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Char, Cheers and Championship Bites: Burger Bash Was Well Done in Every Sense

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License to Grill: Burger Bash Turned South Beach Into a Full Blown Beef Battle Where Buns Were Toasted, Egos Were Smashed and Nobody Left Without a Little Sauce on Their Shirt.

February 19th, 2026

There are food festivals that are easy to digest, and then there is Burger Bash, the beefed-up beachside brawl that anchors the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival®. One of those high-priced tickets that initially makes your wallet sweat a little, yet somehow no one leaves feeling grilled.

From the jump, it’s a full sensory sear — ocean breeze rolling in, massive white tents glowing against the night sky, the scent of char hitting the air before you even see the patties. Judges weaving through the crowd with serious faces while attendees are on a roll, balancing sliders in one hand and cocktails in the other. It is controlled chaos with a side of ketchup. The official Mike’s Amazing® Burger Bash page makes it clear this is more than a walk-around event; it’s a carnivorous rite of passage.

And then there are the burgers. An endless parade of buns and brilliance. Garlic aioli and bacon jam showed up early and often, spreading rich, savory swirls. But that was just the condiment conversation starter. There were smashed patties with crispy, lacy edges that snapped ever so slightly before giving way to juicy centers. Thick stacks layered with sharp cheese, house-made sauces, caramelized onions, specialty pickles, and buns that somehow held it all together under pressure. Some burgers brought the heat. Others leaned into sweetness or crunch. All of them came to compete.

Trying to taste every single vendor would require Olympic-level pacing. Even nibbling felt ambitious. The problem was not portion size. The problem was self-control. More than a few entries were so good that walking away after one bite felt like betrayal. You came to sample, but certain burgers demanded commitment.

That’s where the awards come in, because Burger Bash isn’t just a party — it’s a title fight.

Bert Kresicher and Matthew “Kish” Kuscher during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

Judges’ Pick: “The Very Best Burger Award” — NFA Burger (Dunwoody, Georgia)

NFA Burger (gas station-born from Dunwoody and Alpharetta, Georgia) earned the Judges’ Pick and the Schweid & Sons® “The Very Best Burger Award” with their creation “Billy’s Classic.” This smashed cheeseburger kept it straightforward and executed it flawlessly: mustard, pickles, house-made seasoning, and their signature “sassy sauce” all tucked inside a Martin’s potato roll. No gimmicks. No smoke and mirrors. Just a burger that knew exactly what it wanted to be and delivered bite after balanced bite.

People’s Choice: Mike’s Amazing® People’s Choice Award — La Birra Bar (Miami)

On the fan-fueled side of the grill, La Birra Bar once again proved they have the secret sauce, taking home the Mike’s Amazing® People’s Choice Award. According to reporting in the Miami New Times, this marks their third People’s Choice title after wins in 2022 and 2025, solidifying their Burger Bash dominance. With multiple Florida locations (North Miami Beach, Wynwood, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, and Doral), La Birra Bar continues to stack victories like double patties.

La Birra Bar’s Crispy Dubai Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

And then there was the line that would not quit. Cowy Burger, which took home top billing two years earlier, remained a major draw with long lines snaking around their station all night. Whether they reclaimed the crown this year or not, their burger was still a smash hit — that unique combination of crunch and juiciness kept people coming back for more. It’s proof that even without a trophy in hand, you can still be well seasoned in the spotlight.

Cowy Burger’s The Cabrito during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

Of course, no burger bash would be complete without something to wash it all down. Drinks flowed freely and generously, keeping spirits high and napkins busy. Beer, wine, cocktails, and more ensured that no bite went unsupported. As the night wound down, a few dessert options offered a sweet finish, giving guests a chance to end on a sugar high after a savory marathon.

my mochi’s cookie dough and strawberry’s sweet rice dough during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

Burger Bash works because it leans fully into indulgence. It doesn’t try to be light. It doesn’t pretend to be restrained. It is bold, competitive, and deliciously over the top. Yes, the ticket price might make you pause. But once you are standing on the sand with burger juices running down your wrist and a grin on your face, the value is clear.

Some events are hard to swallow. This one goes down easy.

