It is that time of year again, when South Beach is buzzing with activity. Last weekend’s Boat Show brought many prominent figures to South Florida, investing in yachts and marine equipment, and this weekend the Food and Wine Festival commences. This annual event is a star-studded four day event taking place at venues across Miami Beach and is hosted this year by Southern Wine and Spirits of Florida and Florida International University’s FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. In the past 11 years since its’ inception, the festival has raised over $14million for this School. There are dozens of events each day including lifestyle lectures, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and much more. My choices for this years events are listed below and if you would like the full list of events and to purchase tickets please visit, http://2012.sobefest.com/.
Thursday, February 23, 2012:
Moet Hennessy’s The Q Presented by Allen Brothers Steaks, Sponsored by Miami Magazine, and Hosted by Chefs Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri
Delano Beachside, 1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
This is a new event replacing the BubbleQ Event from prior festivals and should certainly be one not to miss. This event showcases the best BBQ chefs in the country and is hosted by two of the most famous personalities in Television, Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri. The libations at this event are similarly decadent, with Moet and Chandon Champayne, Belvedere Vodka, Hennessy Privilege Cognac, Grand Marnier, and Terrazas de Los Andes vineyard wines. This is a great choice for those who love a good steak!
Friday, February 24, 2012:
Amstel Light Burger Bash Presented by Allen Brothers Steaks and Diet Pepsi, hosted by Rachel Ray
Ritz-Carlton, 1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
This is by far the favorite for a number of years running and it is also the event that sells out the fastest. The running champion of this epic burger competition has been Michael Symon, who has been the contestant to beat for the last two years. His victory last year was realized with a fried salami, provolone, shasha hot sauce, and pickled onion burger, and all are eager to see what he comes up with this year. This is the event to be seen at in South Beach.
Saturday, February 25, 2012:
Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village
13th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
A main event in the Food and Wine Festival, the tasting village is comprised of Culinary Demonstrations from, Andrew Zimmern, Nadia G, Alex Guarnaschelli, The Neelys, Emeril Lagasse, Debi Mazar, Jamie Deen, Bethanny Frankel, Guy Fieri, Sunny Anderson, and Rachel Ray. Book signing is available from Andrew Zimmern, Nadia G., Jamie Deen, The Neelys, Rachel Ray, Emeril Lagasse, Aaron Sanchez, and Roger Mooking. Also, within the village is the American Express Pavilion, which houses all of the best restaurants in South Beach’s latest offerings, and the Winebow Wine Pavillion, offering wines from all over the world. This event provides the most variety of all of the combined events and is a full day affair beginning at 11am and running until 6pm.
Sunday, February 26, 2012:
Sunday Funday Pass
13th and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach and Ritz Carlton, 1 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach
The Sunday Funday pass is new to the options for the Food and Wine Festival, since it contains a pass to the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village, as well as admission to the Trucks on the Beach, Presented by Diet Pepsi and hosted by Andrew Zimmern. Trucks on the Beach is the official closing party for the Food and Wine Festival and is a culinary meeting of Miami’s food truck. The Chefs giving culinary demonstrations on Sunday are among the most prominent; Paula Deen, Michael Symon, Rocco DiSpirito, Masaharu Morimoto, Bobby Deen , Michael Chiarello, Bobby Flay, Robert Irvine, Anthony Bourdain, and Anne Burell. This pass allows you to enjoy the village and the Trucks on the Beach from 11am to 9:30 pm, a true Sunday Funday!
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