The South Beach Wine & Food Festival isn’t until February. But if you want to score tickets to the hottest events the festival offers, you need to act NOW. Tickets for all events are available via the Mastercard pre-sale promotion until October 22nd. The general public sales begin on October 23rd.

If you love food and wine, as I do, you need to explore all the options the event offers. There’s truly something for everyone: the Grand Tasting tent, demos, lunches, brunches, late-night parties, trade day, family fun, fitness, wine seminars, and intimate dinners.

I’ve always preferred reserving the private dining experiences. You can’t beat having the culinary world come to us for one weekend of indulgence. How can it not be the most wonderful time of the year? Last year, I attended three of the most memorable events I’ve ever been to during  SOBEWFF.

Dinner with Daniel Boulud, Dominique Crenn, and Michael White

Talk about geeking out! Atelier Crenn has been on my list forever, and I was able to preview it right at home when Dominique Crenn collaborated with chefs Boulud and White. Personable and welcoming, they spoke with all guests before and during dinner. Crenn wouldn’t tell me how it’s possible she’s so skinny though, but I digress.

Served with pours of the 2014 Beaulieu Vineyard Pinot Noir and the 2015 Beaulieu Vineyard Maestro Collection “Ranch 8” Chardonnay, the night began with hors-d’oeuvres by all three chefs. As expected, service at db Bistro was impeccable.

The terrific trio served Mussel Escabeche, Agnolotti with Norwegian King Crab and Black Truffles, and Lamb Loin for the main courses. Endless pours of the paired wines highlighted each dish: 2013 BV Reserve Chardonnay, 2013 BV Tapestry Reserve Red, and 2013 BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Accompanied by the NV BV Muscat de Beaulieu, the night ended on a sweet note with the Gâteau Succès: orange cream, almond praliné, and a Grand Marnier sorbet.

Brunch Hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Hosted at the beautiful Matador Room in collaboration with Jordan Winery, this brunch offered the best food and drinks these two venues have to offer. Jean-Georges personally visited every single table during the two-hours-plus event. What a treat!

Served family-style, the dishes flowed endlessly: three types of canapes, seven appetizers, and five entrees. Jordan provided their Cuvée, 2013 & 2015 Chardonnay, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, and a special sangria cocktail as well. Worth. Every. Penny.

To end, desserts included Matador’s Tres Leches Cake, Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake, Mixed Berry Pavlova, Salted Caramel Flan, and my absolute favorite…the Cookie Platter (Chocolate Chip Cookies, Guave Linzer bar, and Alfajores)! Did I mention this was only brunch?

Croquetas & Champagne hosted

by Jean-Georges Vongerichten

I knew I was toast when I walked in and saw the generous folks from Mojo Doughnuts offering full-sized doughnuts. Have you ever had one? It’s an entree in itself! A prudent and responsible person would have shared one, but I misbehaved and had an entire guava and cream cheese doughnut by myself. As a “starter.” At 10 pm. After I’d already had dinner. It’s no wonder I have to diet pre and post SOBEWFF. Ya gotta live, though, right? Sigh.

How do you top a late night of croquetas and champagne? You don’t, really. It’s hard to choose a winner, but I thought Miami Smokers-Urban Smokehouse-you guessed it- smoked the competition with their Bacon Croquette, guava gastrique, and lime. Ay Dios mio! Yesssssss! Also, Party Cake Bakery‘s Crema Catalana rocked! Tip: when attending (and attempting) one of the late night events, SKIP DINNER!

I’ve already purchased tickets to some stellar events and am now exploring some of the wine seminars. Next year’s line-up is not only showcasing some of our country’s best chefs, but showing off our magical city’s outstanding talent. What are you waiting for? Get off my page and visit SOBEWFF for tickets! See you there!

 

 

PAST SOBEWFF COVERAGE:

2016

2015

2014

2013