south beach

The 10th annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival wasn't just an opportunity to catch Rachael Ray cooking in person and chow down on exotic ingredients. It was also a great time to get to know our favorite chefs firsthand.

I was floored by restaurateur and Food Network chef Scott Conant. Not only is the Chopped judge and host of 24 Hour Restaurant Battle a wisecracking barrel of laughs, but he's also incredibly humble.

When I declared his polenta to be "the best polenta I've ever had," he quipped, "Then you need to eat out more." At the Scarpetta Miami bar, he made sure we were settled in with mojitos, then joined us for a chat. For the whole conversation, keep reading.

Over the weekend at the Food Network's South Beach Wine and Food Festival, I attended a packed demo led by Rachael Ray. The self-proclaimed "burger and taco girl" sipped a kumquat margarita while she made fish tacos and a French bistro-inspired burger in a slinky black dress. Instead of focusing on teaching the crowd how to cook, Ray declared that "we're going to have a nice chat," and invited people to stand up and ask her questions. The result was an interesting look at Rachael Ray, the person, rather than Rachael Ray, the mega culinary personality. I learned some fun things about her — including what her next project with Food Network is! — so to find out about it, keep reading.

If you're going to Miami, let's face it: you're booking bikini time. So reserve a stay at The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach and dip your pedicured toes into the most glamorous pool on the Atlantic coast. Built in 1940 by famed architect L. Murray Dixon, The Raleigh is a world-renowned Art Deco hotel that defines style and glamour. The poolside "Oasis," as it's called, is dressed with chic, black and white striped, tasseled beach umbrellas; lushly cushioned outdoor sofas; hammocks hidden in the shade; and perfect, pink-striped lounge chairs. The interiors feature Floridian-style bamboo seating, midcentury modern-inspired furniture, and warm, inviting palettes of rich coral and sophisticated teal. Overall, the hotel's legendary Art Deco-era style has been tastefully and seamlessly modernized, offering a sense of history as well as contemporary style.Sold yet? Well it's your lucky year. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the Raleigh is offering a complimentary room upgrade and $70 in food and beverage credits per day through December 25, 2010. Be sure to check out more photos of the interiors below!

Continue reading for the full tour.

Last night the festivities at the Food Network's annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival kicked off with the highly anticipated Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray. The line to get inside stretched from the beach to the street and the place was packed. There were celebrity chefs and well-known food personalities everywhere: serving burgers (Bobby Flay, Daniel Boulud, and Michael Symon), mingling with the crowds (Anne Burrell, Sam Talbot, Sandra Lee), and judging the competition (Art Smith and Carla Hall). I was in attendance and while I had my fair share of scrumptious burgers and amazing side dishes, I learned a thing or 10 at the party. To find out what they are, read more

This weekend the who's who of the food industry are taking an early Spring break and heading to Florida for the Food Network's annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival. We're so excited, because for the first time ever, we are going! We'll be soaking up the sun, watching informative seminars, tasting amazing eats, and attending awesome parties. For up to the minute details, follow us on Twitter and be sure to check back here next week for all our exclusive coverage. And, if you'll be there too, come up and say hi!