South Beach Seafood Festival Returns for the 13th Year With Biggest Lineup Yet: All-Star Chefs, Expanded Dinner Series and New Culinary Showdowns
The 13th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival is back Wednesday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 25, with an expanded schedule of chef-driven experiences and can’t-miss culinary talent. Hosted in partnership with Breakthru Beverage Florida, the exclusive wine and spirits provider, this year’s festival raises the bar with an all-new two-night dinner series, ”An Evening in Miami Beach”, a star-studded VIP Chef Showdown; the introduction of the Milam’s Markets “SoBe Seafood Slam: Home Chef Challenge,” and a special community partnership with the Miami Beach Senior High Culinary Program, giving students the chance to compete in their own cooking competition. From curated pairing dinners to high-energy culinary battles and unlimited beachside bites and cocktails, the 2025 festival promises an epic multi-day feast for seafood lovers from near and far.
New this year, the festival introduces the “An Evening in Miami Beach” dinner series, a two-night celebration of dazzling wine and spirits pairing dinners at some of the city’s most iconic dining destinations. On Wednesday, Oct. 22, and Thursday, Oct. 23, guests will choose from a curated lineup of one-of-a-kind, multi-course seated dinners. Presented by GOYA Foods and Breakthru Beverage Florida, and featuring signature cuts from Halperns’, the Official Purveyor of the Festival, each intimate dinner will highlight South Florida’s most talented chefs, thoughtfully matched with top-tier wines and handcrafted cocktails.
Wednesday’s hosts include Carbone, the buzzy Italian-American hotspot celebrated for its theatrical tableside service, hosted by Jack Daniel’s Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and Wilson Daniels wines, and Prime 54, a modern steakhouse at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach known for its premium aged cuts and signature specials, presented by Glenfiddich and Treasury Wine Estates, and led by Executive Chef Michael Paley in partnership with GOYA Foods’ Executive Chef Fernando Desa. On Thursday evening, the lineup features Rao’s, the legendary institution serving timeless Italian specialties, presented by Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s Gin; Pubbelly Sushi, Miami’s pioneering Asian-Latin izakaya from celebrated chef and founder Jose Mendin, in collaboration with Phuc Yea’s Executive Chef Cesar Zapata and presented by Oishii Sake; and Catch Miami Beach, the stylish seafood hotspot helmed by Executive Chef Gianni Lamboy and hosted by Herradura Tequila and Treasury Wine Estates. The first-ever “An Evening in Miami Beach” series invites guests to indulge in the flavors, style, and spirit that make Miami Beach a world-class destination for unforgettable nights out.
The action heats up on Friday, Oct. 24, with the start of the weekend’s events—the “VIP Chef Showdown,” presented by Tequila Herradura and Goya Foods, along with official bank partner, First Horizon Bank, and hosted by Fresh from Florida. A sizzling lineup of 20 of Miami’s top chefs will compete in 10 head-to-head seafood showdowns, including Taco, Crab, Sushi, Surf N’ Turf, Salmon, Shrimp, Ceviche, Seafood Pasta, Tuna, and the Ultimate Champions Battle bringing back two South Florida legends to the stage for a CHAMPIONS ROUND of Battle Surf N’ Turf. Starting at 7 p.m. in the GOYA Culinary Village on the live stage at Lummus Park, each battle features two chefs going head-to-head in a live action competition. Chefs have 15 minutes to showcase their restaurant, prepare a full plated dish, and impress a panel of judges. Ticketed guests will visit each restaurant sampling station and sip, savor, and vote at each restaurant, ultimately helping decide the winner of each showdown with a people’s vote before the battle rounds hit the main stage for their LIVE Showdowns. This year also brings the “Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown”, where four bartenders from South Florida’s favorite restaurants go head-to-head to create the ultimate cocktail with Herradura Silver, and the “Pacifico Showdown”, where bartenders craft innovative cocktails using Pacifico Beer. Set against the pulse of a live DJ set, endless seafood bites, full bars, and interactive brand activations, the spirited beach bash keeps guests buzzing late into the night. The complete list of chef and bartender showdowns are announced below.
