SOBEWFF 2026: America’s Largest Gourmet Festival Celebrates 25 Years in Miami Beach
February 19-22, more than 500 chefs transform South Beach into the culinary capital of the world
A Quarter Century of Flavor
Every February, something changes in Miami Beach. White tents appear on the sand, the world’s best chefs descend upon the city, and for four days, South Beach becomes the gastronomic epicenter of the planet.
The South Beach Wine and Food Festival turns 25 in 2026. What started in 1997 as a one-day event with 7,000 attendees called “Florida Extravaganza” has become the largest food festival in America on the beach, attracting more than 500 culinary experts, Food Network stars, sommeliers, and Grammy-winning artists.
“SOBEWFF says: ‘I care about celebrating the best in life. I care about creating memories around the table. I care about sharing experiences that feed the soul as much as the body. I value these moments enough to live them alongside the people I love.'”
As Chef Emeril Lagasse, founder of the modern American cuisine movement, describes it: “SOBEWFF is the Super Bowl of food events.”
Festival Information 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | February 19-22, 2026 |
| Location | Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Homestead |
| Edition | 25th Anniversary |
| Events | More than 105 |
| Chefs and experts | 500+ |
| Funds raised | Over $45 million for FIU |
| Presented by | Capital One |
| Co-producer | Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits |
The Story Behind the Festival
Lee Brian Schrager took the reins of a modest fundraising event in 2002 and transformed it into what we know today. Under his leadership, the festival moved to South Beach, created iconic events like Burger Bash and the Grand Tasting Village, and attracted 30,000 attendees in its first year on the sand.
In 2007, Food Network joined as a partner, bringing stars like Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, and Rachael Ray. That move catapulted SOBEWFF to a national stage.
“From its early days with just 7,000 attendees to becoming one of the nation’s largest food festivals, SOBEWFF has always been about connecting people to incredible food, drink, and culture, while supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders from FIU,” Schrager explains.
What Makes the 25th Anniversary Special
First Time in History
For the first time, the prestigious Tribute Dinner will honor a Miami chef: Michelle Bernstein. This James Beard Award-winning chef has participated in all 25 editions of the festival since its inception. Bobby Flay will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, which will also recognize winemaker Sacha Lichine.
Diplo Opens the Festival
On Thursday, February 19, DJ and producer Diplo headlines the opening event “Live from South Beach,” presented by David Grutman and Groot Hospitality. It will be the first time the Grand Tasting Village Courtyard is activated at night, marking a new chapter in the festival’s history.
Burger Bash Turns 20
The festival’s most iconic event celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Rachael Ray returns as host, joined this year by Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, who will create an exclusive burger for the occasion. 25 restaurants will prepare more than 46,000 burgers competing for the title of “The Very Best Burger.”
The panel of judges includes names like Gayle King, Ashley Graham, Bert Kreischer, and Nick DiGiovanni.
2026 Event Schedule
Thursday, February 19
Diplo: Live from South Beach (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM) Opening event presented by David Grutman. First nighttime activation of the Grand Tasting Village. Price: Starting at $109
Burger Bash (7:30 PM) 20 years of the festival’s most emblematic event. Hosted by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham.
Friday, February 20
Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions LIVE (7:30 PM) Based on the Food Network show. Four teams led by past champions compete live. Attendees taste the dishes and vote for their favorites. Includes a Rev Run performance.
Let Them Eat Cake! A Sweet Celebration of 25 Years Duff Goldman celebrates the anniversary with a dessert party at the National Hotel.
Haute Potato (NEW) Jonathan Cheban (Foodgod) presents this event at The Hangar, Coconut Grove. Gourmet reinventions of the potato: from truffle pommes frites to handmade gnocchi.
Asian Night Market Jet Tila and Aarti Sequeira present an Asian street food tour at Loews Miami Beach.
Dinner at the Museum The Voltaggio brothers (Bryan and Michael), Brooke Williamson, Zac Young and Peyton Leffingwell at Frost Museum of Science. Part of the New York Times Dinner Series.
Saturday, February 21
Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM) The flagship event. 135,000 square feet of tents on the sand with over 1,200 products to sample, 45+ restaurants, and culinary demonstrations from Food Network stars. Sofia Vergara and her son Manolo Vergara are hosts. Ja Rule performs live on the Only in Dade stage.
Masters of Fire Tyler Florence presents this event on the sand with more than 25 chefs cooking over open flames.
Bootcamp and Bites (morning) Chef Robert Irvine and fitness pro Rachel Robinson lead a workout at Nikki Beach followed by healthy food. Price: $59 (the most affordable event at the festival)
Tacos and Tequila Aarón Sánchez returns with this event in the Miami Design District, presented by Tequila Cazadores.
Late Night Pizza Party Ashley Graham, Chef Michael Pirolo and Marc Vetri at Bar Bucce, Little River. Unlimited pizzas, DJ sets, and Lucci Lambrusco.
Naughty Bites (NEW) Samantha Schnur (@TheNaughtyFork) presents elevated comfort food: loaded potatoes, shawarma fries, patatas bravas.
Sunday, February 22
Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM) Second day of the main event. DJ Khaled performs live. Closes with “The David Grutman Experience” with a surprise musical performance.
25 Years of Legendary Bites and Iconic Sips Andrew Zimmern presents the 25th anniversary closing event. DJ Cassidy closes the night.
Overtown Brunch Marcus Samuelsson at Red Rooster Overtown, highlighting the culinary heritage of Miami’s historic Black neighborhood.
Family BBQ (3:00 PM) Geoffrey Zakarian and his family present this kid-friendly event at Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Miami’s Apocalypse BBQ prepares the meats.
Asado Lunch (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) Francis Mallmann at Los Fuegos, Faena Hotel Miami Beach. Price: $259
Martha Stewart Lunch Martha Stewart and Sacha Lichine at Joe’s Stone Crab.
Special 25th Anniversary Events
Chew on This: Live Podcast Series For the first time, the Miami Beach Bandshell hosts live podcast recordings throughout the day. Includes:
- Something’s Burning with Bert Kreischer
- Chiquis and Chill with Chiquis Rivera
- Gandhi and Andrew Pugliese from the Z100 Morning Show
- Chewed Up with Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall and Michael Symon
- Watch What Crappens with Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam
FoodieCon The hub for content creators and the digital community. Connects food influencers with fans for live panels, cooking demos, and meet-and-greets. Participants include Joshua Weissman, The Pasta Queen, Nick DiGiovanni, Molly Baz, and Neil Patrick Harris.
Coffee Culture: A Miami Wellness and Brunch Experience David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris present this coffee, cocktails and mocktails event in the Miami Design District.
Las Lap Link Up: A Celebration of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine (NEW) Kwame Onwuachi and Nina Compton celebrate Afro-Caribbean cuisine at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel.
Drag Dance Party Athena Dion, Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr at Miami Beach Bandshell with a Grammy-winning artist performance.
Pricing and Tickets
| Event Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Accessible events (like Bootcamp and Bites) | $59 |
| General events | $100 – $200 |
| Signature events | $200 – $350 |
| Intimate dinners | $259 – $550+ |
| Grand Tasting Village | Varies |
All tickets must be purchased in advance at sobewff.org. No door sales. Ticket price includes all food and beverages at the event.
Capital One cardholders receive 15% discount on general admission and early access to exclusive events.
Chefs and Talent at 2026
Food Network Stars
- Guy Fieri
- Bobby Flay
- Rachael Ray
- Andrew Zimmern
- Alex Guarnaschelli
- Tyler Florence
- Geoffrey Zakarian
- Jet Tila
- Duff Goldman
- Marc Murphy
- Maneet Chauhan
Celebrity Chefs
- Martha Stewart
- Marcus Samuelsson
- Michelle Bernstein
- Francis Mallmann
- Michael Voltaggio
- Bryan Voltaggio
- Kwame Onwuachi
- Nina Compton
- Marc Vetri
- Aarón Sánchez
- Brooke Williamson
Artists and Celebrities
- Diplo
- DJ Khaled
- Ja Rule
- Rev Run
- DJ Cassidy
- Sofia Vergara
- Ashley Graham
- Neil Patrick Harris
- Brooklyn Peltz Beckham
- Gayle King
- Bert Kreischer
The Grand Tasting Village: The Flagship Experience
The Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village is where the festival comes alive at its fullest expression. It covers three city blocks of South Beach sand with white tents housing:
- More than 1,200 products to sample
- 45+ South Florida restaurants
- 24 live culinary demonstrations
- Brand activations
- Live music
- Over 26,000 attendees
Food Network chefs prepare their signature dishes at the Publix Culinary Demonstrations. After 3 PM, “3 to 5 on Ocean Drive” transforms the space with David Grutman curating an experience for music and food lovers.
