America’s beloved queen of Italian cuisine joined us on the sands of South Beach on Thursday, February 21st to kick-off the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival weekend! Giada De Laurentiis is an Emmy Award-winning television personality best known for her hit shows on Food Network, a New York Times’ bestselling author and flourishing restaurateur. Giada hosted this years Italian Bites Event alongside more than 30 of the nation’s greatest chefs serving up dishes originating from various regions of Italy. Here are our favorite bites (and sips) from the event:

Rigatoni Collezione with White Bolognese by SPQR of San Francisco

Kobe Meatballs with House-Made Ricotta by Prime Italian of Miami Beach

Lumache Pasta with Clams, Tarragon Pesto and Breadcrumbs by Scampi of NY

Cacio e Uova by Al Fiori of NY

Spaghetti ‘n Meatball by The Meatball Shop of NY

Sfincione with Burrata Pugliese – Sicilian Style Focaccia by Felix Trattoria of Venice, CA

Ravioli di Zucca Burro e Salvia (Homemade ravioli with pumpkin butter and sage) by Zucca Miami of Coral Gables

Aperol Spritz

Olive Oil Cake with Aged Balsamic and Glazed Strawberries by Peacock’s Pantry Catering of Pompano Beach, FL

The Italian Stallion Cupcake – Moist Frangelico Drunken Caramel Cake with Hazelnut Buttercream by LA Sweetz of Miami, FL

About: Hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Florida International University (FIU), the Festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. Each year, more than 1,200 students and volunteers gain invaluable real-world experience with the Festival – which serves as an interactive educational platform for the future leaders of the hospitality industry. To date, the Festival has raised more than $28 million for the School.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary experience. All opinions are my own.

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