
As the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival returns February 19-22, 2026, for its 25th anniversary, Greater Miami & Miami Beach once again becomes the epicenter of the culinary world. Year after year, the destination draws celebrity chefs, tastemakers and media from around the globe, but this milestone edition signals something more: Miami stepping confidently into its role as one of the country’s most influential food cities.
This year’s festival reflects that evolution, pairing star-driven headliners with thoughtful new programming that mirrors Miami’s cultural depth, from Afro-Caribbean celebrations and coffee culture to playful, trend-forward concepts like “Haute Potato” and intimate chef collaborations.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
The New York Times Dinner Series – Hosted by Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio, Brooke Williamson, Zac Young and Peyton Leffingwell
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Bistro at Sarasota Art Museum: When culinary artistry meets star power, the result is a dinner unlike anything Miami has seen. Rising talent Peyton Leffingwell—celebrated for his bold creativity, modern edge and standout work at Bistro at Sarasota Art Museum—joins four of the industry’s biggest names for an extraordinary one-night-only experience at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, one of the city’s most captivating cultural landmarks. Leffingwell will be cooking alongside an elite roster, including Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio, Brooke Williamson and Zac Young. The dinner takes place on Thursday, February 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at https://sobewff.org/voltaggio/ for $399 a guest.
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Taste of Italy – Presented by Pasta Rummo, Hosted by “The Pasta Queen” Nadia Caterina Munno
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This collaborative event will take place at Miami Design District’s Jungle Plaza on Thursday, February 19, from 8-11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at sobewff.org/italy for $225 per guest.
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Donna Mare Italian Chophouse: A master of authentic coastal Italian cuisine, Chef Luigi Iannuario, executive chef of Donna Mare Italian Chophouse at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, brings one of the festival’s most soulful showstoppers: Cavatelli alla Norma tossed in a slow-simmered pomodoro sauce, bright basil and shaved Ricotta Salata. With three decades of culinary craftsmanship rooted in Milan and shaped in Michelin-caliber kitchens, Iannuario infuses tradition with elegance, making his dish one of the signature bites to watch (and taste) at this year’s celebration of Italy’s most iconic flavors.
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Donatella Restaurant: Alex Martinez, the research and development corporate chef for Miami-based V&E Hospitality Group, brings authentic Italian cuisine from Donatella Restaurant, where diners savor la dolce vita. Honduran-born Martinez moved to Miami in 2002 to work his first cooking job at an Italian restaurant. Over 20 years later, Chef Martinez will serve up Nduja Arancini, crispy risotto balls filled with nduja and mozzarella cheese, and Amalfi Limone Pasta, made with reserved Meyer lemons, crème fraîche and Sicilian lemon oil, handmade dishes that marry Italian authenticity with coastal sophistication.
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Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash – Presented by Schweid & Sons, Hosted by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham
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Celebrating 20 years of Burger Bash and 25 years of SOBEWFF, the fan-favorite showdown takes place under the festival’s iconic white tents at the American Airlines North Venue on Thursday, February 19, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at sobewff.org for $299 a guest.
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R House: Fresh off the launch of its new burger menu, R House Wynwood is bringing its anything-but-basic burger energy to one of the festival’s most talked-about nights. Known for doing things big (and a little over the top), the Wynwood favorite, led by Executive Chef and Owner Rocco Carulli, is serving burgers that lean into indulgence, fun and personality. R House joins more than 30 acclaimed chefs and restaurants competing for the coveted Schweid & Sons The Very Best Burger Award, while guests cast their votes for the Mike’s Amazing People’s Choice Award.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
The New York Times Dinner Series – Hosted by Jonathan Waxman, Sarah Grueneberg and Valeri Fuentes
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Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): Among the most anticipated dinners, this collaborative culinary experience brings together three standout chefs, including Valeri Fuentes, the dynamic talent leading Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Known for her fresh, modern Miami sensibility and her ability to translate art and environment into expressive, flavor-forward dishes, Fuentes is quickly becoming one of the city’s breakout culinary voices. She joins California cuisine icon Jonathan Waxman, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind New York’s beloved Barbuto, and Sarah Grueneberg, Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner of Chicago’s Monteverde. Together, the trio will craft an inventive multicourse menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients and showcases three distinct perspectives: Waxman’s soulful simplicity, Grueneberg’s refined Italian artistry and Fuentes’s modern Miami edge. The intimate dinner will be hosted on Verde’s waterfront terrace facing Biscayne Bay, on Friday, February 20, from 7-10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased via https://sobewff.org/waxman/ for $399 per guest.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Lunch – Hosted by Tyson Cole and Diego Oka
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Uchiko Miami Beach: On Saturday, February 21, from noon to 2 p.m., experience an innovative fusion lunch at Uchiko Miami Beach, the award-winning restaurant from James Beard Award–winning Chef Tyson Cole, known for redefining modern Japanese cuisine. For this exclusive midday feast, Cole joins forces with Diego Oka, the celebrated executive chef of La Mar by Gastón Acurio at Mandarin Oriental, Miami. Together, Cole and Oka present a thoughtfully curated menu featuring pristine sushi and sashimi, wood-grilled specialties, and inventive small plates layered with seasonal ingredients and global influences. Tickets can be purchased at sobewff.org/uchiko for $199 per guest.