Tips for Attending
What to Wear
Daytime outdoor events (Grand Tasting Village, Bootcamp): Resort casual. Comfortable shoes are mandatory because many events are on sand. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Evening signature events (Burger Bash, Masters of Fire, Tournament of Champions): Smart casual. Think stylish but practical. You’ll be walking, standing, and eating with your hands.
Intimate dinners and brunches: These events skew dressier. Miami cocktail chic is the vibe: polished but not overly formal.
Late-night parties: Go bold. This is Miami.
February Weather
Expect highs around 77°F (25°C). Evenings near the water can have a breeze, so a light layer for outdoor evening events is a smart move.
Founder’s Recommendation
Lee Schrager offers this advice: “Don’t try to do too much. Pick a signature daytime event whether it’s a masterclass or a wine seminar, the Grand Tasting, then go to a dinner that we are hosting, then a late-night party. Do two things a day. I wouldn’t try to do anymore than that. You will get tired and you won’t appreciate it.”
The Impact: Beyond Gastronomy
Education
100% of net proceeds benefit students at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. To date, the festival has raised over $45 million for scholarships, facilities, and educational programs.
Each year, more than 1,500 FIU students work at the festival, logging over 4,300 shifts and gaining hands-on experience in every aspect of hospitality, from logistics to guest experience.
Sustainability
Since 2023, SOBEWFF partnered with Clean Vibes to introduce large-scale waste diversion practices:
- 31,900 pounds of recycled materials
- 25,228 pounds composted (equivalent to planting 143 trees)
- 28,355 pounds of food rescued for Miami Rescue Mission
- 54,632 pounds of waste diverted from landfills
- Over 5,000 meals annually provided through local organizations
Where to Eat in Miami During SOBEWFF
SOBEWFF weekend is peak dining season in Miami. Many of the city’s best restaurants have direct ties to festival chefs:
Joe’s Stone Crab (South Beach): Institution since 1913. Stone crab season ends mid-May.
Carbone Miami (Miami Beach): Italian-American dining with theatrical flair. Book well in advance.
Red Rooster Overtown: Marcus Samuelsson celebrates soul food, Afro-Caribbean flavors, and live music.
Makoto (Bal Harbour): Chef Makoto Okuwa participates in the festival with intimate dinners.
Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann (Faena Hotel): Argentine cuisine over open fire.
The Insurance Connection
Traveling to Miami for SOBEWFF deserves proper protection:
Travel insurance: For visitors from other states or countries, consider trip cancellation coverage, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.
Auto insurance: If you’re renting a vehicle to move between Miami Beach, the Design District, Coconut Grove, and other venues, make sure you have comprehensive coverage.
Event coverage: Some VIP packages have significant costs. Check if your insurance covers last-minute cancellations.
“Travel insurance says: ‘I care that you can enjoy these experiences worry-free. I care that an unexpected emergency doesn’t ruin the moments you planned. I value your peace of mind as much as the adventure.'”
Practical Information
Official website: sobewff.org
Tickets: Online only, no door sales
Age: Most events require 21+ (family-friendly options available)
Ticket policy: Non-refundable. Can be transferred to others.
Weather: Outdoor events happen rain or shine.
Hotels: Book in advance at sobewff.org/hotels for up to 30% discount.
Parking and transportation: Information available on the official site.
Looking Ahead: SOBEWFF 2027
Dates for next year’s festival are already confirmed: February 25-28, 2027.
