"BurgerBash" news and stories

There's a lot on offer at the annual SoBe Food and Wine Festival, but Food Network's South Beach Burger Bash is always the must-see event. Food writers, bloggers and burger enthusiasts travel from around the globe to be among the thousands of spectators who get to watch their favorite chefs vie for the title of Best Burger. (And sample the burgers, of course.)

However, not many people understand what it takes to pull off an event of this size. After flying into town from New York City on Thursday afternoon, I headed over to the Burger Bash's 35,000-square-foot tent to meet with Jackie Sayet, Chef Michael Schwartz's (Michael's Genuine Food & Drink) brand manager. One the way inside, I was stopped by several people asking me if I had a ticket for sale. Others were scalping tickets -- the bash really is the Super Bowl of food events.

At last year's Burger Bash, Michael took home the Judge's Award. This year, he was determined to capture the People's Choice Award with his Bacon, Quail Egg and Cheeseburger with Fried Cheese Grits. Before arriving in Miami, I asked Jackie if I could follow Michael's journey through the night as he prepped and served 2,600 burgers to a very hungry crowd.

Photo: Sarah LeTrent

Friday night's Blue Moon Burger Bash hosted by Food Network star-turned-one woman empire, Rachael Ray, heated the festival up. Where there weren't burgers, the Food Network and food world entourage filled in.

A brief roll call included: the aforementioned Rachael Ray, Tyler Florence, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Ann Burrell, Art Smith, Jacques Torres, Rocco DiSpirito, Martha Stewart, Duff Goldman, Katie Lee (last year's Burger Bash champion), Ellie Krieger, Giada De Laurentiis...

New York's top eateries, including Minetta Tavern, Shake Shack, The Spotted Pig and Wollensky's, fired up their grills so they could claim the judges' favorite and the People's Choice Award. Check out our festival photos and more after the jump!