The 14th annual South Beach Seafood Festival kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 21, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 24, bringing local restaurants and more than 60 chefs to Miami Beach for a four-day food event.
The festival opens with private dinners Wednesday and Thursday. The main event hits the sand Friday with the Chef Showdown, which features 20 chefs, bartender battles and cooking competitions. Organizers describe the showdown as the highlight of the week.
On Saturday, the Seafood Slam brings in more than 40 restaurants. Festival organizers say the event marks the start of the South Florida dining season.
Smith & Wollensky is among the restaurants competing in the Chef Showdown. Tom Pepin, a restaurant representative, said the steakhouse serves local Florida seafood alongside Maine lobster flown in daily for its surf and turf.
Festival spokeswoman Valerie Roy said the event is about more than food, offering diners a chance to meet chefs from their favorite restaurants. Visitors can find schedules and tickets on the festival’s website.
