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Would You Rather Attend Aspen or South Beach?

partysugar — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:30:53 -0700

I've been lucky enough to attend the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen twice now, but I've never been to the Food Network's annual bash in Miami's South Beach. One's in the mountains, and the other is at the beach: if you could attend only one festival, which would you prefer?

Food Industry's Elite Party in South Beach

partysugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:50:20 -0800

While the entertainment industry turned to LA for the glitz and glamour of the 81st Academy Awards, the best and brightest stars of the culinary world gathered in Florida over the weekend for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

The four-day festival kicked off on Thursday night with the highly anticipated Burger Bash. Reigning Burger Bash queen, Katie Lee Joel, handed her crown over to the new king, Top Chef four's Spike Mendelsohn. His Coletti's Smokehouse burger (with Applewood bacon, sharp Vermont cheddar, fried Vidalia onion rings, and chipotle BBQ sauce) swept the competition.

Other highlights included a special dinner with the king and queen of Spain, a barbecue hosted by Tom Colicchio, a tribute to Emeril Lagasse, an Oscars viewing with Bobby Flay, several grand tastings, and countless demonstrations.

To check out a huge gallery of images of all your foodie favorites, read more.

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Happy Hour: Gran Tangria

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:53:19 -0800

I read on another blog (apologies, I forget which one now...) that the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is like Spring Break for the food industry. I wasn't there personally, but from the pictures I've seen, I'd have to say it seems pretty accurate. There was sun, sand, booze and partying. One of the events, After Hours at 212 Access House which took place on the same night as the Food Network Awards, had everyone partying down on specialty Gran Centenario Tequila cocktails. One of the cocktails was called the Gran Tangria (a tequila based take on Sangria), and I'm pretty sure I'm going to mix up a batch of this for my next party. To check out the recipe and see more pictures of chefs partying hard (including Tom Collichio, Katie Lee Joel, Bobby Flay, and Mikey "Top Chef" Midgley), read more

Gran Tangria
From Monika Chiang and Gran Centenario

1 1/2 cups Gran Centenario Reposado (tequila)
1/2 Cup Brandy
2 oz Grand Marnier
2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
15 cloves
Slices of 1 apple, mango, orange and lemon

Let stand overnight, and then add:

1 cup fresh apple juice
1/2 cup pomegranate juice (fresh if possible)
1/2 cup pineapple juice (fresh if possible)
Splash of Club Soda

When serving, add a splash of club soda to each drink in a Collins glass over ice.

Serves 8-10 people.

Print recipe with images | without images

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Why Open a Restaurant When There's Bling to Be Had?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:59:12 -0800

Okay, now what's wrong with this picture from the South Beach Wine and Food Festival party? Go on take a good look.
Here we have Top Chef winner Ilan Hall, Gail Simmons, Sam Talbot and Tom Colicchio hanging out at the Food & Wine magazine after party. Have you figured it out? I'll give you a hint it has to do with attire. No it's not that Sam is looking under-dressed (although you have to admit that he is), it's that Ilan looks like he's spending his Top Chef winnings on fancy suits and bling!

In fact the folks over at snack spotted Ilan getting on to the plane for Miami and have put together their breakdown of Ilan's attire choices, including a $12,000 diamond encrusted watch.

Moncler black vest: $375
Pink shoe laces for white Nikes: $4
Louis Vuitton duffel bag: $1,100
Louis Vuitton white belt with candy-colored logo:$350
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce watch in pure white (with diamonds): $11,950

To check out more pictures of our favorite Top Chef crew partying the night away, read more

In other Ilan news, looks like I missed Ilan's swoonworthy Orzo in one of the latest issues of Life & Style magazine. I absolutely love orzo, but the comments the folks have left definitely aren't too kind.

