21 Intriguing Floridians
Florida Monthly spotlights 21 Floridians, excelling in fields from Public Service and Film to Technology and Health, who intrigue us. They mirror the unique demographic and cultural makeup of the Sunshine State.

Food – One of Miami’s hottest chefs grew up believing her future was in dance. Yet, Michelle Bernstein gave up studying ballet professionally in New York to be closer to family and pursue a different passion—nutrition.

“The truth is, I have been cooking since the age of 4 with my mom. I was always interested in what she was making and how,” she said. “Throughout my short ballet career (15 years) and college, cooking was what I turned to. It excited me and relaxed me all at once.”

No matter what she does, it seems Bernstein was meant to excel. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, she worked with several award-winning Miami restaurants to much critical acclaim. In the last few years, Bernstein helped Delta Airlines create new Business Elite Class menus, opened restaurants in Key Largo and Cancun, and received many awards—including the 2008 James Beard Award for Best Chef: South.

Michy’s, a family nickname, is her restaurant in Miami where the food is a blend of her Jewish-Latino background and slightly French technique, learned from former teachers such as renowned chef Jean-Louise Palladin. Her husband, David Martinez, takes care of things outside the kitchen, such as the restaurant’s selective, yet, affordable wine list. Always keeping the customer in mind, the couple decided on half- and whole-portion meals, giving diners the chance to try out more of the menu.

This chef’s vibrant personality and talent have not been kept secret. Bernstein has appeared on Food Network as the host of Melting Pot and as a competitor on Iron Chef America. She was featured on The Today Show, as well as in The New York Times, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Food & Wine magazines. She currently hosts Check, Please! South Florida, a talk show about local restaurants, on WPBT Channel 2.

Despite her success in front of the camera, Bernstein has no celebrity ambitions. “I enjoy real-life cooking,” she explained. “Besides, I work with my amazing husband and so many great friends. I get to feed all sorts of people all the time and change my menu at the drop of a hat. That’s really what it’s all about.”

Her first cookbook, Cuisine á Latiná, was released this fall.

Heritage – For more than 27 years, artist Keith Martin Johns has celebrated Florida’s natural beauty through his paintings. He is a fourth-generation Floridian whose appreciation for the state’s history and settlers began with his grandfather, a major player in the development of Englewood.

After graduating from college, Johns traveled the world and visited Thailand, Poland, Italy, South America and other exotic locations. These travels opened his eyes to the beauty of his home state, now expressed through 300 paintings and 100 limited-edition fine art prints.

“When you’re immersed in another culture or climate and you come home, you realize all the things taken for granted as a part of life here, and it’s like a new perspective on all these familiar surroundings,” said Johns of his travels.

Ever loyal to his subject, Johns strives to make his art accurately reflect life. Last year he participated in the Florida Cracker Trail ride, held each February, which covers approximately 120 miles, from Bradenton to Fort Pierce. Johns kept his easel and brushes handy with the same goal in mind as the Florida Cracker Trail Association—preserving the cattle and horse heritage that is so important to the state’s history.

His current projects include historical heritage research dating back to 1521 and opening an art department in a North Florida school. The department also is developing a museum to hold “a global art collection derived from artists all over the world,” Johns explained. Visit his website for more information: www.keithmartinjohns.com.

Science – Florida State University alumna Laura Lapham exudes an enthusiasm for oceanic studies that is contagious. She was one of five young women awarded a L’Oreal USA Fellowship for Women in Science, which includes $40,000 to support a year of postdoctoral research. Add to that the $50,000 the National Research Council gave her earlier this year, and it seems the young scientist is on track.

Despite her success in the field, science was not always her passion. “While I was always a math person, it wasn’t until I took general chemistry in college that I got really interested in science. My professor was very enthusiastic and brought real-life examples into the curriculum …. I knew that I wanted to combine my love for the outdoors with chemistry, and that is what brought me to working in the oceanography lab. I haven’t looked back since,” she explained.

Lapham’s research focuses on deep-sea gas hydrates containing methane gas, which have been components of climate change in the past. Her geochemical research in the Gulf of Mexico is fascinating to scientists, and it could be essential for every Floridian’s way of life. Needless to say, this research keeps her busy.

“I have been on 15 cruises over the past eight years …. The gulf is an amazing place. I simply love going out to sea. I have also worked in the Atlantic Ocean, offshore North Carolina, and in the Pacific Ocean, offshore Vancouver Island, British Columbia Canada,” Lapham said.

This Sarasota native earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from FSU and a doctorate in marine sciences from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She could not resist the chance to return to Tallahassee and the oceanography department of her alma mater. Lapham works with former professor Jeff Chanton, and she conducts her own research and trains graduate students in the laboratory.

“Personally, I love North Florida. The spring-fed rivers, the pristine coastline and Southern hospitality make this area very special. I wanted a chance to come back here and really take advantage of all Tallahassee and the surrounding area has to offer,” she said.

Environment –Jupiter moms Alyson Hawkins and Susie Smith want to teach children about the environment through an unlikely source—slugs. Sir Slug Brady and Madame Slug Caylee are the main characters in a cast of Huggy Sluggys, stuffed animals made of organic cotton. When ordered from their online store, the slugs come with a bookmark and a book, starring the Sluggys, printed on recycled paper and sent in a reusable bag.

The idea started when the moms started making toys for their own children, instead of worrying about which store-bought toy would be recalled next. Hawkins, who previously worked as a family therapist, also is the founder and president of the Holding Hands Foundation, a nonprofit group that reaches out to Palm Beach families in need. Smith, originally a New Yorker, has lived in Florida for 16 years and is touring the state as the two moms promote their products at “green” events.

These ladies understand that slugs are hardly cute and cuddly in real life, but they think children should learn to love and appreciate all aspects of nature. They only want this idea to get bigger and better, with hopes that the product might lead to an educational DVD. Right now, the whole package costs around $30, with part of the proceeds going to an environmental cause, currently the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter. Visit www.huggysluggys.com for products and information.

TV – Anyone who asks a middle- to high school-age girl about Andrew Seeley will probably be answered with a squeal, and maybe even a song. A graduate of Lake Brantley High School in Central Florida, Seeley has contributed music to all three of Disney Channel’s highest-rated original movies: High School Musical, The Cheetah Girls 2 and Jump In! He also sang some of the songs for Troy in HSM and filled in for Zac Efron on the stage tour.

At the ripe old age of 26, Seeley also has acted on teen television shows One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek, and he fronted the R&B group Nu Ground, which toured with headliners such as Mya. Now, he’s breaking into the movie business, with lead roles in Another Cinderella Story and Shortcut, a horror film from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison production company.

He also has recorded several songs over the past year and started a music production company, Gooniez, with a partner. If you haven’t heard of Seeley yet, you will soon. Visit www.drewseeley.net to find out more.

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