As the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival returns Feb. 19-22 for its 25th anniversary, Miami and Miami Beach once again become the epicenter of the culinary world. The destination draws celebrity chefs, tastemakers and media from around the globe, but this milestone edition signals something more: Miami steps confidently into its role as one of the country’s most influential food cities.
This year’s festival reflects that evolution, pairing star-driven headliners with thoughtful new programming mirroring Miami’s cultural depth, from Afro-Caribbean celebrations and coffee culture to playful, trend-forward concepts like “Haute Potato” and chef collaborations.
We’ve rounded up some of the best events and participants for you that define the festival, highlighting standout dinners, collaborations, and marquee events that are of interest.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
(Courtesy SBWFF)
Chef Antonia Lofaso, part of the SOBEWFF Tournament of Champions lineup.
The New York Times Dinner Series - Hosted by Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio, Brooke Williamson, Zac Young, and Peyton Leffingwell
Notable participant: Bistro at Sarasota Art Museum
“The Pasta Queen” Nadia Caterina Munno will host the Taste of Italy on Thurs. Feb. 19
When culinary artistry meets star power, the result is a dinner unlike anything Miami has ever seen. Rising talent Peyton Leffingwell, celebrated for his bold creativity, modern edge and standout work at Bistro at Sarasota Art Museum, joins four of the industry’s biggest names for an extraordinary one-night-only experience at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, one of the city’s most captivating cultural landmarks. Leffingwell will be cooking alongside his co-hosts. Tickets are $399 and can be purchased at sobewff.org/voltaggio
Taste of Italy - Presented by Pasta Rummo - Hosted by “The Pasta Queen” Nadia Caterina Munno
Notable participants: Donna Mare Italian Chophouse
Pasta will take center stage at SOBEWFF on Feb. 19 at Jungle Island
A master of authentic coastal Italian cuisine, chef Luigi Iannuario, executive chef of Donna Mare Italian Chophouse at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, brings one of the festival’s most soulful showstoppers: Cavatelli alla Norma tossed in a slow-simmered pomodoro sauce, bright basil, and shaved ricotta salata. With three decades of culinary craftsmanship rooted in Milan and shaped in Michelin-caliber kitchens, Iannuario blends tradition with elegance, making his dish one of the signature bites to watch (and taste) at this year’s celebration of Italy’s most iconic flavors.
Alex Martinez, the research and development corporate chef for Miami-based V&E Hospitality Group, brings authentic Italian cuisine from Donatella Restaurant, where diners savor la dolce vita. Honduran-born chef Martinez will serve up Nduja Arancini, crispy risotto balls filled with nduja and mozzarella cheese, and Amalfi Limone Pasta, made with reserved Meyer lemons, crème fraîche and Sicilian lemon oil, handmade dishes that marry Italian authenticity with coastal sophistication. This collaborative event takes place at Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza.
Tickets are $225. sobewff.org/italy
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
The New York Times Dinner Series - Hosted by Jonathan Waxman, Sarah Grueneberg and Valeri Fuentes
Notable participant and host venue: Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Among the most anticipated dinners, this collaborative culinary experience brings together three standout chefs, including Valeri Fuentes, the dynamic talent leading Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Known for her fresh, modern Miami sensibility and her ability to translate art and environment into expressive, flavor-forward dishes, Fuentes is quickly becoming one of the city’s culinary breakouts. She joins California cuisine icon Jonathan Waxman, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind New York’s beloved Barbuto, and Sarah Grueneberg, Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner of Chicago’s Monteverde. The trio will craft an inventive multicourse menu that showcases three distinct perspectives: Waxman’s soulful simplicity, Grueneberg’s refined Italian artistry and Fuentes’s modern Miami edge. The intimate dinner will be hosted on Verde’s waterfront terrace facing Biscayne Bay.
Tickets are $399. sobewff.org/waxman
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Lunch - Hosted by Tyson Cole and Diego Oka
Notable participant (and host venue): Uchiko Miami Beach
Experience an innovative fusion lunch at Uchiko Miami Beach, the award-winning restaurant from James Beard Award–winning Chef Tyson Cole, known for redefining modern Japanese cuisine. For this exclusive midday feast, Cole joins forces with Diego Oka, the celebrated executive chef of La Mar by Gastón Acurio at Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Together, Cole and Oka present a thoughtfully curated menu featuring sushi and sashimi, wood-grilled specialties, and inventive small plates layered with seasonal ingredients and global influences.
Tickets are $199. sobewff.org/uchiko
Coca-Cola Presents Tournament of Champions LIVE- Hosted by Guy Fieri with a special performance by Rev Run
Notable participant and host venue: Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop
Chef Dale Talde, part of the lineup for the Tournament of Champions event on Sat., Feb. 21
Known for his innovative culinary style and appearances on “Top Chef: Chicago” and “Top Chef: All-Stars,” Chef Dale Talde will join a powerhouse lineup at the first-ever live showdown of Food Network’s hit series “Tournament of Champions,” hosted by Guy Fieri on the sands of Miami Beach. Five teams led by past “Tournament of Champions” stars Brooke Williamson, Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison, Mei Lin, and Antonia Lofaso battle it out in a high-energy competition where guests get to judge the action in real time. Talde brings his distinctive Asian-American perspective as part of a team of standout chefs serving extraordinary dishes across 25 interactive tasting stations, all while representing Tigress Restaurant and Rooftop, the sultry Cantonese chophouse at The Perry Hotel Naples.
Tickets are $214. sobewff.org/toc
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
A Sushi Omakase Collective - Hosted by Aoko, Bondi Sushi, Kasumi, Queen Omakase, Sora by Hotel Collection and Uchi
Notable participant: Uchi Miami
Indulge in an elevated array of omakase and specialty samplings as six outstanding restaurants and their award-winning chefs come together for a sushi lover’s dream, including Uchi Miami's very own chef Tyson Cole. These standout restaurants bring a dynamic fusion of tradition, artistry and innovation to one extraordinary event at SGWS Wynwood on Sun., Feb. 22, from 5-7:30 p.m. Find more information at sobewff.org/omakase1.
Pizza-Making Master Class & Lunch - Hosted by Laurent Tourondel
Notable participant (and host venue): The Alley
Acclaimed celebrity chef Laurent Tourondel invites guests to don their chef hats at The Alley, his charming hidden-gem hot spot tucked within the alleyway of The Betsy South Beach, a Michelin Key hotel. Laurent, a James Beard Award-nominated chef known for his precise yet creative approach, leads a hands-on pizza-making class and lunch from 1-3 p.m. He shares his secrets to creating The Alley’s famous Roman-style, ultra-thin and crispy crust with a behind-the-scenes look at his process, from perfecting the dough to layering toppings and baking to golden perfection. Guests will sip, taste, and discover the art of pizza under Laurent’s expert guidance.
Tickets are $145. sobewff.org/tourondel
Sunday Brunch - Hosted by Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian
Donuts, one of the sweets at the Sunday Brunch event on Feb. 22
Notable participant: Wyn Wyn
Wyn Wyn's chef Oumar Diouf joins three of America’s most beloved culinary personalities as they bring their signature styles, expertise, and vibrant energy to an unforgettable brunch experience. The menu features a mix of inventive dishes and brunch classics that showcase distinct approaches to flavor and presentation. Chef Oumar brings Wyn Wyn’s globally-informed approach shaped by his upbringing, travels and deep respect for flavor-driven cooking.