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Business Insider
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
A former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA thought the Miss Universe CEO's 'blond hair and blue eyes' comment was 'very destructive'
When Anne Jakrajutatip was asked how she would evolve beauty pageants, the Miss Universe CEO didn't hesitate. She didn't believe evolution was necessary. "Evolution?" Jakrajutatip asked, her eyes widening as she sat alongside Victoria Kjær Theilvig during a press conference in November 2024 after the 21-year-old from Denmark was crowned Miss Universe. "We have blond and blue eyes," Jakrajutatip continued, referring to Theilvig's appearance. "We don't need any more evolution here. We already got the best here." At the time, the comment shocked many in the pageant community, while others weren't fazed. Now, former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava are sharing their thoughts on the controversial comment. "It shows that we're moving backward," Srivastava told Business Insider during an August interview. "When I was picking a pageant to compete in, what stood out to me about the Miss USA organization was that there were so many different types of women." "I wanted to compete for an organization that cherishes that and doesn't have one type of winner or one type of beauty," she added. "That is obviously changing." A representative for Miss Universe didn't respond to a request for comment. 'It's not the 2000s anymore' Voigt and Srivastava both made history when they won their respective pageants in September 2023. Srivastava was the first winner of Mexican-Indian descent to win the Miss Teen USA title, and Voigt was the first Venezuelan-American to wear the Miss USA crown. She went on to place in the top 20 at Miss Universe, which oversees the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. Voigt said Jakrajutatip's comments felt reminiscent of some pageant fans' reaction to her win in 2023. "The year I competed, people were like, 'We're due for a blond-haired, blue-eyed winner,'" Voigt recalled. "And then when I won, people were like, 'Oh, another brunette.'" She told Business Insider that Jakrajutatip's comment could've been said to "please angry pageant fans" who had complained for several years about not having a Miss Universe winner with blond hair and blue eyes. "But you run a beauty pageant," Voigt said. "There are beautiful people in the world who look very, very different from each other, so pause with that rhetoric. What she said was very destructive." Srivastava said Jakrajutatip's comments also "brought up a lot of emotions" and reminded her of her own experiences with racism, starting from a young age. "It is so hard to constantly try to fit the mold of a standard that you just realistically can never fit," she said. "I can never just magically snap my fingers and have blue eyes." "I'm in a place where I have pretty tough skin now, but there are girls that haven't had to develop that and shouldn't have to," Srivastava added. "That's ridiculous and outdated. It's not the 2000s anymore." The pageant world had mixed reactions to Jakrajutatip's remarks. Miss Universe 2024 first runner-up Chidimma Adetshina, who made history as the first Miss Nigeria to place in the top five, told Business Insider in November that she was "not really offended by it." "Maybe that's just her perspective," she said about Jakrajutatip. "Maybe that's how she felt about the evolution of Miss Universe." Others, including current Miss America Abbie Stockard, took issue with Jakrajutatip's words and how they would affect the image of pageant queens. "That's just so frustrating to hear because I know I fall into that category, and it just seems like it takes away from all the hard work I put into it," Stockard told Business Insider after she was crowned in January. A string of controversies Jakrajutatip's comment was just the latest in a string of controversies from the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations. Voigt and Srivastava never finished their reigns, relinquishing the titles in May 2024 within days of each other. It was the first time in the pageant's 72-year history that a woman had given up her crown. The mothers of the pageant queens told Business Insider at the time that Voigt and Srivastava, who are bound by nondisclosure agreements, had endured "eight months of torture and abuse" under the leadership of Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose, who has denied the allegations. The Miss Universe Organization never investigated Voigt and Srivastava's allegations regarding Rose. A spokesperson for the organization told Business Insider in July 2024 that Miss Universe was a "beacon of women empowerment and diversity" and remained committed to "promoting inclusion, transparency, and integrity, which will not be swayed by unfounded allegations." Jakrajutatip's "blond and blue eyes" remark also came just weeks after she went on Instagram Live and judged photos of the Miss Universe 2024 contestants alongside the pageant's advisor Osmel Sousa, who once told The New York Times that inner beauty "was something that unpretty women invented to justify themselves." In another video, filmed in October 2023 and obtained by Business Insider, Jakrajutatip told her staff that diverse pageant contestants "can compete, but they can't win," calling it a "communication strategy." In a statement posted on her Facebook page in February 2024, Jakrajutatip said she had been discussing a potential Miss Universe reality show. "The way they're handling everything is laughable at a certain point," Voigt told Business Insider in August. "How are you in charge of this organization and doing these things? It makes me really mad. This is straight-up clownery."
Miami Herald
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Feds say Smartmatic bribed Venezuela's top election official with luxury home
Federal prosecutors in South Florida allege that Venezuelan-American tech executive Roger Piñate — co-founder of the voting technology company Smartmatic — secretly bribed Venezuela's longtime elections chief, Tibisay Lucena Ramírez, by transferring control of a luxury residence in Caracas to her in exchange for political favors. The alleged bribe, according to prosecutors, was intended to help Smartmatic secure Lucena's help in a commercial dispute with the Venezuela government, following the company's August 2017 accusation that the Nicolás Maduro regime committed fraud in the National Constituent Assembly election—a claim that led Smartmatic to cease operations in the country. The bribe allegation, detailed in new court filing, is expected to be used by Miami federal prosecutors as evidence against Piñate, who is charged with multiple counts of money laundering and bribery related to contracts in the Philippines. The U.S. government plans to present photographs, witness testimony, and encrypted text messages to demonstrate that Piñate, 49, orchestrated the transfer of an upper-middle-class home with a pool to Lucena Ramírez between April and July 2019. Prosecutors claim the house was offered as a bribe to secure favorable treatment from Lucena, who, as president of Venezuela's National Electoral Council wielded broad authority over the country's controversial voting system and its private vendors. Reacting to the allegations, Smartmatic said the government's filing is 'filled with misrepresentations.' 'As an example, the government's citation of an alleged bribe in Venezuela in 2019 is untethered from reality. Smartmatic ceased all operations in Venezuela in August 2017 after blowing the whistle on the government and has never sought to secure business there again,' the company told the Herald in an email. 'We have always operated lawfully, ethically, and transparently. We stand by our two-decade track record of integrity.' According to the filing, the residence at the center of the alleged scheme was controlled by Piñate through a foreign shell company. Prosecutors say he worked with others — including 'Individual 1,' an unnamed co-conspirator mentioned in a broader indictment — to obscure the property's origin and prevent the transaction from being traced back to him or to Smartmatic. Text messages among the group, according to prosecutors, show that they plotted to transfer the home's title through a third party to conceal the transaction's true purpose: a bribe. Ultimately, Lucena assumed control of the property, which prosecutors say was compensation for her support in resolving a commercial dispute between Smartmatic and the Venezuelan government. The filings cite Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which permits the introduction of evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts not charged in the indictment if they help prove motive, intent, or a pattern of behavior. The Justice Department argues that the alleged Caracas bribe sheds light on Piñate's methods — and supports the broader claim that he systematically used illicit payments to secure or maintain contracts with election officials in various countries. The alleged bribe to Lucena occurred during a stormy period in Smartmatic's dealings with Venezuela. In 2017, a public rift erupted between the company and the electoral council over the results of the Constituent Assembly elections. Smartmatic accused the Maduro regime of manipulating turnout figures, inflating them by at least one million votes, and announced it would cease operations in the country. From 2004 to 2017, Smartmatic had been one of the Venezuelan government's most significant technology partners, supplying voting machines, election software and logistical support under contracts worth tens of millions of dollars. Piñate, as Chief Operating Officer and later President, played a key role in managing the company's relationship with the electoral council leadership. Following the 2017 fallout, Smartmatic stopped receiving payments under its contracts with Venezuela. Prosecutors allege that Piñate sought to repair the relationship and believed Lucena — then still council president — was essential to achieving that goal. Lucena, who died in April 2023, led the electoral council from roughly 2006 through mid-2020 and remained a central figure in Venezuela's electoral infrastructure during the presidencies of Hugo Chávez and much of Nicolás Maduro's tenure. While praised by the regime as a technocrat, she was widely criticized by opposition leaders and international observers for overseeing an electoral system plagued by irregularities and manipulation. The revelations about Lucena come as Piñate faces criminal charges related to a $1 million bribery scheme in the Philippines. In August 2024, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida indicted Piñate and Jorge Miguel Vásquez, 62, of Davie, Florida, for conspiring to bribe Juan Andrés Donato Bautista, the former chairman of the Philippine Commission on Elections. Prosecutors allege that Piñate and his co-defendant inflated the prices of voting machines sold to the Philippines and diverted the excess funds into secret accounts used to pay off Bautista. These illicit transactions were disguised through fake contracts, loan agreements, and coded language. the government says. The funds were laundered through accounts in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., including financial institutions in South Florida. Piñate and Bautista are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and three counts of international money laundering. