It’s been a few days since South Beach Seafood Festival 2016 wrapped up, and our feet are still killing us. Two straight days of standing on them for hours on end will do that to you, but it was all worth it to experience one of Miami Beach’s top festivals. Here’s a look back on the weekend festivities.
Chef Showdown
On Friday night, festival attendees descended upon 9th and Ocean to watch 12 of the city’s premier chefs duke it out on stage in Sobe Seafood Fest’s Chef Showdown. Throughout the evening, the participants threw down in front of hundreds of spectators in hopes of winning over the crowd and the guest judges: Laine Doss (Miami New Times), Kiko Suarez (Que Riko Con Kiko) and Giovanny Gutierrez (Chat Chow TV).
After six seafood-themed battles, the victors were crowned:
Battle Lobster – Joe’s Stone Crab
Battle Surf ‘n Turf – Meat Market Miami
Battle Taco – Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Battle Tuna – Toro Toro
Battle Shrimp – Mondrian South Beach
Battle Fish – Poseidon Greek Restaurant
Aside from the chef battles, there was a Herradura Tequila bartending competition, food samplings from GOYA and Celebrity Cruises, and a sensory garden experience inspired by Kendall-Jackson Wines. And of course, unlimited beer, wine and cocktails throughout the night.
South Beach Seafood Festival
The main festival took place on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. on a gorgeous Miami Day (read: clear skies and a nice breeze). This year, the event featured three times the food, three times the drinks and one-third of the lines.
Over 15 food vendors including The Avenue Miami, NaiYaRa, Naked Taco, Wynwood Parlor, Poseidon, Cafe Avanti, and Red, The Steakhouse served up delicious bites throughout the day, while guests washed everything down with Jack Daniel’s, Finlandia, Herradura, Corona, Modelo and other tasty libations.
Food was just one part of the festival. Ticketholders could hang out at the Jack Daniel’s Beach Club and listen to local DJs or chill out by the main stage and enjoy live music. Cooking demos took place around the clock at the Whole Foods Market Culinary Showcase Kitchen, and the Corona Beer Garden let attendees unwind with a game of Hacky Sack and micheladas. At the Open Blue Cobia tent, visitors had the chance to immerse themselves in a fun virtual reality ocean experience.
Check out all our photos below. We’ll see you there next year!
