Archive for November, 2025

SOBEWFF® Turns 25! Tickets on Sale Now for the Biggest Celebration Yet

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On November - 6 - 2025



25 Years. 4 Days. 500+ Culinary Stars. One Epic Weekend. February 19-22, 2026

MIAMI, FLA. (November 4, 2025) – The nation’s most iconic wine and food Festival, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®), is throwing its biggest party yet, and everyone’s invited. Tickets are now on sale for the star-studded 25th anniversary, taking place February 19–22, 2026, and featuring 500+ chefs, culinary icons, and GRAMMY award winning artists across four days of unforgettable events. Spanning from Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale to Homestead, the milestone celebration promises to be the most delicious and downright fun edition yet. Wines and spirits for the Festival are exclusively provided by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the industry’s leading distributor, and proud co-producer of the event.

“Celebrating our 25th year is an incredible moment for the Festival, our partners and the entire South Florida community,” said Lee Brian Schrager, Festival Founder & Director and Chief Communications Officer & SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “From its early days with just 7,000 attendees to becoming one of the nation’s largest food Festivals, SOBEWFF® has always been about connecting people to incredible food, drink, and culture, while supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders from FIU. This year’s lineup honors the chefs and talent who have helped shape our legacy, while introducing new events that capture the evolving energy of Miami’s dining scene.”

“For nearly two decades, Food Network has partnered with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival to bring a piece of our brand to life each winter, celebrating the chefs, creators, and culinary innovators who inspire our viewers every day,” said Lauren Burack Senior Vice President Marketing, Food Network. “As the Festival marks its 25th anniversary, we’re honored to continue showcasing the talent, creativity, and passion that have made this partnership so special since its inception in 2007.”

For 2026, SOBEWFF® is pulling out all the stops, with the kind of energy only Miami can deliver. Guests can expect the return of fan favorite signature events, alongside brand-new experiences, and a noteworthy music talent lineup.

Here are 25 reasons why SOBEWFF® 2026 will be a celebration to remember:

  1. EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE.: To date, SOBEWFF® has raised $45+ million for the Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, and gives over 1,500 students the opportunity to gain real life, hands-on experience alongside the industry’s top chefs every year.Thursday, February 19
  2. Diplo LIVE from South Beach, Celebrating 25 Years of SOBEWFF® hosted by David Grutman & Groot Hospitality (NEW): The 25th anniversary kicks off in the Grand Tasting Village Courtyard with a late-night set by Diplo, marking the first time the space has ever been activated at night.
  3. Burger Bash® Turns 20Rachael Ray will host the fan favorite Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons®, bringing together 25 restaurants who will make over 46,000 burgers in hopes of winning the title of the country’s best burger.
  4. The Festival Heads North:The Festival will host two not-to-be-missed dinners in Fort Lauderdale. John Tesar and Danny Ganem at Daniel’s, and Alex Guarnaschelli with Anthony Vitolo at Vitolo.
  5. Asian Night Market: Hosted by Jet Tila and Aarti Sequeira, Asian Night Market returns to the Loews Miami Beach for late-night, street-style bites.
  6. Dinner at the Museum with Food Network Stars (NEW): Dinner hosted by Bryan VoltaggioMichael VoltaggioBrooke WilliamsonZac Young, and Peyton Leffingwell at Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science as part of The New York Times Dinner Series.
  7. Foodgod Hosts Haute Potato (NEW): A playful, Instagram-worthy event blending creative renditions of potato dishes with entertainment, Haute Potato hosted by Foodgod is a new addition to The Hangar Event Series in Coconut Grove.
  8. Let Them Eat Cake! A Sweet Celebration of 25 Years (NEW): Duff Goldman hosts the 25th anniversary celebration at the National Hotel, with a dessert-focused, walk-around party.
  9. Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions LIVE: The high-energy culinary competition is back inspired by the hit Food Network show with a live, in-person showdown. 
  10. Las Lap Link Up: A Celebration of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine (NEW): Kwame Onwuachi and Nina Compton highlight Afro-Caribbean cuisine at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel for a night filled with fresh seafood, zesty sauces, smoky grills, sweet island fruits, and tropical drinks.
  11. 135,000 square-feet of Culinary Playground: The Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, will feature culinary tastings and experiences, including LIVE cooking demonstrations from Food Network personalities, 1,200+ products for sampling, over 45 restaurants and more.
  12. Tribute Dinner Honoring Miami’s Beloved Michelle Bernstein: For the first time, the Tribute Dinner will honor a South Florida chef and transformative Miami talent, Michelle Bernstein, who has participated in the Festival all 25 years. The evening will also honor renowned vintner Sacha Lichine, with Bobby Flay serving as Master of Ceremonies.
  13. Masters of Fire Goes to the Beach: Hosted by Tyler FlorenceMasters of Firedebuts as a signature event on the sand, with 25+ chefs cooking over open flames on Miami Beach.
  1. Overtown Brunch with Marcus Samuelsson: The popular event is back at Red Rooster Overtown to spotlight some of the best talent and flavors the historic Black neighborhood has to offer. 
  2. Drag Dance Party: Hosted by Athena Dion, Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr at the Miami Beach Bandshell, this will be a high-energy celebration mixing music, food and feature a performance by a GRAMMY award winning artist. 
  3. Eats & Beats with Mr. Eats 305 (NEW): A curated food and music block party at ZeyZey combining live beats and creative bites.
  4. Tacos & Tequila: The fan-favorite event hosted by Aarón Sánchez is heading to the mainland as part of the Miami Design District Event Series.
  5. A Late Night Pizza Party (NEW): Hosted by world-renowned supermodel Ashley Graham, Michael Pirolo, and Marc Vetri at Little River hotspot Bar Bucce.
  6. Jon and Vinny’s Sunday Parm Night (NEW): A family-friendly Sunday night hosted by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo at the Rubell Museum. 
  7. Joe’s Stone Crab Lunch with Martha (NEW): Martha Stewart and Sacha Lichine will host an intimate lunch at Miami institution Joe’s Stone Crab.
  8. Chew on This: A Live Podcast Series (NEW): Featuring Bert KreischerChiquis RiveraMedha Gandhi and Andrew Pugliese from Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, taking place at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

Sunday, February 22

  1. Delilah Miami Jazz Brunch: Hosted by Brad Kilgore and Michael Teich, this event combines live jazz with brunch at the Brickell restaurant.
  2. Family BBQ with the Zakarians (NEW): Hosted by The Zakarian FamilyFamily BBQ featuring Apocalypse BBQ will be a relaxed afternoon celebrating the art of BBQ and family-style dinner at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. 
  3. Coffee Culture: A Miami Brunch Experience (NEW): A new event part of the Miami Design District Event Series featuring the best coffee and matcha spots in Miami hosted by David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris
  4. 25 Years of Legendary Bites (NEW): Closing out the weekend, this event will be hosted by Andrew Zimmernwith a live performance by DJ CASSIDY at the Festival’s North Venue on the beach.

The 2026 Festival lineup continues to grow, with additional events and talent to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the Festival are On Sale NOW, with plenty of options to suit your taste and budget at sobewff.org. Stay up to date all year long by following @SOBEWFF on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.  

Amigos Night 2025: Miami’s Most Fabulous Party Just Keeps Getting Better

Posted by Mary Jo Almeida-Shore On November - 4 - 2025
Jorge Plasencia, Nicole Valls Duarte, Maggie Fresen Zulueta, Karina Pavone, Yosel Ibarra

One of Miami’s most highly anticipated parties, Amigos Night, manages to outdo itself every year and this year was no exception. On Saturday, October 18, The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Coconut Grove was completely transformed for what can best be described as the party of the season.

The space shimmered with sequined tables, soft candlelight, and a sea of chic guests dressed to the nines. From the moment we arrived, the mood was pure celebration — laughter, dancing, and that signature Miami magic in the air. The open bar, courtesy of Bacardi USA, flowed freely all night long, keeping glasses full and spirits higher.

Nicole Valls Duarte, Pamela Silva, Luly Valls, Letty Tornes

A stellar showcase of Miami’s top restaurants provided an eclectic selection of bites to suit every taste. But truth be told- it was tough to leave the dance floor long enough to grab a bite- because the music was THAT good! From the second Extasy hit the stage, it was over — the dance floor never emptied. The band was perfection, playing one crowd-pleaser after another until well after 1 a.m. A conga line snaked across the room on more than one occasion and friends, old and new, danced and sang with sheer joy.

Miami Socialholics
Maryanne Salvat & Mary Jo Shore

Just when we were about to take a short break- around midnight, an explosion of confetti filled the air and showgirls took over the dance floor for the Hora Loca: pure, high-octane fun fueled by feathers, confetti, and wild energy!

Earlier in the evening, Karina Pavone, President & CEO of Amigos For Kids and Jorge A. Plasencia, Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus, shared heartfelt thanks, reminding guests that every donation helps to strengthen families and protect children across Miami-Dade. Amigos Night was both a celebration and a statement — proof that Miami’s heart beats strongest when it’s dancing for a cause.

Jorge Plasencia and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

This remarkable evening was made possible by sponsors and culinary partners including—Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Bacardi USA, Greenberg Traurig, Academica, ABS Imprint, Ford, Amazon, Banesco, Baptist Health, Goya, Telemundo, Jorge Luis Garcia, Larry Geller & Ingrid Hoffmann, Prestige Clinical Research, Ryder, and Supreme Twins Foundation. Dining sponsors included: Arcano, Bartaco, Bayshore Club, Bulla Gastrobar, Café La Carreta, Costazul Peruvian Cuisine, CrepeMaker, Edda’s Cake Designs, Glass and Vine, LA Sweetz, Mena Catering, Miami Dade College, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Night Owl Cookies, Ossobuco, Papa Johns Pizza, Pisco y Nazca, Sufrat Mediterranean Grill, Sushi Maki, The Tipsy Truffle, Vegan Vibess, and Versailles Cuban Restaurant.

Amigos Night is a perfect example of why Miami parties are in a league of their own — a whirlwind of style, soul, sparkle and dancing. Few events capture the city’s spirit with such flair: dazzling, dynamic, and utterly unforgettable.

To support and learn more about Amigos For Kids, visit: amigosforkids.org and follow @AmigosForKids on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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