South Beach Seafood Festival|October 18- 21, 2023|Miami Beach, Florida

VIP Chef Showdown

Friday, October 20, 2023
7 PM

16+ Chefs. 8+ Battles. 1 Championship Night

Brought to you by Herradura Tequila and presented by GOYA
Taking place in the Baptist Health VIP Hospitality Village featuring the GOYA Culinary Pavilion

#ChooseYourChamp at the iconic VIP Chef Showdown, presented by Goya FoodsTequila Herradura, Cadillac, Celebrity CruisesHalperns, and official bank partner, City National Bank. Join Miami’s top executive chefs for an evening of competitive culinary cook-offs, where YOU are the judge as you indulge with endless seafood and cocktails because tickets are completely all-inclusive!

In a perfect combination of competition level cuisine, tropically fresh cocktails, and live entertainment, the Chef Showdown tours guests through the BEST of Miami’s culinary scene with the ultimate BEACH BASH meets Chef SHOWDOWN, thanks to the help of DJ PaulE. Hosted inside the VIP Hospitality Village and #SobeSeafood Week’s GOYA Culinary Pavilion, 16+ chefs will go head-to-head in 8+ unique seafood showdowns and before you hit the pavilion, chefs will host battle pavilions where YOU sip, sample and VOTE on your favorites. And when we say sample, we mean “Good Luck trying to finish all champion dishes”!

Chefs from each battle will take the stage throughout the night where representatives from the culinary and media world will judge the best in each showdown. The deciding factor are THE GUESTS! Help us decide the 2023 CHAMPIONS!

Follow @sobeseafoodfest to stay up to date on battle pairings to be announced in September!

The Chef Showdown delivers a uniquely entertaining culinary experience in the most beautiful, beach-front setting thanks to our partners Goya Foods. Come ready for a truly VIP evening on the sands of South Beach.

What you will find with your VIP Admission to the Chef Showdown:

 

  • A chef-competition-beach-bash including an all-inclusive evening of epic proportions!
  • Indulge at 16+ restaurant battle experiences and VOTE on your favorite chef competition dishes
  • Dive into the full bars around the 1/2 block VIP Hospitality Village featuring a variety of cocktails, Pacifico beer, wines from Castello del Poggio, Bogle, Rabble, and more.
  • Additional seafood bites from GOYA and Celebrity Cruises
  • Access to the SEAFOOD WORLD RAW BAR open all night for your enjoyment
  • Samplings from Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown
  • Hop in your brand new Cadillac
  • Visit the Baptist Health LIVE Healthy Zone
  • Toast with City National Bank
  • Refresh your palette with Wildgood
  • Celebrate at the Village Party with DJ PaulE

Ticket Options

$160
VIP Admission

All-inclusive experience

  • A chef-competition-beach-bash including an all-inclusive evening of epic proportions!
  • Indulge at 16+ restaurant battle experiences and VOTE on your favorite chef competition dishes
  • Dive into the full bars around the 1/2 block VIP Hospitality Village featuring a variety of cocktails, Pacifico beer, wines from Castello del Poggio, Bogle, Rabble, and more.
  • Additional seafood bites from GOYA and Celebrity Cruises
  • Access to the SEAFOOD WORLD RAW BAR open all night for your enjoyment
  • Samplings from Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown
  • Hop in your brand new Cadillac
  • Visit the Baptist Health LIVE Healthy Zone
  • Toast with City National Bank
  • Refresh your palette with Wildgood
  • Celebrate at the Village Party with DJ PaulE
$275
VIP Weekend Pass

(Value of $320)

  • ONE VIP ticket to Friday, October 20, 2023: Chef Showdown ($160 value)
  • ONE VIP Ticket for Saturday, October 21, 2023: SoBe Seafood Fest ($160 value)
$475
Three Day VIP Pass
  • ONE VIP ticket to Thursday, October 19, 2023: Crabs, Slabs, and Cabs ($250 value)
  • ONE VIP ticket to Friday, October 20, 2023: Chef Showdown ($160 value)
  • ONE VIP Ticket for Saturday, October 21, 2023: SoBe Seafood Fest ($160 value)
  • Ticket includes re-entry.
$1150
VIP Weekend Pass for Two with a 2-Night Hotel Stay
  • TWO tickets to Friday, October 20, 2023: Chef Showdown ($320 value)
  • TWO VIP Tickets for Saturday, October 21, 2023: SoBe Seafood Fest ($320 value)
  • ONE Signature Standard Room at The South Beach Festivals Host Hotel, Surfcomber, checking in Friday, October 20 – checking out Sunday, October 22.
$1750
Three Day VIP Pass + Hotel for 2
  • TWO VIP Tickets for Thursday, October 19, 2023: Crabs, Slabs, and Cabs Experience ($500 value)
  • TWO tickets to Friday, October 20, 2023: Chef Showdown ($320 value)
  • TWO VIP Tickets for Saturday, October 21, 2023: SoBe Seafood Fest ($320 value)
  • ONE Signature Standard Room at The South Beach Festivals Host Hotel, checking in Thursday, October 19 – checking out Sunday, October 22.

Chefs & Culinary Partners

2023 Chef Showdown Lineup

Battle Shrimp

2022 Champion
Chef Sergio Mazuelos
Chef Sergio Mazuelos
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Laguna Blanca Battle Salmon

2022 Champion
Chef Nicole Fey
Chef Nicole Fey
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Oyster

2 Time Champion
Chef Cristian Canencio
Chef Cristian Canencio
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Fusion-Sushi

2 Time Champion
Chef Gustavo Montes
Chef Gustavo Montes
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Lobster

5 Time Champion
Chef Bernie Matz
Chef Bernie Matz
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Ceviche

2022 Champion
Chef Mauricio Hernandez
Chef Mauricio Hernandez
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Sushi

2022 Champion
Chef Michael Asalie
Chef Michael Asalie
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Surf n' Turf - Presented by Halperns' Steak & Seafood

2 Time Champion
Chef Jimmy Pastor
Chef Jimmy Pastor
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Taco

2022 Champion
Chef Jay Cruz
Chef Jay Cruz
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

Battle Crab

3-Time Champion
Chef Brian Nasajon
Chef Brian Nasajon
Representing
Versus
2023 Challenger
Upcoming Challenger
Upcoming Challenger

South Beach Seafood Week 2023