Over $2 million raised for FIU at '10 SoBe Fest

Hundreds of chefs gathered for Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality's annual fundraiser at the ninth annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival earlier this year. More than $2 million was raised to enhance students' experience at FIU's School of Hospitality, with a significant portion going toward scholarships.

Additionally, over 1,000 FIU students gained real-world experience by working at this year's event with responsibilities that ranged from fulfilling ticket orders and sponsorships to preparing and working along side chefs, as well as meeting and greeting guests at myriad activities throughout the festival. Below are some images of students interacting with foodservice industry stars at the four-day festival.

(l to r) Chef Michael LaMonica of Porter House New York, FIU School of Hospitality student associate Syi Sun and LaMonica's chef de cuisine Michael Ammirati at the 2010 Burger Bash during the SoBe Wine & Food Festival

FIU School of Hospitality student Vahimerii Vongue and celebrity iron chef Masaharu Morimoto at the Best of the Best event during the SoBe Wine & Food Festival

(l to r) Celebrity chef John Patrick Gray poses with FIU School of Hospitality chef Michael Moran. Moran led a team of 150 student associates who worked with guest chefs to prepare 26,000 portions served to 3,000 people at the Bubble Q BBQ during the SoBe Wine & Food Festival

Miami celebrity chef Cindy Hutson (second from left) with FIU School of Hospitality students at the BubbleQ BBQ on the beach

(front row, second from right) Celebrity chef Duff Goldman and his staff with FIU School of Hospitality student associates backstage at the Grand Tasting Village during the SoBe Wine & Food Festival