SOBEWFF 2012 Retrospect
Emeril Lagasse & Lee Schrager at Charlie Trotter & Piero Antinori Tribute Dinner at the Loews Miami Beach, February 25, 2012
Miami Beach, FL – February 21, 2013 – Who’s ready for the biggest foodie time of year to hit South Beach?! Ladies and gentleman, the wait is over. Tonight kicks off the 2013 South Beach Wine & Food Festival with the legendary event, The Q. This marks the 12th year of the Food Network’s famous festival where all the top celebrity chefs descend upon South Beach for a weekend full of top-notch eating and top-shelf drinking. This year is sure to be nothing less than action-packed, and World Red Eye is bringing it all right to you first hand as the official festival photographer. We’ll take you behind the scenes at all of the top events and more. So whether you’re out there chowing down on burgers and sipping on Moët with us or checking out what happened online, it’s time to get excited for a great weekend. To see what’s in store, check out our timeline of last year’s events and who was there. We also caught up with festival founder Lee Schrager who weighed in on what his best memories have been and what he’s looking forward to this year. Let’s go!
World Red Eye: What’s been your favorite dish ever eaten at a SOBEWFF event?
Lee Schrager: It’s impossible to remember every dish from the past 12 years, but our annual Tribute Dinner at the Loews Miami Beach is always a stand-out.
WRE: What are your top three favorite events during SOBEWFF? What makes doing the event in Miami different than in NYC?
LS: Like asking a mother to pick her favorite children! Doing any event in the sand if always very different than doing an event in the city.
WRE: What are you most looking forward to for this year?
LS: Chicken Coupe hosted by Andrew Carmellini at the W South Beach
WRE: Tell us about the yoga event that you developed: YogArt. How does staying healthy play a role in SOBEWFF?
LS: YogArt was created during Art Basel as a way for people to take a breather during a very busy weekend, and bringing it to SOBEWFF makes sense so that people can take a break during this very weekend as well.
WRE: What’s been the most unexpected chef collaboration that excites you?
LS: All chef collaborations are exciting – watching Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay battle it out on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America is fun!
WRE: If you were a contestant on Iron Chef, which chef would you choose to battle against?
LS: It doesn’t matter – they would all beat me, for sure!
WRE: What’s the best party spot for late night?
LS: I think the new SLS South Beach is a great late night spot.
WRE: Art Basel has helped change the face of Miami’s art world with Wynwood and the Design District gaining recognition, and some would say a similar effect has happened with Miami’s dining scene thanks to your work with the festival. How have you seen the face of Miami’s culinary world grow and change over the years?
LS: The infiltration of all of these chefs coming into town and opening new restaurants here has just boomed.
WRE: What is the funniest memory you have from over the years during the festival?
LS: There are a lot of them, but Paula Deen’s demo at the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village is always sure to generate lots of laughs.
WRE: How do you relax and unwind after it’s all over?
LS: I’m already on to the next project – there’s not a lot of time to relax!
Moët Hennessy’s The Q
Miami Beach, FL – February 24, 2012 – Simply called The Q, this is not just a simple event. The barbecue-filled kickoff event for the SOBEWFF brings all the celebrity chefs together with tons of meats and drinks to get the weekend off to a killer start. This year, it’s the party to be at, and it will be hosted by Paula Deen and her sons for what’s sure to be an incredible Southern BBQ time.
For more photos from this event click here.
Guy Fieri
Guy Fieri & Emeril Lagasse
Al Roker
Emeril Lagasse
Al Roker
Masaharu Morimoto
Jay Bannos
John Rivers & Tim Love
Dean Fearing
Benjamin Ford
Michelle Bernstein
Jonathan Barnett
Hedy Goldsmith, Michelle Bernstein, Andrew Zimmern, & Lee Schrager
Aaron Sanchez
Jacques Van Staden
John Vergos
Mark Zeitouni
Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, & KC of KC and the Sunshine Band
Guy Fieri
Masaharu Morimoto & Andrew Zimmern
Emeril Lagasse
The Q After Dark
Miami Beach, FL – February 23, 2012 – The infamous Moët Hennessy‘s The Q After Dark is the after-party to the biggest SOBEWFF kick-off party. It brings the club to the beach- literally! Everyone partied on the sand as Flo Rida was on the mic while Ruckus and Triple Threat took to the decks and a live band came through. Bottles of Moët were flowing as Flo Rida got everyone going. This year is sure to be have just as much fun late into the night as the sexy, Aussie chef Curtis Stone hosts and Mansion’s famous Cirque de Mansion brings in its crazy theatrics.
For more photos from this event click here.
Flo Rida
Ruckus
Amstel Light’s Burger Bash
Miami Beach, FL – February 24, 2012 – The Burger Bash is always a fan favorite, getting everyone together for America’s signature dish. Last year Michael Symon won the Burger Bash for the third year in a row, and Guy Fieri took home the prize for Best Dressed Burger, while Brendan B. Connor earned the Golden Grill Award. This year will again be hosted by the always fun and burger-hungry Rachael Ray, with a special fourth award being given. Will Michael Symon be crowned winner yet again for the fourth year, or will he be ousted from his spot? You’ll just have to join us at the Bash to find out!
