Vanessa James Media Productions is thrilled to announce the triumphant return of Food, Wine, and Fete, Miami’s premium all-inclusive Soca experience, set to take place on Saturday, May 18th, 2024 at 3 pm at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s Grand Pavilion. The eagerly anticipated second annual event celebrates the vibrant culture of the Caribbean, showcasing the region’s most brilliant chefs, mixologists, tastemakers, culinary creatives, and some of the region's most buzzed-about wine brands, Caribbean spirits, as well as Soca artistes, and South Florida’s vibrant Caribbean community.

This year’s lineup includes renowned chefs such as:

● Chef Irie, recipient of the prestigious James Beard award and serving as the festival's
official culinary ambassador is a Jamaican culinary trailblazer, whose journey from
architecture to the kitchen is as bold and flavorful as his Caribbean-inspired dishes.
● Myriam “Chef Mimi” Charles, the award-winning pastry chef from Haiti and Miami
native known for her triumph on Cooking Channel’s “Cake Hunters' and as the
founder of Lux Cakery.
● Chef Alain Lemaire, the host chef of the "Luda Can't Cook" series on Discovery+,
brings his Haitian culinary heritage to life with his renowned dish "Ou Manje Deja",
showcasing his unique flair and flavor.
● Celebrity Chef Paul Griffith, a Barbados-born culinary prodigy, serves us some of
the best meals to music and Hollywood celebrities in Miami, including NFL teams.
● Jamaican Chef Troy Tingling of SoulFly Kitchen will be serving up his signature jerk
fried chicken sando sandwich and doing a tasting on Foodie Avenue Chef Troy began
mixing Caribbean flavors to create fusion recipes that he uses with clients today. During
his time in Jamaica, he was honored to cook for then Prime Minister, Bruce Golding.

No Soca fete experience would be complete without the electrifying Soca music that
all-inclusive experiences around the Caribbean are known for. Food, Wine, and Fete delivers a
jam-packed lineup of the most buzzed-about DJs and Soca Artistes, Teddyson John of St.
Lucia and King Bubba of Barbados, who are set not only to perform at this year’s experience
but to try their hands in the kitchen too!

“My passion for the Caribbean runs deep. Our people, world-renowned food, infectious energy,
and eclectic culture are all a part of what keeps me grounded in my roots and goals to show theworld the beauty of the region beyond sun, sand, and sea.” says co-founder Vanessa James.
“After many years of travel and storytelling about the beloved Caribbean, I realized there was a
huge void in the market to celebrate the special entrepreneurs who feed us from the moment we land on the islands. With Food, Wine, and Fete, I hope to spark a new generation of cultural
events and experiences that elevate Caribbean creatives from all genres. Food, Wine & Fete is
our love letter to the culture that we hold so dearly and appreciate so deeply. This is more than a fete — our goal is to transport your senses to the islands until you can take the journey yourself. Guests can expect an interactive array of experiences from the moment they arrive and most importantly, get ready to FETE Caribbean style” says James.

Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite for $135. The festival has partnered with Hilton Garden Inn Miami Brickell South to provide reduced group rates for those visiting from out of town or South Florida who want to make a weekend out of the experience.

Participating sponsors include: Vanessa James Media, La Fete Rosé, The Buccaneer Hotel - St.
Croix, Virgin Island Food Tours, Best Dressed Plate, Ron Barcelo, Real Sangria, The Pale
Rosé, LunaLiteDroneShow, Proximo Spirits Cristalino Tequila, Carib Beer, WIPS (West Indian
Pepper Sauce), LifeNetforFamilies and LunaLiteDrone Show.

Food, Wine, and Fete offers a unique opportunity for brands to tap into an affluent, well-traveled, and highly motivated diverse community and showcase their offerings. Partnership and press opportunities allow brands to stand out amid a sea of motivated patrons. For more information about partnership opportunities, sampling opportunities, and press inquiries, visit
www.foodwineandfete.com.Follow the Food, Wine, and Fete fun on Instagram and Facebook.

For more information, visit
https://www.vanessajamesmedia.com/ or follow Vanessa James Media on Instagram at
@vanessajamesmedia, X formerly Twitter, @msvanessajames, and LinkedIn.

About Food Wine & Fete:

Founded by Vanessa James and Marcos Rodriguez, Food, Wine, and Fete is a premium all-inclusive Soca fete experience celebrating the Caribbean’s vibrant culture - our chefs, artists, and community. Conceptualized with a deep-seated passion for celebrating Caribbean roots and amplifying the creativity of the vibrant and talented diaspora. Born out of a love for travel, carnival, Soca music, and the delicious culinary scene of the Caribbean, Food, Wine, and Fete was born.

