Mangia!
What does South Beach need to make it come alive even more than usual? No, not more achingly beautiful men doing handstands on Muscle Beach; or divas flaunting their you know what’s down Deco Drive in ever scantier cover-ups. Why it’s the annual hedonistic celebration par excellence, of course – the South Beach Wine & Food Festival or SOBEWFF for short.
Food Network TV personality, New York Times best-selling author and one of America’s most lauded and loved Italian chefs, Giada De Laurentiis, hosted ‘Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach’ during the 18th edition of this annual bacchanal. The hugely successful night takes place every February right on the sands of South Beach along with satellite events in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. While there are an innumerable number of events across the course of a five-day span for devotees of Italian food, ‘Italian Bites on the Beach’ is the next best thing to a whirlwind foodie tour across much of the boot.
This year over 30 top chefs from South Florida and across the US gathered together to offer guests an indulgent evening of fine Italian cuisine. Guests were able to sample a rich variety of dishes from diverse regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Campania, Sardinia and even Sicily. Not surprisingly, pasta was in abundance!
Tastings included a flavorful Pesto Pasta with Clams and a Rigatoni with Asparagus in a White Cream Sauce. There was an unusual take on a classic – a giant meatball filled with spaghetti. Executive Chef Sergio Sigalo of Cecconi’s at Soho House prepared a Cavatelli Pasta with Maine Lobster. Seafood fans could try a Jumbo Shrimp in a Spicy Marinara Sauce. Pizza was also on the table and not just the ‘Margarita’ (named after Queen Margherita when she visited Naples in 1889).
All these delectable offerings were accompanied by a curated selection of Italian wines and libations. Sponsored by Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, guests had a choice of a variety of wine tastings from the robust reds of Piedmont to a perfectly-paired Prosecco. Always in fashion, the Aperol Spritz was the cocktail of choice for those preferring a more liquid take on the evening especially this refreshing aperitif that marries so well with warm weather and sultry breezes, a forecast that didn’t disappoint for the entire five days.
To be sure, it was a send-up, but you’ll have to check out next year’s event to see for yourself.
This is “La Dolce Vita” after all.
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