South Beach Wine & Food Festival Opens With Burger Bash
The four-day festival starts with a meaty contest and Rachael Ray
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival kicked into gear last evening with several events, including a marquee event that turns into national news annually.
As a gentle breeze played through the palm trees on the path leading to the beach, scalpers cried out, “Anyone want tickets” to the passersby as the sound of music wafted through the night air. Was Beyonce playing on Miami Beach?
No — it was the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash, a popular party that generates the same excitement as a sold-out mega concert.
The “Bash”, hosted by Rachael Ray, is also a way for burger devotees to try dozens of burgers around the country — and vote on their favorite. In addition, a team of judges also vote for their favorite meat sandwich.
North Miami Beach’s La Birra Bar was the top dog last evening, taking home two prizes. The restaurant was presented with the “Best Side Dish” award and a giant check for $2,500 for its “Smashbrowns”, loaded has browns with lime pepper seasoning. In addition, La Birra Bar was presented with the “Peoples’ Choice” award (and a $5,000 check) for its Smash Golden Chimichurri burger: two smashed patties topped with American cheese, fresh red onions, and an Argentinian chimichurri mayo.
The panel of judges chose local Miami smashburger restaurant, Skinny Louie, for the evening’s “very best burger” award and a $5,000 prize for its Wagyu Louie burger with two smashed Wagyu patties, melted smoked gouda, truffle aioli, and pickled jalapenos on a brioche bun.
At the Loews Miami Beach hotel, Alex Guarnaschelli and Eric Adjepong co-hosted Alex vs. Miami, a more intimate affair that offered bites from some of Miami’s best loved eateries such as Ms. Cheezious and Cheese Burger Baby. The evening was punched up a few notches when chefs from the Food Network and Top Chef culinary universes showed up in support. The crowd went wild when Geoffrey Zakarian, Guy Fieri, Guarnaschelli, and friends took to the stage to rock out to Abba’s Dancing Queen.
Cheese Burger Baby won the judges’ hearts for its classic slider on a pink bun. The bright hue represented both the neon-lit city of Miami Beach and the fact that Cheese Burger Baby is the only women-owned burger restaurant in the city.
The biggest winner of the night? The timeless burger.
The festivities continue this weekend.