South Beach Wine and Food 2010 - Part 3

So after sleeping in, the next day began in the late afternoon with a visit the Grand Tasting village on the beach



which featured great food and appearances by Food Network stars like the Neely's.



Then it was Cocktail Time with Sandra Lee at the legendary Versace Mansion.



Followed by a 2nd round of cocktails at the Ritz Carlton with Food Network stars including Claire Robinson and our top advertisers.



The night wrapped up with a lovely dinner at the Temple House, the largest single family residence in Miami Beach. The dining room is bigger than most US homes.



The dinner party decor was spectacular, especially the glowing table.



Among the guests were Next Iron Chef winner Jose Garces and his lovely wife Beatriz. Beatriz shared her incredible story of escaping the horrors of Castro's Cuba in 1994 for a better life in the US.



All in all, a very enjoyable three days in Miami.

South Beach Wine and Food 2010 - Part 2

The next day I was up early for a breafast with our advertisers followed by a lunchtime boat cruise featuring Food Network Star Melissa D'Arabian.


Then it was back to my favorite Miami Beach hotel, The Alexander, for a quick ocean afternoon nap.



When night fell it was time for the Bubble Q party.



Featuring a very acrobatic champagne server.



I closed the night with the AMEX VIP after party which lasted till 3AM.

South Beach Wine and Food 2010 - Part 1

I left for the 9th edition of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival the same day the worst snow storm of the season started. Most of the flights out of Newark airport were canceled, except for my flight to Miami.


Despite the heavy snow, our plane departed and within a few hours I was at the Rachael Ray Burger Bash



enjoying sliders from Iron Chef Morimoto.



Several burgers later I was off to the Food Network VIP After Party.



The party felt really special. Food Network has birthed so many TV stars that when we get them all together at a single event it feels like a Hollywood soiree. Current FN A-lister Guy Fieri shared the love with hit newcomer Marcella Valadolid.