Meet Lee Brian Schrager, the Food-Fest Impresario with Humble Broward Roots
Not only is he the man behind Miami’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival, he’s also Senior Vice President of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, a job he got by writing a letter to the company’s CEO when he turned 40.
The sprawling festival has become part Super Bowl and part Woodstock, a movable feast from Coral Gables to Fort Lauderdale, featuring everything from midnight Champagne with chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to an all-day family festival at Jungle Island with cake ace Duff Goldman.
It’s raised more than $24 million for Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
An expected 65,000 enthusiasts will descend upon 90 events featuring 350 chefs, winemakers and food professionals from around the world.
“He creates environments that we all want to be in,” says chef Bobby Flay, one of Food Network’s biggest stars, who has taken part in the South Beach festival since its second year. “It’s almost like I want to do whatever he asks, because I always feel appreciated.” (Valliant News)
Trade War Puts Cork in U.S. Wine Sales to China
Since June, Beijing has been imposing 93% tariffs and taxes on American wine. (Associated Press via. Press-Herald)