Food Network chef Katie Lee Biegel prepares for this year’s SOBEWFF.

For Katie Lee Biegel (@katieleebiegel), co-host of The Food Network’s The Kitchen and regular on Beat Bobby Flay and the Rachael Ray Show, cooking isn’t a hobby but a way of life. Carrying values instilled at a young age with her throughout her career and various cookbooks to her name, Biegel arrives in Miami for this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival, bringing her culinary expertise to the festival’s Sunday Brunch. We chat with the chef about what she’s most looking forward to and some of her kitchen essentials.

PHOTO BY BEN FINK SHAPIRO

How does this upcoming Festival differ from the past?

Every year, even after so many, the Festival manages to reinvent itself with new events and new people participating. One thing that remains the same is the energy that South Beach brings. I’ve always felt that the moment I cross the causeway into Miami Beach, the excitement and the energy shift. I just love it!

What are you most excited about?

I am excited to bring my wine, Kind of Wild, to the Festival again this year. I have been participating in the Festival for about 20 years, so it is really exciting to have my wine featured. We are organic and zero-sugar, and Kind of Wild fits the lifestyle of Miami.

What can we look forward to from this year’s Festival?

The brunch I am co-hosting with my The Kitchen co-hosts will be fun! So many amazing chefs will be cooking a feast.

Are there any exciting new projects you can tease?

I have some fascinating guests on my podcast, All On The Table. The show is about getting to know people through food; listeners can expect to hear their favorite food personalities, other industry experts and celebrities.

What are some must-have kitchen accessories everyone should have?

Everyone needs a high-quality chef’s knife, a serrated knife and a paring knife. Those are the most important things to start with, and then build from there. As far as accessories go, I love my mini food processor and my slow cooker.

One recipe that can never go wrong?

My family is always happy with my oven-fried chicken. It’s pretty much foolproof.

For those intimidated by cooking, what advice can you give them?

Start with straightforward recipes, and always read your recipe through, start to finish, before you begin cooking so you know where you’re going.