Chef Showdown

Event Description

Chef Showdown

Date: Friday, October 25, 2019

VIP #ChefShowdown brought to you by Talbott Vineyards and presented by Goya Foods, Tequila Herradura, Land Rover South Dade, Celebrity Cruises, Baptist Health South Florida, Halperns, and official bank partner, City National Bank.

#CHOOSEYOURCHAMP | Results certified by Marc E. O’Connor, CPA, PA

Time: 7:00PM – 11:00PM

Entrance: 12th & Ocean Drive (Lummus Park), Miami Beach, Florida
Inside Land Rover Hospitality Village & Goya Culinary Pavilion

Chef Showdown at South Beach Seafood Week 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 , brought to you by Talbott Vineyards, tours guests through the best of Miami’s culinary scene. Featuring 14 of Miami’s most progressive and recognized Executive Chefs, this is a CAN’T miss experience for all. We had you at fresh cocktails, right?

Selected by Travel Channel as the Top Seafood Chef Competition in the country, the Chef Showdown, hosted inside the Land Rover VIP Hospitality Village and Goya Culinary Pavilion, pairs chefs head-to-head in a total of seven different seafood battles with the ultimate high energy night of competition (and party). Chefs from each battle will take the stage throughout the night in the showcase kitchen, where famous Miami media personalities and Celebrity Chefs will judge the best in each showdown.

2018 Judges will be: Chef Andre Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab, Chef Peter Vauthy of Red, the Steakhouse, Chef Fernando Desa of GOYA, Chef Jeff McInnis and Chef Janine Booth of Stiltsvlle Fish Bar, Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital, and Ben McClure of Talbott Vineyards.

The gist: Ticket holders will visit each restaurant’s sampling station around the hospitality village and enjoy sample the competing Chef’s dishes. Then, guests get to vote on their favorite dishes! The chefs take the main stage throughout the night and battle it out in person with a group of executive judges on the main stage helping to weigh in. Points are accumulated from all the voting areas to ultimately decide the newest CHAMPIONS of the Chef Showdown at the South Beach Seafood Week!

2018 BATTLE SHOWDOWNS DEFENDING CHAMPIONS:

Battle Lobster: Joe’s Stone Crab

Chef Andre Bienvenu is a three-time Chef Showdown Campion and the Executive Chef at Joe’s Stone Crab, a 103-year-old restaurant located in Miami Beach, FL. Throughout his accomplished career, Chef Bienvenu has won numerous awards for his cooking including Joe’s being named as a Top Zagat winner. This year, he is passing on the reigns to the next generation at Joe’s with Chef David Salinas, Executive Sous Chef, to take his stab at Battle Lobster.

(Don’t miss Chef Bienvenu at another scrumptious and luxurious SoBe Seafood Week event: An Evening at Joe’s.)

2018 Battle Lobster Competitor: Chef Jarod Higgins, AmericanAirlines Arena 

Battle Surf N’ Turf: Chef Sean Brasel of Meat Market Miami

At Meat Market Miami, Chef Sean Brasel was responsible for bringing the American steakhouse into the 21st century creating a menu that modernizes the classic steakhouse. His food is known for being eclectic, sumptuous, and affordable. He is also a three-time Champion in the Surf n’ Turf category!

(Obsessed with the perfect small bite? Chef Brasel also turns taste buds alive at our Cooking and Cocktails event.)

2018 Battle Surf N’ Turf Competitor: Chef Jeffrey Williams, The Social Club at The Kimpton Surfcomber

Battle Taco: Chef Bernie Matz of Bodega South Beach

Chef Bernie Matz is undefeated in Battle Taco! His dishes at Bodega South Beach are centered around flame-broiled meat and sizzling seafood topped with delicious and authentic ingredients in a Mexican “puebla” inspired setting. Credit over-the-top cooking skills and significant travels all over Mexico for the exhibition of culinary feats performed by Chef Matz.

(Crabs and short ribs in a taco? Better believe it! Chef Matz also shows off at another South Beach Seafood Week evening event: Crabs, Slabs and Cabs.)

