Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect COVID-19 protocols as of April 12.
It may look and feel different – with masked guests and nearly-all outdoor events – but the show will go on. The 20th annual edition of SOBEWFF has moved from its usual February dates to the end of May, bringing new COVID-19 safety measures and a familiar blend of food and drink events showcasing local and national chefs. For guests, this includes an online health screening 24 hours or less before the event.
In announcing the lineup for the May 20-23 event, which benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, founder and director Lee Schrager says they’ve tapped into FIU’s top epidemiologists and infectious disease scientists, as well as the CDC and state, county and city officials, for guidance. “We have adapted many new health and safety protocols to ensure the wellbeing of our attendees, staff, participants, volunteers, talent and exhibitors, and, by extension, keep our beloved community safe.”
These measures include:
• Hosting events in outdoor venues. The Festival Wine Seminar Series is the only event slated to take place indoors.
• Reducing capacity to a maximum of 50% or less of capacity per current Miami-Dade County guidelines.
• All-digital ticket scanning for registration.
• Staff health screenings requiring negative tests or proof of completed vaccinations.
• Face masks required for all, to be removed only when eating or drinking. Disposable face masks will be provided by SOBEWFF.
• One-way participant traffic flow for events.
• More guest seating with table separation.
• Sanitizing stations for hands, plus venue sanitizing and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces.
• No shared family-style buffet food service displays.
This year’s events are hosted by a range of chefs, wine experts and mixologists, from nationally prominent celebs to local stars. Guests can attend bites on the beach, a drag brunch, Sunday suppers, and the grand tasting village. Highlights this year include:
▪ Côte Basque dinner hosted by chefs Mikel Goikolea and Aitor Garate Berasaluze of LEKU and Laëticia Rouabah of New York City’s Benoit, at LEKU in Wynwood
▪ Dinner hosted by Michelle Bernstein, Tung Nguyen and Kathy Manning of Hy Vong, and Antonio Bachour, at his Coral Gables restaurant
▪ Locals Only Dinner with Boia De’s Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer and Zak Stern of Zak the Baker at Lot 6
▪ 20th Anniversary celebration hosted by Martha Stewart at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, featuring Popeyes chicken sandwiches, cocktails and live music
▪ Cerveceria La Tropical Beer Dinner hosted by Cindy Hutson and Aaron Sanchez at her new beer garden in Wynwood
▪ Thomas Keller and Manuel Echeverri, his chef de cuisine at The Surf Club, host a dinner at the Surfside restaurant
▪ Croquetas and Cocktails hosted by Eileen Andrade and her brother, Jonathan Andrade, and mixologist Gio Gutierrez, all curated by Burger Beast Sef Gonzalez and held at Jungle Plaza in the Design District
▪ Seafood brunch hosted by chefs Adrianne Calvo and Claire Robinson at Redfish Grill in Coral Gables
▪ Drag brunch with David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris at the North Beach Bandshell
This year’s SOBEWFF has expanded its footprint to include Hallandale Beach, with a food and drink event at the Village at Gulfstream Pegasus Park; and Palm Beach County, with the Explore Delray Beach Market.
Over the past year, SOBEWFF has provided support to local restaurants through fundraisers, including bake sales held at Lee Schrager's house, and monthly Artisan Markets on Lincoln Road with local food vendors. He says it’s more important than ever to support the hospitality industry following one of the toughest years ever. “The past year has by no means been easy for our beloved hospitality industry, leaving thousands unemployed and permanently shuttering the doors of hundreds of businesses,” he says. “Now – more than ever – the need to support the supremely gifted chefs, mixologists, event planners and small businesses located right here in our own backyard is extremely evident to us.”
Tickets go on sale Mar. 22 at sobewff.org.
The new SOBEWFF Artisan Food Market on Lincoln Road takes place on the last Sunday of every month leading up to SOBEWFF...
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