The South Beach Wine & Food Festival® is bringing back one of its most culture-forward events as part of its 25th anniversary celebration.
The Cookout, hosted by acclaimed Chef JJ Johnson, will return to Miami Beach on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eden Roc Miami Beach. The event will also feature a special live performance by hip hop legend Fat Joe and is presented by Sonrisa Rum.
More than a traditional food festival, The Cookout is designed as a celebration of African American and Caribbean culture, blending culinary excellence, music and community. Set along the oceanfront pool at the Eden Roc, the event draws inspiration from the familiar energy of a backyard cookout while elevating the experience with high-profile chefs and entertainment.
Chef Johnson, founder of the fast-casual restaurant concept FIELDTRIP, said the event is about honoring culture through food and music.
“This is not a barbecue — it’s a cultural celebration,” Johnson said. “The Cookout is where unique flavors and great music collide to celebrate the culture. It’s about honoring the food, stories and joy that define the Black experience.”
The evening will conclude with a performance from Fat Joe, whose catalog of hits and Bronx-rooted hip hop influence are expected to bring a high-energy finale to the celebration.
Guests can expect unlimited tastings from a lineup of Black chefs representing cities across the U.S. and the Caribbean, along with live DJ sets, interactive chef moments and a vibrant, fashion-forward atmosphere. Internationally acclaimed DJ Too Much will provide curated music throughout the event.
The 2026 featured chefs include:
- Chef JJ Johnson – FIELDTRIP (New York, NY)
- Chef Taneisha Bernal – T Cooks with Flave (Miami, FL)
- Chef Osei “Picky” Blackett – Oxtails and Cocktails (Trinidad and Tobago)
- Chef Courtney Davis – Sunday Dinner (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- Chef Catherine Hinds – Sugar Dumplin (Miami, FL)
- Chef Shawn Osbey – Chef Shawn (Atlanta, GA)
- Chef Hugh Sinclair – Chef Irie Spice (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- Chef Daren Reid – Purplelit Oyster Company (Miami Gardens, FL)
- Chef Wayne Sharpe – JRK! (Miami, FL)
- Cleveland Smith – Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream (Dania Beach, FL)
- Aamir Taylor – Italian Vice (Miami, FL)
Atmosphere highlights include an oceanfront poolside setting, live DJ performances, unlimited food and beverage tastings, and a dress code that encourages guests to lean into bold, stylish and culture-forward looks.
Tickets for The Cookout are $175 and are available through the South Beach Wine & Food Festival website.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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