South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Posted by Mary Luz Mejia Feb 26, 2008

Adults and children cheering, screaming at the top of their lungs, chanting "Jamie" and no , this is not at a rock concert. Sheer insanity was unleashed when Giada Di Laurentiis hit one of the many stages at this year's South Beach Wine & Food Festival in sub-tropical South Beach, Florida. White tents sprawled like sunbathers near the ocean shore while Food Network celebs, high end chefs, cookbook authors, food writers and foodophiles presented their best.

From Madhur Jaffrey to Paula Deen, all of the big guns were out. Somewhere in the crowd, Anthony Bourdain was there, as was Mr. Chocolate himself Jacques Torres, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Rachel Ray, and Mario Batali. Highlights included the madness that ensued when Emeril, Giada and Jamie Oliver presented at the Kitchen Aid Tents; mayhem to the tune of 30,000 people over the duration of the festival (don't even think of driving!).

For grazers, Wine Spectator's The Best of the Best offered a cornucopia of tasty treats including Dave Pasternack's Crudo, Michael Lomanoco's open-face steak on garlic bread baguette toasts and a champagne flute or two from Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Gosset or Perrier Jouet to name a few.

A tribute dinner for the venerable Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten meant I got to meet the amicable chef in person and marvel at Wylie Dufresne’s culinary magic (the evening’s $500 ticket included a multi-course meal prepared by culinary stars including Nobu, Michel Richard, and Guy Savoy). The anti-climax was hostess Padma Lakshmi’s less than noteworthy “speech” which included telling the animated crowd to “shut up!”

Funds raised from the festival go to FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. If food and heavy hitters are your thing- ditch the snow shovel for sandals and head south next February amigos!