For more than 10 years, Burger Beast curated events for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. I also operated as a consultant for other events, principally,\ Burger Bash.
Burger Beast Curated SoBe Events
- 2023 – Make It Miami: A Tapas and Craft Cocktail Party
- 2022 – Make It Miami: A Tapas and Craft Cocktail Party
- 2021 – Croquetas and Craft Cocktails
- 2020 – Croquetas and Craft Cocktails
- 2017 – Croquetas and Champagne
- 2016 – Croquetas and Champagne
- 2015 – Medianoches and Mixology
- 2014 – Medianoches and Mixology
- 2013 – Trucks on Midtown Tracks
- 2012 – Trucks on the Beach
2023 – Make It Miami: A Tapas and Craft Cocktail Party
Join two of Miami’s most vibrant personalities – model-turned-social media sensation Alessandra Garcia-Lorido and mixologist Gio Gutierrez – as they host this wildly fun and festive celebration of the city’s tantalizing tapestry of flavors.
The bright, bold, and beautifully diverse cuisine that makes Miami one of the world’s premier culinary destinations will be on full display at this lively late-night party tucked behind The National Hotel.
Thanks to Miami mainstay and Festival favorite Sef Gonzalez (better known as Burger Beast), we’ve rounded up more than a dozen remarkable Miami-based chefs to prepare an array of sweet and savory dishes inspired by the city’s melting pot of flavors: croquetas, cachapas, pastelitos, mofongo, Jamaican patties…and more!
And don’t think we’ve forgotten about the drinks! For this exclusive SOBEWFF® event, we’ve called on some of the best brands in the business to help give the party its signature Miami flair, including fabulous wines and premium spirits, which will form the perfect foundation for a punchy menu of Miami-inspired craft cocktails.
Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night as this snappy soirée reminds you just how much magic the Magic City has to offer.
| Are You Hungry? Grill | Bebito’s Cafe |
| Cuban Guys | Gorilla City BarBQue |
| Hungry Yokai | La Bodeguita |
| Mareva 1939 | Bebito’s Cafe |
| Monster Burgers | Oh Chocolat! |
| Pin Pan Pollo | Max’d Out Donuts |
| Tio Colo |
Make It Miami: A Tapas and Craft Cocktail Party
Saturday, February 25th, 2023, 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
National Hotel
1677 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
2022 – Make It Miami: A Tapas and Craft Cocktail Party
Join two of Miami’s most vibrant personalities – James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle “Michy” Bernstein and mixologist Gio Gutierrez – as they host this wildly fun and festive love letter to the city’s tantalizing tapestry of flavors.
The bright, bold, and beautifully diverse cuisine that makes Miami one of the world’s premier culinary destinations will be on full display at this lively late-night party in Miami Design District’s glittering Jungle Plaza.
Thanks to Miami mainstay and Festival favorite Sef Gonzalez (better known as Burger Beast), we’ve rounded up 15 extraordinary Miami-based chefs to prepare an array of sweet and savory dishes inspired by the city’s melting pot of flavors: croquetas, cachapas, pastelitos, mofongo, Jamaican patties…and more!
And don’t think we’ve forgotten about the drinks! For this exclusive SOBEWFF® event, we’ve called on some of the best brands in the business to help give the party its signature Miami flair, including fabulous wines and premium spirits, which will form the perfect foundation for a punchy menu of Miami-inspired craft cocktails.
Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night as this snappy soirée reminds you just how much magic the Magic City has to offer.
Make It Miami: A Tapas and Craft Cocktail Party
Saturday, February 26th, 2022, 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Miami Design District – Jungle Plaza (Outdoors)
3801 Northeast 1st Avenue, Miami
2021 – Croquetas and Craft Cocktails
| 2 The Rootss | A Lo Cubano Kitchen | Azucar Ice Cream |
| Blue Collar | Cafe Chantilly | CAO Bakery |
| Crazy Toston | Cuban Guys | DOCE Provisions |
| Dos Croquetas | Islas Canarias | Lila’s Desserts |
| Mac & Chess | Masa Craft | MEAT Eatery & Taproom |
| Mendez Fuel | Pastelito Papi | Pinecrest Bakery |
A year later, and another fantastic event that I’m curating for my 10th anniversary of working with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Last February, the Croquetas & Cocktails was a smashing success, so it made sense to bring it back for another round.