The first-of-its-kind all-inclusive Food, Wine, and Fete is an annual event that debuted in 2019 to a sold-out crowd of 500 foodies and Soca aficionados with a similar passion for celebrating Caribbean culture. In its second year, returning to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Food Wine & Fete will also highlight Caribbean brands, and feature curated pop-up experiences, giveaways, and a few fun surprises.

As proud children of the Caribbean, this legacy project is Vanessa and Marcos’ unique way of highlighting the diverse Caribbean diaspora and its many touch points including travel, music, food, and live culinary experiences. Although the Caribbean is known as the birthplace of rum, wine enthusiasts are now able to explore the many pairings of their delicious island food with their favorite wine too. For more information about partnership opportunities, vendor sampling
opportunities, and press inquiries, visit www.foodwineandfete.com.
Follow the Food, Wine, andFete fun on Instagram and Facebook.

About Vanessa James Media:
Vanessa James Media is a multimedia company that champions authenticity, diversity, and creativity. Specializing in voiceover, on-camera and event hosting, and content creation, the company has been a beacon for creative collaboration, spirited storytelling, and innovative brand synergies in the media landscape.

Founded by Vanessa James, known as "the voice you hear everywhere,” a sought-after, seasoned multicultural voice-over actress, who has lent her voice and talents to some of the world's most iconic brands, Vanessa’s captivating voice can be heard on television and radio stations nationwide, and in the bustling yellow cabs of New York City on the iconic 103.5 KTU, as well as over 30 radio stations. Vanessa has voiced campaigns for PGA Tour, The CW Network, Netflix, Amazon, IHeartMedia, and Macy's. In 2023, she was tapped by Reach TV
Network, to host their Business Traveler show, highlighting the best hotels, destinations, and inspiring travel content. Vanessa is also the voice behind the CW Network's "All American Homecoming,” Infiniti Motors' campaign, and WAZE GPS voice for their global Women's History Month celebration and most recently, new promo voiceover artist for the nationally syndicated “Tamron Hall” daytime talk show. She is currently represented by Atlas Talent Agency NYC. Vanessa is also a champion for diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, and creative
collaboration through her three signature annual events. VJMedia Mixology, a signature event for connection among brands, influencers, trailblazers, and innovators. The Women of Impact Series, an intimate yearly gathering celebrating female entrepreneurs and multicultural creatives and Food, Wine, and Fete, a first-of-its-kind all-inclusive Soca experience in Miami, celebrating Caribbean culture and amplifying Caribbean chefs and cuisine. 

Tickets are officially on sale for the 22nd annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) taking place February 23-26, 2023. Widely recognized as America’s favorite gourmet gathering on the beach, the four-day Festival returns to the sand with more than 100 events spanning Miami-Dade and Broward counties. For the 22nd installment, Food Network personalities, Grammy-winning musicians, and more than 450+ chefs and wine and spirit producers will come together for an unforgettable celebration comprised of walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, late-night parties, brunches, lunches, master classes, wine seminars and more!

The Festival kicks off on Thursday, February 23 with iconic chef, restaurateur, television personality and cookbook author, Emeril Lagasse, as he hosts the 16th annual Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons® with a special performance by Grammy-nominated country music group, Midland.

Sprawling several blocks on the sands of South Beach, the Festival’s two iconic open-air tasting tents – North Venue and Grand Tasting Village – return to showcase the nation’s most talented chefs and lifestyle personalities who are supported by more than 1,200 student volunteers from Florida International University. Events include:

The return of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives LIVE hosted by Guy Fieri featuring more than 25 eateries from the hit show. (Friday, February 24)
Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village featuring Publix Culinary Demonstrations sponsored by Sub-Zero Group Southeast will highlight fan-favorite Food Network and Cooking Channel personalities and the nations most celebrated chefs. (Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26)
Tacos & Tequila presented by Tequila Cazadores will be hosted by American actor and star of Machete Danny Trejo and feature more than 25 chefs serving up various iterations of Mexico’s most iconic dish. (Saturday, February 25)
BACARDĺ Carnival hosted by Andrew Zimmern will close out the 22nd annual Festival with the ultimate Sunday night beach party! (Sunday, February 26)

From Overtown to Wynwood to Hallandale Beach and the Miami Design District in between, the Festival has curated a series of events to showcase the vibrant local cuisine and culture of these neighborhoods and the profoundly important role they have had in shaping the South Florida of today. Event highlights:

The Cookout hosted by JJ Johnson and Dwyane Wade (Saturday, February 25)
Smorgasburg After Dark hosted by and special performance by Rev Run (Saturday, February 25)
Chicken Coupe hosted by Michelle Bernstein part of the Miami Design District Event Series (Saturday, February 25)
Hallandale Beach Food & Groove: A Wine, Food and Art Experience part of the Hallandale Beach Event Series (Saturday, February 25)
Williams Family Kitchen Soul Food Brunch hosted by Pharaoh and Pharrell Williams (Saturday, February 25)
Overtown EatUp! hosted by Marcus Samuelsson (Sunday, February 26)
Farmer’s Market Brunch hosted by Michael Schwartz part of the Miami Design District Event Series (Sunday, February 26)

​There is nothing like the Magic City by day and the Festival put together a sensational line-up of brunches and lunches to shine a light on the bright and vivacious scene. Those looking to shop and dine should snag seats at the Bal Harbour Shops ACCESS: Fashion Show & Luncheon hosted by Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian which will feature a fashion show presented by Balmain, the Parisian Fashion House. Two-time James Beard Award winner Mashama Bailey will take over the Festival’s headquarter hotel, Loews Miami Beach, to host Our Sunday Table: Brunch with The Grey and Friends part of The NYT Cooking Series featuring an eclectic roster of local and national chefs. A piece of Nashville’s “hot chicken” empire will make its way to Miami with a Lunch hosted by Hattie B’s taking place at SGWS Wynwood. Lunch hosted by Cédric Vongerichten and Tyson Cole at Wynwood hotspot, Uchi, will showcase both chefs’ layered approach to multi-cultural cuisine as they deliver a menu with fresh, exotic flavors of the East. Pablo Zitzmann and Wilson Tang will team up to host a Dim Sum Brunch at Coral Gables outpost, Zitz Sum, recently awarded a Bib Gourmand by The Michelin Guide. Close out the weekend at the North Beach Bandshell with an extravaganza of epic proportions – Drag Brunch hosted by David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris featuring Miami’s very own Athena Dion and the queens from the R House Wynwood’s show-stopping weekend drag brunches. Following the brunch, will be the first annual Tea Dance and Drag Show hosted by Kalen Allen with a special performance by Thelma Houston, the Grammy-winning Motown legend who’s slated to perform a set of chart-topping hits alongside the one and only Symone, season 13 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Guests looking to sharpen their cooking skills alongside the experts should snag seats to one of the Festival’s Master Classes! Choose from a variety of classes such as a Pierogi-Making Master Class hosted by Martha Stewart, Sushi-Making Master Class & Lunch at Gekkō Miami, Croqueta-Making Master Class with Eileen and Jonathan Andrade, BBQ-Making Master Class and Lunch hosted by Smoke & Dough, Dumpling-Making Master Class hosted by Temple Street Eatery, a Master Class and Happy Hour hosted by Flour & Weirdoughs and more! Wine enthusiasts looking to master their inner sommelier can choose from one of the Wine Spectator Wine Seminars taking place throughout the weekend at the Eden Roc Miami Beach.

The Festival’s crown jewel, Tribute Dinner presented by Capital One and part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series, will take place on Saturday, February 25 and honor the outstanding accomplishments of the culinary community’s beloved and iconic Alex Guarnaschelli, along with Alexandre Ricard of Pernod Ricard. 2018 Tribute Dinner honoree, Bobby Flay will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and a stellar cast of chefs including Eric Adjepong, Antonia Lofaso, Scott Conant, Ayesha Nurdjaja, Duff Goldman and Geoffrey Zakarian will serve up dishes to pair perfectly with some of the finest wines from the Pernod Ricard portfolio.

A plethora of unique one-night-only collaborations hosted by some of the country’s most critically acclaimed chefs and paired with a variety of high-end wines and spirits from the Festival’s exclusive provider, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, will accent this year’s Intimate Dinner Series. Participating chefs and personalities include Giada De Laurentiis, Tommaso De Simone, Juan-Manuel Barrientos, Maneet Chauhan, Michael Symon, Andrew Zimmern, Katie Button, Zak Stern, Gabriel Kreuther, Esther Choi, Timon Balloo, Jet Tila, Antonio Bachour, Brooke Williamson, Jonathan Waxman, Lindsay Autry and Marc Vetri.

To date, the Festival has raised more than $34 million in support of its educational mission to cultivate future leaders of the hospitality industry at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU). Between SOBEWFF® and its sister NYCWFF, more than $48 million has been raised to benefit the respective charities of each Festival. Beyond the funds raised, both Festivals draw attention to the vibrant dining cultures of their respective cities, provide economic stimulus in their communities, and serve as a platform to drive awareness and engagement for a wide array of philanthropic activities.

The complete line-up of events for the 22nd annual Festival is now available online at sobewff.org. Stay up to date all year long by following along with the #SOBEWFF hashtag on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.