SobeWFF 2011- Closing Party

Time to wrap up my adventures to the 2011 South Beach Wine & Food Festival . Blisters and all we trekked the 8 blocks to Guy's BIG Beach Bar & Grill. After the very long and excited weekend we had, I have to say this closing party was QUITE disappointing! Only a couple Chef Hunt sightings:

Andrew Zimmerman

Guy was there but never came out of the VIP area, in fact no one did. :(

Geoff from Ace of Cakes

 The other guy from Ace of Cakes...name anyone? I am blanking!

Anne Burrell smiling right at me!

That was it.

Pretty lame party, if you ask me. In retrospect, shoulda gone home to watch the Oscars.

I cannot complain though, since I didn't pay for the tickets, he he.

So long SobeWFF, see you next year!

XOXO,

Heather

Pizza Pizza!

I have always been a huge fan of pizza...who isn't? I seriously think it should be it's own food group! I like it delivery, frozen, or homemade. Good thing I have fresh tomatoes and basil in the garden to help with that homemade thing! I did cheat and used store-bought crust, but don't hold that against me! Check this guy out and tell me delivery is better:

I think not! What really made the pizza was the fresh Basil Oil, from my new collection of oils:

I feel very Guy Fieri when I use these squirt bottles! :)

You know what else should be it's own food group?

Cupcakes!

Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting...yum!

Perfect ending to a comforting evening......aaaaaah

DDD Tour tastic...episode one

I watch a variety of shows on The Food Network, but one of the ones I Tivo consistently is Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. It is always fun, fresh and real, good food. I personally think you should always check to see where Guy's been when going to visit a new city! He always picks joints that you may NEVER pull into without a reccomendation from someone. Well, I certainly trust Guy's reccomendation, so Amanda and I have been visiting the DDD locales here in South Florida. Here is a peak into where we have been so far:

First off, Grampa's Bakery in Dania. Good 'ol fashioned diner food, with a to-die-for bakery attached. Yes, the Rueben Sandwich was good, and the free basket of danishes a nice touch, but the bakery! It is really hard to decide when looking at two huge cases of desserts which sweet treat to get, but I ultimately decided on a Black n White Cookie. I mean, a huge, cake like cookie with chocolate and vanilla frosting on top? perfect!

Next, we tried Havana Hideout. Lively little Cuban  place with a outside patio perfect for sipping sangria on a Sunday afternoon. Of course, everyplace on DDD has a twist, and this one is, the "dining area" is outside on sand, and the kitchen is a trailer. Add live music, and great food, and I will definitely be going back! What was fun was, on the menu, you can "Get what Guy got." A sampler of all the things he tried while there. Of course that's what I got, and it was all tasty! Located in Lake Worth, this place is a must see!

Next, we ventured into Hollywood to try Sonny's Famous Steak Hoagies. Small little dive in a strip mall, you could drive by it a million times and never think about stopping...well, I'm glad Guy told us all about it! It is very inexpensive, good food, great portion size and friendly staff. I got a Steak Sandwich with onions, provolone and sauce on the side. They put a whole bowl of hot peppers on your table to garnish your sandwich, which is a great touch.  I really enjoyed the sandwich and could eat them often! What I can't figure out is, even though I have washed my hands a few dozen times, why do my hands still smell like steak deliciousness??? Makes me wonder what it is doing to my insides right now......

Ok, I still have a few more spots to try, as I follow in Guy's footsteps. Do you have a gem of a place you think should check out? Tell him here, or just tell me! I'd love to know where you eat that is off the norm.

SoBe it....the best birthday ever!

You know how they say that the happiest people spend thier money on experiences instead of things? Well, they are right! I had the Best.Birthday.Ever. this past weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. I went alone, yes, but I was surrounded by my peeps! Foodies just like me who watch the Food Network, read the magazine, cook the recipes, follow the stars. I made a lot of new friends and had a TON of fun! Take a look at the the highlights from my trip...and keep reading, cause I save the best for last!

Day one:
I showed up an hour early for the first event, Paula Deen, but was too late. The show was already full! So I cut my losses and decided to go get in line for her book signing, before that was filled up too. So I went around and got to be the FIRST in line! Of course by the time she came by, the South FL weather was rearing it's ugly head and threatening rain, so they cancelled the photos and she just signed books. She was very sweet and still looked me in the eye and HIII to me. This is her just after signing my book, and that's her husband Michael, who is totally adorable. :

Next up, the Daisy Martinez cooking demo:

She was very sweet, but all I could think of was what was up next, or should I say who:

Rachel Ray! Her show was packed, but I snagged a great seat...worth waiting an hour and a half in line for! She is just as bright and bubbly in person as on TV.

That was enough excitement for one day for me, so I headed to my hotel and experienced all that South Beach has to offer, the food! the people! the drinks! the dancing! (Notice I did not mention the sleeping?!)

Nonetheless I was up bright and early the next morning for Day 2 of my mini-vaca.

I made sure to get there super early again, snagging my first place spot in line for Rocco Dispirito Book Signing:

He is so fun and lively, and don't we look so cute together! ;)

I then turned right around and got my first place spot in line for Guy Fieri:

He is just as cool in person, and I was surprised at how tall he was...or is it his hair??

Then I took a break from standing in lines and went and saw Rocco's Show.

He truly had the best show and was so interactive with the audience. I heart Rocco!

Then, as if that wasn't enough, I went back to the beach to grab a bite and catch up with my new BFF, SUNNY ANDERSON!

She took time out of her packed schedule to meet me in her hotel lobby to say hello. Isn't she the greatest? She even snapped this photo of us. (check us out on her blog too!)

As if this wasn't a dream come true, she remebered it was my birthday, and brought me a gift!!!

 

It's a bag full of foodie treats and a signed card from Sunny. At this point, I really did not think that life could get any better, so I decided to call it a weekend and head back up north.

Even though I only went to the kids events, I had SOOO much fun, and will definitely make this trip an annual event. Taking donations now for next year's adult events! ;)

Thank You all for reading, and make sure you become a follower! As Sunny always says, your support is what keeps us bloggers going, so just click follow!

By for now!

Dolphinfanhg

PS I credit Sunny Anderson for the title of this blog, I stole the idea from hers.