Taking a bite out of America’s top food fests

The culinary illuminati are preparing to descend upon Miami for the five-day South Beach Wine & Food Festival, kicking off Feb. 24.

“The festival offers a unique mix of experiences at a variety of price points,” says Lee Brian Schrager, founder and director of SOBEWFF, where tickets range from $20 to $1,500. “It’s our 15th anniversary and the 10th birthday of our iconic Burger Bash, so there’s a lot happening.”

The gastronomical gathering will include more than 80 events across Dade County, and this year, it will expand to adjacent Broward County with its Taste Fort Lauderdale series. This will include Food Network’s Robert Irvine hosting 15 South Florida chefs at the historic Bonnet House Museum and Gardens for a tasting.

Another first for the festival — which added an extra day this year — is Exploring Israel, its inaugural kosher dinner, hosted by chefs from across the US, such as Ashley Christensen, Alon Shaya, Michael Solomonov and Zak Stern.

On the celebrity front, Chrissy Teigen will host a midnight breakfast with Miami’s Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop, and Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka will lead cooking demonstrations and judge the Rachael Ray-hosted Burger Bash. Also on tap: Jean-Georges Vongerichten will host CroquetaMania, celebrating the tasty Cuban snack, Giada De Laurentiis will host Barilla’s Italian Bites on the Beach, and Bizarre Food’s Andrew Zimmern will close-out SOBEWFF with Lucky Chopsticks: An Asian Night Market.

Following SOBEWFF, the food festival schedule ramps up with these other drool-inducing events:

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit

This epicurean extravaganza typically attracts chefs with Sin City outposts, including Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa and Emeril Lagasse. Tastings and cocktail competitions will take place this year at four casino resorts: The Cromwell, The Venetian, The Palazzo and Caesars Palace. But the main draw is the 50-plus chef Grand Tasting on April 29 at the opulent Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace. (April 28-May 1, $225-$300)

Austin Food + Wine Festival

The Austin Food + Wine Festival showcases the Lone Star State’s finest fare. New this year is a Sunday gospel brunch — think buttermilk pancakes and cheesy grits — during which attendees will be entertained by a steel pedal guitarist and the Voices of Greater Cavalry Gospel Choir. Another hot ticket? The Rock Your Taco cooking face-off between a group of chefs, including Andrew Zimmern, Chopped’s Aaron Sanchez, and Barbuto’s Jonathan Waxman. (April 22-24, $250-$625)

Charleston Wine + Food

Charleston Wine + Food showcases the city’s expanding and diverse gastronomy scene. Events include the decadent Champagne Lunch at Leon’s Oyster Shop, a pasta cooking workshop with chef Michael Toscano (formerly with New York’s Perla restaurant) and a “pole-to-plate” dinner event at Fish Restaurant. And, for traditionalists, there are plenty of events focused on all things bourbon and barbecue. (March 2-6, $45-$750)

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

Five thousand foodies will head to Aspen this summer to bask in the glory of the culinary elite at the Food & Wine Classic. Typically, there are more than 80 cooking demonstrations and tastings with chefs and sommeliers. In the past, attendees have witnessed Tom Colicchio braise a lamb shoulder and Daniel Boulud work wonders on a charcuterie board. (June 17-19, $1,450/$1,550 after March 15)

Taste of Chicago

Taste of Chicago at Grant Park features more than 60 pop-up restaurants and food trucks spanning the city’s culinary spectrum. Think mustard-fried catfish, Cuban pork tamales, and of course, deep-dish pizza. The five-day festival, organized by the city, also features musical acts. This year’s line-up has yet to be announced, but last year’s acts included Erykah Badu and Weezer. A must? Head to the E&J Gallo Winery Wine Garden to enjoy a glass of wine and live jazz music. (July 6-10, free, )

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

This is one of the most sophisticated stops on the food festival circuit. Its venues are The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House, a trio of Newport’s glorious Gilded Age mansions. The three-day affair puts more of an emphasis on wine than food, with hundreds of wines from around the world paired with dishes from regional restaurants. The highlight of the festival is the Grand Tasting, held on Marble House’s sprawling lawn, featuring tastings, chef demonstrations, and a silent auction of luxury goods and wine. (September 23-25, $160-$350)

NOLA Foodfest

New Orleans’ Spanish Plaza will be lined with chefs offering more than 50 “hometown eats,” including pimento cheese French fries, crawfish enchiladas, and oyster nachos. And expect the powdered sugar to fly: NOLA Foodfest takes a cue from Coney Island’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, with a Beignet Eating Contest April 3. The prize? The (easily adjustable) World Champion Beignet Eating Belt. (April 2-3, free)