The festival culminates on Saturday, Oct. 25, with the “Seafood Slam,” brought to you by Tequila Herradura, presented by GOYA Foods, and hosted by the City of Miami Beach and Milam’s Markets, featuring an all-inclusive ticket format that gives attendees the ultimate experience with unlimited food and beverage tastings from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guests will explore multiple seafood zones featuring more than 40 top new and returning local restaurants, sampling the finest coastal creations and voting for the Best of the Fest bites. Premium upgrades, like the Premium Stone Crab Pavilion will be available for those seeking an elevated experience, and attendees will enjoy live DJs on the Jack Daniel’s Live Music Stage, dance the day away at the Pacifico Beach Club, and join the High Noon Lifeguard Dance Party, all while taking in interactive brand activations like the Milam’s Markets Culinary Showcase. The full list of participating restaurants is announced below.
In addition, the first-ever “SoBe Seafood Slam: Home Chef Challenge” will take place on Saturday, live on the Milam’s Market Culinary Stage, giving local South Florida resident culinary enthusiasts and amateur chefs the chance to showcase their signature seafood dishes that are at-home favorites to festivalgoers and a panel of judges. Participants were asked to create and submit their signature seafood dish online with 2 finalists being selected at the end of September to compete on stage. Judged by acclaimed Miami Chef Mika Leon, the challenge will crown one grand prize winner who will receive a $500 Milam’s Markets gift card, a two-night stay at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, and the ultimate bragging right for a chance to have their recipe featured officially at everyone’s favorite family grocer locations, Milam’s Markets. The top three runners-up will each receive a Milam’s Markets gift card. The deadline to enter the challenge and submit a recipe online is Sept. 30.
This year’s festival also expands its community partnerships with the Miami Beach Senior High Culinary Program, giving students a hands-on opportunity to gain real-world culinary experience through the festival beneficiary programming of EATSMART. Throughout the weekend, Beach High students will assist local restaurants at their sampling stations, helping prepare and serve dishes while showcasing their skills and professionalism to festival guests. On Saturday, the students take center stage in a Chef Showdown competition, High school edition, before the Milam’s Markets Home Chef Challenge, where teams will create and present their signature seafood dishes live on the Milam’s Market Culinary Stage. Guided by two executive chefs and with ingredients provided by Milam’s Markets, each team will be led by a student captain as they compete for top honors. This immersive experience not only highlights the talent and creativity of these young chefs, but also provides invaluable exposure to the hospitality industry, inspiring the next generation of culinary leaders.
“Each year, the South Beach Seafood Festival continues to grow as a celebration of South Florida’s unmatched local culinary talent and vibrant beachside culture and the reason why so many locals and tourists come from near and far to indulge in our destination,” said Valerie Roy, CMO at CI Management. “This year, we’re especially excited to debut new programming, giving guests even more ways to connect with their favorite South Florida restaurateurs and chefs. This event is produced by locals, with CI Management owned and operated by 3 South Florida natives, and we want to host it annually to celebrate our local flavor and the creativity that makes our home cities, world-class culinary destinations. We want to find what makes your South Florida neighborhood hot spot, the best of the best and why people should travel to and from to come indulge and make memories together. We’re also proud to partner with the Miami Beach Senior High Culinary Program, giving students hands-on experience in supporting restaurant stations and competing in their own Chef Showdown on Saturday as a way to engage our future hospitality leaders and those who will continue the culinary traditions in our area. The festival offers something for every seafood lover, and thanks to the help of some incredible national brands, we can host this multi day celebration on the sands of South Beach annually and we can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors alike to savor, vote, and celebrate the best of South Florida’s food scene.”
Recognized by USA TODAY as one of the “Top 5 Specialty Festivals in the Country,” by Forbes as one of the “Top 5 Things to Do This Fall,” and by the Travel Channel as the “Best Seafood Festival in the U.S.,” the South Beach Seafood Festival continues to be a must-attend experience for seafood lovers from near and far. In addition to celebrating South Florida’s finest chefs and restaurants, the festival supports the CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing healthy meals and nutritional education to local communities and youth through initiatives in Miami-Dade County public schools.
