SBWFF COVERAGE: Perrier-Jouët BubbleQ hosted by Top Chef Tom Colicchio

The Perrier Jouët BubbleQ has been the staple event of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, and this year hosted by Top Chef Tom Colicchio.

The greatest grilling guru’s gathered to showcase the best barbecue while enjoying Perrier Jouët Champagne and finishing up the night in the Godiva lounge or with a Misha’s cupcake.

This year’s invited chef’s included: The Today Show’s Al Roker, Jonathan Eismann (Pacific Time), Clay Conley (Azul at the Mandarin hotel), Art Smith (Table 52, Chicago), Andrew Swersky (Forge restaurant), Paul Bartolotta (Bartolotta Ristorante Di Mare, Las Vegas) and others.



Guest included, Anthony and Katharine Rubino, Simply Delicioso’s Ingrid Hoffman, Festival director Lee Brian Schrager, Forge owner Shareef Malnik, WFOR’s Lisette Gonzalez, Miami Herald’s society writer Stephanie Sayfie-Aagaard with husband Morten Aagaard, Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, Perrier Jouët’s Sarah Halsteed, and Krista Drew.

It was a night of a friendly neighborhood barbecue with the South Beach glam.

SBWFF COVERAGE: Harrah’s Casino night hosted by Paula Deen

(PHOTOS BY MANNY HERNANDEZ)
The Queen of Southern Cuisine, Paula Deen hosted her Las Vegas themed party with the help of Harrah’s Tunica at the Paris Theater. Paula served many of her favorites, like Mac and Cheese, chicken pot pies and shredded pork sandwiches, which she told the packed house, will be available at your local grocery store in March. Katie Lee Joel and Guy Fieri stopped by to support the event , which proceeds are for the FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

SBWFF COVERAGE: Rachael Ray's 3rd Annual Amstel Light Burger Bash

The third annual Amstel Light Burger Bash behind the Ritz Carlton on South Beach gathered over 20 of the country's best burger creator's to compete for the "People's Choice Award" which Food Network's Rachael Ray had the honor to announce. Among the the participating chef Miami's Michelle Bernstein, Thomas Connell and Michael Schwatz along with celebrity chef's Katie Lee Joel, Bobby Flay, and Masaharu Morimoto, among others.

This year's winner was Spike Mendelsohn from the Good Stuff Eatery in Washington DC. Congratulations!!!

SBWFF COVERAGE: King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain at the 2009 South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower, Festival director Lee Brian Schrager, along with Southern Wine's Mel Dick accompanied Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Spain pavillion and the commencement of the 2009 South Beach Wine and Food Festival. (MANNY HERNANDEZ PHOTO)

SBWFF COVERAGE: MIAMI Modern Luxury After Party Hosted by Tyler Florence

MIAMIModern Luxury magazine presented a celebration for the Friend’s of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival at the Raleigh hotel. The night hosted by star chef Tyler Florence also included friends Todd English, Guy Fieri, and Ingrid Hoffman.

The beautiful Raleigh pool was decorated with Porsche car’s, courtesy of The Collection, Altidas cigar’s, and Cafe Bustelo. Delicious cuisine’s prepared by Campo Osteria at IL Lugano Hotel, Joe’s Stone Crabs, DeVito’s made Miami’s first luxury seafood-inspired beach party a great success.

Guest included: MIAMI Modern Luxury publisher’s Anne Owen and Leslie Wolfson, Editor in chief Richard Martin, The Collection’s Ken Gorin, Entertainment lawyer Ivan Parron, Raleigh's Martin Krediet and Porsche Latin America’s Kerstin Sachl.

SBWFF COVERAGE: Viva España with the King and Queen of Spain

MANNY HERNANDEZ PHOTOS
Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain were the special guest for the kick off event for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival to celebrate Spain's wine and culinary culture, Viva España! at the Biltmore Hotel last night.

Other luminaries included Florida Governor Charlie Crist, with first lady Carole Rome-Crist , Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Tommy and Thalia Mottola, Mario Batale, Julio Iglesias, Southern Wine's Mel Dick and wife Bobbi, pop artist Romero Britto, Jorge and Darlene Perez.

Star chef's showcased included: Jose Andres (Jaleo, Washington DC), Dani Garcia (Calima, Marbella, Spain), Pedro Subijana (Akelare, San Sebastian, Spain) and Francisco Torreblanca.