LET THE BUZZ BEGIN

Miami, FL –October 2007) – On Monday, October 15, 2007, anxious epicureans can begin purchasing tickets for the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival taking place Thursday, February 21 – Sunday, February 24.  No doubt, tickets for the upcoming fete will sell-out in record time for this year’s festival will not only see the return of signature events like the Moet & Chandon Bubble Q and Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best but a host of new delights like Paula’s Poker Party & Casino Nights and Fun & Fit as a Family presented by South Beach Diet.

 “We’re excited to be returning as the presenting sponsor for the sixth year to this extraordinary event," says Food & Wine magazine Editor-in-Chief Dana Cowin. "I am eager to attend the Tribute Dinner for Food & Wine contributor Jean-Georges Vongerichten and to co-host the BubbleQ with Giada De Laurentiis. In addition, every year I love meeting the thousands of passionate foodies who can't wait to experience this sun-soaked, beach-front culinary extravaganza."

A brief round-up of the 2008 schedule is below.  A complete event breakdown is available upon request.

• On Thursday, February 21, Paula’s Home Cooking star Paula Deen will team up with the Lee Brothers, whose “Southern Cookbook “ was 2007 James Beard Foundation’s Cook Book of the Year, and Katie Lee Joel for a fun-filled night of poker, soul food and Southern spirits at Paula’s Poker Party & Casino Night.
• Rachael Ray will host the Amstel Light Burger Bash (Thursday, February 21), featuring gourmet burgers from close to 20 restaurants nationwide, including Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack returning to defend its “Best Burger” title. 
• On Thursday, February 21, Wine Spectator’s Samantha Shanken and master sommelier Laura DePasquale will host D’Vine Divas, an evening celebrating remarkable women in the industry, with participating chefs including Suzanne Goin (Luques), Elizabeth Falkner (Citizen Cake), Susan Spicer (Bayona), Traci des Jardin (Jardiniere), Cindy Hutson (Ortanique), Andrea Curto-Randazzo (Talula) and Maria Frumkin (formerly of Duo).  A silent auction will benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.
• On Friday, February 22, Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best will showcase the talents of the world’s greatest chefs such as Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Michael Lomonaco, Michael Mina, Alfred Portale and David Bouley. 

• The Möet & Chandon Bubble Q, hosted this year by Giada De Laurentiis, will pair great American BBQ from some of the country’s hottest chefs, with champagne. 

• On Friday, February 22, Emeril Lagasse brings together pastry chefs from Emeril’s restaurants nationwide at Emeril’s Sugar Shack, sponsored by Perrier-Jouët Champagne at the Raleigh Hotel.   
• Taking place Saturday, February 23 & Sunday, February 24 at Jungle Island, Fun & Fit as a Family will feature an array of educational, fitness and nutrition-oriented activities, including cooking demonstrations and celebrity chef appearances by Alice Waters, Jamie Oliver, Tyler Florence (host of Tyler’s Ultimate on Food Network) and Ellie Krieger (star of Healthy Appetite on Food Network) to seminars, exercise programs and healthy tastings. 
• This year’s Tribute Dinner (Saturday, February 23) will honor culinary icon Jean-Georges Vongerichten prepared by Michel Richard (Cintronelle), Guy Savoy (Restaurant Guy Savoy), Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu), Wiley Dufresne (WD-50), and Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolate).
• Also on Saturday, February 23, Mario Batali, Jamie Oliver and DeVito South Beach owner David Manero will host Fettucine and Fiorentina. 
• For his activist work in the UK school system, working toward bringing freshly-made, nutritious meals and health education to students, Jamie Oliver will be recognized with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival Global Citizen Award, Dick Rivera will accept the Michael E. Hurst Distinguished Hospitality Leaders Award from FIU and Jose Ferrer Sala will receive the Southern Wine & Spirits of America Lifetime Achievement Award at the Tribute Brunch (Sunday, February 24).
• Barilla Interactive Cooking Lunches will return to the historic Biltmore Hotel, featuring Miami-based Food Network rising star Ingrid Hoffmann and Ming Tsai. 
• The Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen series of family-oriented cooking demos will feature a who’s who of celebrity chef such as Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri (host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Guy’s Big Bite on Food Network), Rachael Ray and Giada De Laurentiis. 
• In between culinary demonstrations guest will have two days to sample food and beverage products in the American Express Grand Tasting Tents (Saturday, February 23 & Sunday, February 24).

Tickets for the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival go on sale Monday, October 15, 2007.  American Express cardholders as well as Friends of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival members will receive special pre-sale access beginning Monday, October 1.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com or call 1-877-762
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