After a rather tumultuous winter filled with family drama, Brooklyn Beckham is embracing sunny Miami. He’s co-hosting an event alongside Rachael Ray at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
On the festival’s first day, they’ll be hosting a burger feast to kick off its 25th anniversary.
Lee Schrager, the festival’s founder, expressed surprise that Beckham chose to participate despite the media’s scrutiny surrounding him. “I thought he might cancel,” he remarked.
Schrager mentioned he had followed Beckham’s journey for several years and was particularly impressed after he launched his Hot Sauce brand. “This is your audience,” he told Beckham.
Beckham also attended the New York City Wine and Food Festival last October, where Schrager noted he was incredibly gracious.
“I was honestly a bit surprised we had him for two festivals back-to-back,” he added, but it seems Beckham is thrilled to be involved again.
Meanwhile, amidst accusations that his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, have been undermining his marriage, Beckham is expected to help direct a burger competition, for which Gayle King and Ashley Graham will serve as judges. His parents have denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
With 17 million followers on social media, Brooklyn plans to promote his hot sauce, named Cloud23, launched on his wedding day to Nicola Peltz. Interestingly, the name is derived partly from his father’s iconic soccer jersey.
He’ll collaborate with Keith McNally’s Pastis, a beloved French bistro, to create a unique burger for the competition.
Diplo is also on the guest list.
Schrager commented, “We aimed for something big, and we definitely achieved that.”
This event is just one of many happening at the festival, which is now being held in areas like the Design District and Coconut Grove, featuring around 500 chefs.
This year marks the introduction of a non-alcoholic event, aptly named “Coffee Culture: The Miami Brunch Experience,” hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and David Bartka.
Other activities range from elegant dinners to laid-back pizza and ping pong events with Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten at the Miami Beach Edition Hotel.
Schrager noted that many people now prefer mocktails at events. “We understand there are those who drink less or not at all,” he said.
He came up with the festival idea after attending the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, dreaming of bringing a similar experience to Miami’s shores. “At that time, Miami wasn’t the food capital it is today,” he recalled.
Back then, only a few restaurants like Joe’s Stone Crab and The Forge were highlights in the area.
The festival has experienced its share of unpredictability since its start. There was a year when Chef Gordon Ramsay opted not to show up for a pricey dinner he was set to cook. Another incident involved Chef Mario Batali making headlines for a slip in front of Spanish royalty. And let’s not forget when Willie Nelson surprised everyone with a beach concert.
Initially, they struggled to attract enough chefs but have now been joined by some of the world’s best talents, including Jean-Georges, Daniel Boulud, and Thomas Keller, according to Schrager.
To date, the festival has raised over $45 million for the University of Florida’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, giving students invaluable opportunities to work with top chefs.
Schrager acknowledged the festival benefited from the Food Network’s rise around the time he launched the event. “They introduced us to their audience and helped us grow,” he noted.
Regardless of economic ups and downs, ticket sales have remained steady, with 60,000 sold this year alone.
“Even during COVID, people were eager for outdoor activities,” said Schrager. “We’ve been able to thrive even in challenging times.”
“Twenty-five years is significant, it’s a long time for anything,” he reflected. “We’re thrilled about the talent and winemakers we have on board. We haven’t lost our charm, and maybe we’re even more popular now.”
