For 25 years, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) has been a kaleidoscope of celebrity chefs, grand tastings, and unforgettable dinners that have shaped Miami’s foodie identity. This month, as the festival celebrates its milestone anniversary, the spotlight will land squarely—and deservedly—on one of Miami’s own. Chef Michelle Bernstein, the city’s beloved James Beard Award–winning culinary ambassador, has been named the honoree of the festival’s silver-anniversary tribute dinner. And for Bernstein, the recognition is as surprising as it is meaningful.
Affectionately known throughout the city as “Michy,” Bernstein is not just a chef but a symbol of Miami’s culinary rise. The hometown toque is adored by peers, staff, and diners alike, though humility sometimes prevents her from seeing her impact. “I think it was Bobby Flay who whispered into [SOBEWFF executive director] Lee Schrager’s ear: ‘It’s about time that you put a local in for the honoree,’ and I guess he thought of me,” she says. “I’m still kind of surprised. I keep thinking that maybe they made a mistake.”
According to Schrager, the choice was clear. “In addition to being one of the chefs who has put South Florida on the map, Michelle has been participating in this festival since its earliest incarnation as Florida Extravaganza on FIU’s north campus,” says Schrager. “To say she has been a supporter, friend, and driving force and talent behind this festival’s success and longevity would be an understatement. It made all the sense in the world to honor her as our first local chef tribute dinner honoree for this, our twenty-fifth year.”
“I have done every single festival since its inception,” Bernstein says proudly. Not illness, scheduling, nor even an accidental oversight could keep her away. “I did one festival with a black eye,” the Miami native recalls. “I think they might have forgotten about me once and at the last minute I was thrown into a dinner. I do a lot of replacements. I call myself the cleaner.”…