Latest news with #SouthBeachWine&FoodFestival
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘RIP my friend': SoBe food fest founder shares sweet story about chef Anne Burrell
Anne Burrell's sudden death at 55 on Tuesday came to a shock to all who knew her — or felt like they knew her. On social media, celebrities as well as fans posted tributes to the chef famous for such Food Network shows as 'Worst Cooks in America.' 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family said in a statement. 'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.' Burrell was also a fixture at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival for a number of years, hosting various events and dinners. On Instagram, SOBEWFF's founder Lee Schrager posted a picture of the two posing together, her spiky blond hair on full display, in an undated photo. The local businessman/foodie wrote that he was 'beyond saddened' by the news, and shared a serendipitous story about Burrell, before she hit it big on TV. Schrager recounted introducing Burrell to Food Network's then-president Brooke Johnson at West Village hotspot Centro Vinoteca, where the rising star briefly ran the kitchen from 2007 to 2008. 'She was already on the map on 'Iron Chef,' on Mario Batali's team, but kind of in the background,' Schrager told the Miami Herald Wednesday. 'I raved about her to Brooke. Anne was bigger than life and the food was extraordinary. From there, things really took off for her and deservedly so.' Soon after that fateful meeting, Burrell left Vinoteca due to 'numerous career commitments and a very busy schedule.' The Upstate New York native went on to host of 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef' for nine seasons and appeared on multiple hit shows including 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' 'Beat Bobby Flay,' 'Chopped' and most recently, 'House of Knives.' 'She was a cooks' cook, a guys' gal, competitive like I have never seen before, a real talented broad, who is gone way way too soon,' Schrager's post continued. 'RIP my friend.' The comments section was full of people who had the pleasure of interacting with Burrell at his annual fest that began in 1997 as the Florida Extravaganza at FIU, to raise funds for the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. 'I'm so shook to my core. I loved chef Anne from the early days. I watched her as sous chef [on] Iron Chef and met her for the first time behind the demo stage at SOBEWFF. I'm truly saddened by this great loss.' 'She was what I looked forward to at SOBE!' And, from the SOBEWFF account: 'Her presence on the sand and beyond will never be forgotten.' Burrell was found 'unconscious and unresponsive' at her Brooklyn home at about 7:50 a.m., according to the New York City Police Department, and pronounced deceased on the scene. A cause of death is pending an autopsy.
New York Post
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Anne Burrell, Food Network star and ‘Worst Cooks in America' host, dead at 55
Celebrity chef Anne Burrell has died at 55. Her family revealed the shocking news in a statement to People. 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' they shared. 'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.' Chef Anne Burrell signs books at the KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations during the 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE at Grand Tasting Village on February 22, 2015 in Miami Beach, Florida. Aaron Davidson Burrell died at her home in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday, June 17. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. A representative from the Food Network told The Post, 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.' Burrell cut a distinctive figure with her memorable platinum blonde pixie cut. She was the longtime host of 'Worst Cooks in America.' The show has been running for 28 seasons since 2010, and Burrell was involved since its inception. Her 2011 cookbook, 'Cook Like a Rock Star,' was a New York Times bestseller. She also had a second cookbook, 'Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.' Born in 1969 in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell was inspired by both her mother's cooking and Julia Child. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996 and went on to work at several trendy New York restaurants, including Felidia and Savoy in Soho. Burrell started her TV career as Mario Batali's sous chef on 'Iron Chef America,' before she went on to have her own show, 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.' It premiered in 2008 and ran for eight seasons, earning an Emmy nomination. She soon became a mainstay, appearing on a slew of other Food Network shows, including 'Food Network Star,' 'Chef Wanted,' 'Chopped,' and 'House of Knives.' Burrell married Stuart Claxton in 2021. She's survived by Claxton and his son, Javier, her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Megan Thee Stallion just officially kicked off Hot Girl Summer in Miami at Swim Week
Talk about bringing the heat. Megan Thee Stallion channeled a supermodel Thursday night, strutting in her very first Paraiso Miami Swim Week at the tents set up at Collins Park in Miami Beach. The 'Savage' singer, who was last in town promoting her Chicas Divertidas Tequila at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, wasn't just making a celebrity appearance. The 30-year-old stunner just launched her own bathing suit line conveniently named after her 2019 breakthrough hit, 'Hot Girl Summer.' Models of all shapes and sizes were sent down the runway in styles hotter than Kendall in August, from bright colored string bikinis to shimmery, bare-all maillots and cute mini dresses with spaghetti straps. The star of the evening eventually showed to cheers, rocking a Space Age silver two piece suit, accessorized by skyscraper heels and a giant, untamed wig. 'Thank you to my team for making my first runway show be so special and amazing!' the Houston rapper wrote on an Instagram carousel of fabulousness. 'Thank you to all my beautiful models for showcasing my collection so beautifully with lots of positive energy. I can't wait to keep growing in this space I'm so excited for what's to come!' You can shop 'thee' affordable collection at where skimpy halter tops start at just $18. (Pro tip, ladies, don't delay: The summer solstice falls on June 20 this year.)
