Broward, Palm Beach Counties Represent at South Beach Wine and Food Fest

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival arrives February 19 through 22 with more than 75 events, tastings, parties, seminars, and dinners. The bash, which benefits Florida International University's dining and tourism programs, brings thousands of fans and celebrity chefs to South Florida's restaurants and beaches. This year, the festival...

By Laine Doss

February 19, 2015

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The South Beach Wine & Food Festival arrives February 19 through 22 with more than 75 events, tastings, parties, seminars, and dinners. The bash, which benefits Florida International University's dining and tourism programs, brings thousands of fans and celebrity chefs to South Florida's restaurants and beaches.

This year, the festival has extended its boundaries beyond Miami and Miami Beach with the invitation of several of Broward and Palm Beach's best chefs and restaurants to participate in various parties, including a special dinner hosted on Fort Lauderdale beach.

Here's a rundown of chefs and restaurants from Broward and Palm Beach who are represented at the festival.

Italian Al Fresco Feast on the Beach hosted by Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos

presented by Ronzoni sponsored by MIAMI magazine

Thursday, February 19 from 7 to 10 p.m.; Beachside at Delano (Entrance at 1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach). Tickets cost $150.

Starting out the weekend's festivities, this inaugural fete celebrates all things Italian. Hosted by actress Debi Mazar and husband Gabriele Corcos, the party features over 30 chefs offering comfort food favorites like meatballs, sausage, and pasta -- paired with wines from Folonari Amore Italia. In addition to famous names like Fabio Viviani (who opened his Siena Tavern on South Beach a few months ago), look out for local favorites Bill Bruening (Fork & Balls), Fulvio Sardelli, Jr. (Sardelli's), and Angelo Elia (Casa D'Angelo Ristorante).

Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator's Best of the Best sponsored by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch

Friday, February 20 from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.; Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Tickets are sold out.

One of the most exclusive events at SoBe Fest, the Best of the Best lives up to its name. The country's best chefs, including Elizabeth Falkner, Scott Conant, and Gabrielle Hamilton display their most alluring dishes, paired with wines rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator's scale. Look for dishes by Stephane Caporal (Fisher Island Club) and Giovanni Rocchio (Valentino's Cucina Italiana).

A Dinner on Ft. Lauderdale Beach

hosted by Amanda Freitag, Peter Boulukos and Chris Miracolo

Friday, February 20 from 7 - 10 p.m. at S3 Restaurant, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Tickets cost $250.

Celebrity chef and Food Network personality Amanda Freitag joins S3's Peter Boulukos and Chris Miracolo for this special dinner that brings SoBe Fest to Fort Lauderdale for one evening of delicious food paired with wines from the Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida portfolio.

Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons hosted by Rachael Ray

Friday, February 20 from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.; Beachside at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach; 1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Tickets are sold out.

Rachael Ray is up for the challenge of chowing down on more than 25 of the country's top burgers, made by the likes of Iron Chef Morimoto and weatherman-turner-grillmaster Al Roker. Local favorites include Hard Rock executive chef Russel Booth and Charm City Burger Company's Michael Saperstein.

Whole Foods Marketing Grand Tasting Village featuring MasterCard Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations

Saturday, February 21, and Sunday, February 22, from noon to 5 p.m. at 13th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Tickets cost $225.

New to the Grand Tasting Village (GTV) this year are Culinary Captains, chefs who were chosen to represent their specific culinary neighborhoods. Chosen for these honors are two of South Florida's finest toques. Peter Boulukos from S3 will represent Fort Lauderdale, while Larry LaValley at 3800 Ocean will represent Palm Beach.

In addition, look out for these South Florida chefs while you're exploring the culinary wonders enticing you at the GTV.

On Saturday, February 21, check out dishes by American Social's Christopher Palmer. On Sunday, February 22, try bites from Bob Mignola (Lola's on Harrison); Roy Villacrusis (Nitrogen Bar, Grill, & Sushi); and Jennifer Loubriel (Chops Lobster Bar).

Tickets can be purchased at sobefest.com.

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.

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Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times, covering the restaurant and bar scene in South Florida. She has been featured on Cooking Channel’s Eat Street and Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Doss won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature on what it’s like to wait tables. In a previous life, she appeared off-Broadway and shook many a cocktail as a bartender at venues in South Florida and New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find Doss running some marathon then celebrating at the nearest watering hole.

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