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each count. The cases have brought renewed scrutiny to Smartmatic, a company long at the center of debates over electronic voting systems, especially in Latin America. Though it has consistently defended the integrity of its technology and denied involvement in government manipulation, the firm now finds itself implicated in allegations that its senior leadership engaged in bribery as a routine business practice. Smartmatic was founded in 2000 by Piñate, Antonio Mugica, and Alfredo José Anzola, with the goal of providing secure digital voting systems. The company gained international prominence after the Chávez government awarded it contracts to modernize Venezuela's election infrastructure in 2004. The company's systems were used in numerous elections during the Chávez and Maduro eras, playing a central role in digitizing the country's voting process.
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
‘We came to contribute': End of Venezuelan TPS threatens South Florida economy
Two months after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration's authority to end deportation protections for Venezuelans, businesses in South Florida, home to the largest Venezuelan population in the U.S., are feeling the strain. 'How do you tell an employee they have to go back to Venezuela? Those who left didn't leave because they wanted to—they left out of necessity,' said Mario J. Benedetti, a Venezuelan-American owner of multiple car dealerships in South Florida who employs a hundred fellow Venezuelans. 'If our country hadn't gone through such a political and economic crisis, we'd still be there.' Benedetti, 61, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is a third-generation car dealer whose family began selling vehicles in eastern Venezuela over a century ago. He left the country in 2009 to start over in South Florida. Since then, he has built and expanded a network of car dealerships representing Toyota and Kia, along with a certified body shop servicing those automotive brands. A third of Benedetti's 325 employees are Venezuelan — including five with Temporary Protected Status, 63 asylum seekers, and 32 U.S. residents. Benedetti said the only option for him is to help them secure legal immigration status. He is now exploring employment-based labor certifications not only for TPS holders, but also for asylum seekers, who make up about 20% of his workforce. 'That's an economic burden I have to assume,' he said, adding that the administration's revocation of TPS has disrupted every aspect of his business, generating deep uncertainty—especially surrounding the expiration of work permits. The decision to end TPS, which provided work permits for many of the 607,000 Venezuelan who have the status, has sent shock waves through the Miami area and beyond. As the largest TPS migrant group in the U.S., Venezuelans make a significant economic impact, contributing an estimated $11.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to the immigration reform nonprofit Venezuela was designated in 2021 for TPS — a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of countries facing unsafe conditions for return — due to a severe humanitarian crisis marked by political and economic instability, widespread human rights abuses, and high levels of violence. The Biden administration expanded TPS in 2023, and extended it through 2026. The Trump administration reversed the extension and the Supreme Court on May 19 upheld that decision, immediately stripping protections from roughly 350,000 people, with another 257,000 slated to lose their protected status on Sept. 10. Benedetti was among several Venezuelan business people who gathered last week at Florida International University for the launch of the Venezuelan Business Power survey — an initiative led by the Coral Gables-based Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce of the United States aimed at capturing a comprehensive picture of Venezuelan entrepreneurship in the U.S.. As one of the sponsors of the poll, Benedetti said the initiative seeks to challenge the negative stereotypes surrounding Venezuelan immigrants. 'For me, it's crucial that people understand Venezuelans are not criminals. We didn't come here to take from the state — we came to contribute, to help this country grow,' he said. 