The chance to meet celebrity chefs, taste amazing food, sip amazing drink and, of course, marvel at the ocean – it’s all part and parcel of visiting South Beach for the Wine & Food Festival in February. Writer Tracy Block attended the festival in 2019 and gave us her ultimate guide to taking it all in. The 2020 South Beach Wine & Food Festival runs Feb. 19-23, its 19th year! Get the most current details, here. Meanwhile, here’s what you can expect when you go.

When you are a veteran food and wine enthusiast in need of a warm, mid-winter escape, there is only one cure for the craving: The famed Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF). Here are recommendations learned from attending the 2019 installment of this world-renowned, five-day festival unfolded, from the iconic sands of South Beach to the landmark beaches of Fort Lauderdale.

More than 100 events, from celebrity chef-hosted dinners to tented casual tastings, provide an excursion for every appetite. However, with 65,000 attendees flocking to the seaside soiree’s many affiliated venues, the undertaking can seem intimidating to hungry and thirsty newbies, alike. 

Schedule Your Stay at Official Host Hotel: Loews Miami Beach

SOBEWFF takes place during high-season in Miami, so if you have the funds to splurge there is, hands-down, no better locale than the official host, Loews Miami Beach Hotel. During SOBEWFF, the hotel is at capacity with industry movers and shakers, celebrity chefs and hardcore foodies. So, the chance that you will rub elbows with Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri and Martha Stewart throughout your stay is likely, but try to keep your cool – like a cucumber mojito.

If you cannot secure a dog sitter for your pup, fret not; Loews Loves Pets! Not only can you spoil your pup rotten with gourmet dog food via room service (Bow Wow Tenderloin of Beef is the upscale chow of Fido’s dreams), but you can even snag a ticket to the festival’s onsite, dog-friendly Yappie Hour event, which is an added perk, beyond daily walks by the beach!

Rooms and suites are modern and cozy, dressed in earthy hues, with views of the city or the sea. Need some privacy? Click on the “Do Not Disturb” button, which sends notice to hotel staff, as well as passersby. Need to answer a few emails? A workspace nook with USB and Wi-Fi access will get you through your to-do list (while sporting a comfy Chadswith & Haig robe, if you so choose), so you can get to closing your laptop – for good.

If you are ready for a midday pick-me-up, for caffeine, there is cold brew from Panther Coffee on tap at Miami Joe Coffee Co. However, even if it is not yet 5 o’clock in Miami, there is always an eager bartender ready to pour you something festive at Bar Collins, just beyond lobby. Since the sun is likely shining, a field trip to the pool should most definitely be in order. Iconic palm trees border the breezy corridor to the beautiful, spacious poolscape, which features a mix of lounges, daybeds and cabanas. If you are feeling like a V.I.P., enjoying a frozen drink, a glass of bubbly, or one of both, on the elevated, centered cabana platform is the best spot in the house.

Although you will seek sustenance at the gluttonous lineup of events ahead, you will find solace in knowing you can indulge in fresh sushi/sashimi and local catches at Lure Fishbar, or casual al fresco eats at Nautilus, like mixed Florida ceviche and finger-lickin’-good curry-glazed wings. Side Note: Keep an eye out for festival-themed sweet treats in the lobby, like ‘Burger Bash’ French macarons! 

When the time comes to hit the festival, your home base is conveniently settled between the North Tent (which hosts signature evening events Thursday through Sunday) and the Grand Tasting Tents (which are open to designated ticketholders Saturday and Sunday). Official events also take place at hotel pools up and down Miami Beach. Located at 16^th Street and Collins Avenue, Loews provides easy walkability to those who plan on attending the Miami core of SOBEWFF. (Keep in mind that anything in Fort Lauderdale will require at least an hour or more of lead time, as well as securing a ride.) In addition, the Loews hosts a handful of recurring events, from the shuckin’ awesome Oyster Bash to the tantalizing Tacos After Dark late-night, which makes the hotel an even more suitable choice for attendees of its event roster.

How to Plan Your Schedule at South Beach for the Wine & Food Festival

When it comes to hand-selecting the events to make up your SOBEWFF experience, the list can be daunting, to say the least. “Don’t overdo it!” says festival founder Lee Schrager. “If you are coming for the first time, you have to go to the Grand Tasting to see it, you have to choose a signature North Tent event, a seated dinner and a late-night.”

In an effort to keep things fresh and exciting for SOBEWFF regulars, however, the calendar of events does change each year. However, there are “Signature Events” that have solidified their presence, which makes it much easier to build a strong foundation. Going by Schrager’s advice, here is some guidance to factor into your planning.  

Grand Tasting: As the festival continues to evolve, you can always count on the Grand Tasting to anchor your weekend. With a smaller Friday presence open to trade, only, it is likelier you will stop by this beachside buffet with bottomless booze – from beer to vino to liquor galore – interactive sponsorship buildouts and branded goodies, and of course, celebrity chef demos, on Saturday and/or Sunday. Open from 11am to 5pm, you will have plenty of time to explore this indulgent adult playground. For Sunday festival-goers, you will likely have access to the mid-tasting-tent David Grutman Experience, where the local nightlife and restaurant purveyor hosts a beachside dance party, complete with famous house DJ, in the later afternoon hours.