13th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival Event Schedule:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22: AN EVENING IN MIAMI BEACH
The festival opens with an exciting new event that invites guests to celebrate iconic Miami Beach restaurants as they host exclusive pairing dinners, presented by GOYA Foods and Breakthru Beverage. On Wednesday, hotspots Carbone and Prime 54 are among the city’s top culinary destinations hosting unforgettable, four- to five-course masterpiece dinners expertly paired with premium wines and handcrafted cocktails.
Tickets:
An Evening in Miami Beach by Prime 54,
hosted by Glenfiddich and Treasury Wine Estate: $325* per person
An Evening in Miami Beach by Carbone, hosted by Jack Daniel’s Bonded and Wilson Daniels: SOLD OUT
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Multiple locations
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23: AN EVENING IN MIAMI BEACH
The journey through Miami Beach’s vibrant culinary scene continues Thursday evening, as coastal glamour meets world-class dining in a trio of exquisite multi-course pairing dinners at Rao’s, Pubbelly Sushi in collaboration with Phuc Yea, and Catch Miami Beach—each offering an unforgettable fusion of exceptional food, fine wine, and expertly crafted cocktails.
Tickets:
An Evening in Miami Beach by Rao’s, presented by Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s Gin: $500* per person
An Evening in Miami Beach by Pubbelly Sushi, presented by Oishii Sake: SOLD OUT
An Evening in Miami Beach by Catch Miami Beach, presented by Tequila Herradura: SOLD OUT
Time:
Rao’s: 6:30 p.m.
Pubbelly Sushi: 7:00 p.m.
Catch Miami Beach: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Multiple locations
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24: Tequila Herradura’s VIP CHEF SHOWDOWN presented by GOYA Foods
The culinary fireworks ignite with the fan-favorite Tequila Herradura “VIP Chef Showdown”, presented by GOYA Foods. This high-energy night on the sand at Lummus Park brings together 20 of South Florida’s top chefs for 10 head-to-head seafood battles, where attendees sip, savor, and cast their votes to help crown this year’s champions. Guests will make their way through the GOYA Culinary Village, sampling dishes, enjoying refreshing cocktails, and cheering as chefs take the Jack Daniel’s LIVE Stage for timed showdowns packed with excitement, entertainment, and bragging rights. Alongside the chef competitions, the evening also spotlights the annual Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown, where South Florida’s best mixologists shake, stir, and pour for the title of cocktail champion.In addition, the Pacifico Showdown is back, showcasing the bartenders of the Chef Showdown restaurants, who will create a signature cocktail using Pacifico Beer and represent the same restaurants where the competing chefs are based. This year’s battles include:
- Battle Salmon: Returning Champion American Social’s Chef Ryan Leonard vs. Temple Street Eatery’s Chef Diego Ng
- Battle Surf n’ Turf: Returning Champion Rusty Pelican’s Chef Fiorela Cornejo vs. The Social Club Chef Gaston Javier
- Battle Sushi: Sushi Maki’s Chef Luis Wakabayashi vs. Kapow! Noodle Bar Chef Jm Canlas
- Battle Crab: Returning Champion Diplomat Prime’s Chef Jorge Negron vs. YOT Bar & Kitchen Chef Jacob Pepponi
- Battle Shrimp: Returning Champion Golden Rule Seafood’s Chef Generric Kyles vs. Returning Champion Billy G’s Chef Andres Garcia
- Battle Ceviche: Returning Champion SuViche’s Chef Alvaro Machado vs. Private Chef Chef Javier Orbegoso
- Battle Seafood Pasta: Returning Champion NOMA Beach at Redfish’s Chef Donatella Arpaia vs. Bargean’s Chef Shirley Manchego
- Battle Tuna: Zaytinya’s Chef Orhun Gorsen vs. Ossobuco Miami’s Chef Guillermo Eleicegui
