MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — The South Beach Wine & Food Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary in February 2026 with a special discount for Local 10 viewers.
Lee Schrager, founder of the SBWFF, says it has far exceeded his early expectations.
Before the festival became a Miami institution, it began with a simple idea during a trip to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic.
“I really never dreamed of the festival,” Schrager said. “It really happened because I went to the Aspen Food and Wine Classic, which is the granddaddy of all the food and wine festivals, and I’m like, we should do it in South Beach on the water.”
The inaugural festival in Miami drew 6,000 people — far more than organizers were prepared for.
“We had no security, no tents. It was not what it is today. We were not prepared. I had nothing but a dream and some good friends,” Schrager said.
The festival grew in part thanks to the participation of renowned chefs.
“The first big name chef that did the festival was Alain Ducasse. I think he really opened the door. I think he gave us a lot credibility. The first big TV chef we had was really Emeril Lagasse; he was the superstar 20 something years ago,” Schrager said.
Twenty-five years later, Schrager says the festival is still making an impact.
“I’m proud that we’re around, that we’ve raised about $50 million for student education scholarships,” he said.
The festival continues to support Florida Internation University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, with proceeds helping to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in the culinary industry.
This year’s festival, Schrager promises, will go “all out.”
Thursday night will feature a Diplo concert on the beach, following Burger Bash, with additional performances by Ja Rule, Fat Joe and DJ Cassidy.
“People come down here, go to our festival, and then try all the new hot restaurants in town,” Schrager said. “That’s what’s really rewarding to us. We get to expose the entire city.”
The festival, scheduled for Feb. 19-22, 2026, also has a strong economic impact, filling hotel rooms and drawing attention to Miami’s culinary scene.
For viewers, the festival is offering a 15% discount on select events when using the code WPLG10 through Sunday. Participants must be 21 or older. Eligible events include:
- A Taste of Italy presented by Pasta Rummo hosted by “The Pasta Queen” Nadia Caterina Munno
- Haute Potato hosted by Foodgod
- Las’ Lap Link Up: A Celebration of Afro-Caribbean Cuisine hosted by Kwame Onwuachi and Nina Compton
- Let Them Eat Cake! A Sweet Celebration of 25 Years hosted by Duff Goldman
- Steak and Whiskey presented by Florida Beef Council hosted by Michael Symon
- Chew on This: A Live Podcast Series presented by iHeart RadioFoodieCon® hosted by Andaz Miami Beach
- Sip & Swirl: A Wine Happy Hour hosted by Katie Lee
- Sunset Feast sponsored by Grove Bay Hospitality Group & Friends hosted by Jeremy Ford and Gio Gutierrez
- The Cookout hosted by JJ Johnson presented by Sonrisa Rum with a special performance by Fat Joe
- Late Night Pizza Party hosted by Ashley Graham, Michael Pirolo, and Marc Vetri
- 25 Years of Legendary Bites & Iconic Sips hosted by Andrew Zimmern with a performance by DJ Cassidy
Click here for more information on how you can purchase tickets.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
