The Fit Cook hits the 2012 South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Shots from a not-so-fit weekend.

If you read my post, "How I Found My Happy," you know how happy the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. This year I was given access to quite a few events, thanks to some good friends, a hint of luck, and my blog...aka my baby! Here are highlights from another amazing, food coma inducing weekend! Click "Read More" for pictures.. Enjoy!

XO,
Luisana

It's one of the biggest parties of the festival, and I was so excited to go! My friends at Brustman Carrino PR, who handle press ticketing, weren't able to give me tix to this one, but I still got lucky. Huge thanks to a special friend, who shall remain unnamed, for taking me with you! I was rolling with big Food Network names that night so I only snuck in a few shots. The lighting is great for the ambiance, but awful for pictures. I'll get over myself and post anyway. Bottom line, I ate some delicious pig that night.

Another year back at the Grand Tasting Village, and this time I went with the only woman who can out-eat and out-drink me... my mom! Even though holding on to our drinks and plate wasn't easy while squeezing through the crowds under the tents, it was worth every bite. Highlights from the day include Alex Guarnaschelli's food demo -- she rocked it! She also inspired my Tenderly Tangy Chicken recipe that I will post soon. I also came across some Fit Finds, but that's a whole other post. The hardest part about a day of eating and drinking next to the beach, was having to control myself knowing I was hitting up another party that night. I didn't stop myself too much anyway.

This was my favorite party last year, so when tickets went on sale, we picked some up immediately. It's a beautiful setting and very high-end. The food is great, and I love that these chefs are really there to have a great time and hang out. There are also beautiful male models walking around with trays of Godiva truffles... yes, please! My sister and I took my mom for her birthday, who didn't want to leave. By midnight, I was sitting on a couch under the Godiva tent (coincidence? I think not), and she was scouring what to eat next.

Are you full yet? A huge thanks to my friends at Goya for sending me off to sea to savor delicious dishes from Aaron Sanchez, Timon Balloo, and Rodriguez de Cuba's awesome chef. I took my sister on this little adventure around the bay, where I ate and drank champagne as if I hadn't already been stuffing my face for the past 3 days. 

I ended the weekend at Swine and Wine, where I had more delicious pig and really good dessert. No pics from this one, but you can check out my sister's post to see more from this event, and her experience at SOBEWFF.