The 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) brought a slew of new events to our South Florida shores this year, and like all of them, BACARDI’S Beach Carnival was a total hit. Taking place on the sand behind the dazzling The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach {1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 786.276.4000}, this adult-friendly carnival was hosted by none other than James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, food writer, teacher, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizzare Foods: Andrew Zimmern.

As we entered the tents, we were greeted by festive fire-eaters, jugglers, circus conductors, and glittered dancers right on the sand. Popular carnival games like ping pong, ski-ball, and mallet games were scattered between 20+ food and drink booths; a live DJ; full Grey Goose, Heineken, and BACARDI bars; and at the other end of the tent, the main stage. While Mr. Nice Guy kept everyone moving and shaking, a special on-stage jam sesh with Zimmern himself had fans screaming with joy. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., we filled our bellies a mix of fun-tastic carnival fare from popular chefs and vendors, most of which were from right here in Miami. And considering our mouths are still watering, it’s safe to say we liked what we found.

Here are some of our favorite bites at SOBEWFF’s first-ever BACARDI’s Beach Carnival:

S’mores Cookie
Ooey-gooey s’mores cookie filled with chocolate chips, graham crackers, and marshmallows
From: Phenomenom {11401 South Dixie Highway, Pinecrest; 754.216.3478}
Butternut Nachos
Vegan nachos with butternut-cashew queso
From: Chef Chloe {140 NE 39 Street, Design District; 310.748.9484}

Fried Oreo Bar
Red velvet- and vanilla-fried oreos
From: Circus Eats Food Truck & Catering {1851 Delaware Parkway, Miami; 786.488.2709}
Oh My Dog, Look At Her Fries
Hand-battered all-beef corn dog served with funnel cake fries and a BACARDI Oakheart spiced rum sauce
From: Cheeseburger Baby {1505 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.531.7300}
Truffle Croquettas
Croquettas with Pecorino, crimini mushrooms, and fresh shaved truffles
From: Wynwood Kitchen & Bar {2550 Northwest Second Avenue, Wynwood; 305.722.8959}
Cuban Nachos 
Bed of plantain chips topped with shredded pork, mojo onions, and garlic-cilantro aioli 
From: Sandwich De Miami {2057 SW 8 Street, Little Havana; 305.539.0969}

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor