Celebrating the South Beach Wine & Food Festival with Lee Schrager

Since its inception in 2002, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF®) has showcased the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities. I had the chance to chat with Lee Brian Schrager, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility for Southern Glazer’s, and Founder and Executive Director of SOBEWFF, about the book that goes behind the scenes — complete with recipes that bring the taste of South Beach to your home kitchen.

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We were doing all the samplings and tastings of the recipes. The chefs would send in a recipe, then we would have to produce a recipe, photograph it, and style it, all of which we did in my New York apartment. It was a very hot summer and, my apartment had all sky-lights, which made it even hotter with the ovens on and all the lights from the photography. At one point, I looked up and all my kitchen cabinets were melting. I couldn’t believe it.

Thirteen years ago when we did this book, DEI did not come up in conversations like it does today. If we were doing another compilation of all the recipes for the 25th anniversary, it would look very different — a lot more diversity in it. Not that we didn’t try to be diverse, it just wasn’t at the top of our mind or the first thing we thought of.

In our minds, we’ve always wanted the best talent no matter someone’s race or ethnicity, and I think that is why we’ve been successful. We need to make sure we are very inclusive, and the book will look very different from when the first version came out. 

I hope readers take away the mix of talent who have been at the festival with people from all around the world. It's such a great mix of talent— , that’s what still impresses me the most.

The festival’s mission is still consistent from year one to year 10 to year 23. The festival was created to raise awareness for FIU’s School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, now known as the Chaplin School. It was also to create awareness and raise funds for student scholarships which has never changed and is still our top priority.

Something that stands out is the opportunity that some of these student volunteers have gotten over the years to work alongside some of the greatest chefs, wine makers, and distillers in the world, and many of them have gotten great jobs out of this.

Peace on earth for everyone!

Purchase “The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Cookbook: Recipes and Behind-the-Scenes Stories from America’s Hottest Chefs”

Bio forthcoming

Follow Lee here: LinkedIn | Instagram | X

Southern Glazer's "Served Up" podcast has been elevating voices in the beverage alcohol industry since 2020. Now, with Eric Hemer, MW, MS, joining Bridget Albert as co-host, expect thought leadership, industry insights, exclusive interviews, and inspiring conversations that drive innovation. Join us weekly as co-hosts Bridget and Eric stir up the spirit of hospitality with lively conversations and plenty of personality.

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