Signature North Tent Event: Every cultured eater has a favorite flavor. Whether it is Italian Bites on the Beach (Thursday), Burger Bash (Friday), Beachside BBQ (Saturday) or Bacardi’s Beachside Carnival (Sunday), you simply cannot go wrong when it comes to beach-bound tastings. Each night also hosts a rotating sponsored beverage roster, along with live entertainment to keep the masses on their feet. Keep in mind that the North Tent hosts 4,000 guests each evening, so arriving early – or purchasing preview tickets, when available – will give you an early-bird taste before the lines grow long.  

Seated Dinner: The intimate dinners of SOBEWFF have gained popularity over the past few years, because they provide a close-knit dining experience unparallel to the large-scale tasting tents. Typically, celebrity chefs team up with local chefs (at their restaurants) for course-alternating, prix-fixe menus. In 2019, collaborations included Daniel Boulud with Barbara Lynch and Adam Perry Lang, Michael Schwartz with Tyler Florence, Anne Burrell with Angelo Elia, and a stand-alone dine from Giada De Laurentiis. Pro Tip: You really cannot go wrong with an intimate dinner; simply select your dream chef(s), and plan for an exceptional meal.

Late-Night: After the North Tent closes down, the party hardly stops! From Thursday night through Saturday night, there is list of late-nights eager to host you. The long-running Tacos After Dark (back at Loews) sells out quickly, while the Art of Tiki (at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel) pits bartenders against one other to name a prized pour – and there is plenty of pork and poke, to boot! Still, the annual dessert party sweetens up Saturday night, with a rotating host and venue, and a sinful selection of confections.

Rum aficianados, the Art of Tiki is calling for you. Photo courtesy Tracy Block.

Honorable Mentions: For fine wine aficionados and self-proclaimed food snobs, Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best at Fontainebleau is the place to be Friday night! Acclaimed chefs and wineries from around the U.S. deliver the finest ingredients and the most exclusive pours. For those seeking family-friendly festivities, Fun and Fit as a Family at Jungle Island is hands-on in the Kidz Kitchen. Active attendees can work off some of the festival damage at Buddhas & Bellinis and Bootcamp & Bites, while students can brush up on their knowledge and skills with new cooking classes and wine seminars.

Ticket Packages: If you have a trend you are trying to chase, there are various ticket packages to consider. Bundles guarantee your tickets to several events, and provide a set percentage of savings. Try the Beach Bash Package, which provides entry to all four North Tent events, or the GTV Weekend Package, for a double-dose of the Grand Tasting Village. (Since packages rotate by calendar and trend, make sure to peruse the festival’s offerings some time in the early fall.)

What to Do During Your Downtime

If you can muster the energy – and you should – there is much to explore around Miami Beach! Within your backyard, at Loews, you can check into your very own wellness retreat at the acclaimed Exhale Miami South Beach, to start. A state-of-the-art fitness center can help you burn some of those accumulated calories. If you are into group fitness, Exhale is known for its classes, from Barre and Yoga to HIIT and Cardio Blast. If you find yourself in a pampering state of mind, a fusion massage will relax and restore, while a true facial will revitalize and rejuvenate. Still, there are acupuncture, cupping and acu-organ detox treatments for progressive wellness devotees.

For a beachside adventure that goes beyond sunning, you will find plenty of opportunities to rent jetskis and stand-up paddle boards, or SUPS, although Biscayne Bay (on the westside of Miami Beach) provides calmer waters and a quieter setting, compared to the ocean waves.

Shopping on Lincoln Road is a great way to get your retail therapy fix, and is just one block from the Loews. And, make sure to hit historic Espanola Way along your stroll.

Art also abounds on Miami Beach, where you can peruse contemporary exhibits at the Bass Museum for a nominal fee. Or, take a walk up to Faena, and explore innovative and immerse works that aim to bridge the Americas. 

As always, there is a bustling nightlife scene that is alive and well in South Beach. For reputable DJs, make your way to world-class, mega club LIV, while Basement Miami (at the Miami Beach EDITION), provides a more close-knit experience. For divey vibes, bookmark the oldest bar in Miami, Mac’s Club Deuce Bar, for late-night antics, and Broken Shaker for an inventive, yet laid-back toast to end your weekend right!

All of this may sound ambitious, and certainly, SOBEWFF is your top priority. So, if you are unable to explore Miami Beach beyond the endless festival smorgasbord, there is always next time – and, perhaps, yet another ultimate guide!

Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Wine Festival happens February 19-23, 2020. Follow #SOBEWFF and check with us to know when tickets go on sale.

— Story by Tracy Block

Hungry for more? Extend your trip to Florida with 4 Perfect Days in St. Augustine! Read about it, here. Or, take advantage of Florida having several cruise ship ports and tack a cruise onto your visit. But consider our helpful tips, first. 

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