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Miami Herald
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Here's where the top chefs want to eat when they're in Miami for the food festival
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival kicks off Feb. 20 and will draw thousands of culinary fans to more than 100 events across Miami-Dade County. But the fans aren't the only ones excited about the annual bash, now in its 24th year. Chefs love it, too, not only for the chance to show off their creations but also to hang out at other chefs' events and sample the menus at some of Miami's best restaurants. We asked some of the participating chefs what they're looking forward to and where they hope to eat. Here's what they said. Tyson Cole The Hai Hospitality partner and executive chef of Uchi will participate in Best of the Best at the Fontainebleau on Feb. 21 and A Sushi Omakase Collective at SGWS Wynwood on Feb. 23. What events are you looking forward to attending? I'm especially excited for the [Saturday tribute] dinner with Dominique Crenn. She's the epitome of creativity and talent in the culinary world. What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? I always make it a point to visit Chef Paul Qui's restaurant Pao, and KYU is an all-time favorite for either lunch or dinner. It never disappoints. Favorite new spots? The chefs at Itamae Ao are some of the most talented in town. I'm excited to see all the new creations they're working on. Alex Guarnaschelli The author of the cookbook 'Italian American Forever' and host of Food Network's Alex vs. America will host Alex vs. Miami with Eric Adjepong on Feb. 20 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. What events are you looking forward to attending? It's super fun to be a part of events, but it's even more fun to go and support your contemporaries at their events! I don't know how you can resist the Celebrity Chef Pickleball tournament. There are also masterclasses being given in Cuban sandwich making and tacos that I would jump on right away. And I love Tacos & Tequila. What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? La Sandwicherie and Zak the Baker are always mandatory. The food is so tasty there! Mirabella [from Chef Michael White] in the Fontainebleau is also great. Favorite new spots? Pasta in Wynwood, Mika in Coral Gables and Fiola in Coral Gables. JJ Johnson The James Beard Award-winning chef and TV personality will host The Cookout with Angela Yee Feb. 22 at the Eden Roc Miami Beach. What events are you looking forward to attending? I'm looking forward to attending the Grand Tasting Village. It's always an excellent opportunity to experience the creativity of so many chefs in one place and see what's inspiring the industry right now. Plus, the energy there is unmatched! What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? I always make time to visit Zak the Baker in Wynwood for incredible pastries and bread. I'm also a fan of Mandolin Aegean Bistro—it's the perfect spot for a relaxed meal with fresh, vibrant flavors. Lastly, hitting up Joe's Stone Crab is a must for that classic Miami experience Favorite new spots? I've heard amazing things about Dante's HiFi in Wynwood and can't wait to check it out. I'm also intrigued by Queen Miami Beach, which has been making waves for its bold approach to dining. Exploring new energy and creativity in Miami is one of the best parts of SOBEWFF! Tyler Malek The co-founder of Salt and Straw will appear at Burger Bash on Feb. 20 on Miami Beach and A Duff Goldman Late Night Dessert Party and One Man Show on Feb. 22 at the Miami Beach Bandshell. What events are you looking forward to attending? I always love stopping by the Steak & Whiskey and the Tacos & Tequila events. They have so much energy, and it's great to experience so many bites from some of the top restaurants in Miami and beyond. What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? Miami is never complete without Joe's Stone Crab. While I, of course, love the crab claws, their fried chicken and Key lime pie also can't be missed. I'll also stop by Sweet Liberty for a night cap. Favorite new spots? I would love to try and stop by Sunny's Steakhouse, Sparrow and Mother Wolf. I've seen them popping off and want to see what the hype is about! Jeff Mauro The chef and founder/CEO of Mauro Provisions will be part of the Sunday Brunch with Katie Lee and Geoffrey Zakarian Feb. 23 at the Loews Miami Beach. What events are you looking forward to attending? I'm definitely going to hit up the Alex vs. Miami event with Alex G. and Eric Adajapong. The participating chefs actually go head-to-head in a culinary battle, which should prove highly entertaining, especially at a late night event in South Beach, with plenty of libations. What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? I love Cote Miami. I'm the Chief of Beef at my Chicago food brand Mauro Provisions, and any time I can experience multiple cuts of high end wagyu in a slick setting with world class service, I'm in. Favorite new spots? Mother Wolf is on the top of the list! If I can get in. You got a guy? David Myers The chef of