All of the same players are in place from last year for Croquetas & Craft Cocktails 2021. We have the croqueta royalty siblings Eileen (FINKA Table & Tap) & Jon Andrade (Islas Canarias) hosting along with Gio Gutierrez. Gio will be doing double duty curating the cocktails, too.
I’ve assembled many stupendous fried cylindrical meat sticks (not actual, some might be round) for this year’s edition, plus other favorites of mine like the Frita Cubana from Cuban Guys and excellent sweets from Azucar Ice Cream, Lila’s Desserts, and Pastelito Papi.
2 The Rootss will bring their vegan croquetas, and I’ve coerced Blue Collar and MEAT Eatery & Taproom to make croquetas for this event, making it extra delicious.
Croquetas and Cocktails
Friday, May 2nd, 2021, 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Miami Design District – Jungle Plaza (Outdoors)
3801 Northeast 1st Avenue, Miami
*All images courtesy of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival website
2020 – Croquetas and Craft Cocktails
Miami Beach, FL – February 22nd, 2020 – SOBEWFF fans might have recalled this event from the 2017 edition, and the Festival brought it back with a twist of libations this year, as they teamed up once again with the same team that brings you DRINK Miami for a uniquely crafted cocktail experience.
South Florida sensation Chef Eileen Andrade and her croqueta specialist – and brother – Jonathan Andrade served as the evening’s hosts as SOBEWFF took over the sophisticated Jungle Plaza in the Miami Design District to celebrate this classic Cuban snack.
Whether they stem from a fine dining restaurant, gas station lunch counter, grocery store, or local bakery, local food authority Sef Gonzalez – better known as the beloved Burger Beast – tracked down the best in the city and brought them together for this late-night tasting affair.
Guests capped it off with cocktails specially crafted by DRINK Miami and cultural beats for a soirée under the stars, paying homage to one of the Magic City’s favorite treats!
Croquetas and Cocktails
Friday, February 22nd, 2020, 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Miami Design District – Jungle Plaza (Outdoors)
3801 Northeast 1st Avenue, Miami
2017 – Croquetas and Champagne
Go ahead, try to eat just one! There are some classic Cuban dishes whose popularity transcends culture and geography; then there are those that haven’t “crossed over” — enter the Cuban croqueta! Whether from a lunch counter, a grocery store, a traditional bakery ventanita, or elsewhere, these delicious fried little ovals with smooth melt-in-your-mouth centers are positively addictive.
Sprawling across Paradise Plaza, the haute new addition to the burgeoning Design District, join superchef Jean-Georges Vongerichten as he hosts this croqueta celebration.
Local food authority Burger Beast will help curate an elite group of local chefs who will dish out their tastiest variations of the croqueta.
Spend the night dancing, savoring, and sipping on Champagne Henriot as you vote for your favorite ooey-gooey pick of the night.
| 320 Miami | Atlas Meat-Free Deli |
| Babe Froman Fine Sausages | Bulla Gastrobar |
| Doce Provisions | Dos Croquetas |
| Ends Meat | Estefan Kitchen |
| Islas Canarias Cafe | It’s A Frita |
| ITO Mojitos y Cafecitos | Miami Smokers |
| Mojo Donuts | Palomilla Grill |
| Party Cake Bakery | The Rebel House |
| It’s A Frita | Sweetness Bakeshop & Cafe |
| Tio Colo |
Croquetas and Champagne
Saturday, February 25th, 2016, , 10 PM – 1 AM
Miami Design District / Palm Court
140 NE 39th Street, Suite 101, Miami
2016 – Croquetas and Champagne
Go ahead, try to eat just one! Some classic Cuban dishes transcend culture and geography; some haven’t entirely “crossed over” — enter the Cuban croqueta!
Whether from a lunch counter, a grocery store, a traditional bakery ventanita, or elsewhere, these delicious fried little ovals with smooth melt-in-your-mouth centers are positively addictive. Sprawling across Paradise Plaza, the haute new addition to the burgeoning Design District, join superchef Jean-Georges Vongerichten as he hosts this croqueta celebration.
Local food authority Burger Beast will help curate an elite group of local chefs who will dish out their tastiest variations of the croqueta.
Spend the night dancing, savoring, and sipping wines and spirits from the Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida portfolio.
