How to Experience Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival kicks off this week, showcasing five days celebrating some of Tampa’s leading restaurants. This annual event is taking place April 9-13 and will feature a variety of experiences that will highlight the culinary world in Tampa and the surrounding areas, featuring dishes by celebrity chefs, MICHELIN Star-rated chefs, and more.

The event is also going toward a good cause and will support and benefit local charitable initiatives in Tampa Bay with Community Initiatives Foundation’s EAT SMART campaign, whose mission is to support the health and wellness of our youth. Keep reading to find out how you can experience this event and what to know before you go.

Events at Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival

Please note – April 9th’s event, An Evening at The Tampa Club, and April 12th‘s Breaking Bread with Heroes are invite-only events.

Wednesday, April 10: Experience Water Street

Where: Water Street

When: 7 pm

Tampa Bay’s Water Street is a vibrant destination with a modern vibe. Select from several of its participating restaurants for a 4-course dining experience, expertly crafted by visionary chefs who blend flavors and techniques to create culinary magic. You’ll also be able to enjoy specially curated cocktails and wines from acclaimed national brands.

Participating Restaurants Included:

• Rooster & The Till – $350 per person (6-course experience)
• Predalina – $225 per person
• Boulon – $225 per person
• Small Giant – $125

You can find full menus for each spot, along with a link to purchase tickets here.

Thursday, April 11: Experience Hyde Park

Where: Hyde Park Village

When: 7 pm

Escape to Tampa’s beloved outdoor destination, Hyde Park Village, for this one-of-a-kind evening. Several leading culinary destinations in Hyde Park have opened their doors to create a unique pairings dinner. Each chef will create a 4-course dining experience that will be paired with leading national brands adding the perfect cocktail and wine pairings to your meal.

Participating Restaurants Included:

• Bouzy – $175
• Ro – $350
• Meat Market – $350
• Sur La Table – $135

You can find full menus for each spot, along with a link to purchase tickets here.

Friday, April 12: VIP Chef Showdown

Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

When: 7 pm

14 chefs. 7 battles. One epic night! Get ready for Irvine’s Chef Showdown with all-new leading sponsor, Chef Robert Irvine’s Spirits. This event will celebrate Tampa Bay’s top chefs and gear up for an evening of competitive culinary cook-offs on the all-new Publix Showcase Kitchen stage.

Each chef will host their own “battle pavilion” where you’ll be the judge as you visit each battle, sample, and vote on your favorite of the two. Throughout the night, chefs from each battle will take the main stage to put on a show in their live demos as representatives from the culinary industry will serve as final judges to award the best in each showdown.

Hosting this year’s festivities is celebrity guest and official Chef Ref for the night, Chef Robert Irvine of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, along with Great Day Live’s Java Ingram.

Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased here.

Saturday, April 13: Main Event – Grand Tasting

Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

When: 1 pm-5 pm

The final day of Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival will feature selected restaurants, live music, interactive sponsor experiences, international wine and spirits pavilions, and more! This year’s Grand Tasting is gearing up to be even bigger and better, with an all-new culinary demo stage, new lounge experiences, more shaded areas throughout the festival, more covered areas, and live music.

Enjoy flavor-packed bites from over 40 of Tampa Bay’s leading restaurants from across the area along with an array of cocktail and wine pavilions along with interactive activations from leading national brands.

Tickets are $125 for ages 21+, and $50 for ages 10-20 and can be purchased here. Children under 10 are free.

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival Details:

Dates: Thursday, April 9 (private event) – Saturday, April 13

Where: Water Street, Hyde Park Village, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

Tickets: Tickets vary per event and can be purchased here.

They must be purchased in advance for all events except the Grand Tasting on Saturday, April 13. A limited amount of tickets will be available at the gate throughout the day or until sold out.

All events taking place from April 10-14 are 21+ only. Saturday’s Grand Tasting event is for all ages.

Visit tampabaywff.com for more details.

All images courtesy of Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival.