MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The South Beach Wine & Food Festival made its return this week, bringing a feast of incredible flavors and culinary experiences that are sure to satisfy every foodie’s cravings.
From social media sensations to renowned chefs, the festival promises to be a highlight for food lovers, while raising funds for Florida International University’s hospitality program.
This year’s festival features a range of events, from FoodieCon to “The Cookout,” where celebrity chefs will showcase their culinary talents while spotlighting Black chefs and restaurants.
Chef Travis Reece, known for his soulful dishes, is bringing his flavor-packed creations to The Cookout alongside chef JJ Johnson.
“For great food, the only thing you have to add is love!” said Reece when asked what makes his food special.
At this year’s event, Reece is serving up sweet potato mac & cheese with crispy fried chicken, a dish that he describes as “Thanksgiving in February.”
Using six different cheeses and layers of sweet potato, the dish is one of the many offerings at this year’s cookout.
Reece’s passion for bringing more Black chefs to the event is clear.
“For them seeing a chef like myself at the event actually inspires them to tap in and be featured at the event,” he said. “Which this year, God’s great, we definitely have more Black chefs showcasing.”
But the festival is not just about the food — it’s also about the personalities behind the plates.
One of those personalities is Miami’s very own George Arango, also known as Mr.Eats305.
With over 280,000 followers on Instagram, George has become a food influencer and one of the creators you can meet at the FoodieCon event this year.
George, who transitioned from law school to a full-time foodie career, reflected on the challenges of convincing his parents to support his new path.
“I’ve been doing it fulltime now for four years and they’re like, ‘I don’t get it,’” he said. “It’s hard to get -- that’s why FoodieCon is a fun thing because we’re going to be talking about the business of it and how people can make it a full-time thing.”
When asked about his transition from online to offline experiences, George says, “Turning the online into an offline experience.”
Of course, no foodie event would be complete without tasting the food, and this year’s festival delivers.
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival runs through Sunday, offering a weekend packed with exciting events and plenty to explore.
To find out more, visit the SOBEWFF website, and be sure to check out Mr. Eats 305′s interactive map of his favorite spots at MrEats305.com.