2018 Battle Taco Competitor: 2-Time Lobster Champion & #Fireproof Chef Ralph Pagano, Naked Taco

Battle Tuna: Chef Jim Pastor of The Rusty Pelican

Chef Jim Pastor is the Executive Chef at the iconic Rusty Pelican Restaurant in Miami. If you’re looking for an esteemed resume of culinary experience, this champion has worked with The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Conrad Miami, and W South Beach. Chef Pastor’s cuisine is inspired by the idea of comfort food with a twist, which makes his seafood some of the best in Miami. Tuna lovers, rejoice!

2018 Battle Tuna Competitor: Chef Raul A. Del Pozo, Lightkeepers at The Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne

Battle Fish: Chef Demetrios Pyliotis of Poseidon Greek Restaurant & Outdoor Lounge

Known for crafting healthy Greek, Mediterranean, and seafood cuisine, Chef Demetrios Pyliotis of the Poseidon Greek Restaurant & Outdoor Lounge knows what tastes delicious. There’s no risk of fish dishes being less-than-perfection here; Chef Pyliotis is also the three-time Champion of Battle Fish at South Beach Seafood Festival!

Poseidon will be sponsored in 2018 by Athens Foods & 24/7 Seafood

2018 Battle Fish Competitor: Chef Julian Garriga, Seawell Fish N’ Oyster

Battle Sushi: Chef Masatomo Hamaya of Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market

Born in Japan, Chef Masatomo Hamaya knows sushi inside and out. He’s perfected his craft at many top restaurants around the United States including at the Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market where he takes pride in his premium ingredients and artful flavors. Chef Masatomo may be presenting some of the best sushi your foodie taste buds have ever tried, so get ready for it at South Beach Seafood Festival!

2018 Battle Sushi Competitior: Chef Edwin Delgado, Tanuki Miami

Battle Oyster Pit: Chef James Versfelt of Shelborne South Beach

Don’t sleep on Chef James Versfelt. The reigning champion is ready to defend his title by serving up the BEST oysters in Miami. How does he do it? We can’t reveal his secrets…but coming up in the food scene in New Orleans has a lot to do with it. Having spent his entire life in food service, this is one champion who won’t be easy to knock off the podium. Get ready for some succulent oysters!

2018 Battle Oyster Competitor: Chef Reiner Mendez, Lure Fish Bar 

The VIP #ChefShowdown delivers a unique culinary and entertainment experience in the most beautiful high energy atmosphere on the sands of South Beach Miami.

Be sure to stop by the Halperns CHOP HOUSE or the Papa’s Raw Bar SEAFOOD WORLD BAR for your taste of some beef with your reef.

Get ready to enjoy the ultimate beach bash with sounds by YISSEL!

The event is from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM (on the sand) and the entrance is on 12th and Ocean Drive in Lummus Park, Miami Beach.

Chef Showdown at South Beach Seafood Week Ticket Details:

• All-inclusive tasting of each Chef’s competition dishes available at each of the 14 restaurant battle stations
• Full bars featuring a variety of cocktails, beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Additional seafood bites from GOYA and Celebrity Cruises
• Access to the PAPA’s RAW BAR SEAFOOD WORLD BAR & HALPERNS’ CHOP HOUSE open all night for your enjoyment
• Samplings from Casa Herradura Experience
• Access to the Celebrity Cruise private entertainment experience
• Bubbles from the City National Bank Bubble Lounge featuring J Vineyards & Winery
• Baptist Health South Florida entertainment
• An all-night party in the Goya VIP Culinary Pavilion (where all Chefs battle on stage) featuring Miami’s hottest DJ, Sounds by YISSEL

Chef Showdown Weekend Pass Details:

SOBE SEAFOOD WEEKEND PASS $250
(value of $300) includes:

• ONE ticket to Friday, October 25, 2019: Chef Showdown ($150 value)
• ONE VIP Tickets for Saturday, October 26, 2019: SoBe Seafood Fest ($150 value)

WEEKEND PASS FOR TWO with a 2-NIGHT HOTEL STAY – $800 SOLD OUT!
(value of $1,100) includes:

• TWO tickets to Friday, October 25, 2019: Chef Showdown ($300 value)
• TWO VIP Tickets for Saturday, October 26, 2019: SoBe Seafood Fest ($300 value)
• ONE Signature Standard Room at either Mondrian South Beach or Shelborne South Beach (your choice), checking in Friday, October 25 – checking out Sunday, October 27.