The South Beach Seafood Festival, kicks off Miami’s globally-recognized stone crab season every October in the best way that South Beach knows how! This is not your typical Seafood Festival, but a high-end experience that showcases the talents of South Florida’s leading chefs and culinary masterminds via a diverse group of events.

South Beach Seafood Week includes nightly culinary events leading up to Saturday, including Friday’s incredible VIP “Chef Showdown“, the ultimate Miami Chef Competition to hit the sands of South Beach in GOYA’s Culinary Pavilion, where you are the judge, Thursday’s “An Evening at Joe’s” featuring La Crema, Wednesday’s “Cooking and Cocktails” featuring GOYA and Herradura, and the new “Crabs, Slabs and Cabs“featuring Cambria and Menin Hospitality on Tuesday!

Chef Showdown – Fri, October 20th

The #ChefShowdown assembles Miami’s top executive chefs for an evening of competitive cook-offs where YOU are the judge. In a perfect combination of competition level cuisine, tropically fresh cocktails, and live entertainment, the #ChefShowdown features 16 of Miami’s most progressive and recognized Executive Chefs.

Battle Taco – Chef Bernie Matz, Bodega (L) vs. Chef Santiago Gomez, Tacology (R)

Both tacos were very good, but our favorite was the quinoa crusted shrimp taco with avocado from Tacology. It was not only delicious and crunchy but also very unique.

The Tropical Delight from Herradura tequila was just that – delightful! It features Herradura silver, Caribbean pineapple, Thai coconut milk and cinnamon cordial.

Battle Sushi – Chef Kiichi Okabe, Lure Fishbar (R) vs. Chef Masatomo Hamaya, Dragonfly (L)

Again, two really great options! Two very delicate and fresh pieces of sushi. Dragonfly received my voting chip.

Battle Tuna – Chef Jean Delgado, Toro Toro vs. Chef Jim Pastor, Rusty Pelican

Yet another difficult choice – I really liked both and decided to give chips to both.

Battle Oyster – Chef James Versfelt, Shelborne vs. Chef Jordan Marano, Ella’s Oyster Bar

The broiled BBQ oyster from Shelborne was the clear winner here!

Battle Crab – Chef Andre Bievenu, Joe’s Stone Crab vs. Chef Peter Vauthy, RED

Crab 3 ways from Joe’s – very cool!

Dessert and entertainment from Celebrity Cruises.

And here’s the main entertainment of the night, the battle tent!

Now for a nap, tomorrow is the main festival!

South Beach Seafood Festival – Sat, October 21st

The 5th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival featured pop up café’s from the likes of Joe’s Stone Crab, Naked Taco, Cibo, Red, the Steakhouse, Dragonfly, CJ’s Crab Shack, Lobster Bar Sea Grille, A Fish Called Avalon, La Moderna, Poseidon, Nikki Beach, Toro Toro, Truluck’s, Rusty Pelican, Papa’s Raw Bar, Naked Crab, Whole Foods and Meat Market featuring Miami Smokers. Together, 18 restaurants served guests right on the sand – it’s four blocks of fun to be exact!

And here we are, ready for more delicious seafood!

It took some contemplating, but I decided to try the baby octopus from Dragonfly. The visual was a bit intimidating, but I mean, I’ve eaten weirder food (such as whale). Plus, it was for a good cause – the money was for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. The sushi was yummy but eating a whole roll got me full toooo soon.

La Moderna had their pizza oven at the festival and was slinging these yummy shrimp pizzas plus a few other options.

We loved this shrimp burger with kimchi slaw from Papas Tapas!

You cannot go to the festival without getting one of these iconic shrimp & lobster cones from Joes Stone Crab.

Mmm, this ice cream sandwich really hit the spot.

Until next year!

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All images appearing in this post photographed by Holli Lapes, property of TheSoFlaSage.com