IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD AND WINE
Thursday, February 24 through Sunday, February 27, 2011 will mark the 10th year of the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine. This national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcases the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University (FIU), the festival benefits FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. To date, the Festival has raised over $10 million for the School.
For five years, from 1997-2001, the Florida Extravaganza showcased wines from national and international wineries paired with food from local restaurants and chefs working with students of FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. In 2002, Lee Brian Schrager, director of Special Events and Media Relations at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, took the reigns of the one-day festival and brought his vision for the festival to life by relocating it to South Beach.
In 2006, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary and became one of the largest and most well-known festivals of its kind in the country. During the planning of the 2007 festival, Food Network entered into partnership with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival to become its title sponsor. The resulting Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine combined the international appeal of top-quality libations from around the world, the national appeal of the Food Network and its celebrity chefs and hosts, and the appeal of Latin and Caribbean-inspired regional cuisine.
The 2008 and 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festivals each attracted close to 50,000 guests over four days and garnered an unprecedented amount of media coverage. The Festival earned over 1 billion media impressions in both years through its integrated marketing and public relations plan.
The 2010 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine welcomed over 50,000 wine and food lovers and paid tribute to Daniel Boulud at its annual Tribute Dinner.
You can be a part of this wonderful event by participating in a “by-invitation-only” package. A limited number of participants will receive special access to the SOBE Wine & Food Festival events. Enjoy staying for two nights within walking distance to all the events, early line access to selected events, reserved seating at Paula Deen’s Gospel Brunch, private Food Network reception hosted by celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira, the recent winner of Next Food Network Star and host of Food Network’s Aarti Party. You will also meet and greet Duff Goldman prior to the “Best Thing I Ever Ate” event.
An opportunity for “hands-on”cooking experiences are taking place at sea in 2011 as well, where you can delve deep into a culinary adventure. Bon Apetite magazine has created a program for epicurean enthusiasts. This is your opportunity to enjoy culinary creations and unexpected ways to pair food and wine. Celebrated chefs, distinguished wine experts and other culinary connoisseurs will share their secrets and personally enrich your cruise with some of the world’s most exotic destinations.
Crystal Cruises is featuring Chef Govind Armstrong on their March 6, 2011 sailing of the “Crystal Symphony”. Chef Armstrong is as unique a personality as he is a culinary talent. With his distinctive approach to cooking he is quickly becoming one of the nation’s brightest stars, both in the kitchen and in front of the camera. As an executive chef and partner of 8 oz. in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Govind is strongly committed to market-driven cuisine that focuses on fresh seasonal ingredients from the finest local producers. The “Crystal Symphony” will set sail March 6, 2011 on the “Tropical Trade Winds” cruise and it promises to be a culinary delight for each participant complete with private dining opportunities, backstage clues and cooking participation's and demonstrations.
More culinary travel opportunities are being unveiled shortly for 2011 vacation options to travel and cook with highly recognized chefs from Food Network and Bon Apetite. I will keep you posted!
