BubbleQ Fun at SoBe Wine & Food

SoBe Wine Food

Enlarge Photo

I’m a Food Network junkie. I admit it; I love to watch chefs on TV. My senses go into overdrive when I’m glued to the tube, so imagine my joy at being in the thick of things at the foodie and star-sated hot ticket in town, the  annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Despite attending year after year, I’m always excited at the prospect of who I’ll see, what I’ll taste and what I’ll imbibe (flowing Perrier Jouet, no less). The BubbleQ hosted by Emeril Lagasse, held in a tent behind the stunning Delano Hotel, was a blast. Chef Emeril’s crowd pleaser was a Creole pulled pork sandwich with spicy coleslaw, Bam! bbq sauce and homemade pickles. Happily, I got a chance to see friends in the biz, like Norman and Janet Van Aken, whose new restaurant— Norman’s 180—opens in Coral Gables in April. Norman’s deep fried version of a Cuban sandwich was delish. I also chatted with Geof Manthorne from Ace of Cakes (a serious fave of mine) and Aaron McCargo Jr. of Big Daddy’s House (winner of season four, Next Food Network Star). Susan Feniger of Border Grill fame offered up an option to all the pork and beef with yummy mahi tacos. The evening concluded with one too many Godiva chocolates. Sleep did not come easy. My mind kept roaming the BubbleQ (sobewineandfoodfest.com) and its talented cast of characters.