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Spring break for chefs — aka the South Beach Wine and Food Festival — is just two weeks away. Each year dozens of events happen during its three warm, booze-filled days and there are so many choice it could make your head spin, which could also be due to all the drinks you've had in the tents. Either way, it's a lot to take in.
This year we see the return of many classic events like Burger Bash, Best of the Best, and Thrillist Barbecue and Blues. But there are also 10 new events you need to know about and we’ve got all the important details below.
Italian Al Fresco on the Beach
When: Thursday, February 19 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Beachside at the Delano (1 Lincoln Road)
The Players: Lovebirds Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos
The Situation: Get ready to dine al fresco like an Italian. Kicking off the festivities this year is a carb heavy feast with you guessed it, Ialian dishes, from some of the cuisine’s heavy hitters like Fabio Viviani and Tony Mantuano along with locals like Justin Flit and Mike Pirolo.
Tickets: $150
Meatopia: The Q Revolution
When: Saturday, February 21 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Beachside at the Delano (1 Lincoln Road)
The Players: The king of flavor town himself, Guy Fieri
The Situation: If you looked through the list you noticed one classic event missing from this year’s line up: The Q. Well apparently it has "evolved" into Meatopia, but basically it’s the same idea. Expect lots of meat, plenty of bourbon and a special performance by the Blues Travelers.
Tickets: $250
Yappie Hour
When: Saturday, February 21 from 4-6p.m.
Where: The Standard Spa, 40 Island Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33133
The Players: Rachael Ray
The Situation: This event has gone to the dogs — literally. Guests are encouraged to bring their pup with them to this party where it have treats for the four legged friends along with plenty of adult beverages for their owners.
Tickets: $95
Paella by the Pool
When: Thursday, February 19 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: SLS, 1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
The Players: José Andrés
The Situation: The eccentric king of Spanish cuisine brings his beloved dish of paella to Miami. Expect traditional and untraditional takes on the dish from chefs like Seamus Mullen, Quique Dacosta and Giorgio Rapicavoli.
Tickets: $175 (sold out)
Death By Chocolate
When: Saturday, February 21 from 10p.m.- 1a.m.
Where: Poolside at National Hotel, 1677 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
The Players: Cronut King Dominique Ansel
The Situation: Desserts, on desserts, on desserts, by some of the country’s top sweet talent. No word if the elusive cronut will make an appearance but we certainly can hope.
Tickets: $125
Southern Divinity Dinner
When: Thursday, February 19 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, 1600 Lennox Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
The Players: Alabama natives Frank Stitt and Kyle Knall
The Situation: Putting the South in South Beach (at least for the night) is two people who have helped bring southern cuisine from rural to sophisticated.
Tickets: $250
Retro Feast
When: Thursday, February 19 from 7-10 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan by COMO, 2445 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
The Players: Ben Ford, Ashley Christensen, Jonathan Lane
The Situation: Taking the whole #ThrowBackThursday thing to another level is this nostalgic feast. Hosted by Harrison Ford’s son (seriously), Ben, diner-queen Ashley Christensen and the COMO’s own chef Lane, this menu will be filled with plenty of old time dishes — and hopefully no jello-salads.
Tickets: $250
Nashville on Fire
When: Friday, February 20 7-10 p.m.
Where: Mandarin Oriental Beach, 500 Brickell Key, Miami, FL
The Players: Jonathan Waxman, Hattie B’s, Tandy Wilson, Patrick Martin, Diego Oka
The Situation: Nashville’s dining scene is on fire — not literally, we just like the hyperbole — and to celebrate some of the Music City’s best along with Miami’s own Oka will be preparing plenty of Nashville’s classic dishes beachside, naturally, since it’s Miami after all.
Tickets: $225
A Dinner on Ft. Lauderdale Beach
When: Friday, February 20 7-10 p.m.
Where: S3 Restaurant, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
The Players: Peter Boulukos, Amanda Freitag, Chris Miracolo
The Situation: The SOBE Fest is taking it’s talents to Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Yes, you read that right. For one night the the festival is hosting a signature event in the 954. Expect a fancy soiree with menu celebrating the local South Florida produce.
Tickets: $250
The Art of the Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown
When: Friday, February 20 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Where: Shore Club, 1901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
The Players: The "bam" master, Emeril Lagasse
The Situation: While Tiki drinks are still a rather new phenomenon in Miami, the cocktail is a big deal in the rest of the country. So the festival gathered up eight of the best cocktails makers around like Paul McGee, Pia Dahltquist and Miami’s own Rob Ferrara, will compete to take home the title of "tiki-King."
Tickets: $95 (Sold Out)
BONUS
Grand Tasting Village
When: Saturday, February 21 noon -5 p.m., Sunday, February 22 noon - 5 p.m.
Where: Grand Tasting Village, 13th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
The Players: Basically everyone on the Food Network
The Situation: So we know what you’re thinking, "the Grand Tasting Village is far from new." But this year it has been revamped.Instead of the "Tasting Tents" opening two hours after it kicks off they’ll now be open right when the festivities begin. Also, participating South Florida restaurants will be divided up by hood with a respective "captain" for each one.
Tickets: $100 - $275