2019 SOBEWFF® raises $2M for students

The numbers are in. The 2019 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®) raised nearly $2 million to support the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and student success at FIU.

“We’re pleased not only to be able to continue to support the school financially, but also as an interactive learning platform for its students,” said Festival founder and director Lee Brian Schrager. “Each year more than 1,200 students gain hands-on work experience at the Festival, and their participation is vital to our overall success.”

Since its inception, the SOBEWFF® has raised more than $30 million for students at the university. This year’s Festival welcomed more than 65,000 guests to 110 events spanning Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. 

“The Chaplin School is very fortunate to be able to partner with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and all of the Festival’s sponsors in promoting the SOBEWFF® to all of FIU and across the country. Our students, faculty and staff truly enjoy volunteering at the premier wine and food event in the country," said Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School.

SOBEWFF® will return to South Florida for its 19th annual edition February 19 – 23, 2020.