Adrift Mare will attend Best of the Best Feb. 21 at the Fontainebleau and Heritage Fire at The Hangar in Coconut Grove. What events are you looking forward to attending? Tacos & Tequila hosted by Aaron Sanchez sounds like a winner to me. What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? I always have to go to Little Havana. Absolutely love the food. Also, I must take a walk along South Beach to see the beautiful ocean. Nothing quite like that. I love the architecture. It's always great to be back in Miami. Favorite new spots? On my last trip I ate at the newly opened Italian spot called Vice Versa. Incredible pizza and cocktails. I can't wait to go back. Just love the vibe and energy. Marcus Samuelsson The force behind Red Rooster Overtown will be the Master of Ceremonies at the Tribute Dinner honoring Dominque Creen and Gerard Bertrand Feb. 22 at Loews Miami Beach and will host the Overtown Gospel Brunch Feb. 23 at Red Rooster Overtown. What events are you looking forward to attending? I always have a good time checking out my good friend Chef JJ Johnson at The Cookout. It always feels like a family reunion with great food, vibes, and music. What spots do you hit when you're in Miami? When I'm in town, I love spending time in Overtown. I love checking out some of the local Black businesses in the neighborhood, who have always made me feel welcome and at home since we opened Red Rooster Overtown. Favorite new spots? I'm looking forward to exploring some of the new spots in town in between events over the weekend. Anthony Vitolo Executive chef and partner at Vitolo in Fort Lauderdale will attend Best of the Best Feb. 21 at the Fontainebleau. What events are you looking forward to attending? I'm really looking forward to Taste of Italy! As an Italian chef, I'm all about great food and authentic flavors, so this event is right up my alley. It's going to be amazing to see what other chefs are cooking up . I can't wait to soak it all in, grab some inspiration and enjoy the vibe at Jungle Plaza. What spots do you like to hit when you're in Miami? I always make time to enjoy the best of Fort Lauderdale with my family. We love hitting the beach—it's perfect for the kids to play and for us to just relax. Another favorite spot is Las Olas Boulevard for its great vibe, restaurants and shops. It's all about finding places where I can unwind and spend quality time with my wife and three daughters. Favorite new spots? Mimi Chinese is definitely on my list — I love how they're bringing bold Chinese flavors to the table with an upscale twist. The Joyce is at the top of my list. I've heard amazing things about their 'Joyce Single' burger, and I'm always down for a place with a cool vibe and great food. Geoffrey Zakarian The chef, restaurateur and Food Network host will host a fashion show and luncheon with Margaret Zakarian Feb. 21 at at Bal Harbour Shop and host Sunday Brunch with Katie Lee and Jeff Mauro Feb. 23 at the Loews Miami Beach. What events are you looking forward to attending? I always try to get to Burger Bash and as many demos as I can as they are really a freewheeling expression of the chefs — unscripted and funny!! What spots do you like to hit when you're in Miami? I love Mandolin! It's always been the best. So fresh and such a unique space in the community. Any favorite new spots? I am looking forward to going to Cote Miami as well as Sunny's Steakhouse. South Beach Wine & Food Festival When: Feb. 20-23 Where: Locations around Miami-Dade County Tickets and full list of events:
Miami Herald
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Chefs just want to throw down': South Beach Wine & Food Festival gets more competitive
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival means many things to Miami. A way to learn more about food or wine (or both). A reason for a special dinner with friends or a raucous four-day party of welcome consumption. A chance to try specialties from local chefs or Food Network stars or even get a selfie with your favorite culinary social media personalities. It's also a benefit for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, which gets 100 percent of the net proceeds from the culinary bash. The festival reports that it has contributed $40 million to the school since it began as a one-day event called Florida Extravaganza in 1997. But it's also something else. With more than 100 events that include tastings and tributes, dinners and brunches, demonstrations and parties, the festival, which runs from Feb. 20-23 and is now in its 24th year, can also be a competition. Not every event pits chefs against each other, of course. Most don't. But for the 2025 event, which kicks off Feb. 20, the festival has embraced contests. According to festival founder Lee Schrager, the move makes sense: the consistent popularity of competitive television shows there's an appetite for good-natured rivalries. 'Look at the cooking shows — they're all competitions,' he said. 'The days of dump and stir are done.' This year's South Beach Wine & Food Festival has introduced several new cooking contests. On, Feb. 20 at the Loews Miami Beach, 'Chopped' judge Alex Guarnaschelli of 'Alex vs. America' and Eric Adjepong of 'Wildcard Kitchen,' host Alex vs. Miami, in which a panel of judges will choose the best dish. Competing local chefs include Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant & Bar in Kendall; Karim Bryant of Lil Greenhouse Grill in Miami; and Mercedes Kozlowksi of Prime 112 on Miami Beach. Fans of the Food Network series 'Tournament of Champions' will get to be part of the show's first ever live competition on Feb. 21 in South Beach. Guy Fieri will host the event as four six-person chef teams of former Tournament winners and local and national rising stars will battle for the People's Choice Award. Then on Feb. 23 in Coconut Grove is Heritage Fire, at which chefs will bust out their best grilled dishes and vie for the crown of Heritage Fire Hero as chosen by a panel of experts. Even the big Grand Tasting events over the weekend are competitions, a fact often lost on festival goers, especially those who leave the event over-served. Attendees vote on their favorite dishes, and the winner earns the Best Bite on the Beach prize. The festival's interest in competition also makes sense when you consider the nature of being a chef, Schrager said. If you're recognized as being the best or earn a Michelin star, you want to show what makes your dishes special. 'Chefs are very competitive people,' he said. 'Incredibly competitive. Take the Alex vs. Miami event this year: Alex Guarnaschelli is very competitive. And 'Tournament of Champions' is the highest rated show on Food Network, and this year we have more big talent at that event than we've ever had.' Diego Ng of Fort Lauderdale's Temple Street Eatery, who will be competing in the Heritage Fire grilling competition, agrees with Schrager's sentiments, although he says he approaches the contest element a little differently. 'There is definitely a competitive side to the job,' he says. 'You always think: 'How can I do it better than anybody else?' Lots of chefs just want to throw down! But I'm more Zen in my approach. I want to show the best I can be, but at the same time I just like to have fun. . . . As chefs we're always in our own little kitchens, in our own little world. Events like this let us say 'Hey, man, I admire your work.' You get to share the camaraderie.' The longest-running competition is also one of the most popular events of the festival: Burger Bash, which will be held this year on Feb. 20. Hosted by Rachael Ray, who hosted the very first Burger Bash in 2007, the event features local and national chefs vying to create the best burger. A panel of judges will choose the winner of The Very Best Burger Award, while the audience gets to vote on their favorites for the People's Choice Award. 'I'm constantly amazed by how popular it is,' Schrager said of the event. 'What can I say? It's like winning — people love it.' Among the many participants this year include Jeff Budnechky of Lala's Burgers and Kendall's beloved Apocalypse BBQ; Daniel Ganem of Fiola and Daniel's steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale; Renzo Cocchia of La Birra Bar; Gonzalo Rubino of Skinny Louie; and John Karangis of Shake Shake, to name a few. Also back to compete are former winners Motek, the Mediterranean restaurant that won the People's Choice Award two years in a row for its Lebanese-style Arayes Burger served in pita, and last year's winner Pincho, which earned the People's Choice Award for its Jalapeño Delight. The spicy burger, which comes with jalapeño jack cheese, jalapeño bacon jam, jalapeño bacon and cilantro jalapeño aioli, still finds its way onto the restaurant's menu from time to time. Winning the Burger Bash means a lot to the chefs and owners. Last year's judge's choice, Cowy Burger, was a pop-up at the time. After its win for a Angus smash patty with American cheese, bacon jam, grilled onions and Cowy sauce, owners Guillermo Felipe, Carlos Reveron and Daniel Machicao were able to open the first standalone Cowy Burger in Wynwood. The same thing happened to Pincho, which won its first Burger Bash in 2015, then again in 2019 and 2024. After its first win, the fast-casual restaurant expanded and now has six locations across South Florida in Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Pinecrest, Pembroke Pines and Sunrise as well as four in Texas. Chef Adrian Sanchez said the first win galvanized the brand to compete. 'It means a considerable amount,' he says. 'The first year we won, we were an up-and-coming brand. It was life changing for us. It really put us on the map. Winning something like this carries a credential.' This year, as always, Pincho will be looking to take home another People's Choice Award. 'If we place with the judges, that's fine, but a lot of what the judges are looking for is the ideal burger,' he said. 'The people are looking for the wow factor. So every year we create something special. People make a beeline toward us because they know we're going to offer something new. Chefs do get competitive with these things.' South Beach Wine & Food Festival When: Feb. 20-23 Where: Locations around Miami-Dade County, particularly Miami Beach Tickets and information:
