South Florida has had quite a month. Now that all the hype and hoopla of the Super Bowl has transitioned from the Sunshine State to New Orleans (despite Fat Tuesday already passing, Lombardi Gras is still going on there), South Beach is serving up something a little different from football fare this week—instead of crazed pigskin diehards, it will be refined tastes, exquisite appetites, and luxury Miami hotels being filled.
Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University, which just happens to have one of the best college hospitality programs around, the South Beach Food & Wine festival has become an annual Miami vacation for some of the top names in the wine and culinary world—as well as connoisseurs of the fruit of the vine and foodies everywhere. For four days, the event will showcase these talents, tasters, and numerous culinary personalities, including many from the Food Network which sponsors the event.
In its tenth year, the festival benefits FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Teaching Restaurant. The event started out small, and was first held at FIU’s Biscayne Bay campus (which is one of the more scenic campuses around when it comes to the surrounding environment) as a one-day event before being moved in 2002 to South Beach, where nearly 10,000 attended to enjoy a series of dinners, seminars, tastings, and auctions. Each year, the festival has grown before really taking flight and attracting 50,000 people last year. The Food Network has been part of the festivities since 2007, accenting the flavors of the featured seafood, Latin, and Caribbean-inspired cuisine with its roster of well known chefs and hosts, as well broadening the appeal to an international viewing audience.
The festival opens on Feb. 25 with a burger bash at the Ritz-Carlton on South Beach. If you think that’s not real fancy, consider that Rachel Ray is hosting the event, and it’s at the Ritz, so you know it’s going to have some extra glam and flair. In fact, my guess is that it will feature the greatest cheeseburger in paradise that you’ve ever had.
The next day will feature Emeril Lagasse and Friends at the Delano hosting the Perrier-Jouet BubbleQ. What exactly is a BubbleQ? It is the unlikely, but highly appetizing marriage of champagne and barbecue. Also on Friday will be Wine Spectator’s Best of Best, held at the famous Fontainebleau, where sophistication and indulgence will be paired to perfection. There are many places in Florida where you can enjoy wine, but this international collection is like nothing your palate has experienced before.
To satisfy your taste buds, you’ll want to attend the Grand Tasting Village which is open Saturday and Sunday from 11am EST to 6pm, where an entire menu of culinary offerings will fill any appetite. You may want to start saving room now as you’ll experience multiple stages with numerous famous chefs serving up a plethora of offerings which you can sip, nibble, gulp, or in some cases, devour completely to your stomach’s delight. Another popular event is the Fun & Fit as a Family expo, as well as the Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen which is held on Saturday at Jungle Island.
There are numerous other events scheduled for the weekend, and countless other culinary celebrities such as Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, and Martha Stewart. So cruise on over to the official site for the event schedule or to purchase tickets. Come hungry!
Image: plumtv