For more photos from this event click here.
Guy Fieri & Michael Symon
Bobby Flay
Joey Campanaro
Emeril Lagasse, Jill Martin, Gail Simmons, & Marc Murphy
Spike Mendelsohn
John Cusimano & Rachael Ray
Masaharu Morimoto
Mark Bucher
Andrew Carmellini
Andrew Zimmern, Rachael Ray, & John Cusimano
Dr. Arthur Agatston & Rachael Ray
Mark Tamis & Guy Fieri
Andrew Carmellini & Rachael Ray
Lee Schrager & Jill Martin
Rachael Ray & Michael Symon
Matador!
Miami Beach, FL – February 24, 2012 – Antonio Banderas, everyone’s favorite Spanish fighter from Puss in Boots to Desperado to Zorro, launched his line of Spanish wines last year at SOBEWFF. Banderas held a very special Spanish wine seminar for their debut: Matador! An Introduction to Anta Banderas Winery. The intimate seating gave guests a glimpse into his winery in Ribera del Duero, Spain. It doesn’t get much better than sipping a smooth Tempranillo with the smooth-talker Banderas himself.
For more photos from this event click here.
Antonio Banderas
WME Chef After Party
Miami Beach, FL – February 24, 2012 – Who would’ve thought Timberland and Bobby Flay would ever be at the same party? Last year, Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian turned into a hip, cool, stogie-smoking DJ for the William Morris Endeavor Chefs After Party. The breezy rooftop at the Dream South Beach hotel, Highbar, had Zakarain on the decks while SOBEWFF founder Lee Schrager, Jonathan Waxman, and tons of other celeb chef pals enjoyed bites from Zakarian’s restaurant, Tudor House, that used to hold the lobby-level restaurant space at the Dream.
For more photos from this event click here.
Geoffrey Zakarian
Geoffrey Zakarian, Timbaland, & Sunny Anderson
Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, & Stephanie March
Bobby Flay & Jonathan Waxman
Geoffrey Zakarian & Andrew Zimmern
Geoffrey Zakarian, Andrew Zimmern, & Jonathan Waxman
Anne Burrell
Kidz Kitchen Day 1
Miami Beach, FL – February 25, 2012 – When you put celebrity chefs together with kids, parrots, and food, this is what you get. The Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen is back again this year at Jungle Island. Last year got everyone involved, with face-painted kids jumping, shouting, and cooking with energetic chefs like Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri. The muscular British chef Robert Irvine was a huge hit with the kids too, getting one girl all giggly as he signed her book. Even former Miami Dolphins player Twan Russell stopped by with the Dolphin’s mascot. Who knows what this year will bring, but we do know that the first day of activities will include chef demos by Giada De Laurentiis, Rocco DiSpirito, and Andrew Zimmern.
For more photos from this event click here.
Guy Fieri
Robert Irvine
Rachael Ray
Twan Russell & Rachael Ray
Twan Russell
Geoffrey Zakarain Lunch
Miami Beach, FL – February 25, 2012 – The very lovely rosé lunch hosted by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and his wife Margaret at Soho Beach House is always a fabulous affair. The second annual event had Martha Stewart, Bobby Flay, and Jonathan Waxman out to enjoy the roasted pig lunch and sip on Domaine Ott Rosé in the garden, while Zakarain poured drinks and kicked back with a Cuban cigar.
For more photos from this event click here.
Martha Stewart & Geoffrey Zakarain
Geoffrey Zakarain
Geoffrey Zakarian, Michael Symon, & Bobby Flay
Geoffrey Zakarian, Jonathan Waxman, & Franklin Becker
Charlie Trotter & Piero Antinori Tribute Dinner
Miami Beach, FL – February 25, 2012 – The annual Tribute Dinner at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel is always a very elegant, memorable event. Each year, it gets together a room full of the “who’s who” in the wine and food worlds to honor one incredible trailblazer each in culinary and wine. Last year, SOBEWFF paid tribute to chef Charlie Trotter and winemaker Piero Antinori. With Anthony Bourdain as the evening’s master of ceremonies, he brought his signature charisma, while chefs Emeril Lagasse, and Norman Van Aken kept things silly in the kitchen. This year‘s event will honor Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa who started the world-wide Nobu restaurants and CEO of Moët Hennessy, Christophe Navarre. With everyone’s favorite entertainer, Martha Stewart, being hostess for the night, it’s sure to be a perfect, bubbly-filled time.
For more photos from this event click here.
