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Miami Eateries Take the Crown at Burger Bash 2019

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Pincho and LT Steak & Seafood Take Top Honors at South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s Burger Bash.

February 22nd, 2019

Miami’s own Pincho and LT Steak & Seafood dazzled the crowds and judges at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s annual Burger Bash, securing top honors in a heated competition on February 22nd, 2019. This year’s event, brilliantly hosted by dynamic duo David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris, was a night to remember, with three prestigious awards up for grabs. Esteemed judges, including Al RokerRev Run, Enrique Santos, Samantha Schnur aka @TheNaughtyFork and NBC6‘s Roxanne Vargas, lent their expertise to crown the best burgers of the night.

Pincho stole the spotlight by clinching the coveted Heineken Light People’s Choice Award with their innovative Pipo’s Choice burger. This culinary masterpiece featured a succulent brisket-and-chuck patty, adorned with crispy applewood-smoked bacon, fried sweet plantains, crunchy potato sticks, and a unique twist of guava ketchup. It’s no wonder this savory creation captured the hearts and taste buds of festival attendees.

Meanwhile, LT Steak & Seafood earned high praise and the Schweid & Sons’ Very Best Burger award, showcasing their exceptional culinary skills.

Additionally, Chicago’s Avec took home the Red Robin’s Best of the Bash for their delectable Raclette Burger, proving that creativity and bold flavors reign supreme at this beloved event.

The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival is more than just a celebration of gastronomic delights; it embodies the spirit of community and education. All proceeds from the Festival support the students of the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. These dedicated students contribute to every aspect of the Festival, from sponsorship fulfillment and restaurant recruitment to logistics and inventory, while gaining invaluable experience alongside some of the world’s most renowned chefs and winemakers. To date, the Festival has raised over $28 million for the School, solidifying its status as a premier event in the food and restaurant industry.

Produced by Florida International University and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and supported by the Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Festival continues to be a beacon of culinary excellence. For more information about this extraordinary event, visit sobewff.org or call 877-762-3933. Discover more about Florida International University at fiu.edu, the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at hospitality.fiu.edu, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits at southernglazers.com.

  • JR's Gourmet Burgers

  • Knife

  • Latin House

  • Le Chick

  • Lilie's Q

  • Little Donkey

  • LT Steak & Seafood at the Betsy Hotel

  • Morimoto

  • Neil Patrick Harris has warm embrace with Guy Fieri

  • Night Owl Cookie

  • Pincho

  • Butter

  • Planta South Beach

  • Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews

  • Sakaya Kitchen

  • Sergio's Cuban

  • Shake Shack

  • The Meatball Soup

  • The Meatball Soup

  • Zinburger

  • 109 Burger Joint

  • 109 Burger Joint

  • American Airlines Flagship First Dining

  • Babe's Meat & Counter

  • Barilla Pasta

  • Brain Freeze: Nitrogen Ice Cream & Yogurt Lab

  • Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina

  • Cool Smoke Barbecue

  • Hugh Baby's

  • Hugh Baby's

Coach is South Florida Insider's Owner, President, Webmaster, as well as a Reporter and Photographer covering events all over the world. Born in West Palm Beach, Coach continues to call the sunny Florida area home. He received his Associate degree from the University of South Florida, then transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism & Communications. During his journalistic career, which has been featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as national publications, Coach has also continued his love of being an educator. It’s through both endeavors that he’s actively got students interested in following in the field of journalism. Coach loves sharing the world of entertainment with others and giving people the opportunity to step out of the everyday life.

Events

Melissa Odabash Brings the French Riviera to PARAISO Miami Swim Week

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The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.


May 29, 2026

Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.

As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.

Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.

A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.

The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.

By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.

Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.

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Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon

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The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.


May 26, 2026

Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.

Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.

The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.

At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.

The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.

The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.

By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.

In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.

At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.

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Events

Surfside’s Paddletopia 2026 Served Up Sunshine, Sweat, and Veggie-Packed Bites

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Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.


May 18, 2026

Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.

Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.

The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.

Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.

The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.

Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.

To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/ 

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Events

A Mother’s Day Escape with Gale Force Flavor

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Gale Miami Pairs Skyline Views, Serene Spa Moments and Casa Gianna’s Italian Comfort for a Downtown Mother’s Day Escape.

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Morikami Turns Mother’s Day into Lasting Memories

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Morikami Serves a Mother’s Day Worth Savoring with Garden Views, Homemade Flavor and Heart.
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30th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival

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Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Celebrated Three Decades of Culinary Chaos, Cocktail Creativity and Charitable Goodness. (more…)

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Events

Inside Tequila Town Where Culture and Cocktails Collide

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No Chaser Needed as Tequila Town Delivers Straight Shots of Culture, Connection and Cocktails With a Kick in Miami.
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Beach Bites and Breezy Sips at SAVOR SoFLO

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Sips, Sand and Small Bites Set the Tone as SAVOR SoFLO Festival Serves Up a Beachside Tease of What Could Grow Into Something Bigger. (more…)

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