Andrew Zimmern

By Justina Coronel Photography Courtesy of Getty Images The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (SOBEWFF) invites all food connoisseurs to the 15th Anniversary celebration in Miami Beach during February 24 – 28, 2016. From fan favorites to new and exciting vendors, more than 80 events will span between Miami-Dade and Broward counties. As if there weren’t already a variety of tastes to discover, here are a few new venues to experience during the Festival. “Exploring Israel Dinner hosted by Ashley Christensen, Alon Shaya, Michael Solomonov, and Zak Stern” is hosting the Festival’s first kosher dinner at Rok Family Shul – Chabad Downtown Jewish Center on Thursday, February 25th. Christensen, Shaya, and Solomonov will bring new innovations and discoveries from a recent Israel tour and are joined by South Florida’s own, Zak the Baker. They will present this Glatt kosher experience and unique taste to guests. “CroquetaMania hosted by Jean-Georges Vongerichten” will host this iconic Cuban snack during a late-night party in the trendy Miami Design District. The local food authority of Burger Beast organized 15 of South Florida’s best to present a creative twist on this classic recipe. “Sweet 15: A Dessert Party hosted by Duff Goldman” will take place at Miami’s iconic, The Villa, Casa Casuarina, to celebrate the Festival’s 15th anniversary by having a dozen of the nation’s top pastry chefs to whip up some delicious desserts. And if this wasn’t enough of a huge bite of some of the venues already, the returning classics will have guests craving for even more. “Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid and Sons hosted by Rachael Ray” has been a festival favorite for ten years by bringing the country’s leading burger-making beasts together to compete for your taste buds on Friday, February 26th. “Meatopia Presented by Creekstone Farms hosted by Michael Symon” will present for the second time on Saturday, February 27th. Renowned food writer, Josh Ozersky, created this vision that will feature a carnivorous’ dream of meaty dishes from more than 25 chefs. “LUCKY CHOPSTICKS: An Asian Night Market” will close out SOBEWFF. Award-winning TV personality and chef Andrew Zimmern will host this special event of Asian bites from sushi to dumplings by a collection of chefs. Since all the proceeds go to the students of the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the Festival has raised more than $22 million to date; and with a simple bite, guests can make these students’ future bright. In September 2015, BizBash named the Festival the #1 Food & Restaurant Industry event in the United States for the third year in a row; now this is a mouth-watering event, in which you must go! For more information, please visit www.sobefest.com Click here to view this post in the MSM January/February 2016 digital issue