The 2025 SOBWFF: Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash presented by Shweid and Sons was everything we hoped for—mouthwatering burgers, incredible energy, and well-fed food lovers. With the sound of sizzling grills in the air, the ocean breeze rolling in, and an all-star lineup of chefs bringing their best, this year’s event was truly one for the books.

Some of the most talented chefs from across the country (and beyond!) went head-to-head, serving up next-level creations packed with bold flavors and creative twists. The competition was fierce, the bites were unforgettable, and honestly choosing winners was no easy task!

And the Winners Are…

Schweid & Sons® The Very Best Burger Award
Skinny Louie took home the top honor and a $2,500 prize for their Wagyu Louie—a mouthwatering combination of double smashed wagyu beef patties, melted smoked gouda, truffle aioli, and pickled jalapeños, all stacked on a buttery brioche bun. Simply put, a burger lover’s dream!

Mike’s Amazing® People’s Choice Award
The fans have spoken! La Birra Bar from Argentina won over the crowd and took home a $5,000 check for their Smash Golden Chimichurri Burger— two smashed patties, American cheese, red onions, and a special Argentinian chimichurri mayo that had festivalgoers coming back for more.

Idaho Potato® Best Side Dish Award
Because a great burger deserves a great side! La Birra Bar also won for their “Smashbrowns”—crispy, loaded hash browns with a zesty lime pepper seasoning that perfectly complemented their award-winning burger.

Burger Bash wasn’t just about the food—it was about the experience. Ice-cold drinks, live music, and an electric atmosphere made it an unforgettable night of celebration, bringing together food lovers from all over.

#SOBEWFF #BurgerBash2025 #Mike’sAmazing #SchweidAndSons #LaBirraBar #SkinnyLouie #FoodieHeaven

The Miami Beach EDITION is hosting its 8th Annual Ping Pong, Pizza, & Peroni event on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM at MARKET at EDITION. This late-night celebration, hosted by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, features entertaining ping pong matches, signature pizzas, sliders, a raw bar with stone crabs, oysters, shrimp, freshly rolled sushi, and a variety of desserts. Specialty cocktails will also be available, with music provided by guest DJ Keen One. Tickets are priced at $150 (plus tax) per person, including entry, food, and beverages. Attendees must be 21 or older. Valet parking starts at $30, with limited street parking available. For more information and to purchase tickets visit, 8th Annual Ping Pong, Pizza, & Peroni Tickets, Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM | Eventbrite.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and mingle with the stars at the iconic South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF).

This four-day extravaganza, which returns for its 24th year from February 20-23, has grown far beyond its South Beach roots, spreading its culinary magic across Miami’s Design District, Wynwood, and Coconut Grove.

Imagine a gourmet playground teeming with over 500 celebrity chefs, renowned personalities, and beverage wizards. From Rachael Ray rocking the 18th annual Mike’s Amazing® Burger Bash to Aarón Sánchez sizzling up the hottest tacos at Tacos & Tequila, SOBEWFF promises an unforgettable foodie adventure.

But the delicious adventures don’t stop there. Dive into intimate brunches, masterclasses, and exclusive dinners, or bring the whole family for special events. Feeling festive? Late-night parties await. Whether you crave intimate culinary conversations or a grand tasting extravaganza with 1,200+ delectable samples spread across 135,000 square feet at the Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village, SOBEWFF caters to every palate and party mood. 

Speaking of the Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village- it ranks among our favorite activations of the weekend. Imagine a daytime dance party with your 1000 closest friends right on the sand… but with a twist. The culinary playground features live cooking demos from Food Network stars, 1,200+ food and drink samples, and unforgettable concert experiences curated by the brilliant minds behind Groot Hospitality and Only in Dade. Get ready to groove and graze as Ultra meets the SOBEWFF.

The best part is that each bite you savor supports a worthy cause. 100% of the festival’s net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, a top-ranked program shaping the future stars of the industry. So raise a glass (or fork!) to good food, good company, and giving back at this epicurean extravaganza!Tickets are just a click away at SOBEWFF2025.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Miami’s most fun, creative and elaborate culinary happening.

CHOOSE CHICAGO BROUGHT CHICAGO STYLE

On Saturday, December 7, Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism board took over Veza Sur Brewing Co. to present Chicago Style: Miami Edition. Launched by Choose Chicago in 2024, the Chicago Style campaign celebrates the unique attitude and attractions that make Chicago an unparalleled travel destination. To help Chicago Style come to life in cities across the globe, Choose Chicago is teaming up with Chicago-based creatives on events that celebrate Chicago through art, music, and more.

