We all require food to survive, but far too many of us simply feed ourselves enough to get by without taking the time to really relish the practice of providing ourselves with sustenance. Spanning over 5 days on Miami Beach in Florida,
The Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival
hosts over 80 events and 400 chefs and culinary personalities, and is a huge celebration of everything we put in our mouths. Thousands of guests attend this event which has established itself as a favourite of industry professionals and top chefs.
Hosted by the Food Network and Cooking Channel and Florida International University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, this all out event features several dozen top celebrity chefs and industry leaders leading cooking events, presentations, special dinners, classes and delivering some unique and delicious food. And what is a good food festival without anything to drink? There are many impressive wines, often matched to the food on display, craft beer and artisanal liquors to enjoy with your meal.
One of the really unique factors of the festival is that many of the events and classes take part directly on the beach. Many of the tents of the chefs and winemakers and the Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village are pitched into the sand. The remaining events, in the most part, are hosted at iconic Miami properties such as the Fontainbleau. The food festival does an excellent job of combining a cross section of Miami Beach culture and fantastic food by showcasing some of the best locations in the area to visitors.
As well as the tastings and food tents, there are a number of parties that accompany the event. Official and unofficial events are held all around Miami Beach, inviting guests into the world famous Miami nightlife scene.
Alongside the famous culinary experts, several other celebrities attend the event. In February 2017, Chef Guy Fieri teamed up with Snoop Dogg for a special presentation, followed by a DJ performance by Snoop Dogg. As the festival continues to establish it's place in the culinary world and to gain popularity and fame, we can expect to see many large names grace Miami Beach.
The event originates from a small event on Lincoln road in 1994, but ballooned into a larger event at the FIU University Campus in 1997 before it was relocated in 2001 to the beach, where it has grown to accomodate over 50,000 guests. The festival helps to run funds for the FIU's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management team, which helps to build the future of chefs and hospitality experts likely to be featured in the event in the years to come.
The event takes place annually in February, and most events are ticketed and sell out quickly so it is worth keeping your eyes on the official website to ensure you reserve your places before it's too late. The website for the 2018 event will launch in September 2017, and tickets are expected to go on sale in October 2017. This is every self acclaimed foodie's dream, and should not be missed.