South Beach food festival announces its 2023 lineup. Here’s how to get tickets
It’s time to make your game plan for the 2023 South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
The website is live to browse the annual four-day festival, which this year expects to draw pre-pandemic-sized crowds back to South Beach, from Feb. 23-26. Tickets will go on sale Nov. 7, but those with a Capital One credit card can begin snapping up tickets a week earlier, from Oct. 31-Nov. 6.
The biggest change will be a return to the festival’s form before the pandemic. The large outdoor events were split into two sessions the last two years. That meant crowds of 4,000 were instead split into two smaller crowds. This year, events like Burger Bash — hosted by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse — and the Grand Tasting will again be one-session affairs.
More than 90 events will be spread between Miami-Dade and Broward counties at the 2023 festival. And a special focus will be on the more than 40 intimate dinners and small-group specialty classes, features lost during the last two festivals because of COVID-19 spikes.
“More dinners than ever. More master classes. More intimate settings,” said festival founder Lee Schrager. “A lot of fun, intimate experiences for those who want those.”
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri kicks off the festival yet again, with a version of his popular “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Some of the best spots featured on his Food Network show over the years will put forth their best bites.
Emeril will bring his Bam-tastic persona to the annual Burger Bash. And actor Danny Trejo returns to host Tacos and Tequila on the beach, another signature event.
Locals will play a role as they have in recent years at the festival. Rev Run will host an event at night at Smorgasburg, the popular Wynwood outdoor spot that highlights local restaurateurs. Marcus Samuelsson will host an event in Overtown at his Red Rooster restaurant. And there will be a series of new pop-up events at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits headquarters in Wynwood.
Plus look for Master Classes with James Beard Award-nominated chef Michael Pirolo of Macchialina teaching pizza, Kendall’s Smoke & Dough founder Harry Coleman teaching barbecue and Islas Canarias scions Eileen and Jonathan Andrade teaching how to make croquetas.
New York chef Alex Guarnaschelli, a regular on Food Network shows such as “Chopped,” will be the honored guest at the annual tribute dinner. And the emcee for the evening is none other than celeb chef Bobby Flay.
Expect crowds back up to about 60,000 for the weekend, up from the limited 45,000 at the last festival and about 20,000 when the event went on in May of 2021, with heavier COVID precautions. This year, guests will not have to state via an app that they have tested negative for COVID or are vaccinated, according to the festival’s website.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2023
When: Feb. 23-26
Tickets: On sale Nov. 7; Oct. 31 for Capital One credit card holders
More info: Sobewff.org
This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 2:13 PM.
