Miami, FL – Vanessa James Media Productions is thrilled to announce the triumphant return of Food, Wine, and Fete, powered by LunaLite Drone Technologies, Miami’s premier Caribbean all-inclusive beachside Soca Fete experience, set for Saturday, May 17th, 2025, from 5-11 pm at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s Grand Pavilion, celebrating its momentous 80th anniversary! Prepare for an immersive journey into the heart of Caribbean culture, a sensory explosion that will have you immediately craving an island getaway.
Now in its third year, Food, Wine, and Fete showcases the diaspora’s most visionary chefs, innovative mixologists, and trendsetting tastemakers, alongside a curated selection of popular wines and spirits of the Caribbean. This is where culture breathes, where every sip and every beat connects you to the heart of the Caribbean.
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“Food, Wine & Fete isn’t just an event; it’s our love letter to the culture that we treasure so dearly. It’s about igniting that longing for home, that yearning for the warmth of our islands, unrivaled anywhere else in the world,” said co-founder Vanessa James.
In our third year, we’ve turned up the flavor with a fresh lineup of culinary stars:
- Chef Irie returns as our culinary ambassador for this year’s festival. The recipient of the prestigious James Beard award, this Jamaican culinary trailblazer has carried his “Food on Fiyah” signature cooking style globally. Never short on vibes to match his insatiable dishes.
- Emmy award-winning chef Simeon Hall, Jr, joins us for the first time this year from the Bahamas, where he’ll wow us in a live cooking demonstration, giving patrons a taste of all 700 islands and showcasing the depth and diversity of Bahamian flavors.
- Chef Troy Tingling of SoulFly Chicken is fresh off his world tour, cooking up a storm in Dubai and back with two showcases this year on our coveted “Foodie Avenue”. He’s crafting ‘Soulfly’s Escovitch Fried Chicken’ and a Caribbean staple ‘Dahl and Saltfish Choka. Troy began mixing Caribbean flavors to create fusion recipes; he has also cooked for ex-Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
- Celebrity Chef Paul Griffith, a Barbados-born culinary prodigy, serves up some of the best meals to music and Hollywood celebrities in Miami, including NFL teams and his dishes never steer far from his Barbadian roots. Griffith is back to showcase his world-class hospitality headlining the festival’s VIP section, serving up Bajan Shrimp and Crab Salad Martini with Pickled Cucumber and a few more surprises.
- Chef Kimesha Chong of Kanin Catering brings her unique blend of culinary expertise—as a chef, event planner, and foodie—to the VIP menu, featuring exceptional Caribbean vegan and vegetarian dishes.
- Myriam “Chef Mimi” Charles, the award-winning pastry chef, Miami native known for her triumph on Cooking Channel’s “Cake Hunters’ and as the founder of Lux Cakery, she’ll be infusing her Haitian roots into her insatiable desserts with the return of her signature rum and wine-infused cake jars – a huge hit with festival goers.
- Chef Christian Barruos-Brens, award-winning Chef Christian, is firing up the grill and shifting gears from sweet to savory. Prepare for his Freddy SmashBurger—a dish that transcends mere cuisine. It’s a powerful tribute to his late father, Freddy, and a delicious reflection of his Dominican roots and culture.
- Trinidadian-born Chef Arry, making his fete debut, introduces his captivating Indo-Caribbean fusion. Get ready for an explosion of his signature, irresistible, bite-sized curry creations.
The driving force behind any true Caribbean fete? SOCA! Prepare to move your waistline from the get-go; we’re delivering the ultimate, dance-fueled vibes from start to finish! Taking center stage at FWF this year, we are thrilled to welcome celebrated Trinidadian Soca artist Farmer Nappy, who will be performing his decades of chart-topping hits and heating things up, alongside Chef Irie in our demo kitchen.
Plus spinning live, our Soca DJ Lineup includes:
- Team Soca’s own DJ Spice
- LL Cool Blaze
- DJ Eternal Vibes
- DJ Sinister
- Co-hosted by Barrie Hype and Giselle the Wassi One
And, by overwhelming popular demand, our esteemed sponsor, LunaLite Drone Technologies, returns to close the fete with a breathtaking drone show, illuminating the Miami skyline.
“As we prepare to celebrate 80 years of all things Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, we are excited for the return of Food, Wine & Fete to host an incredible experience celebrating Caribbean culture through its chefs, artists, and community. Through this partnership, we look to celebrate the diverse cultures of South Florida with a focus on community engagement, promoting local tourism and economic growth through the support of international culinary artisans,” says Athalie Edwards, Executive Director/ CEO of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.
Food Wine & Fete has also added a philanthropic arm of the event to support Caribbean creatives, chefs, and businesses of the diaspora, by partnering with the Miami Foundation, the organization has created the VJMedia x FWF Culture and Caribbean Leadership Fund through the Miami Foundation. This is our community fund that serves as the platform to highlight the cultural creatives of South Florida.
“It’s a shared experience, where we all come together as one Caribbean family. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be part of something truly special, an interactive celebration that ignites the spirit of our culture. And most importantly, get ready to FETE – to dance, wine, taste, and celebrate the boundless energy that makes us who we are – one incredible diaspora!” said co-founder Marcos Rodriguez.
Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite starting at $125 and $185 for VIP. The festival has partnered with Hilton Garden Inn Miami Brickell South to provide reduced group rates for those visiting from out of town or South Florida who want to make a weekend out of the experience.
Participating sponsors include: Vanessa James Media, LunaLite Drone Technologies, LaFete Rose Wine, Bajan 1966 Rum, DonDadda Tequila, Duke and Dame Whiskey, Carib Beer, Caribe, The Montpelier Hotel Nevis, The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Best Dressed Plate, and more.
Food, Wine, and Fete offers a unique opportunity for brands to tap into an affluent, well-traveled, and highly motivated diverse community and showcase their offerings. Partnership and press opportunities allow brands to stand out amid a sea of motivated patrons. For more information about partnership opportunities, sampling opportunities, and press inquiries, visit www.foodwineandfete.com. Follow the Food, Wine, and Fete fun on Instagram and Facebook.