  • Shake Shack's K-Shack BBQ Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Taco Bamba's Bamba Double Smashburger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Kiddo Burgers Steakhose Supreme during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Moonlight Diner during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Pincho's The Smokestack Smash Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Cuento Sandwiches Jerk Double Smashburger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Celia's Cheeseburger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Tito's during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • True Food Kitchen's Grass-Fed Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Night Owl Cookie's OG Sticky Bun during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • La Davina Burger Andrew Carne De Res Miami during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • La Davina Burger Andrew Carne De Res Miami during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Arcano Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Bert Kresicher and Matthew "Kish" Kuscher during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Cowy Burger's The Cabrito during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Lala's Mclala during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Skinny Louie's The Naughty Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Dick Mondell's Burgers & Fries's Mushroom & Swiss Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Cordelia's Burger Box 1921 Style during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Sergio's Cuban American Kitchen's Iberico Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • BMC Smash Burgers' BMC Smash Double during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • my mochi's cookie dough and strawberry's sweet rice dough during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • La Birra Bar's Crispy Dubai Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Cony Burger's Wagyu Champ Burger during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

  • Estrella Galicia during Burger Bash at South Beach Wine & Food Festival ©South Florida Insider

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.

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Luli Fama Launches Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Swimwear Collection in Miami

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Luli Fama celebrates its Paradise Found Cruise ’27 swimwear and resortwear collection with a luxury Miami launch at its Dadeland Mall boutique.


 August 20, 2026

Miami swimwear favorite Luli Fama is stepping into Cruise ’27 with Paradise Found, a new swimwear and resortwear collection inspired by tropical escapes, exotic prints and effortless vacation glamour.

South Florida Insider has already taken a closer look at the Luli Fama Paradise Found collection, and it feels made for Miami.

The new Cruise ’27 collection combines the bold, body-confident swimwear Luli Fama is known for with elevated resort pieces designed to move effortlessly from the beach and pool to cocktails and dinner.

On Thursday, August 20, Luli Fama will celebrate Paradise Found with an exclusive evening at its newest Dadeland Mall boutique in Miami, complete with fashion, light bites, personalized surprises, and a luxe espresso martini bar.

Inside Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Collection

Paradise Found is inspired by the feeling of discovering a hidden tropical retreat.

Think lush landscapes, warm golden hour light, exotic patterns, and silhouettes made for somewhere beautiful.

The collection features Luli Fama signatures, including flattering ruched details, seamless construction, adjustable fits, and statement swimwear, alongside an expanded selection of resortwear.

We especially love the pieces that blur the line between swim and ready-to-wear.

Flowing dresses, sleek coverups, and body-skimming silhouettes make it easy to transition from a sun-drenched afternoon to an evening out without losing that relaxed resort feeling.

It is sensual, polished, and unmistakably Miami.

Luli Fama Brings Luxury Resort Style to Miami

There is a reason Paradise Found feels so natural in South Florida.

In Miami, resortwear is not reserved for vacation.

A swimsuit can become part of an outfit. A coverup can take you to lunch. A flowing resort dress can carry you from an afternoon by the water straight into cocktails and dinner.

Luli Fama has always understood that lifestyle.

Paradise Found takes it a step further, creating a Cruise ’27 wardrobe that feels as appropriate for a tropical getaway as it does for a weekend in Miami.

The campaign captures that mood beautifully, pairing the collection with palms, lush greenery, tropical architecture and the kind of sun soaked setting that makes you want to extend your vacation indefinitely.

Paradise Found Comes to Luli Fama at Dadeland Mall

Luli Fama will bring the world of Paradise Found to life on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its newest boutique at Dadeland Mall in Miami.

The intimate celebration will bring together invited guests, influencers, celebrities and media for an early look at Cruise ’27.

Luli Fama is also dressing invited guests in pieces from the brand, allowing the new collection to be experienced the way it was designed to be worn: in motion, styled and out for the evening.

Luli After Hours Espresso Martini Bar

Fashion is only part of the experience.

For the Paradise Found celebration, Luli Fama is introducing Luli After Hours, an Espresso Martini Bar inspired by the glamour of the collection.

Guests will be able to sip three specialty espresso martinis created for the evening.

The Luli Babe puts a polished spin on the classic espresso martini, while Golden Hour pairs salted caramel with edible gold shimmer. Miami After Dark takes a richer approach with chocolate hazelnut and a cocoa dust finish.

Along with cocktails, guests can expect light bites, curated details and a special personalized surprise.

The result feels less like a traditional retail event and more like checking into a private resort for the evening.

A Miami Swimwear Brand Celebrates at Home

For a brand with such a strong connection to South Florida, launching Paradise Found in Miami feels especially fitting.

Luli Fama has built its identity around colorful, confident swimwear and resort fashion with a distinctly tropical point of view.

Paradise Found carries that identity into Cruise ’27 while giving it a more elevated, escapist mood.

And with Luli Fama’s newest boutique now at Dadeland Mall, Miami shoppers have another destination to experience the brand in person.

After getting our own closer look at Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 collection, we can safely say the name fits.

Paradise has officially been found, and this time, it is in Miami.

Check out the collection HERE

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