- Ultimate Champion’s Battle Surf n’ Turf: Returning Champion Catch & Cut’s Chef Andre vs. Returning Champion Meat Market’s Chef Sean Brasel
- Battle Taco: Returning Champion LIME Fresh Mexican Grill’s Chef Sharon Fernandez vs. Returning Champion Cafe Bernie’s Chef Bernie Matz
Attendees will enjoy immersive brand experiences from GOYA Foods, Herradura Tequila, Halperns’ Steak & Seafood, Hendrick’s Gin, High Noon, Vineyard Brands, Corona, Fresh From Florida, Cerveza Pacifico Clara, Tartufo Prestige, Oishii Sake, and First Horizon, among others. Guests can sample and vote on their favorite dishes, engage with interactive activities, and dance the night away as their favorite chefs take the stage, while a panel of esteemed judges lends their palates to help determine the victors. To stay refreshed, guests will keep hydrated with Smartwater and Topo Chico. This year’s Main Stage judges include Chef Jose Mendin of Pubbelly; journalist and author Sara Liss; Tracy Block of BizBash; NBC6 reporter Miriam Tapia; Executive Chef Christopher Aguirre of Loews Miami Beach Hotel; podcast host, Kiko Suarez; and Chef Fernando Desa of GOYA.
Tickets: $175*; All Inclusive Experience. $275 Weekend Passes.
Time: 7:00 p.m. | Location: GOYA Culinary Village, Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25: SEAFOOD SLAM presented by HERRADURA TEQUILA
This year’s standout lineup includes a mix of beloved local favorites and nationally recognized names such as Aguasal by José Andrés at Andaz, Area 31, Bargean, Billy G, Catch, Chef Anthony’s Smoked Fish Dip, Dalido Beach Club, Zaytinya, Garlick Seafood and More, GNS Seafood Express, GOYA Foods, Il Mercato, Jarana, JP’s Delights, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Orilla Bar & Grill, Paya, Pubbelly Sushi, Sala O’ Cuban, Shuckers Sports Bar at Clevelander South Beach, Southern Kulture Grill, Marlo’s Roasted Corn, Temple Street Eatery, UpperTea LLC, Crowder Powder, American Social, Raising Cane’s, Fresh From Florida, Old Lisbon, Sushi Maki, Thorn, Atomic Biscuit, The Social Club, CJ’s Crab Shack, and Vale Food Co. Beyond the bites, guests can look forward to an all-day celebration packed with live DJs, dance parties, national brand activations, beach games, and the exciting debut of the Home Chef Challenge, hosted by Milam’s Markets. This live culinary competition will showcase talented local home chefs as they bring their seafood creations to life on stage. Together, these elements promise an unforgettable finale to a weeklong festival brimming with flavor, energy, and Miami Beach spirit.
General Admission: $160* All Inclusive Experience
Time: 1:00 p.m. | Location: Lummus Park, 1400 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
In addition to individual event tickets, a multi-day festival package with a two-night hotel stay at Loews Miami Beach is also available, including a weekend pass for Friday and Saturday for $1,200*.
The festival is hosted in partnership with Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority and brought to you by entitlement sponsor Tequila Herradura and Jack Daniel’s, title sponsor, Breakthru Beverage Florida, and GOYA Foods, which also serves as a presenting sponsor and Culinary host. The festival is additionally hosted by Loews Miami Beach Hotel and City of Miami Beach, along with Cerveza Pacifico Clara, First Horizon, Fresh from Florida, Miami-Dade County, Halpern’s, Cadillac, Hendrick’s Gin, High Noon, and Milam’s Markets. For a list of corporate and media sponsors, please visit sobeseafoodfest.com.
Tickets for the 2025 South Beach Seafood Festival are now on sale. For more information and to purchase tickets to the 13th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival, please visit sobeseafoodfest.com. Follow along on Instagram at @sobeseafoodfest and Facebook @SOBESeafoodFest.
