SOBEWFF tickets go on sale Oct. 8 for MasterCard® cardholders

Tickets for America’s favorite gourmet gathering – the 12^th annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine – go on sale Monday, Oct. 8, for MasterCard^® cardholders. The 2013 Festival will take place Feb. 21-24, with a variety of events to choose from taking place at locations spanning from Coral Gables to Aventura.

Left to right: Aaron Sanchez, Rachel Ray, Emeril Lagasse, Michael Chiarello, Guy Fieri

Each February, more than 1,000 FIU students gain hands-on hospitality, culinary and beverage industry experience through the Student Associate Program at the festival. Having raised approximately $17 million to date for FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, the event draws 60,000 of the world’s most passionate foodies, wine enthusiasts and industry leaders to the sands of South Beach for four days of star-studded culinary demonstrations, seminars, parties, tastings and unique dinner experiences that delight everyone’s taste buds.

MasterCard^® cardholders can get tickets for the 2013 Festival beginning Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. (EST) through Sunday, Oct. 21, online at sobefest.com or by calling 877-762-3933 (phone sales open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST).

From its signature Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village, featuring KitchenAid culinary demonstrations from Food Network stars like Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray and more, and the MasterCard^® Grand Tasting Tents showcasing offerings from 40 different restaurants and more than 80 wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverage suppliers from the Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida portfolio; to Florida Blue presents Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen, its family-friendly celebration of fun, food and fitness at Jungle Island, the festival has something on the menu to suit even the most discerning eater.

In addition to everyone’s favorite classics, new events for 2013 include:

• Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Film screening and Q&A hosted by Anthony Bourdain, followed by a Sushi & Saké Reception with Katsuya Uechi
• Garden to Glass hosted by Emeril Lagasse featuring BarLab Cocktails & My Ceviche
• Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament hosted by José Andrés at Turnberry Isle Miami
• Pescado and Pisco: A Taste of Peru hosted by Gastón Acurio & Laurent Tourondel
• A Red Hot Night: Presented by Target
• Chicken Coupe hosted by Andrew Carmellini
• Guy Fieri’s Roadshow & Reggae with Ziggy Marley, featuring Cuisine of the Sun by Ortanique and Friends: The Official Festival Closing Party
•  . . . and so much more!

General public ticket sales open Monday, Oct. 22, 2012. All festival events and information can be found at sobefest.com.

Check out FIU students in action at last year’s event: