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MIAMI LIVING 89 MIAMI LIVING 89 SPECIAL FEATURE BubbleQ at the Delano Hotel, featuring the talent for barbecue of chefs such as Adam Perry Lang (New York's Daisy May's BBQ), Clay Conley (Azul at the Mandarin Oriental Miami), Jonathan Eismann (Miami's Pacific Time), Ilan Hall and Hung Huynh (past Top Chefs), as well as delicious desserts from Miami's Misha's Cupcakes. The winning Paula Deen once again will try her luck as she hosts, on February 20, Harrah's Casino Night at the Paris Theatre. A partnership between the Queen of Southern Cuisine and Harrah's Casino Tunica, this Las Vegas-style party offers guests an evening of chance, fancy drinks, and good food, while raising scholarship funds for FIU students. Oh, and that salute to Spanish cuisine Schrager mentioned, the festively named ¡Viva España!: The Wines and Food of Spain, will take place on February 19, at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. And the Tribute Dinner honoring Lagasse, with host with the most—and past honoree—Martha Stewart, is set for February 21 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. February 21- February 22 brings not one but two fun-filled events: the second installment of Fun and Fit as a Family at Jungle Island—which Fieri describes as "empowering for kids, who learn how to make better decisions about food"—and the SoBe centerpiece, the Whole Food Market Grand Tasting Village, beachside at 13 th Street. A closing night event is slated for February 22, the evening of the 81 st Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood, Calif. Bobby Flay and his wife, actress Stephanie March (TV's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), serve as co-hosts of Oscar Night America—SoBe-Style, benefiting the Miami Beach Film Society and the Miami Beach Cinematheque, at the Paris Theatre. In addition, Patrón is hosting one of many swanky weekend soirées, on February 21, at the Paris Theatre, while wine enthusiasts can head to the Miami Beach Convention Center for the Wine Spectator Wine Seminar Series. And, at the Biltmore, Barilla hosts interactive cooking lunches, featuring Fieri, Hall, and Huynh, also on February 21-22. Tipping your glass … for education As you can see, the Wine & Food Festival has prepared something for everyone. Those who benefit the most from SoBe, though, once all the parties are over and guests kick the sand off their shoes, are the students of FIU. This is, as mentioned before, an event that grew out of the university, to benefit the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Joseph McKinney completed his graduate studies at the school last December (he also received his undergraduate degree from FIU in 2007). The Golden Panther has worked with SoBe for the past four years, as the festival's coordinator for tent logistics. He says the annual event has afforded him invaluable experience. "I've learned everything at SoBe," he said. "How to deal with people, the process of building this entire city that we have to build to pull this weekend off—everything from logistics to management, to HR and PR and advertising. The Wine & Food Festival is all encompassing." McKinney says working side-to-side with the world's top chefs and wineries, under the auspices of the global brands that serve as sponsors, is an opportunity that is second to none. Last year, SoBe, truly the toast of the town, broke all records, drawing more than 40,000 local, national, and international guests onto our billion-dollar sandbar, and raising a reported $1.7 million for FIU. Now, that is something to raise a glass to, so let's get "sobelicious"! For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com. ML