The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival is one of the most highly regarded of its kind. Take several dozen celebrity chefs and culinary personalities, such as Rachael Ray, Andrew Zimmern, Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis. Add twice the amount of impressive wine, craft beer and artisanal liquor makers. Toss to mix thoroughly and garnish with farm-to-table style cooking events and demonstrations. Serve to thousands of guests annually on the last weekend of February. The festival has raised more than $24 million for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. The festivities include demonstrations, tastings, parties, seminars, tribute meals with famed chefs and more. Concocted by Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager, who also serves as the Vice President of Corporate Communications & National Events for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., SOBEWFF is one of the events that is most looked forward to by both locals and visitors.

Now in its 16th year, the festival has also established itself as a favorite among the highly regarded chefs and other industry professionals who lead demonstrations and seminars. Part of the festival's appeal, for both presenters and party-goers, is location, location, location: Many of the events, including the Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village featuring Mastercard Grand Tasting Tents & KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations, take place directly on the beach. As in, the enormous tents housing hundreds of chefs and winemakers are literally pitched on the sand. For winter-weary folks, the gentle waves and sea breezes season the bites and quaffs irresistibly. Those gatherings not located on the beach, such as the ever-popular Wine Spectator's Best of the Best sponsored by Bank of America, take place at iconic Miami properties. For instance, Best of the Best, which is routinely sold out as soon as tickets become available, occurs at the historic Fontainebleau Miami Beach. And you won't want to miss the Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons hosted by Rachael Ray.

Tanqueray brand ambassador Snoop Dogg and celebrity chef Guy Fieri will showcase a special presentation on Saturday, February 25. Snoop Dogg will also take to the tables immediately following the demonstration for a short spin on the ones and twos as guests sip on fresh pressed Gin & Juice cocktails from the custom Tanqueray Gin & Juice Bar.red wine names italian New this year, SOBEWFF is partnering with hospitality and nightlife visionary David Grutman to present a one-of-a-kind experience at the Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village on Sunday, February 26. best red wine to give as a gift 2015Grutman will transform the courtyard into a custom experience ideated by the energetic impresario himself, featuring live beats by the dynamic, internationally-renowned DJ INGROSSO.good wine years chart

While many events are already sold out, here is a selection of tastings that you might be able to still score tickets to (while they last!). If it seems like the SOBEWFF is all eating and no play, well, it is a lot of food. We're not going to lie. But that doesn't mean you have to wear the weekend on your waist afterwards.red wine brands on india Participate in Badia Spices' Fun and Fit as a Family, featuring Goya Foods Kidz Kitchen. best australian wine in indiaHeld at Jungle Island, this two-day event teaches young and old how to live with both health and taste - which is, aside from benefiting the students of the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the Festival's point.top us wine competitions

Or check out Lifeway Kefir presents Buddhas and Bellinis featuring a morning of Yoga on the lawn at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Share the Love: We'd love to see your photos! Share them with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and don’t forget to use the hashtag: #SoMiami.By attending one of Mark Johnson's wine seminars, you will get extensive experience pairing wine and food. You will also learn about wine, wine making, grape growing, and the art of wine tasting. Mark is a great storyteller, a non-intimidating wine instructor, and is adept at getting everyone involved. Sometimes his stories are even true! These are some of the things participants said about past seminars: "You've got a great program keep up the good work, Mark makes everyone feel like a participant - great humor and wit! Can't wait to be back, Terrific all the way around, Wonderful food, wines were complimentary, presentation of food was awesome - fantastic service!" Both classroom style and hands on experience are part of your wine immersion seminar.

Your day includes a tour of the cellar with an explanation of the wine making process, vineyard walk, short explanation of the art of tasting wine, and multi-course leisurely dinner with accompanying wines. Each course, from the appetizer to the dessert is specially paired with Chateau Chantal wines. The meal is a work of art, worth the price of the seminar on its own, but is included in the overall price of $95 per person. Offered March 25 & April 29, 2017.Book your Boot Camp experience online here. January 21 5 Basic Cooking Techniques January 28 Handmade Pasta and Authentic Sauces February 4  Artisanne Chocolate February 11 Artisanne Chocolate March 4 Authentic Mexican March 18 Italian Cuisine April 1 Creole & Cajun Cuisine April 8 Grilling is Good April 15 -  TBD April 22 - TBD We offer two day cooking class packages: Cooking Classes do not require a stay in our B&B. If you do wish to stay the weekend, however, the cost begins at $275 per person based on double occupancy, accommodation and double enrollment for the weekend stay including breakfast both Saturday and Sunday morning, cooking class with the Chef on Saturday, and the opportunity to enjoy the food you prepare after class as well as wine tasting and a lodger cellar tour.