The 16th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®) takes place next week from February 22 – 26. As locals and tourists descend upon the sands of Miami Beach, the culinary adventure kicks off with Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach hosted by Valerie Bertinelli & Alex Guarnaschelli. The eleventh edition of one of the Festival’s most coveted tickets gets an update, evolving into the Heineken Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons hosted by Rachael Ray this year. After its successful launch at last year’s Festival, the weekend will again close out with Lucky Chopsticks: An Asian Night Market hosted by Andrew Zimmern. More Miami Beach staple events will return with a classic mix of both fan-favorites and new talent including Tacos After Dark, Oyster Bash hosted by Josh Capon, Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best sponsored by Bank of America, Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Goya Kids Kitchen, Chicken Coupe hosted by Andrew Carmellini, Southern Kitchen Brunch part of The NYT Cooking Series, and the Wine Spectator Wine Seminars presented by Bank of America.
Additionally, the Festival’s beloved white tents nestled in the sand between 10th and 13th Streets and Ocean Drive will continue to host the 
Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village featuring Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid® Culinary Demonstrations during the weekend. Plus, SOBEWFF® honors some of the world’s most recognized leaders in the culinary and beverage industries at its annual Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series, and the sweet 16 is no exception. This year, the Festival honors the deeply passionate and talented ThinkFoodGroup chef/owner José Andrés alongside Maisons Marques & Domaines (MMD) owners Jean-Claude Rouzaud and Frédéric Rouzaud, during an evening guided by Master of Ceremonies Anthony Bourdain at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
SOBEWFF® continues its expansion into Broward County with the return of the Taste Fort Lauderdale Series and a star-studded line-up of talent. The fun begins with Seaside Eats hosted by Anne Burrell at the historic Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, and continues with the Festival’s first late-night party in the area, DRINK Fort Lauderdale, taking over the popular FATVillage for one night. Closing out the series will be the return of the Bloody Mary Brunch, with new hosts David Burtka & Neil Patrick Harris.
Fans will also have a plethora of new events to choose from in 2017, including a Craft-y Happy Hour, Burnt Ends: A Kosher BBQ Dinner hosted by Alon Shaya, Salty, Sweet & Savory Treats: A Late-Night Party featuring Bar Lab, The Salty Donut & Sarsaparilla Club, Noodling Around: A Late-Night Party hosted by Dale Talde, Food Fight hosted by Guy Fieri, and more.
A variety of additional dinners, brunches, lunches, and parties will take place throughout the weekend, featuring renowned chefs, culinary personalities, winemakers, and spirits producers. Events like Buddhas and Bellinis, Decadent Dessert Party hosted by Duff Goldman, Croquetas & Champagne hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Goya Foods Swine & Wine hosted by Cindy Hutson, and, for all ages, Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Goya Kidz Kitchen, will continue to satiate the taste buds of passionate fans from around the world.
Tickets for the 2017 Festival are on sale online at sobefest.com; Phone sales are open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST by calling 877.762.3933.
Widely recognized as one of America’s most prestigious gourmet gatherings, the Festival has raised more than $24 million to date for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.
