Navigating the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF) can be an overwhelming endeavor. This year, the five-day fest from Feb. 21-25 includes more than 90 events, and more than 400 participating chefs and celebrities. Here are the top six things you should know about this star-studded event.
Local and National Chefs
In many ways, SOBEWFF is a giant, in-person direct marketing scheme—in the most delicious way possible. It brings avid food-lovers face-to-face with vetted restaurants, allowing guests to preview a plethora of hot spots in one fell swoop. Take Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach ($150) for example. Attendees can sample trendy South Florida pizzerias, like Louie Bossi’s and Andiamo!, so they’ll know where to go next time a craving hits.
Planning a trip? You may opt for a NOLA vacation after the carb-filled event, just for the second course of "Top Chef" Nina Compton’s excellent Caribbean-infused European-fare at Compère Lapin.
Budget-Friendly Events Under $100
Tickets to many of SOBEWFF’s premier events sell for upwards of $200, but there are still plenty of fun, educational experiences that cost less than a regular old dinner at a trendy restaurant. Sip on pink wine with Kristin Cavallari at Rooftop Rose Happy Hour ($75) or indulge in late-night desserts and dancing at Sweet Moves with father-daughter-duo Bobby and Sophie Flay ($95). The latter features a slew of artisanal ice creams and baked goods from across the U.S., paired with a dance floor and DJ music to burn off the calories. The fest even includes a handful of fitness and family-focused gatherings for less than $50 per person.
Celeb-chef Selfies
At many of the signature SOBEWFF events, celebs are whisked around by security as they sample dishes from participating chefs. Celebrity selfies may require pushing through hoards of other fans. The smaller parties (and Grand Tasting tents) are often more intimate, allowing time to mingle with talent and snap a selfie while you’re at it. Want to meet-and-greet Katie Lee? Bring your pooch to Yappie Hour by Fetch My Vet ($95). Spent Sunday Funday with "Chopped" stars Aaron Sanchez and Geoffrey Zakarian at Grand Bloody Mary Brunch ($150). Double-up with a personalized note and a pic at the chef book signings stand inside Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village ($225).
Party Like A High-Roller
Miami is globally renowned night-life destination. SOBEWFF honors the city's late-night traditions with an entire line-up of moonlit parties such as Tacos After Dark ($150) with celeb chef Rick Bayless poolside at Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Nosh on Midnight Munchies ($95) with esteemed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and chef/rapper Action Bronson. Pro-tip: Keep an eye out for non-sanctioned events around South Beach during festival time too.
Fort Lauderdale Events
Over the past 17 years, SOBEWFF has slowly crept well beyond its original beachside locale, hosting events all across the beach and Greater South Florida.
Avoid the crowds—and traffic!—on Miami Beach with the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale series. Try Alabama-style barbecue from top pitmaster Chris Lilly, a clambake hosted Emeril Lagasse and Asian street food with the Travel Channel series host Andrew Zimmern of "Bizarre Foods," all within minutes of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
If you want to stay on the mainland, fill up on ribs, fried chicken and collard greens while honoring Miami’s deep-rooted African-American culture with Marcus Samuelsson at the new Harlem to Overtown Jazz Brunch ($150).
Learn Something New
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the top food and beverage pros who are in town for the SOBEWFF. Taste the Champagne of Victors ($125) with Elise Cordell or learn about different Mediterranean appellations of rose—a.k.a. summer water—with Domaine Ott ($85). Delve into the history of Jewish-American cuisine ($50) with authors Joan Nathan and Adeena Sussman, along with chefs Michelle Bernstein, Alon Shaya and Michael Solomonov. Get in on the doughnut-making process at the Salty Donut master class ($75). Take in a few of these seminars and you'll start sounding like a food authority in no time.
