One of our favorite Tampa Bay foodie festivals is going bigger than ever this year, welcoming thousands to star-studded events in Tampa and St. Pete over its five-day run. After staggering success in its first two years, the incredible Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival is back for year three, showcasing celebrity chefs, incredible regional talent, popular national brands, and one of the best gastronomic experiences you’ll have all year.
The celebrated destination festival is spread over the course of five days, Tuesday-Saturday, April 8-12, as the immersive experience canvases all of Tampa Bay, showering the region with food and wine. The entire week consists of five ticketed events, with Saturday’s Grand Tasting Experience in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park serving as the biggest draw of the festival, where guests enjoy unlimited food from dozens of star chefs, along with tons of wine, cocktails and beer.
Tickets for all five events are available at tampabaywff.com, and with many of them expected to sell out, we recommend securing yours soon. See the full schedule of events below.
Try Tampa Bay’s best local restaurants in one day
As part of the all-inclusive Grand Tasting Experience, brought to you by Breakthru Beverage Florida and presented by GOYA Foods, on Saturday, April 12, guests will be able to enjoy unlimited samplings from dozens of Tampa Bay’s signature restaurants, while also taking advantage of complimentary cocktails and wine tastings throughout the grounds at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Featuring local and international flavors, the afternoon extravaganza promises an unparalleled spread of delectable bites and invigorating drinks, courtesy of Tampa Bay’s premier dining establishments and excellent sponsors. Tickets are available here.
Plus, this year’s chefs battle is going bigger than ever, pitting last year’s champion chefs against new contenders for the crown in categories such as best truffle, taco, sushi, burger, pasta and more. Guests get to sample each and vote for their favorite. Get tickets here while supplies last, and get more details below.
Celebrity chefs featured alongside local stars
The Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival features an impressive collection of celebrity chefs being showcased throughout the event. Guest host Robert Irvine will be leading the way, joined by many other national and local favorites.
These culinary talents will join forces with hometown chefs and masterminds from Tampa and the surrounding area to deliver an unforgettable gastronomic experience for ticketed guests. From a chef competition to guest appearances at local favorites, the lineup for the week is bringing a truly one-of-a-kind experience to the city.
Of course, it’s no surprise that Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival is such a hit. The event is put on by CI Management, the team behind some of South Florida’s leading wine and food festivals and experiences, including the immensely popular South Beach Seafood Festival. And as you enjoy the sunshine, food and drink, you’ll also be able to stay hydrated and ready for action, as Saratoga Spring Water proudly serves as the Official Hydration Sponsor of the weekend’s main events.
Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival events
Experience St. Pete – Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm: Immerse yourself in an evening of unforgettable experiences as TWO of St. Pete’s most award-winning chefs come together under one roof for an unforgettable evening to celebrate delicious cuisines in St. Pete at Birch & Vine at The Birchwood. Guests will enjoy carefully curated cocktails and wines from acclaimed national brands to complement each dish, promising an extraordinary meal that surpasses expectations.
Experience Tampa – Thursday, April 10, 7 pm: Choose from three of Tampa’s top culinary destinations, each selected to host a unique pairings dinner. Each chef will create a 4-5 course dining experience to dazzle your taste buds, paired with premium cocktails and wines from leading national brands. Participating restaurants include Meat Market, Epicurean Theatre, and American Social.
Breaking Bread with Heroes – Friday, April 11, 10 am: In partnership with the Robert Irvine Foundation, as part of celebrity Chef Robert Irvine’s participation in the Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival, Friday morning will see an invite-only event, hosting 200 veterans to an incredible breakfast to honor and gather our nation’s heroes over a delicious meal as they sit down for an opportunity to talk, listen, and share their stories.
Tampa Bay’s Chef Showdown – Friday, April 11, 7 pm: At this battle of the culinary minds, voters are the real winners, as 16 chefs will battle head-to-head in eight unique showdowns. Each will host their own “battle pavilion,” where guests will visit each battle, sample, and vote on their favorite of the two. Throughout the night, chefs from each battle will take the Publix Culinary Showcase Kitchen Demo stage to put on a show in their live demos. Hosted at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The Chef Showdown is presented by GOYA Foods, fueled by Monkey Shoulder, and driven by BMW.
Grand Tasting, brought to you by Breakthru Beverage Florida and presented by GOYA Foods – Saturday, April 12, 1 pm: Taking over the full festival grounds at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, guests will come together to enjoy flavor-packed bites from dozens of Tampa Bay’s leading restaurants. In addition, guests will find an endless array of cocktail and wine pavilions that will celebrate fantastic varietals, along with interactive activations from leading national brands and the all new Publix Culinary Showcase Kitchen Demo stage. With hundreds of food and drink items to be savored, the Grand Tasting will be a great day at one of Tampa’s favorite parks.
Learn more about the 3rd Annual Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival and get tickets here. Follow them on Instagram for the latest updates.
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