In much the same way that Art Basel triggered Miami Art Week, with the original art fair expanding to encompass dozens of shows and exhibitions, the organizers of Eats N Beats want to turn the middle of February into Miami Food & Wine Week with the second annual Eats N Beats event. It will be held Saturday, February 21, from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at the Moore Building.
The event, dubbed "by locals for locals," is held the same weekend as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the annual multi-day culinary extravaganza that takes over the beach and mainland Miami with hundreds of celebrity-studded parties, dinners, and seminars.
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On its website, Eats N Beats touts its "alternative" status, saying the event is "the answer to those looking for an amazing food and wine event without the red velvet stanchion presence that one now expects at food events."
Last year, the inaugural Eats N Beats drew over 3,500 people to the locally-driven food and music festival and helped raise money for the Irie Foundation.
This year, event organizers Liza Santana and Emi Guerra are hoping to attract more attendees and participating restaurants. Once again, the event has a charity component, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign.
This year, participating restaurants include Red the Steakhouse, Bodega South Beach, Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Nikki Beach, Green Plate Asian Bistro, Flippin Pizza, Segundo Muelle Peruvian, Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant & Wine Bar, Bayshore Marriott, and Ra Sushi. Sweet treats will be provided by Titi's Treats, Ana Paz Cakes, Sugar Yummy Mama, Sweet Treats by Marta, and Slice of Art.
Early bird tickets are $50 per person and include complimentary food samplings from each of the participating restaurants, unlimited complimentary samplings of all wines and spirits, and complimentary samplings from all dessert vendors. Early bird VIP tickets are $99 and include early entry at 7:30 p.m., separate entrance, and access to the VIP lounge. All can be purchased at eatsnbeatsmiami.com.
Here's a taste of last year's swanky soiree, which involved plenty of food, music, and a gal in lingerie and a chef's hat.
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