On the evening before the Latina Powerhouse Top 100 Gala, ¡HOLA! hosted an intimate gathering at Donatella Miami, where conversation, connection, and culinary craft came together in a setting in the perfect Miami setting.
The dinner served as a thoughtful overture to a historic celebration honoring 100 Latina Powerhouses who shape so many sectors of our culture, from entertaiment to business, and community across the United States and Latin America.
Why Donatella was the ideal location
Situated in the heart of Miami Beach’s iconic Art Deco District on Collins Avenue, Donatella has emerged as one of the city’s most magnetic and romantic dining destinations, described as a Mediterranean oasis for good reason.
The restaurant has a Neo-Mediterranean architectural design that blends modern coastal with the grandeur of a Baroque-inspired Italian palace, creating an atmosphere that is stylish, cozy, and effortlessly sophisticated. Its warm lighting, cosmopolitan vibe, and elegant architecture made it an ideal choice for refined private gatherings, intimate celebrations, and upscale group dining for both small and large parties.
Paired with the restaurant’s signature menu, rooted in contemporary Italian cuisine, featuring handmade pastas, refined crudos, and high-quality ingredients prepared with precision, Donatella is the perfect backdrop for an evening meant to be meaningful and memorable.
Honoring the Latina Powerhouse Movement
The Latina Powerhouse Top 100 Gala represents a significant milestone for ¡HOLA!, created to recognize outstanding Latina trailblazers whose influence and impact resonate across media, business, philanthropy, culture and entertainment. The pre-gala dinner offered a quieter moment to honor this mission before the main event.
Some of the key guests in attendance included ¡HOLA! AMÉRICAS Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer, Nagidmy Márquez, joined by Mercedes Sánchez Pérez and María del Carmen Sánchez Pérez, both Directors of ¡HOLA! Group as well as the sisters, the daughters of the founders, who started the 80-year-plus brand.
They were joined by sponsors, partners, and close friends who have supported the vision behind Latina Powerhouse.
Tequila: a cultural experience
A highlight of the evening came from Tequila Tesoro Azul, co-founded by Alejandro Patterson and Mexican music legend Marco Antonio Solís. Guests then enjoyed an intimate guided tasting of Tesoro Azul’s Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas.
Also, Alejandro shared the story behind the brand, explaining how it was built with his family and crafted in Jesús María. His storytelling walked guests through the entire process, from harvesting agave to shaping the distinct character of each expression.
He also explained the nuances of each type of tequila, making the experience not only fun but surprisingly educational, adding a meaningful cultural layer to the evening.
The evening before the historic LPH celebration
As glasses of Tesoro Azul were raised, the toast honored not only the Latina Powerhouses but also the shared mission behind ¡HOLA!’s work, celebrating the collective strength of Latina women.
The gathering at Donatella was a memorable moment that proved that sometimes, the perfect place, cuisine, and the right company are all that is needed to create a night that resonates long after the last toast.