The four-day culinary celebration will feature more than 500 chefs, 90 events and special experiences highlighting Afro-Caribbean cuisine, historic Overtown and South Florida’s growing influence on American food culture.
By Alicia Evans | M•I•A MEDIA GROUP
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is preparing to turn up the heat in 2027, bringing celebrity chefs, culinary innovators, live entertainment and more than 90 events to South Florida for four days of food, culture and entertainment.
The 26th annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, presented by Capital One, will take place Feb. 25-28, 2027, with more than 500 chefs, culinary personalities and industry professionals participating in events stretching from Homestead to Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
Tickets are now available for the nationally recognized festival, which has become one of South Florida’s signature entertainment attractions and a major showcase for the region’s diverse restaurant industry.
The 2027 celebration will feature returning favorites, new culinary experiences and events highlighting the influence of Black, Caribbean, Latin American and international food traditions.
“After 25 years, one thing that has not changed is we still know how to keep the party going,” said Lee Brian Schrager, the festival’s founder and director.
Schrager said the festival’s continued success comes from introducing new talent, strengthening partnerships and creating experiences that bring people together through food.
Afro-Caribbean Cuisine and Overtown Take Center Stage
Among the most culturally significant events returning in 2027 is Link Up: A Celebration of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine, hosted by acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi.
Scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26, at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, the event will celebrate Caribbean culinary traditions and the African influences that have helped shape the region’s food culture.
Onwuachi, widely recognized for his innovative approach to African American and Caribbean cuisine, will lead an experience showcasing flavors deeply connected to South Florida’s cultural identity.
Another major highlight is Overtown EatUp!, hosted by internationally acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson on Sunday, Feb. 28, at The Urban. The event will spotlight the culinary traditions, restaurants and chefs associated with Miami’s historic Overtown neighborhood.
Once a thriving center of Black entertainment, business and cultural life, Overtown remains an important part of Miami’s history.
The festival’s decision to return to the neighborhood provides an opportunity to celebrate local culinary talent while bringing greater attention to the businesses and entrepreneurs contributing to its revitalization.
Celebrity Chefs Bring Star Power to Miami Beach
The festival’s signature events will once again feature some of the most recognizable personalities in American food television.
Rachael Ray returns Thursday, Feb. 25, to host Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash, where chefs will compete for recognition while guests sample more than 25 burgers.
Guy Fieri will headline Tournament of Champions LIVE on Friday, Feb. 26, transforming his popular Food Network competition into an interactive culinary experience.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, Aarón Sánchez will host Tacos & Tequila: Back on the Beach, celebrating Mexican-inspired cuisine and entertainment. Fieri will also host a special tribute dinner recognizing two decades of collaboration between Food Network and the festival.
The celebration concludes Sunday, Feb. 28, with Andrew Zimmern’s Classic American Eats, featuring regional American dishes and a live performance by hip-hop legend Rev Run.
The combination of culinary talent and entertainment reflects the festival’s growing appeal beyond traditional food enthusiasts.
New Experiences Reflect Miami’s International Identity
Several new events will showcase the culinary diversity that has helped establish Miami as an international dining destination.
Mediterranean Night, hosted by Michael Symon and Esther Choi, will introduce guests to Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in the Miami Design District.
El Mercado: The Flavors of Latin America, hosted by Michelle Bernstein and David Martinez, will celebrate the ingredients, cooking traditions and cultural influences of Latin American communities.
Additional experiences include a seafood celebration hosted by Marc Murphy at Joia Beach, an Italian-inspired evening featuring Nadia Caterina Munno and family-friendly culinary events in Coconut Grove.
The festival will also bring back Asian Night Market, Chicken Coupe: Fried Chicken and Champagne, FoodieCon and Morning Buzz, a celebration of Miami’s coffee and matcha culture.
The Grand Tasting Village will return Feb. 27-28, featuring food from more than 45 restaurants, live cooking demonstrations and more than 1,200 products available for sampling.
E11EVEN Miami will introduce a new entertainment experience at the Grand Tasting Village on Sunday.
Festival Supports the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders
Beyond celebrity appearances and beachfront celebrations, the festival continues to play an important educational role through its partnership with Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Organizers report that the festival has raised more than $46 million for the school since its inception. More than 1,500 students annually receive hands-on experience working alongside chefs, hospitality executives and other industry professionals.
The program provides students with practical training in event management, culinary operations, hospitality services and professional networking.
For South Florida’s hospitality industry, the partnership helps develop a workforce capable of supporting one of the region’s most important economic sectors.
The festival also creates opportunities for local restaurants, caterers, hospitality professionals and culinary entrepreneurs to gain exposure to national audiences.
A Culinary Celebration With Economic and Cultural Impact
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival has evolved into more than a collection of celebrity chef appearances.
Its programming reflects Miami’s transformation into a global destination where food, music, tourism and cultural identity intersect.
For Black-owned restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs, events celebrating Afro-Caribbean cuisine and Overtown’s food traditions offer valuable opportunities for visibility and professional connections.
The festival’s continued expansion into neighborhoods beyond Miami Beach also creates opportunities to introduce visitors to South Florida’s broader culinary landscape.
As the region’s restaurant industry faces rising operating expenses, labor costs and intense competition, major culinary events can provide an important platform for participating businesses.
With more than 90 events scheduled, the 2027 festival promises experiences ranging from intimate chef dinners and cooking classes to large-scale beachfront celebrations. Additional participating chefs and events are expected to be announced before February.
As the South Beach Wine & Food Festival enters its 26th year, its continued success reflects something larger than America’s fascination with celebrity chefs. It demonstrates how food can connect cultures, strengthen communities, create economic opportunities and celebrate the diverse traditions that make South Florida distinctive.
For four days in February, Miami will once again become one of the nation’s culinary capitals, with a festival that promises to deliver far more than a memorable meal.