'The best way to show our gratitude for the opportunity the U.S. has given us is by giving back. We need to restore the dignity of Venezuelans, whose reputation has been unfairly attacked.' Chamber President Leonardo Trechi told the Herald that nearly every industry in South Florida — from automotive and finance to services — relies on Venezuelan workers. 'Many are specialized and highly trained,' he said. 'If they're laid off, it won't just harm those workers. It will hurt the companies that invested in them.' The chamber estimates that, based on national Hispanic entrepreneurship trends showing that 7% of Hispanics own businesses, there could be more than 70,000 Venezuelan-owned businesses across the country. These businesses are believed to employ over 420,000 people and contribute an estimated $63 billion annually to the U.S. economy through billing, wages, and overall impact on GDP. In South Florida, the food industry — a cultural and economic lifeline for Venezuelan immigrants — is already feeling the pain. From food trucks to brick-and-mortar restaurants, Venezuelan-owned eateries not only offer familiar cuisine but also provide jobs for fellow immigrants. Many owners, particularly those who hold TPS themselves, say they fear becoming targets for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Florida is likely to bear the brunt of the fallout from the end of TPS. Nearly half of all Venezuelans who had deportation protections live in the state, according to economist Michael Clemens, a professor at George Mason University, who based his findings on U.S. Census Bureau data. Clemens estimates that a third of the roughly 350,000 people who have already lost TPS protections are in Florida. Many may have also lost their work permits. While some TPS holders remain legally authorized to work through other pending immigration processes, such as asylum claims, there is no public data confirming how many still have valid authorization. Clemens' analysis shows Venezuelan workers with TPS are heavily concentrated in service-based industries, with the hospitality and recreation sector employing the largest share, followed closely by the retail trade. Other major sectors include professional and scientific services, construction and health care and education. Unlike other migrant groups, Venezuelans are rarely employed in agriculture or rural jobs. He said there's a perception that jobs for waitresses, cleaners and cooks are easy to fill, but in reality those workers are indispensable. 'That's why research in the U.S. has found that mass deportation is followed by a reduction of business activities.' One in 10 Venezuelan TPS holders in the U.S. are self-employed, while half work for wages. The remainder are not currently employed, a group that includes children, retirees, students and others outside the work force. The end of TPS is being felt not only by families, but by entire industries and local governments across Florida. From Orlando to Miami, layoffs, legal uncertainty and business instability are on the rise. Major companies like Disney laid off 45 Venezuelan employees following the Supreme Court's decision. A company spokesperson said affected workers were placed on leave with benefits to ensure compliance with immigration law. The Miami Herald spoke with 10 South Florida businesses owned by or catering to Venezuelans. Most asked not to be identified, fearing retaliation from immigration authorities. But they all echoed a shared concern: Venezuelans are not just employees — they're also customers. A sharp drop in consumer spending is already being felt, and many fear the ripple effects will deepen across multiple sectors, weakening the region's economy. Alexander Rueda, CEO of PANNA New Latino Food — a company founded in 2000 by a Venezuelan family in Weston and now a staple of Latin American cuisine in Broward County — said the impact goes beyond his workforce. 'More than a direct impact on our employees, the biggest impact is on the consumers,' he said. 'Consumer demand has changed; many are now diverting part of their budgets to immigration processes instead of dining out or spending as they used to.' Over the past 25 years, PANNA has grown from a small food stand inside a gas station into a thriving enterprise with five restaurants—three in Broward, one in Miami-Dade, and one in Orange County—as well as two food production factories in North Miami Beach and Miami Gardens. The company produces 4.6 tons of food daily for several brands and currently employs 246 people. In 2024, PANNA reported $46 million in annual sales and expected to exceed that in 2025. However, the revocation of TPS is beginning to take a toll on the company through declining consumer spending at its restaurants. Rueda said demand at PANNA's locations has fallen by 20% over the past three months. Rueda, 54, like Benedetti—a sponsor of the chamber's poll—emphasized that 'Venezuelans are more than the stigma tied to the Tren de Aragua gang,' he said, referring to the notorious criminal group. 'We are entrepreneurial, educated, and we contribute significantly to the economy.' Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she is 'deeply saddened' by the potential impact of the TPS termination on the more than 300,000 Venezuelans living in the county. 'This decision not only puts thousands of our neighbors and friends at risk,' she said, 'it punishes those who followed a legal process and are here contributing to our economy, our culture, and driving some of our most important industries.' The northwest Miami-Dade municipality of Doral — the U.S. city with the largest Venezuelan population, fondly known as 'Doralzuela' — is at at the epicenter of the crisis. A well-known Venezuelan bakery in Doral has grown from humble beginnings as a food truck, where it sold traditional sweets such as pan dulce, soft bread topped with sugar, and bombas rellenas , cream-filled puffs. The truck traveled across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, often stopping in cities with large Venezuelan communities, including Pembroke Pines and Weston—the latter nicknamed 'Westonzuela' for being one of the earliest hubs of Venezuelan settlement more than two decades ago. Today, the owner has expanded into a brick-and-mortar location in Doral. A TPS holder, he lives in the U.S. with his family. Before obtaining deportation protections in 2021, they had tried to apply for an investor visa. The Doral bakery owner is among the 12% of Venezuelans with TPS who are self-employed, contributing to the U.S. economy through small businesses, independent contracting and entrepreneurship, according to data from Clemens. Like thousands Venezuelans in the U.S., the Doral bakery owner has a pending asylum case, filed in 2018. After years waiting for an asylum interview, TPS provided his family with much-needed stability that is now slipping away. Despite the uncertainty, he keeps running his bakery and dreams of opening a second location in Weston. But he fears being forced to leave the U.S.. 'The promise of stability is disappearing,' he said. 'And with it, the American dream.' Returning to Venezuela is not an option for him. 'The country I left no longer exists,' he says, citing violent crime, the country's humanitarian crisis and political persecution. He fears for his family's safety as well as losing their livelihood. Their TPS protection could expire as early as September if a federal district court does not rule to extend deportation protections. Litigation is still ongoing in several federal courts, because the Supreme Court ruling did not address the actual merits of a lawsuit challenging the administration's revocation policy. The fear is spreading through government offices too. In Doral, Mayor Christi Fraga said the city has already had to terminate a Venezuelan employee in code enforcement whose work permit expired after the Supreme Court ruling. Several more city employees could face the same fate in September. Fraga, a Cuban-American Republican, warned of broader fallout: 'We'll likely see properties flood the market, driving down prices. Businesses may struggle to find workers or shut down. There's a real risk of people working illegally or ending up homeless.' About 40% of Doral's residents are of Venezuelan origin. Roughly 10,000 are now U.S. citizens, a third of the city's electorate, but many of their friends and relatives face growing legal uncertainty. 'This city's success is largely due to Venezuelan investment,' Fraga said. 'It mirrors what happened with Cuban immigrants in Miami.' City Council Member Rafael Pineyro, the only currently Venezuelan-born elected official in Doral, echoed the mayor's concerns. 'This has a knock-on effect that will impact not just Doral, but all of Miami-Dade,' he said. 'Business owners might be forced to sell their homes and businesses — everything they legally built while contributing to this community.' A Republican, Pineyro criticized the Trump administration's decision to end TPS for Venezuela, saying it was based on a mistaken assessment that conditions there had improved. 'Venezuela hasn't improved — it has regressed,' he said. 'The regime is more oppressive than ever.' As TPS protections unravel, thousands of Venezuelans in Florida and across the country face difficult choices: stay and risk being deported, try to find another legal path, or flee again. More than 66% of Venezuelans in the U.S.—a community now exceeding 903,000 people—were protected under TPS. Despite their growing numbers, Venezuelans remain among the least likely immigrant groups to be naturalized U.S. citizens. According to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, one key reason is that most Venezuelans are recent arrivals: 74% have come to the U.S. since 2010, compared to 35% of all immigrants. 'Venezuelans, like other immigrants, sit at the dinner table with American family members, and a significant number have U.S. citizen children,' Clemens said. 'That's why making life precarious for Venezuelans, and the potential removal of over 600,000 people, isn't just about disrupting immigrant lives. It risks a chilling effect that will reach into every corner of American society.'
Cision Canada
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Global Music Group KATSEYE Enters Toca Boca World™ as the First-Ever Guest Characters in a Music-Fueled Collaboration Launching June 10
"We want Toca Boca players to feel like they can boldly and unapologetically be themselves," says Emil Ovemar, co-founder of Toca Boca and Head of Play. "This collaboration is all about finding your people, owning your style, and having fun while doing it. Toca Boca and KATSEYE come together in a fun mix of culture, music, and entertainment—bringing our global communities even closer through shared values of inclusivity and self-expression." The six members of KATSEYE are: Daniela (Cuban/Venezuelan-American, from Atlanta, GA), Lara (Indian, from New York, NY), Manon (Ghanaian-Italian, from Zurich, Switzerland), Megan (Chinese-American, from Honolulu, HI), Sophia (Manila, Philippines), and Yoonchae (Seoul, South Korea). Each member's diverse background, iconic charm, style and talent will be relatable to Toca Boca's fans and players. "Our fans have been a part of our journey since our creation and now our EYEKONS can come together in Toca Boca World to experience KATSEYE through playful self-expression, exploring our music all while celebrating their own uniqueness and style," said KATSEYE. A celebration of cultural diversity and individuality, KATSEYE will bring their international flair to the Toca Boca universe where creativity is prioritized, and everyone is welcome to be whoever they want to be. Players worldwide can connect with the KATSEYE members through activations that include: KATSEYE Guest Characters – For the first time ever, Toca Boca World will introduce 'guest characters' reflecting the KATSEYE group members as Toca Boca World characters. Each representation is uniquely designed to highlight their larger-than-life personas and unique personalities – from their hairstyles to facial details like Lara's bindi and Daniela's birthmark. A Voxella Festival TM Stage Takeover – The KATSEYE guest characters will descend on the Voxella Festival stage, arriving one at a time, and once united, unlocking the first KATSEYE song. Music Player – A custom-skinned music player will play four KATSEYE songs including the hugely popular single "Touch" which has over 100 million streams on Spotify, "Debut", "I'm Pretty" and a soon to be released new single that will be added to the player July 2. Style Pack – We're inviting players to unlock their power with the KATSEYE Style Pack. Included are twelve outfits inspired by KATSEYE's dynamic style both on- and offstage, each member's distinct hairstyle and accessories featuring their unique charms. Free Gifts – A free gift event will deliver KATSEYE-inspired digital gifts to fans including a fan outfit, dance rehearsal bag, tumbler, poster and each girl's unique charms complete with magic jewelry box all delivered in branded gift-wrapping paper. "This collaboration with KATSEYE is about more than just music and culture; it's about empowerment," said Mathilda Engman, Head of Creative & Brand at Toca Boca."This is an invitation to shine boldly, inspiring fans to connect through style and storytelling. Players can not only see KATSEYE in Toca Boca World, but also be a part of the magic together with them." The limited-time collaboration will debut on June 10 th and run through August 26 th. For Toca Boca, this initiative reinforces the studio's investment in music and catering to the ever-evolving needs of kids and tweens, where identity development and self-expression are fundamental. About Toca Boca Toca Boca was founded in 2011 with a simple mission – to create playful, safe spaces where kids can have fun and feel free to be themselves. Solo or social, kid, tween or teen. Today, more than 60+ million kids from all over the world play Toca Boca's games every month and. That's right. Every. Single. Month. Toca Boca games have now been downloaded over 1 billion times worldwide. The studio's award-winning app, Toca Boca World, is its biggest game to date. It's an ever-evolving world where kids are in total control. Toca Boca is based in Stockholm, and owned by Spin Master Corp., a leading global children's entertainment company. For more information, visit About Spin Master Spin Master Corp. (TSX: TOY) is a leading global children's entertainment company, creating exceptional