I had the chance last weekend to take in the fun and chaos that is the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach. I had heard and read about this once small charity event for the Florida International University--it is now one of the premier wine and food events in the world. So when I had the opportunity to drive down and give Paul Quaglini and his sidekick (Wine Consultant) Villu Maldur a helping hand (which, by the way, they didn’t really need), I couldn't decline. These two have it down to wine science. Except for the fact that it is 20 times larger and covers an area that could hold two or three Super Bowls, it's not much different than many other wine events.

Had a chance to see some of the famous Food Network Chefs like Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson,
Andrew Zimmerman and well, you know, all them cooking people. If you have the time and the money, this is a great event. It isn't cheap, but you could see a hundred different seminars, cooking demonstrations and assorted tastings, though you pay for each a la carte. All profits go directly to the University's programs. This is the event for anyone who has any interest at all in the world of food, wine or the celebrities associated with each. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend you make your way to South Beach next February and see it for yourself.

Ken Amendola

North Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinekena