Chef Alan Wilkinson and #Sobewff

ISLAMORADA, Fla. - Oct. 3, 2023 - PRLog -- Out of the thousands of South Florida Chefs, not many are asked to participate each year in a SOBEWFF experience. It is even less common that a Florida Keys native is asked to join. South Florida has their new Norman Van Aken Starchef; born and bred in the Florida Keys.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is ready to pair our enchanting Sunny Island views with some equally delicious food. On February 22nd through to the 25th, the now world-famous, SOBEWFF will grace our South Florida shores for its 33rd installment, with over 60,000 Chefs and A-listers that are jetting to sunny Florida to see what Chef Alan Wilkinson and other nationally recognized chefs have to show.

Chef Alan Wilkinson is a native of the Florida Keys, and he was born and raised in the small Florida Keys town of Tavernier, FL. He was inspired to become a culinary leader, and his goals would be to educate and mentor other young soon-to-be chefs about the profession of hospitality and business management, while highlighting why the Florida Keys is so unique gastronomically. He believes that "our culinary arts training must be a hands-on experience", says Chef Alan.

As he says, Chef Wilkinson has also been inspired by many mentoring chefs he has worked with throughout his career. James Beard Award-winning chef Norman Van Aken has had a significant impact on presiding over his future goals. Norman's Chef d' Cuisine, Chef Miguel Massens, who has experience working at 3-star restaurants all around the world, has worked with Chef Alan to tutor him in one of South Florida's premiere eateries. Another former Islamorada based chef and local SOBEWFF Celeb, chef Chef Niven Patel, was Cheeca Lodge's Executive Chef.

Getting to try the best of SoFlo:
Chef Alan is exemplifying South Florida's food at this year's SOBEWFF. He is going to use our local Key West Pink (KWP) shrimp at SOBEWFF's Grand Tasting Village event this year. This KWP shrimp comes from the one and only shrimp boat based in Key West. The Florida vessel; Miss Key West, is the first shrimp boat to operate out of the Key West Historic Seaport in over 30 years!

Chef Alan is using this Florida specialty to create a unique dish that could only come from the Keys.

You can find Alan Wilkinson at the following SOBEWFF event:

* **Grand Tasting Village**

Saturday, February 25, 7 pm - 11 pm

****  the Florida Keys SOBEWFF Team.

Living well starts with dining well.