The Grand Tasting Village is one of my favorite events during The South Beach Wine and Food Festival. It’s the ultimate food lovers playground on the sand. At this years event, there were offerings from more than 50 restaurants and an array of wines and libations from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.

The Grand Tasting village is a place where you remove your sensibilities as you enter a world devoted exclusively to sampling bold cuisine, stylish wines, carefully creative spirits and watching your favorite Food Network and Cooking Channel chefs, authors and culinary personalities dice it out on the KitchenAid Culinary Demo Stages.

All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Lapes, property of TheSoFlaSage.com

My first sip of the event was this pretty little cocktail with rhum barbancourt from Haiti. #SageSips

Food Network Star Giada De Laurentiis during her food demo

Salmon from Barton G. of Miami Beach, Florida

Fried Rice from Komodo Miami, FL

Heineken & Chill

Ube Shaved Ice Cream by Mr. Bing of Miami, Florida

Croquetas de Jamon Serrano with Blueberry Jam from ITO Mojitos y Cafecitos, Miami Beach, FL

Baby Choripan with Chimichurri from Fiorito in Little Haiti, Miami, FL

Churrasco Eggroll Mofongo with Chimichurri Aioli from Chefs on the Run of Homestead, FL

Dr. Pepper Bourbon-Glazed Pepper Jack Cheeseburger with Carmelized Onions, Spiced Plantain Chips from Airport Cafe Miami Springs, FL

Belvedere Vodka Station

NEW in 2017: SOBEWFF partnered with David Grutman to bring you The David Grutman Experience at Sunday’s Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village!  Recognized worldwide for his hotspots LIV, Story and Komodo, Grutman brought his signature over-the-top curated experiences straight to the sands of Miami Beach for the first time.

Grutman is seen on the right in a white shirt with his hand in the air

The courtyard between the signature Mastercard Grand Tasting Tents was transformed into a scene developed and ideated by Grutman himself, including food from his favorite South Florida neighborhoods and high energy beats – featuring sounds by INGROSSO.  Grutman, who is widely recognized for his energetic hospitality, has helped put Miami on the map with his approach to music and good times.

Super Seedbutter Toast with Blueberries on Brioche from OTL by David Grutman located in the Design District, Miami, FL

Attending next February? Be sure to arrive on time as the event gets busier as the day progresses, and don’t forget to pace yourself – there are many delightful bites to try and plenty of wine & liquor samples. Especially this year, as compared to last year, it seemed like there was a TON of alcohol. Another major perk of attending this festival is being able to get close to the food network stars. Pretty much any seat in the demo area allows a great view of the stage. Before you go, look at the schedule to see what time your favorite Food Network star will be doing their cooking demo and book signing. The demo schedule is also posted at the event, visible shortly after entering the gate.

The South Florida Sage – Follow on Instagram | Like on Facebook | Tweet on Twitter

Disclaimer: I received complementary admission to SOBEWFF Grand Tasting.

All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Lapes, property of TheSoFlaSage.com