Celebrity Mound

David Manero Restaurants will be hosting one of the most exclusive star-studded events of this year’s Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, alongside two of the world’s most celebrated chefs.

In conjunction with Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University, one of the east coast’s leading restaurateurs, David Manero, will join the internationally acclaimed master chefs, Mario Batali and England’s celebrated star of the culinary world, Jamie Oliver, to host “FETTUCCINE AND FIORENTINA” at DeVito South Beach, the renowned Italian prime chop house, located at 150 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, on Saturday, February 23 at 9:00 p.m. The event will mark the restaurant’s inaugural participation as part of the festival’s official line-up of events over the four days.

As part of his first visit to the festival, Jamie Oliver, star of the popular TV show The Naked Chef and founder of the restaurant Fifteen Cornwall in the U.K., together with Italy’s favorite Iron Chef and culinary maestro, Mario Batali, founder of Babbo and Casa Mono in New York City, among others nationwide, will take over the kitchen at DeVito South Beach, alongside the culinary team lead by Executive Chef Francis Casciato, to create a most memorable Italian buffet dinner for 300 discerning celebrities, VIPs and food connoisseurs.

The highly anticipated event, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., will be attended by Food Network’s super chefs including Rachael Ray, Emeril Lagasse, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay, as well as DeVito South Beach’s own Hollywood legend Danny DeVito, serving things up “Jersey-style.” On the menu will be a selection of dishes chosen and prepared by Batali himself, served buffet-style at different stations throughout the restaurant, including Salami and Prosciutto; Penne al Ragu; Orecchiette with sausage and Rapini; Cheese Tortellini al Pomodoro and alla Panna, as well as Longbone Wagyu Rib Eyes and Fagioli all’ucelletto. Ticket holders will also enjoy a full selection of Italian wines paired with each dish.

“We are delighted to be part of this year’s Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival as we approach our one- year anniversary,” said David Manero, president of David Manero Restaurants and co-owner of DeVito South Beach. “It is an honor to host the week’s most exclusive star-studded event with two of today’s biggest names in the culinary industry. Ticket holders can not only expect to rub shoulders with the legendary Danny DeVito himself, but also some of the most popular master chefs from The Food Network who will be visiting the restaurant for the first time to sample our acclaimed cuisine.”

Each year, The Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival attracts tens of thousands of people to South Beach, including more than 100 international celebrity chefs, culinary personalities and wine and spirits producers looking to show off their talents and expertise to festival attendees. A tradition in Miami since 2002, the festival is one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the United States. The money raised at the event goes to support future food industry leaders.

Event sponsors for “Fettuccine And Fiorentina” are Acqua Penna, Allen Brothers, Barilla, Crocs, Bialetti, illy, Ruffino and S.Pellegrino. For further information, visit www.sobewineandfoodfest.com

DeVito South Beach is located at 150 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 and is open daily for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, weekdays, and from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on the weekends. Reservations can be made by calling 305.531.0911. For further information, please visit www.devitosouthbeach.com .