SOBEWFF Turns 21

Can you believe it’s been 21 years since the inaugural South Beach Wine & Food Festival? And my how it has grown up! This year, the festival returns Feb. 24-27 with a star-studded lineup of some of America’s best-known chefs and personalities.

The festivities kick off Feb. 24 with the Mayor of Flavortown, Guy Fieri, who will host the new Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Live on South Beach. On Feb. 25, Rachael Ray and José Andrés will host the 16th annual Burger Bash® where a panel of judges present The Very Best Burger Award to the best piece of meat between two buns. Of course, you will want to work off some of that food you ate during the Bootcamp & Bites for a high-energy cardio session followed by bites and libations. The event closes Feb. 27 with the ultimate beach party hosted by Andrew Zimmern.

Looking to sharpen your cooking skills? Then snag a ticket to one of the Festival’s Master Classes! There’s a wide variety of topics to choose from like Craft Cocktail-Making at Sweet Liberty, a Pasta-Making Class and Lunch with Michael Pirolo, Bread-Making with Sullivan Street Bakery, Ramen-Making with InRamen, a Spice-Making Class with Adeena Sussman and more!

With far too many big names and events to name here, suffice it to say it’s going to be a foodies’ paradise. The festival isn’t just all fun and games. Since its inception, it has raised more than $31.8 million to cultivate the future leaders of the hospitality industry at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.

Visit sobewff.org.