Sobe wrap up
Liked this "Leftovers from South Beach: Recap of Wine and Food Fest" I got this morning from ZagatBuzz. Thought I'd share:
Nearly 35,000 wine-and-food lovers sniffed, swirled, sipped and chewed at this year’s four-day, star-studded, alcohol-fueled South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which took place from Thursday, February 21st, through Sunday, February 24th. Now in its seventh year, the sold-out extravaganza has exploded into one of the most successful of its kind in the world. It's the place for industry insiders to schmooze and for average Joes to get a taste of the lives of the food greats. The celebs are getting bigger every year and so are the crowds.
Celebs like Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, Tyler Florence and Anthony Bourdain worked the crowds at more than 50 events and tastings. But it was whole-food advocates Jamie Oliver and Alice Waters who seemed to be everywhere last weekend. From a Friday all-day symposium on obesity with Dr. Arthur Agatston of "The South Beach Diet" fame to a dinner at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink in the Design District later that night to a Sunday morning cooking class for kids on the beach followed by a tribute brunch at the Loews Miami Beach, the pair was tirelessly promoting good, local and healthy eating.
"Listen babe, you can do it," said the charming and ever-smiling Oliver, in regard to fixing what's wrong with the food that American children are eating. "Sure, it's a bloody mess right now but in 10–15 years we can fix it. Without a doubt."
Future forecasting was also taking place on Friday night at the annual Wine Spectator's Best of The Best event. Scott Conant (ex L'Impero and Alto) served truffled polenta with a fricassee of truffled mushrooms and a salad of baby heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, giving diners a taste of what's to come when he opens Sprezzatura at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach later this year. Jonathan Eismann, of the now-defunct Pacific Time on South Beach, plans to launch his new Pacific Time in The Design District soon – he was serving a luscious crab-and-avocado salad. Other chefs at the Wine Spectator event were giving a taste of the present, including Jimmy Bradley of NYC’s Red Cat, Jose Garces of Philly’s Amada and many, many more.
The festival kicked off on Wednesday, February 20th, with a four-course dinner at the iconic Miami Beach steakhouse The Forge. Chefs Michael Chiarello, Nick Ritchie, Kim Canteenwalla, Jacques Van Staden and The Forge’s own Andrew Swersky shared a kitchen to prepare sea bass ceviche, pistachio-crusted foie gras, leg of lamb and chop marinated in grape lees, with chocolate-and-banana ganache and coconut sorbet for dessert. Founder and president of the United States Sommelier Association Rick Garced brought together these chefs and winemakers Marilisa Allegrini of Agricola Allegrini and Larry Maguire of Far Niente, who all chatted with socialites and foodies in the outdoor brick courtyard, enjoying balmy subtropical weather and Roederer Estate L'Ermitage champagne. Al di Meola, a Grammy-winning classical guitarist, played for the 150-person crowd until well after midnight.
After four days loaded with food and wine, many of the festival-goers may be full until the next South Beach Wine and Food Festival in 2009.
"He who distinguishes the true savor of his food can never be a glutton; he who does not cannot be otherwise." 
That's the first time I've seen a photo of Alice Waters. I didn't realize she's so young. I think I have me a tad bit of a crush (attractive and a cooking legend...are you kidding me?)!
Posted by: JM | February 29, 2008 at 03:55 PM
she is in her mid 60s, i will report without comment on whether that is "young" or not. ;)
Posted by: jim webster | February 29, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Smart man, Jim.
I care less about age and more about the cooking skills and personal looks (yes, in that order).
Cheers.
Posted by: JM | February 29, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Read that United States of Arugula book, among others, to get a sense for how super desirable/sexy Alice Waters has always been in certain circles. There's an undeniable connection between cooking and lust, and also mission/passion and sexiness. I don't care what her age is in years, she's got it going on. It doesn't hurt that she often looks like Sharon Stone in goofy hats.
Posted by: The Mouth | February 29, 2008 at 11:47 PM