Flavor has taken over South Beach. That's right -- it's time once again for the annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF).
The five-day event, which kicked off Wednesday evening and runs through Sunday, showcases the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Big names like Emeril Lagasse, Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, and Andrew Zimmern are all in SoFla this weekend for the festivities!
Now in its 17th year, the festival attracts more than 65,000 guests annually to its 85+ events throughout the weekend. And SOBEWFF Founder Lee Schrager says the attendance benefits local spots by filling nearby hotels, restaurants and lounges.
"Our expansion into Fort Lauderdale continues to grow," added Schrager in an interview with NewsRadio 610 WIOD. "We are doing two signature events: a clam bake with Emeril Lagasse on Friday night and a Chinese lucky chopstick event at the W Hotel hosted by Andrew Zimmerman. For a full schedule of the festival's events, click here.
It's not all fun and food though. Throughout its 17 years, the festival has raised more than $26 million for Florida International University's hospitality and tourism school.
The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU aims to prepare students to design, develop and manage the customer experience of the future through its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
Ready to buy tickets? You can purchase them here.
But wait! WIOD wants to help you get to SOBEWFF this weekend. Click here to register through Friday to win a pair of tickets!
Bon apetit!