Annual South Beach Seafood Festival Marks Another Successful Showing

The event showcased a fusion of the finest seafood, renowned celebrity chefs and exciting live entertainment.

The South Beach Seafood Festival wrapped up its four-day culinary extravaganza in the iconic Miami Beach Art Deco district last month. The festival, now in its 11th year, celebrates the start of Miami’s famous stone crab season and is considered one of the top seafood events in the U.S.

The culinary event featured four separate ticketed events. The first event was “An Evening at Joe’s Stone Crab” on Oct. 18, hosted by Sonoma Cutrer and featuring Executive Chef Andre Bienvenu’s five-course menu paired with master sommeliers’ selections. The following day, GOYA Foods’ Executive Chef Fernando Desa and other top chefs from Miami took diners on an international “Surf n’ Turf” adventure during “Crabs, Slabs & Cabs,” a formal, sit-down dining experience held at the historic Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel and presented by GOYA Foods, Halperns Steak and Seafood, and Breakthru Beverage. The 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. 

The “Chef Showdown” on Oct. 20, presented by Mountain Valley Spring Water on the Demesmin & Dover LIVE stage, featured 23 chefs competing in 11 seafood rounds. Last year’s champion chefs returned to defend their titles, and guests were invited to sample the delicious dishes cooked by the participating eateries and vote for their favorite among the contestants. The interactive event allowed attendees to interact with each chef as they took the main stage to show off their impressive skills with entertaining live demonstrations hosted by a panel of experienced culinary masters who helped the audience decide the winners. 

On Saturday, Oct. 21, the festival took center stage, bringing in an array of pop-up cafés, VIP samplings, and national brand showcases to South Beach. The festival grounds were alive 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.

The 2023 Chef Showdown Battle Competition Winners are:

  • 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

(Photo Credit: Lalani Media)

You May Also Like
Runway 84: Where Classic Cuisine Meets Sultry Sounds

Acclaimed restaurant now home to one of the most electric live music scenes in Fort Lauderdale.

Read More
Tap into Something New at 26° Brewery & Kitchen

26° Brewing Co. evolves into 26° Brewery & Kitchen in mid-April, pairing bold craft brews with a craveable new menu by chef Daniel Serfer.

Read More
Beauty and the Eats: Take a Scenic Electric Boat Ride While You Dine, Courtesy of Casa Sensei 

Guests of the restaurant can reserve a private dinner cruise on one of Riverfront Gondola Tours’ eco-friendly boats during Earth Month.

Read More
Feed Your Soul and Help Support “Food Your Soul” this Earth Month

This April, Torno Subito teams up with Illy to support Food for Soul, donating proceeds from each Espresso Martini to fight food waste.

Read More
Other Posts
All Aboard: Chefs Making Waves Returns with All-Star Lineup for 2025

Setting sail from the Port of Miami on May 5–9, 2025, aboard Norwegian’s Gem, Chefs Making Waves heads to Cozumel, Mexico.

Read More
A Century by the Sea: Celebrate Hollywood’s 100th in Style at The Diplomat

The Diplomat invites local residents to mark Hollywood’s centennial with refined coastal luxury and exclusive resident offers.

Read More
If Chocolate’s Your Bag, Designer Easter Sweets Await From Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton and Maxime Frédéric are debuting a new collection of Easter treats designed specifically for the occasion. For the first time, the “Chocolate Egg Bag,” inspired by the iconic 2019 design by Nicolas Ghesquière, has been transformed into chocolate. The bag’s shells are made from 70 percent dark chocolate, its zipper pulls and handles are made from 40

Read More
A Visual Feast

It’s a vibe — Fort Lauderdale’s burgeoning restaurant scene is rife with over-the-top interior designs worthy of a dine.

Read More