A bouquet of culinary delights awaits those who attend The South Beach Wine and Food Festival this weekend. But if you didn’t score tickets (because paying bills takes priority over #roseallday) and don’t have a lanyard (because not all of us are friends with chefs), MiMi has you covered. Take advantage of one of the open-to-the-public events in addition to a growing list of unofficial festivities.
Thursday, February 20
Broken Shaker x UNI Boston Poolside BBQ, 7pm-11pm
The Broken Shaker / 27/ Freehand Miami team always become the default clubhouse for out of town chefs looking to kick back and relax amongst industry folk to the tune of cocktails and delicious food. The hip hostelry has also started to host their own ancillary event as well and will be kicking things off Thursday night with James Beard Award-winning Chef/Partner, Tony Messina of Boston’s UNI for a poolside clam bake of epic proportions. From 7pm until the food runs out, all hungry seafood fans are welcomed to feast on the spread. The $65 clam bake menu will include lobster, clams, corn, butterball potatoes, chorizo and bone marrow rose butter.
Friday, February 21
Ping Pong, Pizzas and Peroni
Five years ago, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten debuted possibly the most brilliant of all food and wine events: a ping pong party crossed with the delicious offerings of his Market at Edition. It’s quickly become the best late-night event of Friday night with chefs like Marcus Samuelsson and Guy Fieri stopping by to challenge the sweatband-wearing Vongerichten to a volley of ping pong. It’s all washed down with copious amounts of Peroni beer, an avalanche of truffle pizza and charcuterie boards and stone crabs from all the stations at Market.
Thermomix Popup, daily from 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Do you love cooking gadgets? Do you love chef demos? How about free samples? Thermomix, the international leader of smart kitchens will host an experiential pop-up — RSVP for a seat at the table and more details found here. Local chef Daniel Roy of Generator Miami, and Miami-based private chef Maria Cecilia Espinosa will be showing how they use the nifty kitchen tool and offering bites along with culinary wisdom. Thermomix’s pop-up will be located at Miami Consentino City Center, 3898 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL, this February 20-22.
Saturday February 22
Rooftop Dinner at Nautilus by Arlo
The gorgeous rooftop deck at the Nautilus by Arlo is the setting for this six-course dinner prepared and executed by Chef Eric Howard (Master Chef Season 7 & The Food Network Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge). The drinks program will be produced by Diplomático Rum. Tickets are $165 which is inclusive of welcome cocktails, dinner, wine pairings and dessert.
Sunday, February 23
Drag Brunch at Seawell Fish N’ Oyster
The recently opened coastal American seafare restaurant, Seawell Fish N’ Oyster, will add an extra element to Sundays with a drag brunch. Drag diva, makeup artist and Miami Beach showgirl, Miss Noel Leon, will host along with three other queens set to perform. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy the a la carte brunch menu including Executive Chef Julian Garriga’s signature dishes like the Wake n’ Bake Bowl, New England Cheddar Biscuits and Eggs Benny. To top off the brunch, guests can enjoy the $20 bottomless mimosa special while watching unforgettable performances from some of Miami’s top queens.
Slutty Vegan Pop-Up
Slutty Vegan is a fast-casual junk food that is completely plant-based. Started in late 2018, the “Slutty” revolution has vegans and meat lovers alike standing in line for hours to experience the juicy goodness of plant-based burgers. Fans of Slutty Vegan include: Tyler Perry, Will Packer, Tiffany Haddish, Woody Harrelson, Taraji P. Henson, Iyanla Vanzant, Keisha Lance-Bottoms, Porsha Williams, Jermaine Dupri, Meagan Goode, Cory Booker, Jidenna, Lena Waithe and more. The Slutty Vegan Tour Pop-Up will be at Bar One Miami at 520 West Ave, Unit #1 on February 23 from 2pm – 8pm.
COVER PHOTO: Seawell Fish N’ Oyster