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Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Charlie Trotter, Norman Van Aken, Dean Fearing, Daniel Boulud, Nobu Matsuhisa, Nigella Lawson, Todd English, Mark Militello, Marcus Samuelsson, Rachael Ray, Tyler Florence, Giada DeLaurentiis, Ming Tsai and dozens of other culinary superstars will strut their stuff for two glorious days of non-stop food, wine and spirits sampling on Miami Beach at the demonstration tents of the Festival’s Grand Tasting. They will also cook in the kitchens of one dozen of Greater Miami’s hottest dining spots as part of a magnificent dinner series featuring top vintages from around the world. The annual extravaganza, which last year raised more than $1 million in support of educational programs and facilities at the nationally respected School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University, and home to the state-of-the-art Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, has quickly grown into one of the country’s most-exciting, well-attended and successful events of its kind. “Aside from providing an unforgettable experience for many residents and visitors, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is an excellent hands-on opportunity for our students,” explains School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Dean Joseph West. “We take pride in the professionalism exhibited at all levels of the Festival. Hundreds of our students are involved in aspects such as marketing, ticketing and greeting our guests.” Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager adds, “The students add an essential element to the mix, and many of them work side-by-side with the grand luminaries of the culinary world who make this such a gastronomically thrilling affair. The chefs, food personalities and cocktail experts set the tone for the Festival’s high-quality offerings, from the delicious cuisine and accompanying fine wines and spirits to the excellent opportunities for learning about today’s taste trends.” In addition to the demonstrations and talks presented by the chefs at the Grand Tasting, the Festival offers a full line-up of first-class educational wine seminars hosted by authorities from around the world. The seminars feature truly exquisite, rare vintages that will be explored in great detail by their winemakers and principals. “The Festival beckons anyone who appreciates the best in food, wine and spirits,” says Schrager. Attendees can choose to purchase tickets to individual activities—among them a golf tournament featuring celebrity chefs and winemakers and a champagne-drenched barbecue on the beach—or buy an all-inclusive weekend pass. “And with sultry, sexy South Florida as the backdrop, who can resist?” Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 and can be purchased by calling 1-866-333-SOBE. Special airline rates are available from American Airlines (Starfile: A9025Ai). Programs & Events Friday, February, 25, 2005 2005 CELEBRITY CHEFS GOLF INVITATIONAL Registration at 7:30 a.m., tee-off at 8:30 a.m., The Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables ($2,000 foursome; $500 Individual) Golfers will be joined by top chefs and vintners to tackle greens of a different sort as they take to the historic Biltmore Hotel’s par-71 championship golf course. Co-sponsor Florida Restaurant Association invites you to tee-off in style on what promises to be a fabulous day of sport and culinary treats. Taste Wine Like a Master Sommelier 1:00-3:00 pm, Parrot Jungle, Miami ($100) An opportunity to learn the secrets of those who taste wines for a living, a double blind tasting is hosted by master sommeliers Larry O’Brien, Virginia Philip and Eric Hemer, and moderated by Rick Garced, president of the United States Sommelier Association. Dean Fearing & Friends Moët & Chandon Bubble Q 7:30-11:00 pm, Delano, Miami Beach ($275) The sparkle and excitement of Moët & Chandon champagne set the tone for this lively night under the stars. This year’s Bubble Q will feature Dean Fearing along with several other renowned “grill masters.” Best of the Best WITH MARK Militello & Friends 7:30-11:00 pm, Fontainebleau Hilton, Miami Beach ($275) A newcomer this year, the “Best of the Best” will bring together top California winemakers and their best reserves, all paired with the cuisines of some of the country’s greatest chefs. Saturday, February 26, 2005 Wine Spectator Wine Seminars 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hotel Inter-Continental Miami ($300) Those who seek a serious education in the finer things in life, whether novices or advanced aficionados, will delight in these “teaching tastings.” Wine Spectator magazine’s Executive Editor, Tom Matthews, hosts this unique opportunity to explore the fruit of the vine in its most delightful form. Meet the wine producers and enjoy wines you may never find anywhere else. Weinies for Winies SEminar 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hotel Inter-Continental Miami ($75) New York restaurateur Danny Meyer and Fort Collins, Colorado sausage-meister, Terry Miller, team-up and explore the unique combination of sausage and wine in a session that can best be described as “palate aerobics.” “Make it a