Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best event during the South Beach Wine & Food Fest 2014, Image courtesy of Facebook

By Ashley Brozic | City Editor

Have you heard? The South Beach Wine & Food Festival kicks off on February 19, and with that comes country’s most celebrated and celebrity chefs to cook and celebrate right on Miami’s sandy shores. 75 events are expected to take place over the four day festival, including classic favorites and new additions.

“This is surely a year that our loyal fans will do a double-take at the program and new attendees will find plenty of events to choose from,” predicts Festival Founder & Director Lee Brian Schrager. ” “We have made significant changes to upgrade the experience at our signature Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village and are taking our beloved event, The Q, to the next level by partnering with Meatopia.”

So what are these changes? At the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village, you’ll notice more seating and shaded areas this year, more live music and DJs, and complimentary ‘park and ride’ offerings to take you to and from the garage to the venue. You’ll also see the introduction of Culinary Captains, who will represent chefs from respective neighborhoods throughout South Florida.

There will also be entirely new events, notably, a Poolside Paella Party hosted by José Andrés of The Bazaar, a late-night spiced up soirée hosted by Bobby Flay and a tiki-themed poolside bartender competition hosted by Emeril Lagasse.

General public tickets go on sale starting Monday, October 20, however MasterCard cardholders get exclusive access to tickets starting Monday, October 6 at 9am. You can get your tickets here.