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Coca-Cola Presents Tournament of Champions LIVE – Hosted by Guy Fieri with a Special Performance by Rev Run
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Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop: Known for his innovative culinary style and appearances on Top Chef: Chicago and Top Chef: All-Stars, Chef Dale Talde will join a powerhouse lineup at the first-ever live showdown of Food Network’s hit series Tournament of Champions, hosted by Guy Fieri on the sands of Miami Beach. Five teams led by past TOC champions Brooke Williamson, Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison, Mei Lin and Antonia Lofaso will battle it out in a high-energy competition where guests get to judge the action in real time. Talde will bring his distinct Asian American perspective as part of a team of standout chefs serving extraordinary dishes across 25 interactive tasting stations, all while representing Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop, the sultry Cantonese chophouse at The Perry Hotel Naples.
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Delilah Miami Presents Jazz Brunch – Hosted by Chef Mitchell Hesse and Brad Kilgore
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Delilah Miami: Those looking for a refined, multisensory culinary experience can look no further than Delilah Miami’s Jazz Brunch on Saturday, February 21, from noon to 2 p.m. Set within the restaurant’s Roaring ’20s-inspired atmosphere, the brunch combines the soothing sounds of a live jazz band with elevated, indulgent cuisine from two of Miami’s most beloved chefs: Mitchell Hesse, the culinary force behind Delilah Miami’s luxurious menu, and Brad Kilgore, the acclaimed, locally-beloved chef recognized for shaping Miami’s modern dining scene. Together, they’re set to create a weekend brunch that blends masterful culinary techniques, live jazz and the breathtaking atmosphere of one of the city’s most stunning hot spots. Tickets can be purchased at sobewff.org/delilah, starting at $230 per guest.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
A Sushi Omakase Collective – Hosted by Aoko, Bondi Sushi, Kasumi, Queen Omakase, Sora by Hotel Collection and Uchi
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Uchi Miami: Indulge in an elevated array of omakase and specialty samplings as six outstanding restaurants and their award-winning chefs come together for a sushi lover’s dream, including Uchi Miami’s very own Chef Tyson Cole. These standout restaurants bring a dynamic fusion of tradition, artistry and innovation to one extraordinary event at SGWS Wynwood on Sunday, February 22, from 5-7:30 p.m. Find more information at sobewff.org/omakase1.
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Pizza-Making Master Class & Lunch – Hosted by Laurent Tourondel
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The Alley: On Sunday, February 22, acclaimed celebrity Chef Laurent Tourondel invites guests to don their chef hats at The Alley, his charming hidden-gem hot spot tucked within the alleyway of The Betsy – South Beach, a Michelin Key hotel. Laurent, a James Beard Award-nominated chef known for his precise yet creative approach, will lead a hands-on pizza-making class and lunch from 1-3 p.m. He will share his secrets to creating The Alley’s famous Roman-style, ultra-thin and crispy crust while guiding guests through a behind-the-scenes look at his process—from perfecting the dough to layering toppings and baking to golden perfection. Guests will sip, taste and discover the art of pizza under Laurent’s expert guidance. Tickets can be purchased at sobewff.org/tourondel, starting at $145 per guest.
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Sunday Brunch – Hosted by Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian
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- Wyn Wyn: From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wyn Wyn’s Chef Oumar Diouf joins three of America’s most beloved renowned personalities as they bring their signature styles, expertise and vibrant energy to an unforgettable brunch experience. Enjoy a delightful menu featuring a mix of inventive dishes and brunch classics that showcase distinct approaches to flavor and presentation. Chef Oumar brings Wyn Wyn’s globally informed approach shaped by his upbringing, travels and deep respect for flavor-driven cooking.