CBS News
21-02-2025
- CBS News
French Bistro Argentinian Steakhouse is a delicious experience in every way
MIAMI — French Bistro Argentinian Steakhouse may be a mouthful to say, but it's also a delicious experience in every way. Tucked away in Palmetto Bay, this charming eatery is run by Melina Traituros, a pint-sized bundle of energy and mother of three girls, who often needs a step stool to greet her customers face-to-face. "We bought the restaurant three years ago and this is like our home," Traituros explained with enthusiasm. The restaurant's unique concept came from an unexpected source: her daughters. "When we bought it, my daughters came and told me, 'Mom, we have to say it's Argentinian too because after the World Cup we say come on French Argentina... celebrate it all,'" Traituros said. Behind the scenes, her husband Christian Ramirez made a bold career change, trading 14 years in aeronautics to return to his true passion for cooking. He's crafted a menu that honors their family's rich heritage, seamlessly blending traditions from France, Argentina, Italy and Uruguay. For Traituros, the restaurant is more than just a business. "I love it. I totally love it," she explained. "This is my home and I like to have fun here and meet the clients, who to me are friends." Return to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival The couple's success has earned them a spot at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival for the third consecutive year. "It's lovely. It's party party party. It's more than drinks, more than food. It's an experience," Traituros described. Their standout dish, the Flank Steak al Malbec, is a testament to their culinary fusion. Cooked for three hours with herbs and vegetables, it's their unique take on beef bourguignon. "This is a dish my mom used to make at home in my childhood, like a Sunday lunchtime in cold Buenos Aires," Traituros reminisced. The menu seamlessly transitions from Argentina to France with elegant escargot prepared in a traditional butter, parsley, and garlic sauce. Their octopus chimichurri, served with roasted potatoes and kalamata olives, rounds out the international offerings with a perfectly tender texture and beautiful sear. You can catch French Bistro Argentinian Steakhouse at the Steak and Whiskey event in the Miami Design District and at Sunday's Grand Tasting Village during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
Miami Herald
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Argentine chefs dominated this year's Burger Bash on Miami Beach. Here's who won
One of the most popular events of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival kicked off with cool breezes and hot burgers, with two burger joints from Argentine owners earning prizes for their perfect patties. At the popular Burger Bash, meat lovers gathered under a tent on the sands of South Beach to sample the offerings and vote for their favorites, while a panel of celebrity judges chose their own winner. The night was loud and crowded in the best possible way. Host Rachael Ray, who hosted the first Burger Bash in 2007, told the audience: 'It's just so much fun always to be in this tent with this energy.' The People's Choice Award went to La Birra Bar from Argentina, which took home a $5,000 check for its smash golden chimichurri burger, a twist on the brand's burger that won in 2022. This new version was two smashed patties, American cheese and red onions dripping with a special Argentinian chimichurri mayo. Renzo Cocchia, who lives in Argentina and owns La Birra Bar with his father, celebrated happily with his team, reiterating on stage with Ray and festival founder Lee Schrager that La Birra Bar is a family business. 'We have no words,' said Cocchia when he came off the stage for photos and overwhelming congratulations. 'It's very emotional. We thank the people who came and voted for us and the amazing team we have behind us. And we want to thank the organizers of the event, it was huge. Year to year, they are doing the best job.' La Birra Bar has four locations in South Florida — North Miami Beach, Wynwood, Fort Lauderdale and Weston — and 14 in Argentina, plus restaurants in Spain and Chile. Cocchia said he started making specialty burgers for the first time in 2014. 'The first time we tried to make them, we loved them. We try to do the best burger we can, and I think we did a really good job.' It's easy, in a way, he says, because 'everybody loves burgers.' La Birra Bar, which is also planning to open a restaurant in Doral, also won the Idaho Potato Side Dish award, earning a $2,500 check for its 'smashbrowns,' loaded hash browns with lime pepper seasoning. The competition included a variety of fries, truffled and untruffled, as well as cacio e pepe tater tots from Daniel's, A Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale. Meanwhile, the judges had another favorite burger. Skinny Louie earned the Very Best Burger Award and $2,500 for the Wagyu Louie, with double smashed wagyu beef patties, melted smoked gouda and truffle aioli, topped with pickled jalapeños on a brioche bun. This was the first Burger Bash win for owner Gonzalo Rubino and his team, all of whom were screaming, smiling and hugging. Rubino, who was born in Buenos Aires, and is co-founder of MPGR Hospitality, said it was the quality of the ingredients that made the Wagyu Louie stand out. 'The quality of the meat, the high-quality cheese — they're really good,' he said. 'I'm super happy and so proud of my team.' Skinny Louie has locations in Wynwood, Little Havana and the Kaseya Center, and plans to open restaurants in Aventura, Coral Gables, South Miami, West Palm Beach and New York. This year's judges were Rita Tennyson of Burger Bob's; the TikTok king of sandwiches Owen Han; Tyler Cameron of 'The Bachelorette' and 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test'; Manolo Vergara of the culinary brand Toma and Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens of The VIP List, famous for comedic food reviews on social media. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival continues through Sunday with events across the beach and other parts of Miami-Dade. All net proceeds benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.
