SOBEWFF Honors Culinary Icons Dominique Crenn, Gérard Bertrand

Each year, some of the world's most accomplished chefs, along with prominent winemakers and hospitality professionals, are honored during the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) Tribute Dinner, dubbed the festival's "crown jewel event."

As part of the New York Times Dinner Series, the dinner will take place at Loews Miami Beach Hotel on Saturday, February 22, from 7 to 11 p.m. The dinner, hosted by master of ceremonies Marcus Samuelsson, will celebrate exceptional talent in the kitchen and vineyard by honoring acclaimed chef Dominique Crenn and famed winemaker Gérard Bertrand.

The best part? There are still tickets available.

Two Visionaries in Their Respective Fields of Culinary and Winemaking

Born and raised in France, Dominique Crenn developed a deep love and respect for the sea while growing up, which translates into her dishes. Crenn is the co-owner and chef of Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, and the menu showcases the sea's bounty and products sourced from local farmers.

In 2018, Crenn became the first female chef in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, and in April of 2024, she was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Gérard Bertrand is the CEO and winemaker of Gérard Bertrand Group. Bertrand owns seventeen châteaux and estates in the south of France, and his expertise is crafting wines from the Languedoc region of France. Over the span of his career, he became a trailblazer in winemaking, a global authority in biodynamic viticulture, and was named "Best Winemaker in the World" by the Drinks Business in 2023. The winemaker and businessman is also the author of three books. The latest one, Multidimensional Wine, will be released in February 2025 in English in the United States.

A Lineup of Highly Esteemed Honorees

SOBEWFF has assembled a roster of chefs to help craft a multicourse dinner for the honorees.

Joining chef Crenn in the kitchen are Alain Ducasse, one of only two chefs worldwide to have earned over 20 Michelin stars; Alberto Marcolongo, executive chef at Benoit NY; Gastón Acurio, a pioneer of Peruvian cuisine; Diego Oka, a celebrated ambassador of Peruvian cuisine and executive chef of La Mar by Gastón Acurio in Miami; Nancy Silverton, the celebrated James Beard Award-winning chef behind the Mozza Restaurant Group; Cat Cora, the first female Iron Chef on Iron Chef America; Daniela Soto-Innes, the youngest chef to be named World's Best Female Chef by the World's 50 Best Restaurants; and Christopher Aguirre, executive chef of the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

To make this night even more special, guests will enjoy the multi-course dinner paired with the distinguished wines of Gérard Bertrand.

This year, the festival has also partnered with MAPP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the landscape of the hospitality and culinary industry by empowering women to lead through mentorship, advocacy, purpose, and the power of community. As part of the tribute to chef Crenn, they have put together an all-female chef line-up for the dinner's reception, including Food Network chef Tiffany Derry, Lorena Garcia of Chica & Yardbird, chef Esther Choi of Mŏkbar and Food Network, Luciana Giangrandi of Boia De, Karla Hoyos of World Central Kitchen and Tacotomia, and Ani Meinhold of Phuc Yea.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival Tribute Dinner. 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, February 22, at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; sobewff.org/tribute.