There are three times of year Miami foodies come together: Miami Spice, Thanksgiving, and the Godfather of them all, the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®). Taking place from February 22 to 26, 2017, the 16th edition of this event will include 90+ celebrity events, unusual dinners, tastings, chef lectures, late-night parties, bar events, beach soirées, the ever-popular Taste of Fort Lauderdale Series, and more in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Special to South Florida, this is one of the nation’s most celebrated foodie weekends–and while most foodies have already gotten their tickets, there are still a few left. Get your tickets now before it’s too late!
As it does every year, SOBEWFF 2017 will include popular annual events like the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village featuring Mastercard Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid® Culinary Demonstrations, the Heineken Light Burger Bash® presented by Schweid & Sons hosted by Rachael Ray, Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best, Southern Kitchen Brunch by Trisha Yearwood, Tacos After Dark, and Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach. For the 16th time, the festival will also host its annual Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, which will be guided by Master of Ceremonies Anthony Bourdain, and this year, pay homage to none other than award-winning chef José Andrés, who was recently awarded the National Humanities Medal at The White House by President Obama. In addition to these exciting events and more, here are a handful of new surprises you can get excited about at SOBEWFF this year:
The David Grutman Experience
For the first time, the festival has partnered with hospitality and nightlife guru David Grutman. Taking place at the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village on Sunday, February 26, Grutman will bring his signature over-the-top nightlife experiences straight to the sands of Miami Beach.
Craft-y Happy Hour
Who doesn’t love a good craft cocktail? Join Miami’s Craft Spirits Fest and SOBEWFF at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila for a cocktail-filled happy hour.
Burnt Ends: A Kosher BBQ Dinner Hosted by Alon Shaya
For a one-of-a-kind BBQ, head to this Kosher dinner hosted by Alon Shaya, of Shaya in New Orleans; Zak Stern, of Zak the Baker; and a few other chosen chefs. To make sure it stays true to its name, the whole event will be overseen by Rabbi Chaim Lipskar of the Rok Family Shul in Downtown Miami.
Heart of New Orleans Dinner Hosted by Nina Compton, David Kinch, Donald Link, and Julia Doyne
Come get a real taste of NOLA with a dinner by James Beard Award winner Donald Link and hot, New Orleans-based chefs David Morgan and Nina Compton.
10 Years of Genuine: Dinner Hosted by Michael Schwartz, Marc Vetri, and Jonathan Waxman
In honor of the 10th anniversary of his flagship restaurant, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Michael Schwartz will co-host an intimate dinner with veteran chefs Marc Vetri and Jonathan Waxman.
Salty, Sweet & Savory Treats: A Late-Night Party Featuring Bar Lab, the Salty Donut, and Sarsaparilla Club
What’s better than late-night fried chicken, doughnuts, and cocktails? Nothing. Find out why at this event, co-hosted by The Salty Donut, Sarsaparilla Club, and Bar Lab.
Food Fight Hosted by Guy Fieri
Taking place at Monty’s Sunset, celebrity chef Guy Fieri will host a live game show that pits your favorite celebrity chefs against each other–all while you sip cocktails and enjoy priceless views.
Noodling Around: A Late-Night Party Hosted by Dale Talde
Top Chef alum Dale Talde, of Talde Miami Beach, will host a late-night noodle party that fuses pan-Asian bites, good drinks, and in true Talde fashion, hip-hop.
A Taste of Brickell City Centre After Dark hosted by Michael & Liz Symon
Brickell City Centre is undeniably Miami’s hottest addition of 2016, and for the first time, it’s participating in SOBEWFF. Hosted by Symon, an Iron Chef and host of Burgers, Brew and ‘Que on Food Network, this exclusive late-night look at Brickell City Centre will feature live DJs and tastings of specially-curated menu items from the venue’s in-house restaurants: like Pubbelly Sushi, Tacology, and more. Guests will also get a sneak peek at the centre’s exciting new Italian Food Hall coming Fall 2017.
Fusing good food with a good cause, proceeds from this weekend will benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. For more information about dates and prices, or to buy your tickets for SOBEWFF 2017, click here or call 877.762.3933. But hurry up–they’re going fast.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor