Tampa Bay’s Chef Showdown: Who’s the Best in Tampa?

Food enthusiasts and culinary professionals will gather at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM for the highly anticipated Chef Showdown. Part of the Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival, this event brings together 16 chefs in a head-to-head battle, allowing attendees to sample, vote, and experience live cooking demonstrations.

Event Overview

Presented by GOYA Foods and driven by BMW, the Chef Showdown features eight unique battles, where each chef competes in their designated “battle pavilion.” Guests will have the opportunity to visit each pavilion, sample the competing dishes, and vote for their favorite.

Throughout the night, chefs will take the Publix Culinary Showdown Kitchen stage for live demonstrations, showcasing their skills. In addition to the audience vote, representatives from the culinary industry, including media professionals, will serve as final judges to award the best in each showdown.

Chefs and Battles

The event features a diverse lineup of chefs competing across multiple categories:

• Battle Fried Chicken: Joe Dodd (King of the Coop) vs. Aikeem Riley (Saucin Wings)
• Battle Surf n Turf: Ted Dorsey (Sunshine City Tavern) vs. Jason Ruhe (Brick & Mortar)
• Battle Smokehouse: Bryan Jacobs (The Liberty Smokehouse) vs. Cameron Capri (Q Southern BBQ)
• Battle Seafood: Jon Walker (The Tides Market) vs. David Reyes (St. Petersburg Distillery)
• Battle Truffle: Matthew Zappoli (The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa) vs. Mike Morales (Sunda New Asian)
• Battle Burger: Jay Narvaez (Cru Cellars) vs. Erik Youngs (VooDoo Chef Foundation)
• Battle Taco: Christopher Yadid Garcia (Tacos Las Californias) vs. Matthew Brennan (Lona Cocina)

Each battle features distinct flavors and cooking techniques, providing a range of culinary experiences.

Ticket Information

Tickets for this all-inclusive event are priced at $160, granting access to chef tastings, voting privileges, and an open bar for attendees aged 21 and over.

For more details and ticket purchases, visit the official Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival website.

Date & Time: Friday, April 11, 2025 – 6:30 PM
Location: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa, FL

Attendees can expect a night filled with culinary expertise, interactive experiences, and a showcase of local talent.