More than 23,000 people attended the South Beach Wine & Food Festival February 25-27, and the event raised approximately $800,000 in educational support of tomorrow’s young industry leaders. Over 100 international celebrity chefs, food personalities and world-renowned winemakers and experts wowed patrons for three straight days serving up the best in the wine and food world against the backdrop of South Beach’s famed sand, surf and sun. Beverage distributor Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University hosted the event in association with such sponsors as American Airlines, American Express, Bank of America, Belvedere Vodka, City of Miami Beach, Evian Natural Spring Water, KitchenAid, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Moët & Chandon, Schieffelin & Co, Target and Wine Spectator to name a few. All proceeds once again benefit the FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management’s Teaching Restaurant and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, both located at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami.