Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Rewind

If you're a big foodie or a Food Network junkie, there's one Miami annual event you just can't miss. The Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival is one part exquisite food treats, one part vino/bubbly, mixed together with some Food Network celebs and sprinkled with white, smooth sandy beaches… all makes for the perfect festival recipe! Someone described it best when they said this is the Disney World for adults... Sure the $200+ ticket price for the tents isn't ideal, (many say that for that money they can go and eat at their favorite $$$$ restaurant) but if you're really into wine and want to sample delicious foods from various venues, then this is a must-do for you.

We've been fortunate enough to have friends who've hooked us up with tickets the last couple of years, but regardless, we'd be willing to pay to experience the tents year after year. The tents, I should explain, are part of the main event called the Grand Tasting Village, which take place on Saturday and Sunday. There are other smaller events that take place the week before, but the Grand Tasting Village brings it all together. You have hundreds of restaurants, vendors and brands all showcasing the best of the best. Usually the best vendors have the longest lines, but each sample is worth it. You also get to participate in presentations done by some of the Food Network’s biggest stars including Bobby Flay, Paula Deen and The Neely’s (who we personally love!)

This time around our SoBe Food & Wine festivities began on Wed. evening @ the Betsy Hotel where the Food Network Magazine held a special event with two of the Food Network’s newest stars, Melissa d’Arabian of Ten Dollar Dinners (airs on Sundays @ 12:30pm) and Aaron McCargo, Jr. of Big Daddy’s House (airs on Sundays @ 1:30pm). We caught up with Aaron at the party and asked him if he was enjoying his visit to Miami and if he’d tried the perfect Cuban sandwich yet? When we found out he hadn’t tried one yet, we secretly tried to plan a getaway route to Little Havana but there were too many Food Network folks around who would have spotted our escape route. (Next time, Aaron!) Overall a genuinely nice guy who loves what he does and knows how to BBQ! For some great recipes from Big Daddy, click HERE.

Me and Big Daddy

Here's @strictlymiablog getting interviewed :)

Flash-forward to Saturday’s Grand Tasting Village and all I can think about is how much food Juan and I consumed in a matter of a few hours… Word of advice, have a very light breakfast before you go to the Grand Tasting Village. You tend to think that small samples will not get you full, but there are literally hundreds of them and plenty of wine and champagne ;)

w/ Melissa d'Arabian

Towards the end of the day, we were introduced to Melissa d’Arabian (click HERE for her deelish recipes!) and I had the chance to chat with her about her SoBe experience. All she had to do was point towards the beach and sigh… and that’s all she needed to say because then I knew what makes this festival so special. I mean, where else in the world can you have the best food and wine and feel the sand beneath your feet in the middle of “winter”?

See you next year SoBe Food & Wine Fest!

Look Ma! No Hands!

My NYC bestie @MBetrock - xoxo!