Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival
April 9-13
A highly anticipated spring celebration of culinary delights will make its mark in the Tampa Bay area. The 2nd annual Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival takes place April 9-13 and will offer various events to satisfy the foodie soul in all of us.
METRO received insight into the festival from Valerie Roy, Director of Marketing and Client Strategy at CI Management. CI Management is the full-service event production and management agency behind this Tampa area culinary celebration. CI Management is renowned for many curated wine and food festivals in South Florida.
Roy emphasized growth in the Tampa market as a catalyst for the introduction of this festival to the area. This can be attributed to the increase of new and innovative restaurant concepts, being that “culinary arts plays a crucial role in our lives connecting people with one another while enjoying cuisine.”
She furthermore commends, “This is perfect time to highlight the great restaurateurs, chefs, and area concepts that have gained attention in the Tampa Bay Area.” When asked about continuing growth of the festival, Roy voiced “I would love to continue expanding the exclusive, intimate educational dinners and large scale festival offerings at Curtis Hixon park.”
“Have a little fun, give back to the community, and celebrate everything that is happening there” Roy says regarding the idea of hosting the TBWFF.
Showcasing extraordinary culinary talent from around the Tampa, St. Pete and surrounding area, the TBWFF features upscale and invite only events as well as large food gatherings. Whether you prefer a more refined experience or to taste a vast array of delicious bites, this festival provides that and more.
Schedule of Offerings
DAY 1: TUESDAY, APRIL 9 — AN EVENING AT THE TAMPA CLUB
This exclusive, invite-only event sets the tone for the festival, offering a glimpse into the culinary delights to come with a beautiful evening overlooking all of downtown Tampa on the 42nd floor at the exclusive Tampa Club, a premier private business and social club set in the heart of Tampa.
Tickets: Invite Only
Where: 42nd Floor of The Tampa Club
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 — EXPERIENCE WATER STREET
Boulon Brasserie, Predalina and Rooster & The Till will showcase their unique culinary styles in this new addition to the festival, where celebrity chef collaboration dinners will be created with unique wine and spirits pairings and with various dinners presented by Meats by Linz. Prepare to celebrate the best of Water Street, a waterfront community in downtown Tampa, which is flanked by the ultimate in dining establishments.
Tickets: $225-$350
Where: Water Street
DAY 3: THURSDAY, APRIL 11 — EXPERIENCE HYDE PARK
Featuring four celebrated establishments, Meat Market, RO Hyde Park, Bouzy and Sur La Table, this evening promises a diverse culinary exploration with an additional set of four and five course dinners and pairings set in the timeless allure of Hyde Park Village.
Tickets: $135-$350
Where: Hyde Park Village
DAY 4: FRIDAY, APRIL 12 — BREAKING BREAD WITH HEROES & CHEF SHOWDOWN
BREAKING BREAD WITH HEROES, is a new event added to this year’s schedule which will be an invite-only morning breakfast, where Chef Robert Irvine will host 200 veterans and first responders for an intimate meet and greet, sponsored by Publix and Castaway Coffee and hosted in partnership with The Robert Irvine Foundation.
Tickets: Invite Only.
Where: To Be Announced!
CHEF SHOWDOWN, brought to you by Irvine’s Spirits and presented by GOYA Foods and Mountain Valley Spring Water, is expected to be one for the books. Expect a level up of last year’s sold-out excitement, with reigning champions returning to defend their titles in seven different showdown battles, held on the all-new Publix Showcase Kitchen Stage. Battles will include: Truffle, Pasta, Burger, Seafood, Sushi, Taco, and everyone’s favorite, Fried Chicken. The full restaurant lineup will be announced in February.
Tickets: $150 or $225 Weekend Pass (Chef Showdown + Grand Tasting)
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL
DAY 5: SATURDAY, APRIL 13 — GRAND TASTING
The festival culminates in a grand tasting event at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, brought to you by Breakthru Beverage Florida and presented by GOYA Foods, with an all-new culinary demo stage sponsored by Publix, new lounge experiences, plenty of additional shaded areas, and live music acts. Get ready to enjoy 40+ restaurant partners across the Tampa Bay area; samplings from 40+ exclusive wine and spirits supplier partners of Breakthru Beverage Florida; and all the fun you can have. This day-long celebration will showcase the best of Tampa Bay’s culinary scene.
Tickets: $125 or $225 Weekend Pass (Chef Showdown + Grand Tasting)
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL
For more information and to purchase tickets to the 2nd Annual Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival, please visit tampabaywff.com. Follow along on Instagram at @tampabaywff and on Facebook at @tampabaywff.
The festival benefits a great cause with CI Foundation’s EAT SMART program that provides healthy meals and nutritional guidance to Florida’s youth.
