This year the GW Magazine Team flocked with all the other foodies to The Food Network’s South Beach Food and Wine Festival; a bedazzlement of the worlds best chefs, cuisine, and beverages.
To begin the weekend, we attanded the Fontainbleau’s ‘Best of the Best,’ where Wine Spectator Magazine pulled together the largest selection of vinos and bites from around the globe. Glamorously laid out kiosks of wine and tantalizing tasters lined the hotel’s ballroom while guests took their complimentary wine glasses to sip and savor the delights of the festival. Our top choice was the Due Uve white mix from Bertani and of course the Laurent- Perrier Champagne. The desert table, dripping with chocolate delights, matched delightfullly with a Lavazza Coffee to sweeten the deal and end the evening.
Saturday’s event on the beach, Wholefood’s Market Grand Tasting, drew perhaps the largest crowd to the sundrenched South Beach area. Marquis on the beach featured celebrity chefs from Emeril Lagasse to Martha Stewart. Kiosks supplying tasters of the best food in SOBE and NYC laced the beach, intermixed with an endless variety of new liquors and wines to sample. This truly was a foodie’s paradise. Editor’s favorites here included the Viola ‘Light’ Vodkas; in pina colada and orange flavors that could do no wrong on the tastebuds nor the hips. Tod Erikson’s chorizo paella bites and Nobu’s tasty gyoza also had heads spinning.
Not to miss was the Cruzon Rum Marquee, Caribbean in theme and bursting with cucumber & lime mojitos. Cruzon even supplied live reggae to match, where, adorning a straw fedora, guests took to the sand to dance the afternoon away. Sensational food, sensational drinks, and arguably one of the most sensational beaches in the world….what more could you ask for mid February?
If you have a passion for ‘food-fashion’ and want an escape from dreary winter weather, book in early for next year!
See www.sobefest.com for more details.