play experiences through its three creative centres: Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. With distribution in over 100 countries, Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands PAW Patrol®, Hatchimals®, Bakugan®, Kinetic Sand®, Air Hogs®, Melissa & Doug®, Rubik's® Cube and GUND®, and is the global toy licensee for other popular properties. Spin Master Entertainment creates and produces compelling multiplatform content, through its in-house studio and partnerships with outside creators, including the preschool franchise PAW Patrol, and numerous other original shows, short-form series and feature films. The Company has an established presence in digital games, anchored by the Toca Boca® and Sago Mini® brands, offering open-ended and creative game and educational play in digital environments. Through Spin Master Ventures, the Company makes minority investments globally in emerging companies and start-ups. With 29 offices spanning nearly 20 countries, Spin Master employs close to 3,000 team members globally. For more information, visit or @SpinMaster on LinkedIn and Instagram. SOURCE Spin Master Corp.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New restaurants serve smoked BBQ baked potatoes, brick-oven pizzas, handcrafted soups
New restaurants recently opened feature smoked barbecue baked potatoes, brick-oven pizzas, handcrafted soups and homemade biscuits. In case you missed any of the stories for subscribers that TCPalm previously posted throughout the past month about new restaurants — as well as those coming soon — here's a roundup with links. Click "read the full story" for the name, location, hours, photos, menu highlights, signature dishes and more information about the restaurants, especially exclusive interviews with chefs and owners. If you have restaurant news, please email A new brunch restaurant has opened with a breakfast menu featuring savory eggs Benedict, old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes, waffles, omelets and healthy options. Its lunch menu includes over a dozen sandwich and wrap options, fresh and vegetable-filled salads and homemade soups. A new Venezuelan-American cafe has opened in a unique location: inside a car dealership. It's the second location for the owners, who are from Caracas, Venezuela. The menu includes empanadas, pastries, sandwiches and desserts. A new restaurant specializes in handcrafted soups and homemade biscuits. It serves a rotating selection of handcrafted soups, such as hearty corn chowder and California marinade vegetable beef soup, as well as "sides you crave" — including cheddar garlic buttermilk biscuits. Read the full story. A new brewery and restaurant with craft beer and cocktails has opened. It's the second location of the brewery after opening their first location in Yaphank, Long Island, New York. The Port St. Lucie location is the same concept with a similar menu, a full bar, craft-style beers, brick-oven pizzas and TVs with seating outside. Read the full story. An authentic Italian pizzeria named after focaccia bread has opened. The new restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers free delivery. The menu features specialty pizzas, as well as pizza in "teglia," or pizza in the pan, and appetizers, salads, calzones, strombolis, cold and hot subs and desserts. A barbecue taphouse with a full bar and live music has opened. It serves smoked baked potato, homemade chili and Frito pie, and it features weekly chef's specials, such as jalapeno poppers, BBQ egg rolls, and 'Tipsy Texan' and 'Sloppy Hog' sandwiches. Brewery changes: Sailfish Brewing Co. in Fort Pierce adds craft liquor, cocktails New indoor adventure park: Ride go-karts, play arcade games, plus bowling, glow mini golf 15 best beaches in Vero Beach: Jaycee Park, South Beach, Round Island, Sebastian Inlet Port St. Lucie's first craft brewery is becoming an English soccer pub and brewery. It plans to serve food imported from England that includes Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, fish and chips, bangers and mash, and steak and kidney pies. Even bags of potato chips — 'crisps' — are imported with flavors that include tomato ketchup, pickled onion and prawn cocktail. Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurants recently opened Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce Vero Beach
