Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2024: A Culinary Odyssey of Flavors and Experiences
An Enchanting Culinary Haven Awaits
Prepare your palate for an extraordinary culinary expedition as the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) returns to Miami Beach from February 22nd to 25th, 2024. This four-day extravaganza will transform the city into a gastronomic paradise, tantalizing taste buds with an array of delectable events, celebrity appearances, and immersive experiences catering to every palate and culinary curiosity.
A Journey of Culinary Delights and Discoveries
Lee Schrager, the Festival’s visionary founder and director, is passionate about creating experiences that evolve with the desires of culinary enthusiasts. He emphasizes the significance of feedback, seeking out rising talent, and using current events to shape the Festival’s annual offerings. Schrager’s vision is to embark on a perpetual journey of excitement and reinvention, leaving an indelible mark on education and culinary excellence while supporting Florida International University (FIU).
Kicking Off the Festivities: Burger Bash and Celebrity Chef Pickleball Tournament
The Festival’s festivities commence on Thursday, February 22nd, with the 17th annual Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons® and hosted by the effervescent Rachael Ray. Over 30 renowned restaurants and culinary maestros will compete to create the most delectable burgers, vying for the coveted Schweid & Sons® The Very Best Burger Award. A distinguished panel of celebrity judges, including Rev Run, Kate Upton, Trina Robinson, Enrique Santos, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton, will determine the winner, while attendees will have the chance to cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award.
The highly anticipated Celebrity Chef Pickleball Tournament presented by Whispering Angel and hosted by the dynamic duo Tara Bernstein and Hunter Fieri makes a triumphant return to the Miami Beach Golf Club. This year, Festival-goers will have the thrilling opportunity to challenge their favorite celebrities and chefs on the court, as the Festival will sell tickets for two-person teams to participate in the tournament.
A Star-Studded Weekend of Culinary Celebrations
Throughout the weekend, Festival-goers will have the chance to spot their favorite celebrities and musicians gracing various events across the city. On Saturday, February 24th, Grammy-nominated DJ CASSIDY will enthrall the crowd with a special performance presented by Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey at the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village. The same evening, Les Greene & The Swayzees will take the stage at Smorgasburg After Dark hosted by the culinary trio Amanda Freitag, Marc Murphy, and Robert Irvine.
Sunday, February 25th, will witness the return of The David Grutman Experience, transforming the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village courtyard into a mini music festival. While the lineup will be unveiled closer to the event, guests can anticipate unforgettable performances curated by the nightlife and hospitality impresario himself. Past events have featured renowned artists such as French Montana, DJ Khaled, Cedric Gervais, Alesso, Busta Rhymes, and Ludacris, among others. The Festival will conclude with a special performance by Rev Run at the official closing event – BACARDĺ presents The Block Party hosted by the dynamic duo Melba Wilson and Andrew Zimmern. This year, the event will take on a vibrant block party theme.
Intimate Dining Experiences and Star-Studded Sit-Down Events
For those seeking more intimate culinary experiences, the Festival offers an array of new dinners, brunches, and seated events. Highlights include Jazz Brunch at Delilah Miami, Miami’s hottest new supper club, hosted by Daniel Roy and Pablo Zitzmann, and Dinner hosted by Zak Stern, Michael Beltran, and Jose Mendín at Regener8 Farm.
The Festival’s most coveted star-studded sit-down event, the Tribute Dinner honoring Massimo Bottura and Luca Garavoglia hosted by Master of Ceremonies “The Pasta Queen” Nadia Caterina Munno presented by HexClad, will take place on Saturday, February 24th. This exceptional event will celebrate the remarkable achievements of Massimo Bottura, a culinary icon, and Luca Garavoglia of Campari Group. The evening will feature a stellar lineup of chefs, including Bernardo Paladini, Albert Adrià Acosta, Alain Ducasse, Alberto Marcolongo, Antonio Bachour, Mauro Colagreco, and Jordi Roca i Fontané, who will create dishes paired with exquisite wines from the Campari Group portfolio. An extravagant Live Auction featuring once-in-a-lifetime travel and dining experiences will also be available for bidding.
FIU Embrace Dinner: Empowering Differently-Abled Individuals
The Festival’s commitment to inclusivity is exemplified by the FIU Embrace Dinner hosted by David Myers, Pablo Zitzmann, and Ralph Scamardella at ADRIFT Mare at Hotel AKA Brickell on Thursday, February 22nd. In partnership with the FIU Embrace Center for Advancing Inclusive Communities, this dinner aims to empower differently-abled individuals by providing real-world experience as volunteers in the event. Proceeds from the dinner will support a scholarship program designed to assist these students in pursuing hospitality careers through the university’s program. With over $37 million raised in support of its educational mission, the Festival continues to shape the future leaders of the hospitality industry at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU. The FIU Embrace Dinner serves as a testament to the Festival’s ongoing mission to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE. in new and meaningful ways.
Tickets and Information: Be a Part of the Culinary Extravaganza
Tickets for the Festival are now on sale, offering a wide range of events to suit various tastes and budgets. Visit sobewff.org for more information and to purchase tickets. Stay up-to-date on the latest Festival happenings throughout the year by following the #SOBEWFF hashtag on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Press Images and Contact Information
Press images are available for download HERE. For media inquiries, please contact the Festival’s Public Relations team.
About the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One
The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a culinary extravaganza that benefits the students of the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Students gain valuable experience by assisting Festival organizers in various aspects, including sponsorship fulfillment, restaurant and exhibitor recruitment, logistics, and inventory management. They also have the opportunity to work alongside renowned celebrity chefs and winemakers. To date, SOBEWFF® has raised more than $37 million for the School. The Festival has been recognized by BizBash as the #1 Food & Restaurant Industry event in the United States for ten consecutive years.
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival® is produced by Florida International University and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information about the Festival, visit sobewff.org.