Chicago Style landed in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood with a vibrant event at Veza Sur Brewing Co. (55 NW 25th St.; Miami, FL 33127) featuring renowned, self-taught street muralist Joseph Anthony Perez, also known as Sentrock.During this daylong activation, both art and travel enthusiasts hadthe opportunity to meet Sentrock, witness him creating an unforgettable mural artwork, enjoy food and drink, groove to music by DJ Ill-Set, take part in interactive art activities, receive colorful​ giveaways like customized travel bags with Chicago-inspired designs, Sentrock-designed bar glass, play the old-school claw machine filled with goodies from Chicago’s beloved art institutions and makers and learn why Chicago has been voted the nation’s Best Big City in the U.S. by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler for the past eight years in a row.

For more information about Choose Chicago, www.choosechicago.com and visit Sentrock’s work on Instagram here. Follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram, TikTokand Twitter and tag #ChicagoStyle.

On Tuesday, December 3, Pucci transformed the serene Miami Botanical Garden into a veritable fun fair. It was a whirlwind of color, music, and pure joy.

Imagine a whimsical carnival, with fortune tellers, carnival games, and a dance floor that would make even the most reserved guest shimmy and shake. The food- hand-cut pasta, cotton candy, gelato, cannolis-was a feast for the senses.

Gunna and Saint Jhn and too many models to name mingled with the fashion-forward crowd, adding a touch of star power to the already dazzling night.

Camille Miceli, the brilliant mind behind Pucci’s current renaissance, dressed head-to-toe in shimmery, sequined, fringed Pucci. shared her inspiration. “We wanted to do something different, something unexpected. Miami is a city of art, beauty, and boundless energy. We needed to capture that spirit.”

And capture it they did! The limbo competition, inspired by Emilio Pucci’s own playful spirit, was a highlight. Who knew a simple game could be so glamorous? Obviously- the Italians have known for quite some time. 

The whimsical wonderland, brought  Emilio Pucci’s signature style to life. The stylish and fun crowd was lost in the rhythm of Disco Bambino’s infectious beats, several of which prompted me to quickly create an “Italian Disco” playlist.

This fete was the highlight of Miami Art Week and by far- the most fun, replete with fanfare, games, dancing and delights. Leave it to Pucci to throw an Italian disco dance party for the ages. Check it out!
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The legendary Hampton House, once a haven for icons like Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali (whose original rooms are still intact!), kicked-off Miami Art Week with a party that was nothing short of fabulous. In lieu of its historic after-hours jazz sessions, it was all about the art this time- at the grand unveiling of “Invisible Luggage.” With over 50 visionary artists exploring the themes of migration, memory, and what we carry (and what we leave behind), the exhibit dives deep into the intersection of freedom, displacement, and identity. Inspired by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, the exhibit reflects on the often unseen struggles and triumphs of the Black community.

The opening was a star-studded celebration, with a dazzling array of special guests from the worlds of art, music, and philanthropy. Among the VIPs in attendance were collector and philanthropist Beth Rudin DeWoody, Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire, and Pucci’s artistic director Camille Miceli, alongside gallerists Lauren Kelly and Danny Baez. Musician Mingus Murray, son of iconic photographer Ming Smith, was also on hand, as were prominent artists like Shinique Smith, Jeffrey Meris, and Tomm El-Saieh, who showcased their work in the exhibit. The guest list read like a who’s who of Miami’s cultural scene, with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Cava-Levine, Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, and former Dunkin’ Donuts CEO Bob Rosenberg mingling with art collectors like Gary Wasserman, Gwen Butler, and the N’Namdi Collection’s Jumanne and Lauren N’Namdi. Curators and art dealers such as Stefano Tonchi, David Maupin, and Monique Meloche rubbed elbows with the likes of Jason and Michelle Rubell of the Rubell Museum, while philanthropists like Kathryn and Dan Mikesell from the Fountainhead Residency added to the evening’s glamour.

After a scrumptious dinner curated by Chef Martin Rodrigue, the eclectic crowd gathered under sparking chandeliers in the open-air terrace to dance, muse, and mingle, enjoying an all-night dance party with the one and only DJ Mos spinning tracks that kept everyone moving. The historic venue, transformed into a dazzling art gallery, was buzzing with excitement.

The evening was a perfect blend of culture, creativity, and celebration. It was clear: the Hampton House is once again a beacon of creativity and celebration, bridging the past with a vibrant, future-forward vibe. Plan your visit here: https://www.historichamptonhouse.org

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