The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) celebrates its 25th year with four days of incredible events including over 500 chefs, culinary icons, and Grammy Award-winning artists.
And of course, there’s the food.
“I borrow a quote from Chef Emeril Lagasse: the festival is the Super Bowl of food events,” said Lee Brian Schrager, founder and director of the Food Network's South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
The late Anthony Bourdain was a key figure in the SOBEWFF, hosting many events over the years.
This year’s festival, which takes place Feb. 19-22, will include events in massive tents on South Beach, area eateries, and the Miami Beach Band Shell.
As the nation’s most iconic wine and food Festival, the SOBEWFF hits Miami Beach with the biggest roster of events in its 25-year history. Events range from Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale to Homestead, with the signature Grand Tasting Tents setting right on the sands of Miami Beach.
Rachael Ray, Michael Symons, Bobby Flay, and Lee Brian Schrager
Schrager boasts that this year’s festival brings some amazing new events that will thrill foodies and partygoers alike.
“The Diplo LIVE concert from South Beach is new for the festival,” Schrager said.
This marks the first time the Grand Tasting Village Courtyard will transform into an open-air stage for a late-night event.
(Courtesy SOBEWFF)
Cocktails on the sands of Miami Beach at the Grand Tasting Village
“We’re celebrating 25 years of SOBEWFF with this hosted by nightlife guru David Grutman & Groot Hospitality,” adds Schrager, who said the event is another first for the festival.
Miami foodies know James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and TV host Michelle Bernstein, and both Bernstein and Sacha Lichine, the visionary behind Château d’Esclans, will be recognized in a special tribute dinner hosted by master of ceremonies Bobby Flay.
Food Network's Bobby Flay
“We will be honoring Michelle Bernstein, a local chef for the first time,” said Schrager.
This year the festival takes over the iconic Miami Beach Band Shell for the first time with a special podcast. Titled “Chew on This: A Live Podcast Series presented by iHeart Radio,” this unique experience brings five live podcasts to the stage throughout the day, each hosted by some of the most dynamic personalities in comedy, music, entertainment, and food. Guests include Gandhi and Andrew Pugliese from the Z100 Morning Show; lifestyle icons Elvis Duran, Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Michael Symon; stand-up comic, actor, and host Bert Kreischer; and Grammy winning singer, author, and television personality Chiquis.
Fans of the sitcom “Modern Family” will be excited to learn that Sofia Vergara, along with her son actor Manolo Vergara, will host the Saturday opening night of the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village. This special event will also include culinary demonstrations by Publix, and sponsored by Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove.
The Grand Tasting Village, held Saturday and Sunday, is one of the festival’s most popular events, with massive tents located on three blocks of beachfront on Miami Beach.
“The Grand Tasting Village is one of my favorite events,” said Schrager.
Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart hosted the 10th anniversary Let Them Eat Cake Party in 2011.
The Grand Tasting Village features bites from more than 50 restaurants, including dozens of chefs with sips from numerous wine and spirit producers. The event also showcases culinary demonstrations on two stages, with an impressive roster of guests, including Guy Fieri, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jeff Mauro, Bobby Flay, and Jet Tila.
Foodies from around the globe flock to SOBEWFF yearly, but the event offers something for everyone, introducing diners to new and unexplored culinary experiences.
“The festival has introduced me to hundreds of new tastes, many I may never try again, but also many that have become favorites,” said Schrager. “Before the festival, I had never tried pork bellies or sea urchin.”
With more than 100 events, including signature parties, tastings, and culinary demos, there is indeed something for everyone. From elegant sit-down dinners with celebrity chefs to late-night events, to celebrity brunches, with a variety of culinary choices, there’s enough to whet anyone’s appetite.
The festival kicks off on Thursday night with Food Network star Rachel Ray hosting the infamous Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons. The Bash brings together 25 restaurants making more than 46,000 burgers in hope of winning the title of the country’s best burger.
Burgers at Rachael Ray's Burger Bash, one of the festival's most popular events.
The festival heads north this year with two not-to-be-missed dinners in Fort Lauderdale. John Tesar and Danny Ganem host a Thursday night dinner at Daniel’s Steakhouse. Food Network personality Alex Guarnaschelli joins Anthony Vitolo for a special Thursday night dinner at Vitolo, a classic Italian eatery.
Late-night diners may want to check out the Asian Night Market hosted by Jet Tila and Aarti Sequeira at the Loews Miami Beach. This popular late-night event transforms the hotel into a vibrant Asian Night Market serving up street-style bites, including sizzling dumplings, ramen, and crispy spring rolls.
Friday picks include Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions LIVE. This high-energy culinary competition features five powerhouse teams of chefs battling it out on the sands of Miami Beach. Chefs will serve up their extraordinary dishes while live music keeps the evening buzzing with rock band Red Voodoo and hip-hop artist Rev Run performing.
Foodgod Hosts Haute Potato, another new event, offering an Instagram-worthy experience blending potato dishes with entertainment, part of the Hangar Event Series in Coconut Grove.
Rachael Ray's Burger Bash attendees are also the judges for Best Burger
“The Best of the Best at the Fontainebleau is also one of my favorites of the festival,” said Schrager.
The Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best is one of the most iconic events of the week. Presented by the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, this Friday evening experience unites more than 60 of the nation’s most acclaimed chefs, along with more than 65 of the world’s premier wineries for a night of elegance and indulgence.
For those with a sweet tooth, Duff Goldman, the legendary pastry chef and star of Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, hosts Let Them Eat Cake! A Sweet Celebration of 25 Years. Guests will be treated to a showcase of whimsical cakes, imaginative desserts, and decadent sweet creations, all crafted by some of Miami’s most popular pastry shops.
Another new Friday night pick, Las' Lap Link Up: A Celebration of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine hosted by Kwame Onwuachi and Nina Compton at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, is a Caribbean walkaround tasting experience featuring fresh seafood, zesty sauces, smoky grills, and tropical drinks. Award-winning DJ GQ adds to the fun with his signature mix of dance hall and reggae beats.
Saturday features a series of brunches. Take a trip to the Red Rooster in Overtown for brunch with TV personality Chef Marcus Samuelsson, in an event that includes some of the best talent and flavors of the historic Overtown Black neighborhood. Jazz fans should take note of the special Jazz Brunch presented by Delilah Miami – not a typical brunch but a fusion of sound and flavor in one of Brickell’s glamorous hot spots. Join three of America’s most beloved culinary personalities, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian, for a high-energy brunch experience at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
Saturday lunch options include a midday feast at Uchiko in Miami Beach. James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole joins Mandarin Oriental’s chef Diego Oka for a curated menu of Japanese cuisine. For a later lunch, stop by Zey Zey in Miami for Eats & Beats hosted by Mr. Eats 305. Enjoy bites and delicious tastings at one of Miami’s coolest outdoor venues in Little River.
With dinners hosted all over Miami, guests can choose from high-end dining to walk-around tastings. Late-night revelers should not miss the Late-Night Pizza Party hosted by supermodel Ashley Graham with Michael Pirolo, and Marc Vetri at the Little River hot spot Bar Bucce.
Sunday brings the festival to a close with some of the best events saved for last. Join award-winning chef David Burtka and his husband, actor Neil Patrick Harris, for an exclusive Coffee & Brunch in the Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza. The hosts will serve up brunch favorites and conversation spotlighting their new book “Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste.”
David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris
For lovers of Italian cuisine, there’s Jon and Vinny's Sunday Parm Night, a new family-friendly Italian feast at the Rubell Museum in Miami. This dinner offers classic Italian comfort foods like cheesy chicken and eggplant parm sandwiches, along with house-made drinks.
Closing out the weekend, James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern hosts 25 Years of Legendary Bites, a debut event at the festival’s north venue on the beach. Enjoy iconic flavors, legendary chefs, and a look back at unforgettable moments from the past 25 years. DJ Cassidy, an international acclaimed tastemaker and producer, provides the soundtrack for this evening, which promises to be one of the highlights of the festival.
Not just a culinary event, SOBEWFF gives more than 1,500 students the opportunity to gain real-life, hands-on experience working with some of the industry’s top chefs.
“We’ve raised over $50 million for Florida International University (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management offering student scholarships and giving students jobs and opportunities,” said Schrager.
Attendees celebrate the festival at FIU's tent
Schrager is proud of how the festival he created has grown over the years.
“Luckily I surround myself with good people who all work to keep the festival fresh.”
IF YOU GO
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Feb. 19-22, in venues all over Miami, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale www.sobewff.org
The Good, the Bad and the Delicious
Celebrity chef and author Guy Fieri
25 Amazing Facts About SoBeWFF
Over 25 years, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival has evolved from a modest campus fundraiser into a world-class cultural phenomenon — but not without some wild moments, surprising statistics, and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories along the way.
1. Humble Start: The festival began in 1997 as the Florida Extravaganza at FIU with just 450 attendees — a far cry from today's 65,000-plus guests.
2. Bargain Days: Early tickets cost just $40 in advance and $50 at the door when the festival moved to South Beach in 2002.
3. The Great Ramsay Vanishing Act: In 2003, Gordon Ramsay checked into his hotel, had a drink at a dive bar, then flew back to London without attending any of his scheduled events — including a $300-per-plate dinner.
4. Handcuffs at the Gate: Food writer Hal Rubenstein was arrested and led away in handcuffs at the 2002 inaugural beach event after trying to force his way into the Grand Tasting Tent.
5. Royal Scandal: Mario Batali shocked the King and Queen of Spain with a profanity-laced performance as MC during their 2009 honor dinner.
6. Paula's Pony Ride: In 2014, Paula Deen rode chef Robert Irvine like a pony while he crawled on all fours during a live cooking demo.
7. The Moldy Masterpiece: A life-size drag queen cake created by Duff Goldman for the 10th anniversary sat in storage for months until it molded and had to be thrown away.
8. Guy Before the Fame: In 2006, an unknown Guy Fieri walked the festival grounds personally handing out postcards to promote himself.
9. Nearly Canceled: The festival almost died permanently in 2000 due to a campus debate about serving alcohol at a university event.
10. Food Network Magic: The 2007 partnership with Food Network quintupled attendance from 6,000 to 30,000 overnight and launched the legendary Burger Bash.
11. Burger Dynasty: Chef Michael Symon dominated the Burger Bash People's Choice Award, winning four times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) with his "Fat Doug" burger.
12. Pizza Buns: One year, Luzzo's created a burger using two tiny, freshly baked pizzas as the buns.
13. The Cleaner: Miami chef Michelle Bernstein has participated in every festival since 1997 and once cooked while sporting a black eye after being called in last-minute.
14. Massive Ice Operation: The festival uses approximately 425,000 pounds of ice annually to keep food and drinks chilled on the hot Miami sand.
15. 7,600 Pounds of Beef: The Burger Bash alone grills more than 7,600 pounds of ground beef in a single night.
16. Glass City: Over 42,000 premium wine glasses are used across 100-plus events during the four-day festival.
17. Student Army: More than 1,500 FIU students work the festival annually, logging over 4,300 shifts.
18. $45 Million Gift: The festival has raised more than $45 million for FIU scholarships and facilities — 100% of net proceeds benefit the university.
19. Tent City on Sand: The Grand Tasting Village spans over 135,000 square feet of beachside space — the equivalent of three football fields.
20. Economic Powerhouse: The festival generates over $31 million in economic impact for Miami-Dade County annually.
21. Green Champions: Since 2023, the festival has diverted 97 tons of waste from landfills through recycling and composting.
22. Feeding the Hungry: Tens of thousands of pounds of unused food provide over 5,000 meals annually to the Miami Rescue Mission.
23. First Back Post-Pandemic: In May 2021, SOBEWFF became the first major U.S. wine and food festival to return in person after COVID-19, using detection dogs and strict protocols.
24. Family Reunion: A festival brunch once facilitated the emotional reunion of the estranged Mondavi brothers after years of not speaking.
25. Historic Milestone: For the 25th anniversary in 2026, Chef Michelle Bernstein became the first local Miami chef to be honored at the prestigious Tribute Dinner.