South Beach Wine & Food Festival Unveils New Schedule of Events for its 11th Year!

Chef Bobby Flay at the 2011 Festival's "Burger Bash"

Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager is pleased to unveil the program for the 2012 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE magazine. Taking place February 23-26, 2012 the 11th annual edition of America’s favorite wine and culinary extravaganza will feature new events and programming guaranteed to please. All proceeds from the Festival benefit the Florida International University (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center; monies raised to date total approximately $14 million.

"Celebrating the milestone of our 10th year at the 2011 Festival was truly extraordinary,” says Schrager, who also serves as Vice President of Corporate Communications & National Events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, which hosts the Festival. “I believe the 2012 program features a number of fresh and exciting changes as well as those events that have become fan-favorites over the years."

Tickets for the 2012 Festival go on sale at midnight on Monday, October 24, 2011 at www.sobefest.com and via phone at 9 a.m. the same day at 1-877-762-3933. American Express cardholders can access an exclusive pre-sale starting at 9 a.m. on October 10, 2011. Fans can follow Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager on Twitter, or at the Festival’s official Facebook page.  

Don't miss The Q

Transformations to the Festival program are most evident on Thursday, February 23 with a new event that takes the place of the beloved BubbleQ. Promising even more fun, the Festival will kick-off with Moët Hennessy's The Q, hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Guy Fieri.  For those who wish to partake in a late-night experience, the best part of this change is that The Q will also feature its own after-party, The Q After Dark!

The Amstel Light Burger Bash, hosted by Rachael Ray moves to Friday, February 24; a night which is also home to the eighth annual Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator's Best of the Best.

The 2012 Tribute Dinner keeps its long-standing tradition of honoring the world’s greatest wine and culinary talent by paying tribute to esteemed chef Charlie Trotter and celebrated winemaker Piero Antinori. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Trotter's namesake restaurant in Chicago is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the world. The Antinori reputation as innovators has grown throughout the centuries, woven through 625 years and 26 generations of winemaking, making it one of the leading Italian producers of fine wines. Author and host of the popular Travel Channel series No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Capitalizing on the excitement surrounding last year’s 10th anniversary party, the Festival will again take over the stunning 1111 Lincoln Road space for Party: Impossible featuring Epicure Gourmet Market hosted by Robert Irvine. Also reinventing itself for 2012 is Food Network presents The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Late Night Bites, an event based of the hit primetime series.

Miami's own Michael Schwartz
of Michael's Genuine

Dedicated foodies will get an opportunity to savor all of famed chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Bobby Flay’s restaurant concepts in one evening at the casual dinner The Flavors of Flay. The program is rounded out by highlighting the hottest trend in food at Trucks on the Beach hosted by Andrew Zimmern, which doubles as the official Festival closing party.

A fresh set of Wine Spectator Wine Seminars and Bank of America Lifestyle Seminars will delight everyone from the novice to the aficionado throughout the weekend. Additionally, in line with previous years, the 2012 Festival will also host an array of unique brunches and dinners to appease even the most discerning of taste buds. They include:

· Dining in the Dark hosted by David Burke with Market 17
· Conscious Bite Out with Geoffrey Zakarian
· Dolce Lunch hosted by Charles Phan at The Setai
· Farm to Table Brunch hosted by Michael Schwartz & Friends
· Interactive Lunch hosted by Anne Burrell
· Napa Style at the Mandarin hosted by Michael Chiarello and Joel Huff at Azul
· Interactive Dinner hosted by The Neelys
· Salsa @ Sea hosted by Douglas Rodriguez & Aarón Sanchez
· Sunday Supper by Meatball Shop

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Irish Singing Sensation Celtic Thunder Storms into Hard Rock Live on October 12; Tickets on Sale TODAY at Noon

The Irish singing sensation known as Celtic Thunder storm into Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on October 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 12 at noon.

Celtic Thunder is made up of individual vocalist and musicians Ryan Kelly, George Donaldson, Keith Harkin, Damian McGinty, Neil Byrne and Emmet Cahill. From rousing ensemble numbers to solos showcasing each member’s vocal style and personality, Celtic Thunder performs powerful ballads popular hits and heartwarming songs of love and loss from across the Celtic music spectrum.

The group debuted in August 2007 at The Helix in Dublin. Accompanied by the Celtic Concert Orchestra under the musical direction of the legendary Phil Coulter, Celtic Thunder has become a household name around the world. Since the group's formation, Celtic Thunder has released six albums and five accompanying live DVD performances including The Show, Act II, Take Me Home, It's Entertainment, Celtic Thunder Christmas and Heritage.


Hailed as Billboard's Top World Music Artist and Top World Imprint of 2009, the phenomenon that is Celtic Thunder has achieved sales of over one million units to date. Their mass appeal and devoted fan base continues to grow with impressive statistics to prove it. Celtic Thunder's Official YouTube channel, Thunder Tube, has seen more than 20 million upload views and 920,000 channels.

Their live shows incorporate the use of dramatic lighting, stage settings and choreography set to the theme of the show. Celtic Thunder has performed on the CBS Saturday Show's Second Cup Café, the Today Show, Fox Network, as well as at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama at their St. Patrick's Day celebration. They have also performed for Irish Premier Brian Cowen, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, UN Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, the US troops of the 69th Regiment, and at the opening of a Boston Celtics in TD North Bank Garden game by singing the American national anthem.

Tickets cost $79, $61.50  and $44; additional fees may apply. All seats are available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office, Tuesday-Saturday from noon-6 p.m. and Sunday-Monday only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one hour prior to show start time.

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The Setai Stirs Up New Summer Flavors with a Twist: New Seasonal Cocktail Menu Introduced at the Popular South Beach Hotel

The Setai, 2001 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Labor Day is right around the corner and The Setai’s Mixologist, Paul Sevigny, has introduced a few seasonally inspired drinks to bring a taste of The Setai home for the long weekend. With flavors abound to suit every palate from rhubarb and blood orange to chili pepper and ginger; each cocktail is carefully crafted with local ingredients, adding a contemporary spin to the classic cocktail.


Paul Sevigny brings nearly 17 years of experience to the Miami cocktail scene, getting his start in Providence, Rhode Island. Whether it’s re-engineering the classics, molecular gastronomy or contemporary cocktail design, Sevigny continues to raise the mixology bar with his creativity and style. Let Sevigny spark some inspiration with one of three unique recipes and tips on mixing techniques. 

Extend your summer and conjure up one of these new seasonally inspired cocktails:

Rhubarb Stringer

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Peach infused vodka
• ¾  oz. Crème de peach de vigne
• 1 oz. Blood Orange juice
• ½  tsp.  Vanilla bean sugar

Method:

1. Add ingredients into Boston glass
2. Shake with ice
3. Strain into cocktail glass 

Garnish:

• Basil leaf
• Ginger slice
• Strawberry

Summer Joy

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Peach infused vodka
• ¾  oz. Crème de peach de vigne
• 1 oz. Blood Orange juiee
• ½  tsp. Vanilla bean sugar

 Method

1. Add ingredients into Boston glass
2. Shake with ice
3. Strain into cocktail glass 

Garnish:

• Peach slice

Chili Passion Martini

Along with a few new additions, Sevigny has given us the ‘how-to’ on a Setai favorite, the Chili Passion Martini! 





Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Capt. Morgan Parrot Passion Fruit Rum
• ½  oz. House made Chili Infused Vodka, Russian Standard  
• ½  oz. Cranberry Juice
• ¾  oz. Passion Fruit Puree
• Splash Ginger Syrup

Method:

1. Add all the ingredients into Boston glass
2. Shake with ice
3. Strain into a Martini glass 

Garnish

• Chili Flakes
• Chili Pepper

A refreshing balance between the sizzling South Beach scene and a serene tropical hideaway, The Setai remains the place to stay for A-listers and those in-the-know. As the first hotel in the Americas for renowned GHM Hotels, The Setai introduces Asian traditions of simplicity and elegance combined with the Art Deco history of South Beach to create a private world that connects guests with what has always been the area’s greatest attraction: the beach, the sun, and the night. With three pools, a private recording studio, award-winning Asian-fusion dining, and dedicated concierge staff, The Setai leaves no request unfulfilled. 

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Enjoy Great Live Jazz in November at the Setai

Continuing its ongoing Fifth Anniversary celebration, The Setai, one of South Beach's most beautiful and acclaimed resorts, has created a sultry buzz with their exciting Thursday Night Jazz at The Bar & Courtyard. The weekly Thursday Night Jazz under the stars showcases outstanding live classic, Latin and smooth jazz, and offers specials on Taittinger Champagne by the glass and bottle, signature cocktails ($10 each) and an array of delicious Asian-inspired small plates.

Jazz is also on tap during The Setai's legendary Sunday Brunch, offering a plethora of culinary treats to enjoy, with authentic flavors of Asia, along with American and European breakfast classics. Priced at $75.00 per person, the brunch includes unlimited Taittinger Champagne, Brut Prestige and Bloody Marys; the cost is $30.00 for children up to 12 years old.

Thursday Night Jazz: 7pm (music begins at 8:30pm)
November 4: Debbie Orta
November 11: Michelle Manzo
November 18: Nicole Henry
November 25 (Thanksgiving): 11am -3pm, Michelle Manzo; 3pm - 11pm, Davis & Dow

Sunday Jazz Brunch (11:30am - 3pm)
November 7: Davis & Dow
November 14: Nicole Henry
November 21: Michelle Manzo
November 28: Davis & Dow

The Setai is located at 2001 Collins Avenue on South Beach. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 305-520-6400. For more information, please visit www.setai.com/anniversary.