Carbone on behalf of his law partner. Major Food Group owns Carbone, a pricey Italian restaurant in the city’s South of Fifth neighborhood, where reservations are hard to come by. 

Zalaznick and Boucher Brothers also provided city commissioners Alex Fernandez, Laura Dominguez and Ricky Arriola, as well as their significant others, free tickets valued at $3,000 each to attend a Carbone VIP event during the weekend of the Miami Grand Prix, also in May. 

Documentation confirming the favors was released in the discovery phase of a recently dismissed lawsuit Nikki Beach owners Jack and Lucia Penrod filed against Miami Beach and Boucher Brothers, the Miami Herald reported. The Penrods, a married couple, alleged that Miami Beach officials were attempting to prematurely award Boucher a no-bid contract to take over a city-owned entertainment venue at 1 Ocean Drive where they have operated Nikki Beach Club for nearly 37 years.

On Aug. 1, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Lisa Walsh dismissed the Penrods’ lawsuit, court records show. In late April, the Miami Beach City Commission voted 5-2 to have City Manager Alina Hudak enter into a non-binding term sheet with Boucher Brothers to take over the two-story property when the Penrods’ current lease expires in 2026. Boucher Brothers, which has a city contract to provide beach concessions, had teamed up with Major Food Group.

But a month later, following a barrage of public outrage, the city commission voted to reverse its decision. Instead, Miami Beach is now conducting a competitive bid process for a new 30-year lease, with proposals due this month. 

Other text messages released as part of the discovery show Zalaznick and Boucher Brothers co-owner Steve Boucher helping Miami Beach Assistant Manager Mark Taxis land a reservation at Carbone in Las Vegas. Taxis was later assigned as the city staffer leading negotiations with the city and Boucher Brothers regarding Nikki Beach, the Miami Herald reported. 

In another series of texts, commissioner Arriola reached out to Steven Boucher for help nabbing a beach umbrella and beach chairs for himself and his son. 

Gelber, Arriola and other city officials dismissed questions about potential conflicts of interest  related to having their favors granted influencing their votes to benefit Boucher Brothers and Major Food Group. 

– Francisco Alvarado