7 Can’t Miss Events At This Year’s South Beach Food & Wine Festival

Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) is one of the wildest and most delicious weeks of the year in the Sunshine State. Over the course of a long weekend tastemakers, celebrities, and award-winning chefs make their way to Miami for a food-filled festival with over 80+ events. Typically, SOBEWFF® occurs on the last weekend of February, but in an effort to keep things as safe as possible it was postponed and the extra time was used to secure more precautions than ever before.

The time is finally here and the festival will be taking place at the end of this month from May 20 to 23rd, with dozens of events spread throughout the city and even a few just north of Miami in Hallandale. 

Having so many incredible events to choose from, it can be tough to navigate your way through them. This year is exceptionally special as its SOBEWFF®’s 20th birthday and there are a few extra events taking place to celebrate two decades of one of the biggest food and wine festivals in the country.

For those who need a bit of help deciding, here’s seven can’t miss events recommended by a SOBEWFF® festival veteran.

Tequila Cazadores presents Tacos After Dark hosted by Jeff Mauro part of the Miami Design District Event Series

Who loves tacos? The answer: everyone! Tacos After Dark is a dream for those who are into a solid taco and tequila pairing. This year the late night fiesta has made its way to Miami’s Design District. Sip on Tequila Cazadores cocktails while strolling through Jungle Plaza and feasting on tacos made by dozens of talented chefs from Miami and beyond. Whether you’re a taco purist looking for al pastor, craving a Miami-inspired lechon, or a lover of a homemade choco-taco you’ll find your taco soulmate at this event. The flavorful late-night extravaganza will be hosted by Jeff Mauro, host of the hit Food Network show The Kitchen. Mauro is also the winner of Season 7 of Food Network Star and host of the Emmy-nominated series Sandwich King. Cost $150. Get your tickets here.

Local’s Only Dinner

If you’re from Miami, then you’re already familiar with this powerhouse line up, but for those who are in town for SOBEWFF® weekend, this is the best way to experience true Miami in one evening. Curated by Zak Stern of Zak’s Bakery, a Wynwood hotspot that’s stood the test of time as the neighborhood has evolved over the years, the Local’s Only Dinner features some of the city’s most talented chefs. Joining him for this one-time-only dinner are chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, fellow 2020 James Beard Award semifinalists (Best Chef: South), and the masterminds behind Boia De — one of the toughest reservations to snag in town; and Carey Hynes, the chef behind Jaguar Sun in Downtown Miami. Jaguar Sun took the city by storm with its killer cocktails and unexpectedly elevated bar food and is currently operating out of Lot 6 as a stunning outdoor pop-up where the Local’s Only Dinner will be held. Of course, it’s not a proper dinner without a sweet ending, Jeremy and Alissa Frice, of aptly named Frice Cream, will be rounding out the evening with their delicious ice cream based desserts. The dinner will feature pairings from the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits portfolio. Cost $250 per person. Get your tickets here.

Art of Tiki presented by BACARDÍ Rums and Patrón Tequila hosted by Enrique Santos

One of the liveliest events of the festival, Art of Tiki, takes place at Kimpton Surfcomber on South Beach. Here, guests are in for an evening of Polynesian flare and tiki-inspired cocktails made with Bacardi and Patron by well-known local bars who are competing to be crowned tiki-King or Queen at the end of the night. All those cocktails call for some delicious bites to help soak them up, and to help with that several of Miami’s hotspots will be serving bite to complement the tiki-style libations. Hosting the event will be Enrique Santos, the host of Tú 94.9s Morning Show, and one of Latin radio’s most recognizable personalities. An esteemed panel of judges will evaluate the contestants’ rum or tequila-centric offerings, while guests sip on their creations and savor bites from some of South Florida’s most buzzed about spots. Cost $95. Get your tickets here.

Chicken Coupe hosted by Tyler Florence

This year’s Chicken Coupe is hosted by Food Network personality, Tyler Florence, known for the hit series The Great Food Truck Race and as the force behind successful San Francisco, CA restaurant Wayfare Tavern and their award-winning fried chicken. The walk-around tasting will feature fried chicken made by sought-after chefs from around the country who are showcasing both classic recipes and unique twists on mouth-watering combinations of crispy, juicy goodness. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of bubbles to help wash down the delectable dishes. Brut, rosé and more - guests can sip their way through France in effervescent enjoyment as they indulge in bubby from six different champagne houses while hanging out poolside at the W South Beach. Cost $350. Get your tickets here.

Moët & Chandon BubbleQ hosted by Guy Fieri

Festival veterans may remember this as the event that kicked things off two decades ago, and this year it’s back! BubbleQ® is where you’ll find a perfect mix of mouthwatering barbecue and free-flowing Moët & Chandon - an original sponsor of the Festival - to create a satiating and sizzling combination. Emmy Award-winning rockstar Guy Fieri will be hosting this party on the sands of South Beach. Cooking up a storm will be two dozen of America’s most fearless pit masters and grill maestros. You’ll find a variety of beef, pork, poultry, seafood cooked low and slow under the big white festival tent. In order to keep health and safety at the forefront, this event will be be split into two sessions this year. Both sessions will have the same chefs, wine & spirits, and sponsors, but the capacity will be greatly reduced from that of previous years. Cost $350 per session. Get your tickets here.

Celebration Dessert Party! 20 Years of Miami Spice and SOBEWFF® hosted by Scott Conant

What’s a birthday celebration without cake — or a whole slew of desserts paying homage to not only SOBEWFF®, but also Miami Spice. For those unfamiliar, Miami Spice is a two month dining program where 100+ local restaurants offer three-course lunch and dinner menus at a crazy affordable price showcasing some of the best dishes in the Magic City. This late-night Celebration Dessert Party will be overflowing with incredible desserts and free-flowing libations as the perfect way to celebrate two decades of two beloved Miami concepts. To kick off the festivities, Scott Conant, the mastermind behind Scarpetta by Scott Conant and host of Food Network’s Chopped Sweets, will be on hand as host. Get your sweet tooth ready as desserts will be available from more than a dozen South Florida destinations that will be perfectly paired with palate-cleansing wines, beers and spirits from the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits portfolio. Cost $95. Get your tickets here.

BACARDI presents Best of the Fest hosted by Andrew Zimmern

If it’s hosted by Bacardi, then you know it’s a party. This event is called Best of the Fest for a reason, and though the name and concept may change a bit each year, it’s always safe to bet that the final event to take place on the sand inside SOBEWFF®’s infamous tent is going to be a hit. This year, Bacardi is ready to celebrate 20 years of the festival with a blow out party hosted by James Beard Award-winning TV personality Andrew Zimmern, featuring a special guest performance by 90’s icon, Grammy Award-winner and frontman of legendary group RUN DMC, Rev Run. Cocktails ranging throughout Bacardi’s portfolio (including Bacardi Rum, Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose, Dewar’s, D’usse Cognac, Patron and Tequila Cazadores) and bites from various chefs reminiscent of festivals past will be the stars of the evening. Think hits from Lucky Chopsticks, Southern Kitchen Brunch, Paella & Tapas by the Pool, Emeril’s Sugar Shack all in one place. Cost $125. Get your tickets here.