Our 2nd Annual Unofficial Guide to SOBEWFF

South Beach Wine and Food Festival kicks off in just a few days. With some of the big marquee events already sold out, it can be hard to partake in the food and booze-filled fun.

But don’t worry if you haven’t scored a pair of coveted tickets, once again we’ve rounded up the best “unofficial” SOBEWFF events happening around Miami this weekend priced at every level — and none of which are sold out. Here’s our Annual Unofficial Guide to SOBEWFF – so get ready to eat, drink and be merry all weekend long.

Wednesday, February 18

Five Cubed
When: 6 p.m. for VIP dinner; 8 p.m. for tasting event
What: Part dinner, part dining stations this new event from the people of Haute Dining kicks off the week’s festivities. The first half of the evening, five chefs prepare five different courses paired with five different Brewery Ommegang beer. After the dinner more chefs get into the mix — 15 in total — serving up different dishes along with plenty of beers inside the 1111 building.
Where: 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Price/Tickets: VIP $275, GA $150. Purchase them here. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brewery-ommegang-five-cubed-53-presented-by-haute-dining-tickets-14925970981

The food-e’s Happy Hour at the James Royal Palm
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
What: Chat Chow TV friend and fellow food blogger, the food-e, hosts one of his popular happy hours just in time for the festival. Munch of complimentary passed appetizers and receive your first glass of wine on the house, along with all drinks being half-priced throughout the event.
Where: James Royal Palm, 1545 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: Free with RSVP. Do it here. https://www.facebook.com/events/527772097365484/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Thursday, February 19

Matthew Kenney Meet, Greet and Taste
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
What: One of the country’s top vegan chefs, Matthew Kenney, is in town to cook up a storm for the festival’s annual vegan dinner. But before he does that, he’ll be cooking away samples of his plant-based food during an intimate book launch for his new memoir, Cooked Raw.
Where: Books & Books, 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour
Price/Tickets: Free with RSVP to cookedraw@zm-pr.com

The Social Club Mediterranean Feast with Top Chef All Stars’ Mike Isabella
When: 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
What: While the pool at the Surfcomber might be notorious for its pool parties but in honor of the festival its offering something a bit more tame — and a lot more delicious. During its Mediterranean themed dinner party hosted by Mike Isabella it’ll offer up plenty of buffet stations filled with items like whole lambs on spits, fresh seafood, Mediterranean salads and, of course, “endless cocktails.”
Where: The Social Club at the Surfcomber Hotel, 1717 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: $100 per person. Buy them here http://www.eventbrite.com/e/chefs-mike-isabella-and-blair-wilsons-mediterranean-feast-tickets-15541669552

Friday, February 20

2nd Annual Kitchen Collab Brunch at Tongue and Cheek
When: 11a.m. to 3p.m.
What: Robert Irvine of Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible is back to host his second annual brunch at Tongue & Cheek. He’ll be cooking up a 3-course meal alongside the restaurant’s executive chef Jamie DeRosa. No word on who might make an appearance this year, but last year celeb chefs galore swung through the brunch like Geoffrey Zakarian, Morimoto, Norman Van Aken and Ingrid Hoffman.
Where: Tongue & Cheek, 451 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: $125 per person. Buy ticket(s) by calling 305-704-2900.

FOOD TALK with Geoffrey Zakarian
When: 2:30 to 5 p.m.
What: Besides being one dapper dressed chef, Geoffrey Zakarian also hosts a food show on Sirius XM. This week’s food show will naturally take place at the festival and you are invited to listen in live. Zakarian will be interviewing the celeb chefs poolside including the likes of Martha Stewart, Marcus Samuelsson and Lee Schrager.
Where: The Garden at the Thompson Miami Beach, 4041 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: Free

Saturday, February 21

Tacos at Daybreak
When: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
What: Soak up all that booze you had the night before with tacos and, umm, more booze, at this breakfast event at the Lowes. Pubbelly’s own Jose Mendin will be making up breakfast tacos while drinks will be served poolside. Trust us, we won’t judge you if you show up tipsy to the Tasting Village afterwords.
Where: Loews Hotel Americana Lawn, 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: Free if RSVP to mbernardini@hunterpr.com by February 19

Let’s Get Spiked 2015
When: noon to 2 p.m.
What: The annual chefs volleyball tournament is back and this year the chefs are up against FIU’s sand volleyball team. More than two-dozen chefs are expected to participate from Josh Capon to Dale Talde. After the game, stay for an reception celebrating the newly crowned kings and queens of the volleyball court.
Where: The Thompson Hotel, 4041 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: Free

101 Gay Weddings
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
What: Celebrating the fact that gay marriage is final recognized in the state of Florida, Art Smith is throwing a big ol’ grand wedding to celebrate helping marry 101 couples during the event. Smith will MC the event with Ace of Cake’s star Duff Goldman making a one-of-a-kind cake for the happy couples.
Where: The James Royal Palm, 1545 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: Free for participating couples and two family members

For the Love of Ham
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
What: Barceloneta’s Chef Juliana Gonzalez and Igor Corral, ham carving champion of Spain, are teaming up for an all-things-ham event. Learn the history of ham, ham carving techniques and feast on a ham-filled meal with wine pairings.
Where: Barceloneta, 1400 20th Street, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: $115 per person. Call 305-538-9299 to reserve.

Taquiza Chef Takeover
When: 6 p.m. to midnight
What: Some of Miami’s favorite chefs are contributing their tacos for a special one-night only menu at Taquiza. Proceeds from the taco sales will benefit FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality. Creations from Roel Alcudia, Richard Hales, Brad Kilgore, Diego Oka, Michael Pirolo and Giorgio Rapicavoli will be on hand — and don’t be surprised if you spot one or two on them in the Taquiza kitchen during the evening.
Where: Taquiza, 1506 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: Vary per taco

Nomadic Tiki Takeover at the Rum Line
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What: NYC’s NoMad Bar is ‘taking over’ the Rum Line with its Nomadic Tiki Takeover. Expect a luau with live entertainment, a Polynesian roast and plenty of tiki drinks made by award-winning Leo Robitschek of the NoMad Bar and Rob Ferrara of The Rum Line.
Where: The Rum Line, 1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Price/Tickets: No entry fee, drink prices vary

Eats N Beats
When: 8:30 p.m. to midnight
What: This food tasting event, not officially affiliated with SOBE Fest, comes back for its second year. With a focus on local restaurants it’ll feature plenty food from Miami spots like Bocce Bar, RED the Steakhouse, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard along with drinks and entertainment.
Where: Moore Building, 4040 NE Second Ave, Miami
Price/Tickets: VIP $250, GA $99. Purchase tickets here. http://www.wantickets.com/Events/ShowEvent.aspx?EventId=171483&pass=eatsnbeats

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