The 17th annual premier event for culinary fans— the Food Network and Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival—has more than 90 events over five days, Feb. 21-25. With so much to pick from, what’s a fan to do? Here are some highlights in the new and noteworthy category. Oh, and Broward County foodies take note: This year, organizers have stuffed more into the Crave Greater Fort Lauderdale Series than ever before. (Visit sobefest.com for the complete schedule.)
MIAMI
- Barry’s Bootcamp and Bites hosted by Robert Irvine: Go for the burn before you embark on five days of calorie consumption. Celebrity chef Irvine co-coaches the perfect fusion of food and fitness. Barry’s Bootcamp Miami head trainer Derek DeGrazio teams up with Irvine for a morning workout followed by food and drinks from health-conscious Miami eateries. Feb. 24, 8:30-10:30 a.m., $50. (1 Hotel South Beach, 2341 Collins Ave.)
- Marcus Samuelsson presents a Harlem to Overtown Jazz Brunch: Get a sneak peek of Samuelsson’s Overtown supper club before it opens. The owner of Red Rooster in Harlem has turned the former Clyde Killen’s Pool Hall into a restaurant-entertainment venue. Check out the new digs then head across the street to the plaza outside The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater for comfort food at a brunch rooted in Southern and Caribbean cuisine. Feb. 24, noon-3 p.m., $135. (819 NW Second Ave.)
- Jim Lahey Master Class: Head to Little Haiti for a hands-on breadmaking experience with Lahey, a James Beard award-winner who studied sculpture before learning the art of bread baking in Italy. In 1994, he opened Sullivan Street Bakery in SoHo, and introduced Miami to his methods in June 2017. The class takes place under the tutelage of Lahey in his bakery as he gives tips and shares tricks of his famous no-knead bread method. After class, sip wine and munch on bakery treats as Lahey regales guests with stories of the wild yeast, which he hand-cultivated in Italy, and his passion to bring the craft of small-batch bread baking to America. Feb. 24, 4 to 6 p.m., $125. (5550 N.E. 4th Ave.)
- Sweet Moves: Late Night Desserts and Dancing hosted by Bobby and Sophie Flay: End the day with—what else?—late-night dessert as father-daughter duo Bobby and Sophie Flay host a special soiree. The deejay is none other than Hanna Bronfman, the Manhattanite, model, Instagram star and founder of lifestyle website HBFIT. Feb. 24, 10:30 p.m.-midnight, $95 (Loews Miami Beach, 1601 Collins Ave.)
- History of Jewish-American Cuisine, hosted by Joan Nathan: Expect a history lesson and noshes from the New York-inspired new-wave deli, Hank and Harry’s on Miami Beach. Nathan, a cookbook author and co-founder of New York’s Ninth Avenue Food Festival, heads a panel that includes Alon Shaya, Michelle Bernstein, Adeena Sussman and Zak the Baker, as they share stories of their roots and notable discoveries of foods from their heritage. Feb. 25, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., $50. (Jewish Museum of Florida—FIU, 301 Washington Ave.)
FORT LAUDERDALE
- Wednesday night barbecue/Thursday night clambake: The Crave series kicks off with pitmaster and world barbecue champ Chris Lilly hosting a family-style dinner paired with kickin’ spirits. Conrad Fort Lauderdale’s executive chef Jorge Ramos complements the main attractions with classic, comfort-food side dishes and desserts. Go back to the beach 24 hours later for a clambake, hosted by celebrity chef, author and TV personality Emeril Lagasse. Wine, spirits and dishes from more than a dozen restaurants, as well as special fare from Ramos, make this the ultimate seafood feast. The party continues under the moonlight poolside at the Conrad, where Food Network personality and Charm City Cakes founder Duff Goldman offers his creations. Feb. 21, 7-10 p.m., $200; Feb. 22, 7-10 p.m., $200 (both events at the Conrad, 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.)
- Lucky Chopsticks: Host Andrew Zimmern brings his passion and enthusiasm for classic Asian Street market fare to a new level atop W Fort Lauderdale. This fan favorite will be filled to the brim with sushi, dumplings, dim sum and specially created libations to heighten the flavors of the unique eats. Feb. 23, 8-10 p.m., $200 (401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.)
- Women of Syria Dinner: Multicultural flavors are at the root of a dinner dedicated to supporting Syrian refugees. It’s hosted by James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya and Colombian-American television personality and cookbook author Ingrid Hoffmann. Dine on exquisite and exotic cuisine and hear of the Syrian refugees’ journeys to America. Feb. 23, 7-10 p.m., $200 (Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Porter Ballroom, 201 SW Fifth Ave.)
- Grand Bloody Mary Brunch: Food Network chef Geoffrey Zakarian welcomes guests into his own South Florida dining spot, Point Royal at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood. Joining him is fellow TV personality Aaron Sanchez, who makes his way to Crave for the first time after appearances at the SoBeWFF. Jazzy tunes, roasted suckling pig, extensive raw bar and bloody marys make this Sunday a fun day. Enter the dessert room if you dare for the icing on this brunch bash. Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $150. (3555 South Ocean Drive)
