Brush elbows with top chefs and star mixologists at these foodie events taking place outside the official South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
Mediterranean Feast with Mike Isabella at The Social Club
Washington D.C.-based Top Chef All-Stars runner-up Mike Isabella and The Social Club's executive chef Blair Wilson are teaming up to properly toast the start of SOBEWFF today at 9 p.m. With food "as good as any chef's in the world" according to Top Chef host Tom Colicchio, Isabella is at Wilson's home turf to help prepare a Mediterranean feast featuring whole spit roasted lamb, a buffet of traditional favorites and local seafood, and flowing cocktails served around a fire-lit pool. 1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-604-1800; Purchase tickets here
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Three-Course Brunch with Robert Irvine at Tongue & Cheek
Didn't snag a ticket in time for Robert Irvine and Carla Pellegrino's Touché Dinner? Join the Restaurant: Impossible star and Tongue & Cheek's Jamie DeRosa for the eatery's second annual Kitchen Collab Brunch on Friday, February 20 at 11 a.m. ($75). Diners at the three-course meal will take home a signed copy of Irvine's book, Impossible to Easy. 431 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305-704-2900; Call to RSVP
NoMad Bartender Takeover at The Rum Line
Manhattan's NoMad Bar is coming to Miami for the weekend. Award-winning mixologist Leo Robitschek joins forces with Robert Ferrara and The Rum Line for the two-day Nomadic Tiki Takeover luau and Polynesian roast. Unwind on the evening of Saturday, February 21 with a tropical cocktail, and come back Sunday at 9 p.m. for hand-rolled cigars and a steel drum band to wrap up another SOBEWFF. 1601 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-695-0110
Ham Tasting with Spanish Carving Champion at Barceloneta
Carnivores will learn the ins and outs of their favorite cured meat at Barceloneta's For the Love of Ham seminar on Saturday at 1 p.m. ($115). Spain's ham-carving champion Igor Corral and chef Juliana Gonzalez will take guests through the history of ham, give a carving lesson, and serve a testing menu with recipes and wine pairings. 1400 20th St., Miami Beach, 305-538-9299; Call to RSVP
101 Gay Weddings at The James Royal Palm
Art Smith, Top Chef Masters star and Oprah's former personal chef, is putting a timely twist on his annual gay ice cream social at The James Royal Palm to celebrate the legalization of gay marriage in Florida. The first 101 gay couples to tweet @ChefArtSmith will be married at the event on Saturday at 1 p.m. with host Ted Allen and a celebrity minister. Attendees can sample the wedding cake by Ace of Cakes' Duff Goldman and keep on toasting the nuptials at the after party. Proceeds will support Florida International University's LGBTQA Club. 1545 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-604-5700; Get more information here
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.COM/SOCIALCLUBATSURFCOMBER (THE SOCIAL CLUB); FACEBOOK.COM/TANDCMIAMI (TONGUE & CHEEK); FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/BARCELONETA (BARCELONETA)