22nd annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) Burger Bash 2023 Winners announced
Image: Chef George Patti (right) from MEAT Eatery & Taproom in Boca Raton and Islamorada, Florida
The 22nd annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) kicked off with a sizzle last night, as thousands of burger enthusiasts from across the country gathered for the highly anticipated Burger Bash competition. This year's event saw a few changes, including a move from Friday evening to Thursday, and the return to one session, allowing ticketholders more space to enjoy the festive foodie atmosphere.
With the sliver of the moon peeking through under the tent, guests were entertained by Academy of Country Music winners Midland and host Emeril Lagasse, who chatted with chefs and fans alike. The Burger Bash also saw some new upgrades, including guest voting via QR code and the placement of recycling and composting bins in various areas. I like tech, but I still prefer the good ol' wooden chips used for voting. You get to see the chip enter each contender's glass jar.
Although restaurants from all over the country competed, South Florida proved to be the home of superior burgers. Motek Café, a Middle Eastern restaurant, won the coveted People's Choice Award and a $5,000 prize for its Arayes Burger, a lamb / beef mixture on pita bread served with harissa aioli and tahini. This is the second People's Choice award in a row for Motek, which also won last year.
BurgerFi, a South Florida chain established in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, took home the top prize, the Schweid & Sons Very Best Burger award, selected by the judges. The winning burger was the BBQ Rodeo Burger, made with all-natural Angus beef, charred jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, crispy haystack onions, and sweet Memphis barbecue sauce. BurgerFi has 120 locations across the country.
The event, held under an open-air tent on the beach near the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, was hosted by Emeril Lagasse, and six judges, including Food Network Chef Robert Irvine, Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy, and TV personality Ming Tsai, determined the winner of the Very Best Burger award. Festival founder Lee Schrager praised Lagasse for his commitment to the festival, now in its 22nd year.
The full line-up included MEAT Eatery & Taproom with locations in Boca Raton and Islamorada, Pincho, Caja Caliente, Ted's, Hop & Grind, BFF, Babe Froman, Shake Shack, Cheeseburger Baby, Airport Cafe, Night Owl, 109 Burger Joint, Blues Burger, Hate Mondays, Arkadia, La Birra, Goya, Salt & Straw, Vice, Hugh Baby's, Whitmans, R Catering, KUSH, Pig Beach.
MEAT Eatery & Taproom also battles locally at the Boca Burger Battle. He has won multiple years in a row. Starting back in 2015 with Chef George Patti's 1st Place Judge's pick and 2nd place People's Choice. Then, again in 2016 with 1st Place Judge's pick, 2017 3rd place, 2019 1st Place, then again in 2022 taking home 2nd place Judge's pick. Chef George Patti says his experience last night at the Burger Bash was "An amazing event! Happy faces all around. The MEAT Crew." He also battled at the 10th Annual Celebration of the Boca Burger Battle on Saturday, July 15th in downtown Boca Raton's Sanborn Square Park. Pre-Sale Discount Tickets are available for next year's 11th Annual at BocaBurgerBattle.com. It will be held on Saturday, July 13th, 2024
The Burger Bash is just the beginning of the SOBEWFF's weekend-long bacchanalia of eating and drinking, with events including the Wine Spectator Wine Seminar, the Goya Foods' Grand Tasting Village, and the Swine & Wine event. With record numbers, great burgers, beautiful weather, and great music, it's a perfect start to the festival.
Image: Chef George Patti in action at this year's Food Network Burger Bash in Miami, Florida
If you missed out on attending the SOBEWFF competition, July is right around the corner and Boca Raton is only 48 miles north of South Beach Miami. And, we're excited to announce the opening of the new Brightline stop in Boca Raton. Now, residents and visitors can easily attend the event with train rides from these cities, Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Sanborn Square Park is a short walk from the new train station. The great addition to getting to a Brightline location is their private rides within a five-mile radius of the station are complimentary when riders book a premium fare or riders can it to their SMART fares at market pricing using the Brightline app. This is ideal for those that do not have a designated driver available or find ride share too expensive to get to and from the event.
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2024's Best Events!
BocaRaton.com Announces
Florida Wing, Taco and Dessert Battle, A Blazing, Fiesta and Sweet Affair!
Details: Get ready for the ultimate battle of Florida's top chefs! We're thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Florida Wing Battle and Dessert Battle, along with the Taco Battle event. These three battles take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. You won't want to miss the chance to witness South Florida's best wing, best taco, and best dessert competition. Florida chef contenders go head-to-head in this epic battle competition in downtown Boca Raton's Sanborn Square Park. Who will be crowned as the top chef serving up the best they can. The judges' will cast their votes to award the winners 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. But that's not all – the community gets to decide the Best Florida Wing Champion, Best Florida Taco Champion, and Best Florida Dessert Champion. Guests will enjoy unlimited wings, tacos, desserts and a wide selection of craft beers, fine wines, and seasonal spirits. And, let's not forget the live entertainment, retail bazaar, and a prestigious team of master judges to witness the action up close. You can secure Pre-Sale Discount Tickets today! Plus, it's all for a great cause – our charity event benefits the Children's Giving Foundation. We are looking forward to hosting you for an unforgettable culinary experience at the Best Event; Florida Wing, Taco, and Dessert Battle! inside.
The Battle benefits Children's Giving Foundation.
Dates & Times:Saturday, April 27, 2024
VIP Admission - 6 PM to 10 PM
General Admission - 7 PM to 10 PM
Details: The grills will heat up during the summer on Saturday, July 13th, 2024 from 6 PM to 10 PM in Sanborn Square Park in downtown Boca Raton as we host the Top Burger Contenders to compete at this year’s 11th Annual - A Grilling Affair! Chefs will be battling their best burgers to compete for Judge’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Pick for Best Grill Master, while the Community Votes with their wooden chip for Best Battle Burger Champion. Guests will experience UNLIMITED burger grilling sensations from Florida’s Top Chefs and will enjoy unlimited Craft Beers, Summer Wines, Seasonal Spirits. We'll keep the energy high with Live Entertainment all night long! Be sure to bring extra cash to shop in the Retail Bazaar. During the evening be sure to head up to the stage to take pictures of our team of Grill Master Judge’s and photos of the Battle Burgers on display. Tag them and us and you could win free tickets to our next Affair!
The Boca Burger Battle, A Grilling Affair! benefits Children's Giving Foundation.
Dates & Times:Saturday, July 13th, 2024
VIP Admission - 6 PM to 10 PM
General Admission - 7 PM to 10 PM
Details: There are many reasons to be excited for fall, but most importantly, it means HALLOWEEN is here! It's high time we party with ghouls, ghosts and villains in the flesh at this year's BIGGEST weekend of creatures at A SPOOKY AFFAIR! Here's everything you need to know about this costumed event for Kids during the day and Adults 21+ at night.
Join us - if you dare! On Saturday, October 28th and Sunday, October 29th Sanborn Square Park in downtown Boca Raton will transform into a Family-Friendly daytime "No Tricks - Just Treats" for the Kids from 11 AM to 4 PM and from 6 PM to 11 PM for Adults 21+ and over!
DAYTIME FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES (11 AM TO 4 PM): Kids will enjoy walking around the park listening to Halloween Music & collecting Treats from local businesses in a safe 'No Tricks - Just Treats' environment, Kids Costume Contest for Scariest, Funniest, Cutest, Original Costume, Best Homemade Costume and Best Superhero, Live Shows on Main Stage, Halloween Hunt in the park, Photo Opportunity with realistic Live Walking Dinosaur that boasts 8-feet tall & 14-feet long, Fun Games & Color Book Drawing, Food Trucks, Kid & Adult Beverages (Beer, Wine & Spirits), and Retail Vendors. NIGHTTIME ADULT ACTIVITIES (6 PM TO 11 PM): DJ Music, Dancing on the Main Stage, Cash Prize Costume Contest - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place for "Best Costume", Live Shows on Main Stage, Halloween Hunt in the park, Fortune-Telling, Adult Games, Food Trucks, Adult Beverages (Beer, Wine & Spirits) and Retail Vendors.
All Hallows' Eve, A Spooky Affair! benefits Children's Giving Foundation, a 501c3 Boca Raton nonprofit that helps support Children's Charities in South Florida.
Date & Times:Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26, 2024
11 AM to 4 PM
PRICE: KIDS 12 AND OLDER - $10 PER PERSON ($15 AT THE DOOR) / KIDS UNDER 12 - "FREE"
*Food and Beverages available for PURCHASE
6 PM to 11 PM
PRICE: 21 AND OVER - $65 PER PERSON PRE-SALE ($100 AT THE DOOR)
* UNLIMITED Food and Beverages Included with Ticket
Details: Please your palate, step into your stride and enjoy an outdoor Culinary Affair in South Florida during the 12th Annual Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival, A Culinary Affair on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 5:30 PM to 10 PM in Sanborn Square Park in downtown Boca Raton. We will host south Florida Chefs and will feature Fine Wines, Craft Beers, Premium Spirits, Artisanal Cheese Village, Sweet Endings Village, Live Entertainment and a Retail Bazaar.
The Boca Raton Wine and Food Festival, A Culinary Affair! benefits Children's Giving Foundation, a 501c3 Boca Raton nonprofit that helps support Children's Charities in South Florida.
Dates & Times:Saturday, November 9, 2024
VIP Admission - 6 PM to 10 PM
General Admission - 7 PM to 10 PM
