South Beach Wine & Food Festival Celebrates 25 Years of Flavor and Community

The white tents on the sands of South Beach are glowing this weekend as the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival reaches a major milestone. From February 19 to 22, 2026, the city is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of an event that has transformed from a small university fundraiser into one of the largest culinary spectacles in the world. While global celebrities like Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri are frequently seen in the crowds, this year’s anniversary is defined by a shift toward the local people and the diverse cultures that make Miami unique.

What started in 1997 as a one-day event called the Florida Extravaganza at Florida International University has grown into a four-day powerhouse. Today, the festival includes more than 100 events, features 500 chefs, and attracts over 65,000 visitors. Despite the massive scale, the primary mission remains the same, supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders.

“Celebrating our 25th year is an incredible moment for the festival, our partners, and the entire South Florida community,” said Lee Brian Schrager, the festival founder and director. “From its early days with just 7,000 attendees to becoming one of the nation’s largest food festivals, it has always been about connecting people to incredible food, drink, and culture, while supporting students from FIU.”

The Students Powering the Experience

The connection to Florida International University is not just a formality. More than 1,500 students from the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management are working on the front lines this weekend. They handle everything from kitchen preparation to event logistics, gaining real-world experience that cannot be taught in a classroom.

For many of these students, the festival is a launchpad for their careers. Fabiola Quereguan, a senior at FIU who has worked the event for four years, shared her excitement during the preparations. “I am just going to take all of the experience, all of the connections, and just run with it,” she said. “I would continue doing this forever if I could.”

The financial impact is equally significant. To date, the festival has raised more than $50 million for the university. These funds support scholarships and state-of-the-art laboratories where students learn the trade. Diego Ng, an FIU alumnus and owner of Temple Street Eatery, noted that the festival played a major role in his decision to pursue a career in hospitality. This hands-on involvement ensures that the festival remains grounded in the local community even as it gains international fame.

A Focus on Afro-Caribbean Roots

A notable trend at this year’s anniversary is the increased focus on Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Miami has long been a melting pot of island influences, but these flavors are now taking center stage at elite festival events. One of the weekend’s highlights is the Las’ Lap Link Up, a celebration of Afro-Caribbean food hosted by chefs Kwame Onwuachi and Nina Compton at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel.

Chef Tristan Epps, a former winner of Top Chef and a prominent figure in the Miami food scene, is a vocal supporter of this cultural shift. Epps, whose family is from Trinidad and Tobago, moved to Miami specifically because of its diverse atmosphere. “I needed somewhere where I could be an islander, where I could be Caribbean, where I could hear multiple languages being spoken, where I could make food that people would relate to me more,” Epps explained.

Other events like The Cookout, hosted by JJ Johnson and featuring a live performance by Fat Joe, further emphasize the beauty of African American and Caribbean culinary traditions. These gatherings go beyond simple tastings; they tell a story of heritage and resilience through smoky grills, tropical fruits, and vibrant music.

Icons and Traditions on the Sand

While the festival explores new cultural territory, it also honors the icons who helped build the Miami food scene. This year, the annual Tribute Dinner is recognizing Michelle Bernstein, a local chef who has participated in every single festival since its inception. It is a rare moment where a Miami-based chef is the primary honoree at the event’s most prestigious dinner.

The Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village remains the heart of the weekend. Spanning three city blocks on the sand off 14th Street, the village features 135,000 square feet of culinary experiences. Attendees can walk through the white tents to sample dishes from dozens of local restaurants and watch live demonstrations by Food Network personalities.

The twenty-fifth anniversary also marks two decades of the Burger Bash, a high-energy competition that has become a fan favorite. This year, teams of chefs are battling it out on the beach to see who can create the most inventive burger, with guests serving as the judges.

Economic and Cultural Impact

The festival is more than just a party; it is a major economic engine for Miami-Dade County. Studies have shown that the event contributes over $34 million in economic impact to the region. Hotels from South Beach to Brickell are at capacity, and local businesses see a significant boost in foot traffic as food enthusiasts flock to the city.

As the weekend progresses, the energy in Midtown and South Beach shows no signs of slowing down. The combination of star power, student ambition, and cultural depth has created a unique atmosphere that celebrates the past while looking toward the future. By highlighting the Afro-Caribbean influences and the hard work of local students, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival is ensuring that its next 25 years will be just as flavorful as the first.