SOBE Wine & Food Festival 2012

Well, we had an amazing week in South Beach Miami for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival by Food Network. Â This event has grown to a must attend gathering for anyone who loves wine, food and SOBE. Â SOBEWFF was heldÂ February 23-26, 2012. Â This year Paddington Brands became a major Silver sponsor with our Tequila 3 Amigos, Agoston Wines and we had the pleasure of pre-introducing the new Miami Cocktail Company owned by friends of mine Ross and Simon. Â (Here is the sponsor page)

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented byÂ FOODÂ &Â WINEÂ is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University(FIU), the festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. To date, the Festival has raised more than $14 million for the School.

Our corner display in the Grand Tasting tent looked fantastic and was one of the highlights of the whole event. Â We poured Tequila 3 Amigos Blanco, Reposado, Anjeo and Organic Blanco as well as our 3 Amigos Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margaritas which we have dubbed “Fire & Ice”. Â Agoston wines both Tempernillo Cabernet and Granacha Syrah. Â Miami Cocktails pre-introduced themselves with two of their flavors to fawning crowds. Â We saw so many friends and met so many new people it is hard to capture here.

One of many cool things we participated in was Michael’s Genunie Food & Drink “Farm to Table” brunch sponsored by Whole Foods. This was an amazing organic brunch by Michael Schwartz of MGFD a James Beard Award winning chef and friend. Â 3 Amigos Tequila was the beverage of choice and we again servedÂ our 3 Amigos Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margaritas. Â MGFD mixologist Ryan created what is now one of our favorite drinks with 3 Amigos

Cocktail Recipes:

â€œFire & Ice” Â 3 AmigosÂ Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margarita

Cut 1 Hawaiian â€œGoldâ€ Pineapple into chunks (No Core) and blend with 1/2 Cup of Agave Nectar and 2 fresh Serrano Chiles (with the seeds and membranes removed) together in a blender.Â Once the â€œBaseâ€ has a puree consistency and is flowing smoothly turn off the blender and place in a container.

1.5 Ounces Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3 Amigos Blanco Tequila
4 OuncesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Margarita Mix
1 TBSPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PiÃ±a-Serrano Puree
1 ScoopÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ice

If you would like a little more sweetness you can add Superfine Bar Sugar to the rim of the glass.

The CaballeroÂ by Ryan @MGFD

2 oz Organic 3 Amigos Blanco Tequila
1 Barspoon Roasted Poblano Agave
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
2 oz Red Bell Pepper Juice
Garnish w/ Cilantro & Bell Pepper slice

Our partnership with POM Wonderful and Iron Chef Marc Forgione was a huge hit at the show. Â Marc created the “POM Thyme 3 Amigos Margarita” … voted by many as best of show at the event. Â Marc appeared for Food Network at the POM Wonderful stand prominently pouring 3 Amigos Tequila. Â Here are a few shots.. and a copy of the recipe: