Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2007

Miami will see two SUPER events this February but the one surely to please the most palates is the sixth annual Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival, presented by Food & Wine Magazine.  Just one look at the line-up of events and foodies know they’d better be in serious shape for three days of good eats and fabulous libations.

Originally called Florida Extravaganza, the festival started six years ago on a much humbler scale as an effort to benefit Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.  In 2002, Lee Brian Schrager, director of Special Events and Media Relations at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, had a good gut feeling to relocate the festival to South Beach.  By 2006, the event had garnered international acclaim, offering dozens of events to an audience of thousands.

Today, not only does the festival combine top gastronomy and education with celebrity flair, it also continues to benefit the university’s Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center – a good thing, considering how important the food and hospitality industry is to South Florida.  More than 500 students get to work hands-on in different aspects of the industry with world-renown chefs and winemakers.  And it isn’t just the students who learn—audience members get to treat their tastebuds and learn a delicious thing or two about food, wine and cooking.

For Schrager, earning a Food Network sponsorship “couldn’t be a more natural development.”  Indeed, confirmed Food Network chefs include:

• Giada de Laurentis, known for her big smile and clear cooking style on Everyday Italian
• George Duran of Ham on the Street, who will hopefully also ham it up at the festival
• Al Roker, who will host off the road and on the beach for a special Moet & Chandon BubbleQ
• Bobby Flay, who will step out of the Iron Chef kitchen and teach Kidz Kitchen culinary seminars for young aspiring chefs
• Rachael Ray will also surely utter a few “YUMOs!” as she personally selects a winner from the Burger Bash to be held at the Ritz-Carlton
• Martha Stewart will know more good things when she receives a Lifetime Achievement Award

This list of highlights is just an appetizer – the entire program is filling and rich, including of course, food and wine tastings, book signings, cooking demonstrations, tribute dinners, other awards as well as many more personalities from the Food Network and the culinary world. In addition, local restaurants are also serving up plates of their finest with Decadent Dining Diversions, designed to reflect the quality and innovation of the festival.  Whet your appetite by visiting the festival website for more details. 

The festival runs from Friday, February 23 to Sunday February 25, 2007.  Some events are already sold out!  Order tickets early by visiting the website or calling (877) 762-3933.

Related Links: • South Beach Wine and Food Festival • Decadent Dining Diversions • Food Network • Food and Wine Magazine • Southern Wine and Spirits • Beverage Management Center at FIU • FIU School of Hospitality Management and Tourism Related Categories: Miami: Travel News, About the Author: Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith who loves to write about all things travel in Florida and the Caribbean. She is also the author of the award-winning blog Sex and the Beach. See more articles by Maria de los Angeles. See more articles by Maria de los Angeles Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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