Llive Young

Inside the EventStar tents, gigantic white LED fixtures projected multicolored spirals onto the walls in a treatment from Designs by Sean. The festival's kickoff event, a barbecue-focused affair hosted by Paula Deen and her sons Jamie and Bobby, saw a strong focus on sponsored lounges. Godiva’s dessert lounge provided truffles and cobbler, along with seating at low tables with white couches.

The topiary "Q" from an earlier event's step-and-repeat became a platform for Cirque du Mansion aerialists and entertainers during the Q After Dark.

For Godiva's Friday-night dessert party, host Duff Goldman from the Food Network's Ace of Cakes created a multilayer, Art Deco cake in pink, teal, and brown shades. Goldman served up three varieties of cake for guests to nosh on, along with three truffles he created from Godiva chocolate.

Chai s’mores from Janna Wardle of BLT Steak were an innovative and eye-catching creation.

As a clean way to add branding to the event, Godiva projected its logo onto the Highbar pool at Dream Hotel.

Reggae scion Ziggy Marley performed for the official closing party at the Ritz Carlton South Beach. The musician also used the opportunity to introduce his Ziggy Marley Organics line of the flavored coconut oils and roasted flavored hempseeds. Panache provided rentals.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel headed east to host the South Beach After Dark after-party Saturday at Estiatorio Milos. The hotel's mixologists created cocktails for the event including First Crush, which mixed Grey Goose la Poire, St. Germain, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, rosemary-infused honey syrup, and lemon juice.

Amstel Light again sponsored the Burger Bash, which saw Bobby Flay win the People’s Choice award—which Michael Symon had won the previous three years. Flay served a green chile cheeseburger topped with potato chips.

Evian's #EvianEats photo activation—which invited guests to "live young"—was a popular first stop in the center of the first tent for the festival's Grand Tasting.

Celebrity Cruises partnered with Badia to create a make-your-own-rub station.

Transitions Optical built its own tent, which featured a rooftop with viewfinders for guests to enjoy ocean views and a photo shoot inside with Robert Irvine. The company also offered gelato samples and an area to try on lenses and frames.

Goya chefs cooked meatballs inside an open Airstream trailer kitchen.

Jelly Belly offered cocktail-inspired flavors in sample cups.

Guests could relax at the Sears Outdoor Living lounge, which was open for several events during the festival. The company's Lighted Patio collection served as decor inside the lounge, along with the Kenmore Elite grill line. Sears produced the event in house.

Hosted by chef Geoffrey Zakarian at Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Thrillist's event once again brought chefs and foodies together for meat and music. The Eden Roc's in-house restaurant, 1500 Degrees, created barbecue beef brisket tamales with pickled Swank Farms pepper salsa.

Jeremiah Bullfrog of Freehand offered short rib hot dogs.