A warm empanada that tastes like a Cuban sandwich. A frozen coffee drink infused with spirits.
These are just some of the flavors creations of FIU hospitality students and professors that will tempt festivalgoers tastebuds at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival® (SOBEWFF®), which is celebratingits 25th anniversarythis month and got its start at FIU.
Media and influencers got a sneak peek and taste of this year’s offerings during FIU’s first ever media preview day on at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The event brought together traditional broadcast media with social media influencers, such as Only in Dade, to the place where the Festival got its start. Participants took part in an empanada making class led by Chef John Noble Masi with recipes from Miami chef and restaurateur, Michelle Bernstein. They also learned how to prepare their palates for a wine tasting during a Master Wine Class led by sommelier and FIU alumna, Amanda Fraga '11 of Genuine Hospitality Group.
FIU alumna Amanda Fraga '11 leads a Wine Master Class before SOBEWFF(R).
“It was so wonderful to see the behind the scenes and class in the kitchen and the wine class was fantastic,” said Liza Santana of the Creativas Group, who runs @OnlyinDade.
Media and influencers along with Chaplin School professors and staff at the first ever FIU x SOBEWFF(R) media day.
The group also took part in mini-walk around tastings with small bites created by FIU hospitality alumni including:Alex Kuk ’04, MS ’08 of Wans in Fort Lauderdale, Diego Ng ’08 of Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale, Chef Tim Andriola ’97 of TIMO Restaurant in Sunny Isles Beach, Bill Hansen MS ’80 of Bill Hansen Catering, Robert Egert ’98 of Exquisite Catering and private chef Miguel Massens MS ’09.
FIU Hospitality alumnus Diego Ng '08 shares his SOBEWFF(R) story with Local 10 News.
FIU hospitality alumni who came back to campus for the media event.
This nationally recognized SOBEWFF® got its start as the Florida Extravaganza at the hospitality school on FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus in 1997 when the late Patrick “Chip” Cassidy ’75, a hospitality professor, had a vision to bring together people who love wine and food, create unforgettable experiences and give FIU students the opportunity to learn, network with industry leaders and launch their careers. Back then, celebrities like singer Julio Iglesias and actor George Hamilton made appearances at the Florida Extravaganza.
In 2002, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Chief Communications Officer Lee Brian Schrager envisioned a bigger and more global experience over multiple days that would attract thousands of tourists to sunny South Beach while the rest of the country dealt with harsh winter weather. Schrager then brought aboard the Food Network to help shape what has now become a world-renowned, student-powered Festival that has impacted more than 30,000 students since it began resulting in more than $45 million raised to support the top-ranked FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management — fueling scholarships, facilities, and the future of the hospitality industry.
FIU Hospitality students created a speciality drink menu for the event.
With the Festival less than a month away, the FIU hospitality marketing team organized the event to showcase how faculty, staff, alumni and students are gearing up to bring this milestone celebration to life. Each year more than 1,500 students participate in about 4,300 shifts. They assist with food and beverage management, on-site event logistics, media and marketing, and overall preparation and execution.
“I’m just going to take all of the experience, all of the connections and just run with it,” said Fabiola Quereguan, a senior studying hospitality management, who is in her fourth and final year helping to run the Festival. “I would continue doing this forever if I could.”
She will join more than 500 chefs, wine, and spirits personalities who will come together for an unforgettable lineup of walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, brunches, late-night parties, master classes, wine seminars, and more. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival® runs from February 19-22, 2026. Tickets are still on sale; please visit sobewff.org for a list of available events and more information. FIU Alumni and Friends are eligible for a discount using the code FIUFAM15.
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