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South Beach Wine & Food - Celebrity Chef Book Signings

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:57:51 -0800

During the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, many celebrity chefs were on hand to chat with fans while signing copies of their books. On hand were the usuals (like Rachael and Giada), however there was one particular Food Network bashing chef on hand as well. Yep that's right, our favorite celebrity chef bad-boy, Anthony Bourdain, was there too. On one hand I'm sort of surprised, I thought he hated these guys, but on the other I'm not surprised at all. I mean he is a celebrity chef, so why wouldn't he be there?

Here's what Charles Passy of the Palm Beach Post had to say about the "Howard Stern of the food world":

Of course, in the process of espousing such a philosophy, Bourdain made note of everything from Giada de Laurentiis’ oversized head to Al Roker’s stomach stapling (Bourdain’s point with the latter: Do you really want to bask in the culinary wisdom of a guy who can’t eat?). I laughed so hard, it almost made up for the five numbingly dull hours I spent at the Food Network Awards the night earlier.

But here’s the thing: Just an hour or so before the talk, Bourdain was doing a book-signing session, sitting in the same seat that Giada had occupied moments earlier. Can he have it both ways - mock the famous and bask in fame at the same time?

So what do you guys think, can he have it both ways or is it hypocritical?

Source: Palm Beach Post

For more pictures of celebrity chefs signing books, read more

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Food Network Awards - Red Carpet Part 2

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 09:55:32 -0800

As promised, here's the rest of the Food Network Awards red carpet coverage. These chefs really look glamorous when they're out of their day-to-day clothes (I must say I loved Alton suited-up and Nigella looks stunning here). And I know that by saying stuff like this I am just propagating the whole celebrity & beauty over actual amazing food (notice that these food awards somehow didn't include any prominent restaurant chefs and even the likes of Batali and Bourdain are absent from this red carpet moment). But hey! these are (for the most part) talented folks on a red carpet, enjoying their moment. So let's cut the industry some slack...

To check out more red carpet coverage, including pictures of Rachael Ray, Katie Lee Joel, Dave Lieberman and others, read more

Here we have Rachael Ray, Nigella Lawson, Jason Kapono (I guess sports figures have to eat too), Robin Miller, Ingrid Hoffman, Dave Lieberman, Paula Deen (and the California Raisins??!?), Tyler Florence, Michael Chiarello, Dan Smith and Steve Mc Donagh, Robert Irvine, and Katie Lee Joel (remember her from Top Chef Season 1)?

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Food Network Awards - Red Carpet Part 1

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 07:56:32 -0800

This weekend marked the First Annual Food Network Awards, which took place at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and will air on April 15 (why such the long wait?!). The event was recorded "live" in front of an audience, however I put live in quotes because according to The Palm Beach Post there's going to be a lot of editing.

Between all the stops and starts for sound and lighting cues, the technical glitches (Emeril actually had to re-present an award after the show was finished because he mispronounced something) and the general confusion, it took about three hours for the show to be done (and I believe it’s only a 90 minute broadcast - it’s slated to air April 15).

Sorta lame if you ask me, but oh well, you know we're all going to watch it anyways.

To see some of the celebrity chefs walking their own red carpet, read more

Here we have Catherine Zeta-Jones (who was there pimping her new film), Emeril Lagasse (who was the MC), Sandra Lee (I wonder if her dress was semi-homemade?), Alton Brown (I love him in the suit!), Albert Pujols, Bobby & Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis, Cat Cora and Bobby Flay (with the KFC Colonel, what???)

And when you're done with these, be sure to check out Red Carpet Coverage Part 2 (Nigella, Rachael, Tyler and more)!

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Source: The Palm Beach Post
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South Beach Wine & Food - Food Network Chefs en Masse

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:26:31 -0800

While the Oscars may have been the event that was on everyone's mind this weekend, over in Miami Beach, the focus was on food instead of fashion. At the South Beach Wine and Food Festival's Culinary and Lifestyle Seminar, some of Food Network's hottest TV stars were on hand to show off their techniques, answer audience questions and sputter off a lot of other useful tips.

And can I just get a little girly here and say that I love Nigella's style? She is in the kitchen, but still so glam... I need to get me a little black cooking dress!

To see more photos of Nigella, Paula and Alton cooking up a storm (as well as some of Robin Miller, Bobby Flay and Tyler Florence), read more

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South Beach Wine & Food Festival Kicks Off

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:25:33 -0800

As I mentioned last week, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a big deal in the foodie world. So naturally the event kicked off yesterday with a big bash (make that a burger bash), hosted by our 30 minute meal maven, Rachael Ray. Sadly, I am thousands of miles away on the other coast and wasn't able to attend it, nor will I be able to attend any of the appetite-whetting events (like the Food Network Awards Show, a panel featuring Anthony Bourdain & Tom Colicchio, Al Roker's BubbleQ, Rachael Ray & Giada's Kidz Kitchen, Martha's (and the Mondavi's) tribute brunch, wine-tastings, food-tastings, and other celebrity chef hob-knobbery)... *sigh* oh well... The event (which is expecting over 18,000 people) is mostly sold-out anyway.

Maybe next year, eh?

Until then, I, like most of you (unless you're lucky and if you are, please do share photos and stories with the rest of us!!), will have to settle for images and anecdotes.

To check out some more pictures from last night's Amstel Light's Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray (who, in case you're wondering, is getting groped by Lee B. Schrager - a prominent "event planner and public relations expert"), read more

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Food Network Awards

YumSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:58:32 -0800

For the last six years, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a big deal in the foodie world. It's a "star-studded" event that keeps growing year after year. This year the event, which is sponsored by the Food Network, has a new feature to offer: the "first-ever Food Network Awards." The event, which takes place on February 23, will be hosted by Emeril Lagasse and will honor "achievements in the world of food and entertaining."

Some of the presenters include Catherine Zeta Jones & Aaron Eckhart (they're in an upcoming film called "No Reservations" a remake of "Mostly Martha," a European film about a chef) as well as all the usual Food Network stars (Rachael, Giada, Bobby, Paula, Alton, and everyone's favorite Sandra Lee).

To learn more, including what kind of awards they're giving - and surprisingly they're actually food awards and not just Food Network based awards - read more

Some of the awards include:

Favorite Comfort Food Combo (Viewers’ Choice)
Most Delicious Destination, highlighting a rising locale not to be
missed
Best Ball Park Eats (Viewers’ Choice)
Play With Your Food: Artwork With an Edible Twist, recognizing one
remarkable artist who incorporates food into their work
Icy Innovations, awarded to innovators in the world of frozen treats
Tasty Technology, new kitchen appliances that will change the way we
cook
“Professional Grade” Kitchen Appliance You Can’t Live Without (Viewers’
Choice)
“Hot” Chocolate List, recognizing the hottest chocolatier in the country
Food Hall of Fame: Tribute to Julia Child, television and food pioneer
Share Our Strength Food Humanitarian Award, a person who makes the world a better place through food
Culinary Dreams Can Come True: Culinary Institute of America Scholarship and Food Network Mentorship of a Lifetime
Favorite Childhood Classics (Viewers’ Choice), awarded to the favorite
children’s book about food
Not Your Grandmother’s Food of the Month Club, given to the most unique
food of the month club
SUPER Market, presented to the grocery chain who has changed the way we
shop
Best Better Burger, recognizing a burger company with a mindful approach to their product and operation
Favorite Coolest Cocktail (Viewers’ Choice), celebrating Food Network
viewers’ favorite classic drink
Edible Entrepreneurs, acknowledging individuals with a passion for food
and an entrepreneurial spirit
Funniest Food Festival, honoring the wackiest food festival in the
country

If you want to check out the awards for yourself, the event is in Miami next Friday (February 23) at 9:30pm (tickets are $77.50 a piece). But don't worry, if you can't make it, the event will air on Food Network on April 25.

Sure it will be neat to see who wins what, but what I want to know is, what do you think the statuette will look like? A bottle of EVOO?

Source: Well Fed