Imbibe & Indulge: 2007 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

I just got this info and am tempted to use some of my miles to fly down for the weekend to this Miami event presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine. It’s a national, star-studded, four-day weekend (Feb. 21-24) destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities…

“Aesthetic epiphanies take many forms. Like the art world, the food world has its masters, its bevy of showmen and critics, and for a few days in February, the food hit parade will descend on South Florida to share it all. Food aficionados in South Florida can sample the latest food and spirit trends for themselves and revel in the spectacle of so many glittering food stars in one place at the same time.

“Where else can one sip champagne on the beach with Al Roker? At the Moët & Chandon Bubble Q, of course. And just imagine injecting one’s own cooking with new juice, at Barilla Interactive Cooking Lunches with chefs Rocco DiSpirito and Michael Chiarello, held at the historic Biltmore Hotel.

“Even the kids can get in on the action at the Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen presented by Miami Children’s Hospital, where they can learn from their favorite Food Network chefs, Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Dylan’s Candy’s Dylan Lauren, Giada De Laurentiis, George Duran, and Bobby Flay. “You won’t be able to get them out of the kitchen,” said Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager.

“These special events are cooked up by producers and sponsors Southern Wine and Spirits and Florida International University and will commence on Thursday, February 22 and will run through Sunday, February 25. The schedule of events, found at sobewineandfoodfest.com, serves up gastronomical delights engineered by celebrated chefs, sommeliers and mixologists from around the world.

“If one’s food obsession has collided with a TV addiction, everyone is in luck, because title sponsor Food Network has invited several of their talent to host culinary demonstrations at the Publix Grand Tasting Village on Saturday, February 24 & Sunday, February 25: Michael Chiarello (Easy Entertaining), Giada De Laurentiis (Everyday Italian), George Duran (Ham on the Street), Bobby Flay (Iron Chef America), Emeril Lagasse (Emeril Live), Tyler Florence (Tyler’s Ultimate), Dave Lieberman (Good Deal), Rachael Ray (30 Minute Meals), Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh (Party Line with the Hearty Boys), Paula Deen (Paula’s Home Cooking), Alton Brown (Iron Chef America, Feasting On Asphalt) and Robin Miller (Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller) entertain, to share their talents and to mingle with guests at the Publix Grand Tasting Village.

“The network is always on top of the latest food trends, and at the 2007 South Beach Wine and Food Festival, they will produce at the first annual Food Network Awards show, at the Jackie Gleason Theater, honoring the industry with such categories as One Food You Must Eat Before You Die, Best New Food Technology or Gadget, Top Food Lovers Destination, and Food Network Hall of Fame- Life Achievement Award.”

For a complete listing of events and for more information, please visit the Festival Website at www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 877-762-3933.