February 26, 2017
The 16th Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) took place in Miami from February 22 to 26, 2017. Here is a rundown of the event’s highlights, according to a SOBEWFF press release:
February 23: Australian pop/rock group Little River Band performed at an event that was presented by Magic City Casino at Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach, sponsored by HCP Media and the Miami Herald Media Company, and hosted by Valerie Bertinelli and Alex Guarnaschelli.
February 24: Jr’s Gourmet Burgers in Miami Springs took home the ultimate crown as winner of the Heineken Light People’s Choice Award at the Heineken Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons hosted by Rachael Ray. Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox in Deerfield Beach won the judges over as winner of Red Robin’s Best of the Bash Contest, and David Bromstad, Ayesha Curry, Emilio Estefan, Jill Martin, Rev Run and Adam Richman chose Little Jack’s Tavern from Charleston, S.C. as winner of the Schweid & Sons Very Best Burger Award. That same night, Miami hotspot Beaker & Gray took People’s Choice top honors at The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown hosted by Robert Irvine.
February 25: Internationally-acclaimed chef, restaurateur and recognized humanitarian José Andrés and Louis Roederer group owners Jean-Claude Rouzaud and Frédéric Rouzaud were honored at the Festival’s annual Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series on at Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
Tanqueray brand ambassador Snoop Dogg played DJ after his KitchenAid Culinary Demonstration with Guy Fieri for a short spin to close out the day at the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village featuring Mastercard Grand Tasting Tents. The party continued that night in the festival’s signature white tent in the sand beachside at Delano during Bacardi on the Beach. Rev Run and DJ Ruckus entertained guests who feasted on food and drinks from about 20 of South Florida’s favorite spots. Bacardi on the Beach with Rev Run and DJ Ruckus kept attendees dancing late into the evening while they sipped on signature libations and late-night bites from 20 of South Florida’s favorite spots.
February 26: New for 2017, the festival partnered with nightlife visionary David Grutman to present an experience at the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village. Grutman transformed the courtyard into a custom all-day experience that included a performance from electronic-dance artist Ingrosso in the afternoon. Menin Hospitality teamed up with the festival to bring live entertainment at Lucky Chopsticks: An Asian Night Market, hosted by Andrew Zimmern. The event featured more than 30 chefs, as well as interactive games from Ricky’s.
More than 65,000 people attended the event, according to SOBEWFF.
April 16, 2017 UPDATE:
The following is an excerpt from a SOBEWFF pres release:
The 16th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®), raising more than $2 million for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). Attendees enjoyed more than 90 events taking place throughout two counties with the continued growth of the Taste Fort Lauderdale Series, featuring more than 400 chefs, winemakers, spirits producers, and culinary personalities who joined them to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE. during the five-day Festival. To date, the Festival has raised more than $26 million for the School.