Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival
Five days of curated culinary experiences in Tampa Bay, set to engage your palettes with the help of international wines and cocktails.
April 8-12, 2025 In Tampa Bay
A highly anticipated spring celebration of culinary delights will make its mark in the Tampa Bay area. The annual Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival takes place April 8-12 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.
Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival 2025
Schedule of Offerings
DAY 1: TUESDAY, APRIL 8
AN EVENING AT THE TAMPA CLUB (Private Event)
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 9 | 7:00 PM
EXPERIENCE ST. PETE DINNER SERIES
Immerse yourself in an evening of unforgettable experiences as TWO of St. Pete’s most award-winning chefs come together under one roof for an unforgettable evening to celebrate delicious cuisines in St. Pete at Birch & Vine at The Birchwood. Plus, added all new for 2025, a special one of a kind tasting dinner at Allelo! Guests will enjoy carefully curated cocktails and wines from acclaimed national brands to complement each dish, promising an extraordinary meal that surpasses expectations.
DAY 3: THURSDAY, APRIL 10 | 7:00 PM
EXPERIENCE TAMPA DINNER SERIES
Discover the timeless allure of Tampa’s favorite dining hotspots, where historic charm meets modern vibrancy, and treat yourself to an unforgettable evening. Choose from four of Tampa’s top culinary destinations, each selected to host a unique pairings dinner, presented by Breakthru Beverage and partners. Each chef will create a 4-5 course dining experience to dazzle your taste buds, paired with premium cocktails and wines from leading national brands. Get ready to savor the very best of Tampa’s restaurant scene for a night of exceptional food, drink, and ambiance.
Tickets: $350 Per Person
Where: Meat Market
DAY 4: FRIDAY, APRIL 11
BREAKING BREAD WITH HEROES & CHEF SHOWDOWN
BREAKING BREAD WITH HEROES | 10:00 AM
In partnership with the Robert Irvine Foundation, as part of celebrity Chef Robert Irvine’s participation in the Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival taking place Friday morning at American Social featuring the Breaking Bread with Heroes breakfast, hosted by Celebrity Chef, Chef Robert Irvine, in partnership with Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Postal, and hosting sponsors, Publix and Patriot Growth Insurance Services. This event will host 200 veterans to an incredible breakfast to honor and gather our nation’s heroes over a delicious meal as they sit down for an opportunity to talk, listen, and share their stories.
Tickets: Invite Only
Where: American Social
CHEF SHOWDOWN | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
An evening of competitive culinary cook-offs takes place celebrating Tampa Bay’s top chefs. Attendees will serve as the judges as they indulge in endless dishes and refreshing cocktails and dance the night away. 16 chefs will battle head-to-head in eight unique showdowns.Each will host their own “battle pavilion” , where guests will visit each battle, sample, and vote on their favorite of the two. Throughout the night, chefs from each battle will take the Publix Culinary Showdown Kitchen stage to put on a show in their live demos as representatives from the culinary industry, including media, will serve as final judges to award the best in each showdown.
Tickets: $160 (Ages 21+)
Where: Curtis Hixon Park
DAY 5: SATURDAY, APRIL 12 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
MAIN EVENT: 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: $150 All Inclusive (Ages 21+)
Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
For more information and to purchase tickets to the 3rd 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.