Croquetas and Champagne
Saturday, February 27th, 2016, , 10 PM – 1 AM
Miami Design District / Palm Court
140 NE 39th Street, Suite 101, Miami
2015 – Medianoches and Mixology
In 2014, I curated Medianoches & Mixology at Wynwood Walls for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. It turned out to be the best event that featured local restaurants and chefs.
When Lee Schrager (SoBe Wine & Festival Founder) mentioned that we were going for round 2 of Medianoches & Mixology in 2015, I thought…. it’s on. I put on my curating hat and went to work.
| Azucar Ice Cream Company | Barley |
| Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar | Cuban Guys |
| El Mago de las Fritas | FINKA Table & Tap |
| Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar | Los Bobos Cafeteria |
| Gilbert’s Bakery | MEAT Eatery & Taproom |
| Tongue & Cheek | Wynwood Kitchen |
Medianoches & Mixology
Saturday, February 21st, 2015, 10 PM – 1 AM
Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami
2014 – Medianoches and Mixology
Since I’m curating this event, I hope to see some of you at Medianoches & Mixology.
Where else will you be able to have Medianianoches from Cuban Guys, Daddy’s Grill, El Exquisito & Los Bobos OR Medianoches with a Twist from Bread + Butter Counter & Latin House Burger & Taco OR a Cuban Sandwich from Luis Galindo Latin American OR a Elena Ruz Sandwich from Chef Adrianne OR Empanadas from Wynwood Kitchen & Bar OR eat at the Croqueta Bar by Islas Canarias OR have Ice Cream by Azucar Ice Cream Company, Churros & Hot Chocolate from Churromania & Flan de Coco and a Cuban-style Tiramisu from Sweetness Bakeshop?
I almost forgot to mention that Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli is hosting.
| Azucar Ice Cream Company | Bread + Butter Counter |
| Chef Adrianne | Churromania |
| Cuban Guys | Daddy’s Grill |
| El Exquisito | Islas Canarias |
| Latin House | Los Bobos |
| Luis Galindo Latin American | Sweetness Bakeshop |
| Wynwood Kitchen |
Medianoches & Mixology
Friday, February 21st, 2014, 10 PM – 1 AM
Wynwood Walls
2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami
2013 – Trucks on Midtown Tracks
Last year, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival held the Trucks on the Beach Event, which was a giant success. Andrew Zimmern is hosting again, and they’re moving the event to Midtown. His truck, AZ Canteen, will be there, too.
| 2 Jive Turkeys | Alisa’s Cupcakery |
| AZ Canteen | Brooklyn Italian Ice Company |
| Contenti Cupcakes | Crazydilla |
| CUBANCUBE | Curbside Gourmet |
| El Rey de las Fritas | Firewall Food Truck |
| Alisa’s Cupcakery | gastroPod |
| HipPOPs Handcrafted Gelato Bars | Il Fiorentino |
| JOJI Yogurt | Ms. Cheezious |
| Palate Party | Pescados Unidos |
| Potoffee | Slow Food Truck |
| Smithfield Versailles Cuban Combo | Waffleosophy |
Trucks on Midtown Tracks
Sunday, February 24th, 2013, 3-6 PM
3101 NE 1st Avenue, Miami
2012 – Trucks on the Beach
The official closing party for the 11th Annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival is Trucks on the Beach, hosted by Andrew Zimmern on Sunday, February 26th, from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Big Gay Ice Cream from New York and C&S Brisket Bus from Orlando joined 18 Miami Food Trucks.
The event took place under the iconic white tent behind the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Yes, there will be 20. The $95 ticket included entrance to the event as well as food and drink: soft drinks, wine, and cocktails.
| B.C. Tacos | Big Gay Ice Cream Truck |
| Bite Gastrotruck | C & S Brisket Bus |
| Clarabelle’s Cupcakes | Coolhaus |
| CUBANCUBE | Dim Ssam a Gogo |
| Dog Eat Dog | The Fish Box |
| The Flying Saucer | Clarabelle’s Cupcakes |
| Latin Burger & Taco | Jefe’s Original Fish Taco & Burgers |
| Mangia Mia Italian Kitchen | Mac’n |
| Mr. Good Stuff | Ms. Cheezious |
| The Rolling Stove | Stocked N Loaded |
Trucks on the Beach
Sunday, February 26th, 2012, 6:30 PM -9:30 PM
Ritz-Carlton Hotel
1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
