Miami’s most anticipated week for foodies and wine connoisseurs across the country came and conquered, as the SOBEWFF team pulled out all the stops to make sure this year topped the years’ past with new curated events, tastings, private dinners and, of course, celebrity attendees. Here’s a look at some of the highlights and most memorable moments of SOBEWFF 2018:
TRIBUTE DINNER HONORING BOBBY FLAY
Photo Credit: World Red Eye
Each year, the Festival honors one chef with a lavish Tribute Dinner held at the Festival’s headquarters—The Loews Hotel Miami Beach. This year, the grand evening honored famed chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay. Chefs cooking at the high-profile dinner included Michelle Bernstein, Giada De Laurentiis, Frederic Delaire, Alex Guarnaschelli, Hot Tamales: Susan Feniger & Mary Sue Milliken, Stephen Kalt, Clarisa Martino, Masaharu Morimoto, Michael Symon, Jet Tila, Marc Vetri, Michael Voltaggio and Jonathan Waxman.
WINE SPECTATOR’S BEST OF THE BEST
Always one of the most grandiose culinary affairs of the week, the Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best hosted at The Fontainebleau did not disappoint, featuring 60 of the nation’s top chefs to showcase their most gourmet samplings to pair with over 100 wines rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s scale.
BURGER BASH
Had the best time judging @sobewffest Burger Bash. Thank You @leeschrager A post shared by David Grutman (@davegrutman) on
One of the fan-favorite events, Heineken Light Burger Bash, drew in a huge crowd along with A-list celebrity judges for the grand event. And this year, Miami proved that it can compete with some of the best burgers in the country, with Swine Southern Table & Bar taking home the $5,000 prize for their Swine Burger, winning the People’s Choice Award for Best Burger; Kendall-based mom-and-pop gastropub Barley taking home the $10,000 from Red Robin for their Latin Burger; and the $2,500 Critics’ Choice burger going to Alex Guarnaschelli’s New York City-based restaurant, Butter. Celebrity judges included event host Guy Fieri, along with fashion designer Zac Posen, Bravo TV’s Andy Cohen, David Grutman, Food Network chef Marc Murphy and Jonathan Cheban, aka Foodgöd.
JON BON JOVI PERFORMS LIVE AT VERSACE MANSION
Photo Credit: Pablo Blázquez
Guests were treated to a special live performance by the iconic musician, Jon Bon Jovi, at the historic Versace Mansion (Casa Casuarina) to kick off their new rosé brand—Diving into Hampton Water. His son Jesse Bongiovi and winemaker Gerard Bertrand were also in attendance to promote the brand, which has currently sold out of all retailers across the country.
WILLIAM MORRIS ENDEAVOR’S CHEF AFTER PARTY AT DELANO SOUTH BEACH
Photo Credit: Dylan Rives
At this lavish fête, the world’s top chefs came together to celebrate the SOBEWFF at the Delano South Beach. Top chefs and notables including Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Hannah Bronfman, Masaharu Morimoto, Josh Capon, Michael White, Alex Guarneschelli, and Spike Mendelson mixed and mingled while enjoying barbecue bites by acclaimed Miami Chef Jose Icardi.
VEGAN LUNCH FROM ABCV WITH JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN
Photo Credit: Naty Pascual
The famed, James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten celebrated the SOBEWFF with an upscale, vegan brunch at his restaurant Matador Room at the Miami Beach EDITION. Here, guests got to get a sneak-peek of new menu items coming to his hot spot, abcV in New York City.
DAVID GRUTMAN EXPERIENCE AT GOYA FOODS GRAND TASTING VILLAGE
Photo Credit: World Red Eye
Back for the second year in a row, David Grutman brought the ultimate VIP nightlife experience to the Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village on the final day of the Festival. Guests got to indulge in specialty cocktails from Belvedere and dance to beats from world-renowned DJ Alesso all day long. Notable attendees included David Grutman and his wife, Isabela, Larsa Pippen, Alesso, Cedric Gervais, Michael Bay, Lee Brian Schrager, Marc Bell, Jason Strauss and more.
DASCHA POLANCO AT KETEL ONE X WINE N DINE’S NEW TASTE OF SOUTH BEACH
Photo Credit: Julian Cousins
The beautiful actress, famous for her roles in Orange is the New Black and American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace was seen hanging out at the foodie-favorite app’s New Taste of South Beach event held at the famed Versace Mansion (Casa Casuarina). The event served bites from JJ Johnson, Chris Coombs, Janine Booth, Amaris Jones, Sean Brasel and José Mendín, as well as specialty cocktails from Ketel One Vodka from La Petite Maison.
