We’re officially in the five month countdown—the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival will be back in sexy South Florida from February 21 to 25, 2018. Hands-down America’s most revered nationwide food festival, these five days of fun bring a star-studded lineup of tasting and cocktail events, celebrity chef dinners, parties, lectures, and menus of mind-blowing food like you’ve rarely had before.
Of course, with every year, comes a series of new additions. Find out what new events you can get excited for at #SOBEWFF 2018, below:
BBQ Dinner hosted by Chris Lilly and Jorge Ramos
part of the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series
This year, kick-off SOBEWFF from the sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach, where World BBQ Champion Chris Lilly will host a family-style dinner with Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach’s own Chef Jorge Ramos. Part of the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series, this collaborative dinner will feature great BBQ, as well as gourmet comfort-food sides and desserts by Ramos himself. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach is located at 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.
Clambake hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Jorge Ramos
part of the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series
Famed chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality, Emeril Lagasse, is throwing an oceanfront clambake—and you want to be there. Wander from booth to booth as you try endless wines, cocktails, and bites from South Florida’s top seafood spots. The Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach’s own Chef Jorge Ramos will be there, as will Food Network dessert genius, Duff Goldman. At the end of the night, feast on a poolside buffet of desserts by Duff and others as you enjoy Fort Lauderdale’s relaxing ocean views. This event will take place on Thursday, February 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach is located at 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.
Barry’s Bootcamp and Breakfast
hosted by Robert Irvine
You don’t want to mess with TV star and Chef Robert Irvine, and this event gives you not one, but two reasons why. Joined by co-instructor Derek DeGrazio, partner and head trainer for Barry’s Bootcamp Miami, this event will start with a rigorous morning workout by the pool, followed by drinks and a light breakfast of bites by health-conscious South Florida restaurants. Irvine is the author of Fit Fuel: A Chef’s Guide to Eating Well and Living Your Best Life and founder of Robert Irvine Foods, which features a nutritionally improved line of food products with great flavor, so this even marries his passions for both food and fitness. This event will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The Raleigh Hotel, Oasis is located at 1775 Collins Avenue (the entrance is on 18th Street).
Master Class hosted by Sullivan Street Bakery
Carb overload! Join James Beard Award winner, Jim Lahey, one of America’s most popular chefs and NY bakery owners, as he takes you through the bread-making process he’s mastered. His bakery, Sullivan Street Bakery, is a relatively new spot in Little Haiti. Meet him there, and he will give you tips and tricks about his famous, no-knead bread method, tell you stories from his lifetime, and when the class is over, stuff you with all his best breads, bread dishes, and wine. This event will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sullivan Street Bakery is located at 5550 NE 4th Avenue.
Rooftop Rosé Happy Hour hosted by Kristin Cavallari
part of the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series
While most of us know her from MTV’s Laguna Beach and The Hills, reality television star Kristin Cavallari is also a jewelry and shoe designer, a lifestyle guru, and author of her very own cookbook: True Roots. During this haute happy hour, hang with Kristen, sip on everyone’s favorite pink wine (rosé!), and enjoy light bites and Fort Lauderdale Beach’s near-perfect views. This event will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. W Fort Lauderdale Bungalow is located at 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.
Midnight Munchies
hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Quell your late-night munchies with world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Action Bronson! Española Way is a pedestrian-only slice of Mediterranean paradise in Miami, and on this day, it will be filled with sweet-and-salty, ooey-gooey midnight snacks, handcrafted cocktails, and dancing under the stars. This event will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Get to Española Way from the entrance at Washington Avenue and Española Way.
Sweet-Moves: Late-Night Desserts & Dancing
hosted by Bobby & Sophie Flay
Need another excuse for some late-night snacking and dancing? Join dynamic dad-and-daughter duo, Bobby and Sophie Flay, for a dessert party at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Health and wellness expert and popular DJ, Hannah Bronfman, will bring the high-energy beats, while Bobby, Sofia, and more than a dozen SoFla restaurants will bring the delicious desserts. This event will take place on Saturday, February 24, from 10:30 p.m. to Midnight. Loews Miami Beach Hotel is located at 1601 Collins Avenue.
History of Jewish-American Cuisine hosted by Joan Nathan
featuring Michelle Bernstein, Zak Stern, Michael Solomonov, Alon Shaya and Adeena Sussman
During this event, culinary pioneer Joan Nathan will lead a panel discussion at The Jewish Museum of Florida with some of the most iconic names in Israeli cuisine: like Chefs Alon Shaya, Michael Solomonov, Michelle Bernstein, Adeena Sussman, and baker Zak Stern. Each chef will share their own culinary journey and get personal as they discuss their experiences working with Jewish-American cuisine. Light bites included! This event will take place on Sunday, February 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Jewish Museum of Florida is located at 301 Washington Avenue.
Salty Donut Master Class
Taking place at the Salty Donut Commissary, this class invites a lucky few to get a hands-on look at what makes The Salty Donut one of the hottest donut spots in town. Fillings, glazes, compotes, and more are all made in-house, and their donuts are nothing if not completely out-of-the-box. (Think: Peaches and Brie, Cherry and Thyme, White Chocolate Tres Leches donuts, and more.) Led by the Salty Donut masters themselves, this class will give you an interactive peek at just what makes this small-batch, craft donut operation so special. This event will take place on Sunday, February 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Salty Donut Commissary is located at 50 NW 23rd Street #112.
Family Ice Cream Social
hosted by Duff Goldman
This brand-spankin’ new, family-friendly soirée invites foodies of all ages to enjoy two things: fun in the sun and some delicious frozen treats. Food Network dessert guru, Duff Goldman, will host the event, which will feature more than a dozen South Florida restaurants serving up some of their best ice cream snacks and desserts. This event will take place on Sunday, February 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. Loews Miami Beach Hotel is located at 1601 Collins Avenue.
Goya Foods’ Made in Miami: A Celebration of Latin Culture
hosted by Giorgio Rapicavoli
Join Miami’s favorite boy-next-door chef, Giorgio Rapicavoli (of Eating House and Glass & Vine), as you eat, sip, and dance the night away in a vivacious Latin-inspired event. Taking place at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, this tasty evening will be filled with handcrafted cocktails and delicious small plates by Miami’s most popular chefs, all reminiscent of the Latin traditions that have such a strong influence over the Magic City. This event will take place on Sunday, February 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Biltmore Hotel is located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue.
For more information about these new events, or to buy tickets for yourself, click here. 
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor