Unlike other similar celebrations, the annual Miami Wine & Food Festival offers four non-overlapping events from April 18-21, 2012. The four culinary events are held on consecutive dates allowing guests to attend one or all four without any conflicting of program times. The festival occurs across three venues in Miami: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Mary Brickell Village and Village of Merrick Park featuring headliners Bravo’s Top Chef Season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga and Fontainebleau’s Executive Chef, Thomas Connell.

The opening Miami Wine & Food Festival craft beer tasting event, Brews & Bites, debuted last year. This year’s popular event will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at Mary Brickell Village. Beer lovers attending Brews & Bits will be in brew heaven with 50 craft beers and microbrews paired with dishes from 30 local restaurants. Cost: VIP tickets $75, General Admission $55.

Thursday’s Taste & Taste Fine Wine is an outdoor celebration of wine at the Village of Merrick Place. During this evening event, festival attendees have the opportunity to assemble with more than 65 wine producers and importers and enjoy highlights of more than 200 global wines with 35 local restaurants pairing some of the best culinary tastes in Miami. Wine producers and chefs will also answer questions. Cost: VIP Tickets $150, General Admission $75.

Bacardi USA presents the ultimate experience for foodies on Friday, April 20 during the Food, Friends & Fun – Interactive Dinner at Fountainebleau Miami Beach. This event is highly interactive, giving the diners the opportunity to learn from their culinary coaches, Chef Sbraga and Johnson & Wales sous chefs, while preparing their own dinners. This is also the opportunity to bid on both a live and silent auction. Cost: $400 per person or $3,200 per table of 8.

The grand finale is an exclusive dinner event, the “Cellar’bration – Good Food and Award-Winning Wines,” held on Saturday, April 21 again at Fountainebleau with Chef Connell. The culinary experience features culinary delights from the hotel’s three signature restaurants. The event kicks off with a cocktail and silent auction. Cost: $250 per person or $2,500 per table of 10.

What: Miami Wine & Food Festival
Where: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Mary Brickell Village and Village of Merrick Park
When: April 18-21, 2012
URL: http://miamiwinefestival.org/

Recommended Hotel: InterContinental Miami