Annual South Beach Seafood Festival

Kicking off stone crab season, the highly anticipated South Beach Seafood Festival in Miami, delivered culinary excellence in its 11th year, showcasing the best of South Florida's seafood paired with top-tier culinary talent.

The iconic South Beach Seafood Festival, brought to you by CI Management and in collaboration with Breakthru Beverage Florida and partners, is a seafood celebration taking place every October with over 16,000 attendees, showcasing the talents of South Florida’s leading chefs and culinary masterminds. By offering a diverse lineup of events in partnership with some of South Florida’s leading chefs, the South Beach Seafood Festival caters to the most discerning ‘sea foodies’ in the region.

The South Beach Seafood Festival, now in its 11th year, concluded its four-day gastronomic spectacle set against the iconic Miami Beach Art Deco district this past weekend. Celebrating the commencement of Miami's famed stone crab season, the festival once again solidified its reputation as one of the leading seafood events in the country. Brought to you by Tequila Herradura, presented by GOYA Foods, and hosted by City of Miami Beach and in partnership with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, the festival featured a blend of the finest seafood, masterful celebrity chefs, and exhilarating live entertainment. The culinary extravaganza consisted of four distinct events, each ticketed separately.

Signature Events

An Evening at Joe's Stone Crab

Hosted by Sonoma Cutrer, attendees were treated to Executive Chef Andre Bienvenu’s exquisite five-course meal harmoniously paired with the selections of master sommeliers.

Crabs, Slabs & Cabs

GOYA Foods’ Executive Chef Fernando Desa and other top chefs from the Magic City took diners on an international 'Surf n’ Turf' adventure. Presented by GOYA Foods, and hosted by Halperns Steak and Seafood and Breakthru Beverage, which hosted a formal, sit-down dining experience held at the historic Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel. Participating chefs in this year’s dinner included celebrated restaurateur and Pubbelly Sushi partner José Mendín; La Mar Executive Chef Diego Oka; Meat Market Executive Chef and Owner Sean Brasel; Luca Osteria & Eating House’s Chef and Owner Giorgio Rapicavoli; Leku Executive Chef Carlos Garcia; and venue host, Kimpton Surfcomber’s Chef Gaston Javier.

Chef Showdown

Presented by Mountain Valley Spring Water on the Demesmin & Dover LIVE stage, when South Florida’s creme de la creme of chefs clashed in a thrilling culinary face-off across 11 competitive seafood rounds featuring 23 chefs. Last year's champion chefs returned, putting their skills on the line to retain their titles. The interactive event invited guests to sample deliciously cooked dishes from this year’s participating eateries and vote for their favorite among the contestants. The food-loving attendees were also able to interact with each chef as they took the main stage to show off their impressive skills with entertaining live demonstrations that hosted a panel of experienced culinary masters who helped the audience decide the winners.

2023 Chef Showdown Battle Competition Winners were as follows:

● Battle Ceviche: Chef Nilton Castillo of Cilantro 27
● Battle Crab: 4-Time Champion Chef Brian Nasajon of Beaker & Gray
● Battle Fusion-Sushi: 2-Time Champion Chef Gustavo Montes of Tanuki
● Battle Salmon: Chef Ryan Leonard of American Social
● Battle Caviar by Sterling Caviar: Chef Donatella Arpaia of Noma Beach
● Battle Tuna: Chef Andres Garcia of Chef Billy G
● Battle Oyster: 3-Time Champion Chef Cristian Canencio of Uchi
● Battle Shrimp: Chef Generric Kyles of Golden Rule Seafood
● Battle Surf n’ Turf presented by Halpern’s Steak & Seafood: 4-Time Champion Chef Fiorela Cornejo of Rusty Pelican
● Battle Sushi: 2-Time Champion Chef Michael Asalie of Paperfish
● Battle Taco: 2-Time Champion Chef Randy Piedras of Tacos and Tattoos

A list of participating restaurants included: Aida Mexican Seafood, American Social, Beaker & Gray, Billy G Catering, Call Me Cuban, Cilantro 27, Fox’s Lounge, Golden Rule, Joliet, Latin House Grill, La Santa Taqueria, NOMA Beach at Redfish, Ocean 234, Paperfish Sushi, Perl by Chef Ip, Rum Room, Rusty Pelican, Seawell Fish n’ Oyster, SIMS Sushi & Tapas Bar, Sushi | Bar Miami Beach, Tanuki, Tacos & Tattoos, and UCHI Miami. This year’s Tequila Herradura Showdown, which celebrated 4 South Florida mixologists battling for the most creative Tequila Herradura cocktail was Belinda Perdomo of Uchi Miami.

South Beach Seafood Festival

For the main event, an array of pop-up cafés, VIP samplings, and national brand showcases took over South Beach, as the festival grounds pulsated with live music on the entertaining Demesmin & Dover LIVE Stage presented by Jack Daniels, culinary education in the always popular Milam’s Markets Culinary Showcase Kitchen, interactive sponsor setups, and a spread of refreshing beverage bars. Ensuring a premium experience, the VIP Village was a massive hit with its eclectic mix of offerings, including the GOYA Culinary Pavilion, the Tequila Herradura Pop Up featuring Bodega South Beach, Jack Daniels Pop Up featuring Le Chick, Celebrity Cruises Silent Disco, a wine tasting experience featuring Matua, 19 Crimes, Bogle, Rabble, Sonoma Cutrer, and Hess Pearson, the Sterling Caviar tasting, Tartufo Prestige, Diplomatico Rum and Fords’ Gin and Oysters bar, and the Mountain Valley Spring Water hydration lounge. Culinary delights were served by renowned names featuring popular pop up cafes in the General Festival area and VIP Village featuring some of the chefs from the Chef Showdown, as well as over 30 eateries and fine dining options ranging from steak and seafood to chocolatey desserts.

In addition to celebrating regional culinary talent, the festival annually supports CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program, a 501 ©(3) nonprofit program that provides healthy meals and nutritional guidance to the local community and Florida’s youth through programs in Miami-Dade County public schools. Champions for GREEN joined this year’s event leading the charge in sustainable education and action, managing recycling to ensure plastic doesn’t find landfill but also transform recyclables into premium, long-lasting apparel and products, showcasing the potential of recycling at the event. Together, the event is committed to creating a more eco-conscious future.

The Annual South Beach Seafood Festival is now selling tickets for 2024. The event will last from October 23-26, 2024, and will have the same four events with old and new renowned chefs and culinary masterminds. Make sure you don't miss this epic event!

Visit here, for more details.