Best of the Best

Last week I was lucky enough to have an intimate experience with Food Network's South Beach Food and Wine Festival. I was on-stage, backstage, and everything in between. Surprisingly, one of my favorite events was Wine Spectator's BEST of the BEST held at the Fountainbleau . Throughtout a four day spread, there are fabulous events jammed packed with food-euphoria; Burger Bash, Bubble Q, Luna en Fuego, Patron Party, and too many wine tasting's to count. Furthermore, throw in a few soirees and tribute dinners to bump up what already seems to be the last form of legal, sinful adult fun. In many ways, Best of the Best is to the food world what Art Basel is to the art world. For a mere $1,000 per head, you get to taste the best of the country all in one shot (as per Wine Spectator) as you make your way around the luxurious Fountainbleau pools, and to the beach.

Among the treats were the World's top Champagnes - Henriot, Dom Perignon, Riunart, Moet & Chandon; Wineries included Antinori, Caymus, Joseph Phelps, Jarvis, Mumm, and Nickel and Nickel just to name a few of the heavy hitters. To complement the libations were the works of some of the most notable chefs in the world. So if you've ever wondered what made chefs like David Burke, Lidia Bastianich, and Douglas Keane legendary? This was the chance to find out.

As I entered the glamorous hotel adorned in photographs of food and wine, I realized I was entering a place of promised gastronomic excellence and that's exactly what was delivered. I had a chance to embrace the extraordinares of my career.

The first dish I tasted was a foie gras bon bon with a quince champagne gelee on a cracked pepper shortbread, followed by Satsuma glazed pork belly, and lobster with burratta. My tastebuds were on a rollercoaster ride from planet Delicitron (lol delicious). Not to mention Charlie Trotter's famous 72-hour braised oxtail that honestly, made you want to lick your fingers, even if people were looking. This was culinary insanity and delirium at its peak! And I was enjoying myself to the fullest. A couple of tastings of Joseph Phelps, Jarvis, and Moet and Chandon's imppeccable Cuvee - I was a happy camper and my inner fat kid was out of control.

Being able to taste "fabulous" and "wonderful" on small tasting dishes, and sip on some of the finest liquids on the earth, was an experience of a lifetime. One that I will never forget and will set to inspire me for a long time to come.

So what happens after you taste the BEST of the BEST? ...... Get your apron on, rock-n-roll, and and create something BETTER! I gotta feeling it's going to be a delicious year.