The Whole Foods Grand Tasting Village housed nearly 150 restaurants, hotel eateries, wineries, and other vendors during its three-day stint on South Beach-with 100 of those changing between Saturday night and Sunday morning. With Trade Day on Friday-open only to those in the industry, including local wine and spirits merchants, and restaurant, hotel, and nightclub workers-the tents opened to the public on Saturday and Sunday with cooking demonstrations and an abundance of food and wine tasting opportunities.
The Whole Foods Grand Tasting Village, erected by Prime Event Group and the Design Group of Miami, held its annual Trade Day on Friday before opening to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
Red Eye Productions
Nearly 150 hospitality students from Florida International University worked in the tents throughout the weekend.
BizBash
Moët Hennessy-with its temporary walls and custom-painted backdrops-was one of the many sponsored booths inside the village's north and south tents.
BizBash
The festival committee had representatives conducting live surveys of attendees on computer notebooks throughout the weekend.
BizBash
Following their cooking seminars in the KitchenAid tents, the nearly 40 celebrity chefs participating-such as Martha Stewart, who was there on Saturday morning-signed autographs and posed for pictures.
BizBash
The Whole Foods Grand Tasting Village, erected by Prime Event Group and the Design Group of Miami, held its annual Trade Day on Friday before opening to the public on Saturday and Sunday.
Red Eye Productions
Evian, another festival sponsor, set up a branded lounge in the village, along with multiple water stations throughout both of the main tents, to help keep guests hydrated while in the Miami heat for prolonged periods of time.
BizBash
Cruzan rum, between the north and south tents, entertained guests with live music in addition to its custom cocktails.
Models dressed in old-fashioned Spanish style wandered around the outdoor village directing guests to the Wines of Spain tent, which served as a miniature of version of the Grand Tasting tents, serving only Spanish wines and food.
Red Eye Productions
The Design Group of Miami erected a Whole Foods Market grocery store where guests could walk through each of the stations-including a coffee bar, bakery, and produce stop-sampling the bites provided at each.
Red Eye Productions