Blockbuster Night” Wine & Food Pairing Seminar 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Hotel Inter-Continental Miami ($75) Wine authority Joshua Wesson shares the lowdown on serving the appropriate wine with those sinful munchies—nachos, pizza, chicken wings and more—in which we all occasionally indulge. Interactive Cooking Lunch Noon to 2:30 p.m., The Biltmore Hotel Country Club, Coral Gables ($150) Learn to cook while rubbing elbows with two of the Food Network’s giants of the kitchen. Hosted by The Cellar Club at the Biltmore Hotel, this intimate, hands-on afternoon is headed by the culinary “dream team” of Giada De Laurentiis and Tyler Florence. Culinary Demonstrations, Cocktail Clinic and Grand Tasting 11:00 am to 6:00 p.m. Grand Tasting Village at Ocean Drive & 12th Street ($100 in advance, $125 at the door) For the second year in a row, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival presents its signature event on successive afternoons. Spectacular culinary demonstrations by top celebrity chefs, food from as many as 75 of South Florida’s most-regarded restaurants, and wines and spirits from hundreds of respected producers are served up against a backdrop of sand and surf. Bank OF AMERICA Dinner Series 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., various locations ($300-$400) Your wish is our command at a dozen dinners to remember, each crafted by celebrity chefs and accompanied by appropriately exquisite wines. Sunday, February 27, 2005 Tribute Brunch 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Loews Miami Beach Hotel ($125) Festival hosts – Florida International University and Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida – pop the corks to honor leaders in the food and wine industry Culinary Demonstrations, Cocktail Clinic and Grand Tasting 11:00 am to 6:00 p.m. Grand Tasting Village at Ocean Drive & 12th Street ($100 in advance, $125 at the door) On its second day, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s signature event continues to be the hottest ticket in town. Today we add to the mix the spirited American Airlines Live Auction, featuring wine-country trips, one-of-a-kind wine lots, lavish jewelry and more. Weinies for Winies SEMINAR 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hotel Inter-Continental Miami ($75) New York restaurateur Danny Meyer and Fort Collins, Colorado sausage-meister, Terry Miller, team-up and explore the unique combination of sausage and wine in a session that can best be described as “palate aerobics.” “Make it a Blockbuster Night” Wine & Food Pairing Seminar 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Hotel Inter-Continental Miami ($75) Wine authority Joshua Wesson shares the lowdown on serving the appropriate wine with those sinful munchies—nachos, pizza, chicken wings and more—in which we all occasionally indulge. Chateau Mouton Rothschild Wine Seminar 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Intercontinental Hotel, ($150) The greatest wines of Bordeaux go on display in all their glory as Chateau Mouton Rothschild presents a stimulating educational session, complete with vertical tastings of their 1990-2000 vintages as well as a few other specially selected bottles. Wine Spectator magazine’s Executive Editor, Tom Matthews, leads this tasting of an exceptional decade of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Belvedere Bartenders Bash 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., The Shore Club ($50) A fitting ending to a fabulous weekend, this “last hurrah” pits a dozen highly skilled bartenders against one another as they compete to create the perfect Belvedere Vodka cocktail. Las Vegas master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim and a bevy of celebrity judges pick the best. HOST SPONSORS: Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University PRESENTING SPONSOR: Food & Wine magazine PLATINUM & DIAMOND SPONSORS: American Airlines, American Express, Bank of America, Belvedere Vodka, City of Miami Beach, Evian Natural Spring Water, KitchenAid, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Moet & Chandon, Scheiffelin & Co, Target, Wine Spectator. SPONSORS: Baileys, Barilla, Blue Door, Burdines-Macys, Camus Cognac, Casa Lapostolle, Celebrity Cruises, China Grill Management, Ciroc Vodka, Delano, Grand Marnier, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Grolsch Premium Lager, Hotel Inter-Continental Miami, Hummer, Illy Caffč, MacKnight Smoked Salmon, OleoMed, Olive Oils from Andalusia Spain, Panache Party Rentals, Nestle Waters North America, SYSCO, Voss Artesian Water from Norway, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. HOST HOTELS: Fontainebleau Hilton Resort, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Mayfair House, Ocean Five Hotel, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Miami Beach, The National, The Palms South Beach, The Raleigh, The Standard, Sagamore Hotel, Sonesta Hotel & Suites, Sonesta Beach Resort, Waldorf Towers. MEDIA SPONSORS: ABC WPLG 10, Comcast Cable, Food Network, Ocean Drive, Miami New Times, Fine Living Network, Southern Beverage Journal, American Way, Celebrated Living, The Miami Herald. |
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