Miami, known for its beachy fun, is not just a place for food and drinks but also a place of giving back. A South Florida man, Willie Thorenton, has been organizing an event to help feed his community every three months, where hundreds of families line up to pick up free groceries at a park in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. Volunteers hand out essentials such as milk, eggs, and meat. Thorenton works overtime in his job and uses the money he earns to give back to his community. The event not only provides food but also live music, hot meals, and an opportunity for people to gather and have fun.

As Miami residents enjoyed the food philanthropy, the city also hosted the 22nd edition of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, a four-day event filled with the best food, drinks, and entertainment. While many of the festival’s marquee events sold out early, there were still a few good events with tickets available. Here are the top five 2023 SOBEWFF events to attend:

1. Burger Bash – This evening dedicated to all things burgers, hosted by Emeril Lagasse with a special performance by country group Midland, offers dozens of burger options from Miami favorites like Caja Caliente, Motek, and Ted’s Burgers, alongside creations by other acclaimed chefs and restaurants from around the country.

2. Chicken Coupe – The annual Chicken Coupe event hosted by Michelle Bernstein is a celebration of the classic pairing of fried chicken and champagne. Guests can dine on the classic dish of fried chicken prepared by more than a dozen chefs from spots like Yardbird and Kush, with unlimited bubbles by six high-end champagne houses.

3. Daiquiri-Making Master Class – This hands-on cocktail class, part of the Eater Event series, is hosted by Cafe La Trova’s award-winning bartender Julio Cabrera and local bartender and Eater Miami contributor Gio Gutierrez. It offers a lifetime of tips and tricks for whipping up Cuba’s sweetest gifts, the daiquiri.

4. Smorgasburg After Dark – This new event hosted at the ultra-buzzy weekend food hall Smorgaburg Miami will have over 60 unique food vendors from South Florida and across the country serving up their signature dishes at this late-night party in Wynwood.

5. Grand Tasting Village – This event, which started the festival two decades ago, is still on sale for the Sunday portion. Demos by food personalities like Andrew Zimmern and Duff Goldman will occur while attendees sip and eat through the tents.

Miami’s combination of philanthropy and festivals make it a great place to live and visit. The food and drinks, coupled with a philanthropic spirit, ensure that residents and visitors will always have a reason to smile.