Vitolo, Daniel's and Mai-Kai are in on the SOBEWFF '26 action in Fort Lauderdale.
Credit: SOBEWFF
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is back and, this year after a year hiatus in the 954, the culinary spotlight shines on Fort Lauderdale once again. SOBEWFF 2026 makes a flavorful return with three big-time events that celebrate Broward’s booming dining scene.
“We are very excited to have programming back in Fort Lauderdale for 2026,” Lee Schrager, SOBEWFF Founder and Director tells Browardist. “Having been raised in Fort Lauderdale, this one feels especially meaningful to me. For the past 24 years, the festival has been about championing and showcasing the incredibly talented and diverse chefs and restaurants that call South Florida home, beyond just Miami. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, I’m particularly thrilled to include Fort Lauderdale in our milestone celebration and highlight the remarkable culinary energy happening there. The city’s dining scene has evolved tremendously with great chefs, restaurants and hospitality talent making their mark.”
On Thursday, February 19, Fort Lauderdale gets a double serving of culinary excellence. At beachside Italian hotspot Vitolo, Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli teams up with namesake chef Anthony Vitolo for a multi-course Italian dinner that promises bold flavors, coastal flair and a night of pure indulgence. Meanwhile and on that same night, just a few miles away, Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse welcomes acclaimed chefs John Tesar and Danny Ganem for a carnivorous collaboration featuring prime cuts, wood-fired artistry and a fresh take on steakhouse sophistication. Both dinners run from 7 to 10 p.m. and include all food and drink in the ticket price ($369 per guest).
The festivities continue on Saturday, February 21, when Fort Lauderdale’s most legendary watering hole - The Mai-Kai - hosts a Tiki Cocktail Master Class with bar manager and mixology maestro Cory Starr. Expect rum-fueled lessons, tiki lore and Polynesian flair as guests learn the craft behind Mai-Kai’s most iconic drinks. Tickets are $145, inclusive of cocktails, bites and, sure, bragging rights.
This trio of Broward events adds some serious local flavor to SOBEWFF’s 2026 lineup, which spans South Florida with more than 100 experiences spotlighting top chefs, mixologists and culinary innovators.
For tickets and the full lineup, visit sobewff.org.