Charlie Trotter, Janet & Norman Van Aken
Norman Van Aken, Anthony Bourdain, Charlie Trotter, & Emeril Lagasse
Martha Stewart & Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagasse, Charlie Trotter, & Norman Van Aken
Charlie Trotter & Norman Van Aken
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain, Piero Antinori, & Charlie Trotter
Charlie Trotter & Martha Stewart
Gabriele Corcos & Debi Mazar
Anthony Bourdain
Countess Luann de Lesseps at The Forge
Miami Beach, FL – February 25, 2012 – In the midst of all the running around to events during the weekend, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps and Jacques Azoulay made time for dinner at The Forge during their trip down to Miami for the SOBEWFF last year.
For more photos from this event click here.
Countess LuAnn de Lesseps & Jacques Azoulay
The Best Thing I Ever Ate by Godiva
Miami Beach, FL – February 25, 2012 – We all get the late-night munchies for a sweet midnight snack, and last year’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate gave us our fix. Godiva had sweets and treats from all kinds of restaurants for everyone to much on, and Bethenny Frankel was on hand to do some sampling. This year, instead of a big tent affair, Godiva Chocolatier, is taking the ever-so-sweet party to the Dream hotel’s rooftop with the Godiva Indulgence hosted by the master of all things cake and decadent, Duff Goldman.
For more photos from this event click here.
Bethenny Frankel
Kidz Kitchen Day 2
Miami Beach, FL – February 26, 2012 – A successful second day to the kid-friendly event at Jungle Island got everyone throwing their hands up in the name of healthy eating. Andrew Zimmern made friends with a lemur, and Sunny Anderson got acquainted with a kangaroo from down under while extreme dancers were jumping and spinning around with tons of energy. Miami’s own Michelle Bernstein also added to the fun. This year, Florida Blue’s Fun and Fit as a Family series will have Anne Burrell, Hedy Goldsmith, and other favorites on day two ready to roll.
For more photos from this event click here.
Andrew Zimmern
Sunny Anderson
Michelle Bernstein
Adrianna Calvo
Rocco DiSpirito
Paula Deen’s Sunday Brunch
Miami Beach, FL – February 26, 2012 – The Queen of Sassafras herself, Paula Deen, was up to her usual humorous and lively antics when she hosted her annual Sunday Brunch at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. In true Deen style, there was a full-on buffet of nothing but good Southern eats, drinks, and lots of laughs. She gave and received kisses left and right, showing some Southern loving to all the chefs who cooked at the event. This year, Trisha Yearwood is hosting a fancy pre-set menu for the Sunday Brunch, bringing her Dixieland style to the affair.
For more photos from this event click here.
Paula Deen
Cindy Hutson
Paula Deen & Hugh Acheson
Paula Deen, Michael & Patrick Sheerin
Michael Symon & Paula Deen
Lee Schrager & Paula Deen
Salsa at Sea
Miami Beach, FL – February 26, 2012 – Things got spicy and sizzling out at sea last year with a special boat party aboard The Biscayne Lady. This brunch on the ocean was hosted by chefs Douglas Rodriguez and Aarón Sanchez. They brought their Mexican and Cuban influences to the dishes and the afternoon’s sail.
For more photos from this event click here.
Douglas Rodriguez, Aaron Sanchez, Timon Balloo, & Pichet Ong
Swine & Wine
Miami Beach, FL – February 26, 2012 – The Bravo TV’s Miami Housewives made their debut last year at the Swine & Wine event. The Miami crew of Lisa Hochstein, Karent Sierra, Marta Krupa, & Joanna Krupa got to dine on an item that’s no stranger to Miami- roasted pig. First place in the pig roast competition went to Chef Ingrid Hoffman. This year’s event is going to be hosted by Michelle Bernstein, let’s see who wins the roast this time!
For more photos from this event click here.
Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos
Joanna Krupa
Marysol Patton, Lea Black, Adriana De Moura, Lisa Hochstein, Joanna Krupa, Karent Sierra, & Marta Krupa
Lee Schrager, Ingrid Hoffman, Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Debi Mazar, & Isiah Thomas
Ingrid Hoffman, Mayor Carlos Gimenez, & Debi Mazar
Linton Hopkins
Ingrid Hoffman
Jonathan Waxman
Ingrid Hoffman
Trucks on the Beach for Pepsi
Miami Beach, FL – February 26, 2012 – Food trucks wheeled out onto the sand for Trucks on the Beach. Diet Pepsi and Executive Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink joined together for lots of mobile eats and Hedy’s signature sweets as she went around talking to all the chefs and sprinkling her dose of lovable sweetness. This year, the trucks are taking their tracks to Midtown as Andrew Zimmern hosts the massive round-up.
For more photos from this event click here.
Hedy Goldsmith & Andrew Zimmern
Hedy Goldsmith & Sunny Anderson
Gail Simmons Moonlight Menu
Miami Beach, FL – February 26, 2012 – Foodies, trendsetters and culinary celebrities gathered at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s La Côte for Top Chef judge Gail Simmons’ book signing. Alfred Portale of Gotham Steak dropped in, and so did Bobby Flay for some late-night dessert samplings at the hotel’s breezy outdoor restaurant.
For more photos from this event click here.
Gail Simmons
Gail Simmons & Bobby Flay
Alfred Portale & Gail Simmons
