Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival

 The Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival, the region’s marquee culinary celebration, is back along the picturesque riverfront for five exhilarating days of food, drink and live entertainment from April 7–11, 2026. Now in its fourth year, the festival is extending its footprint, energy and star power across Tampa and St. Petersburg, growing in tandem with Tampa Bay’s rising profile as one of the country’s most exciting dining regions. Brought to you by title sponsor and exclusive wine and spirits provider Breakthru Beverage Florida and curated with the support of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the 2026 festival brings together acclaimed chefs, leading restaurants, national beverage partners and thousands of passionate foodies for a can’t-miss culinary journey. 

This year delivers even more ways for guests to indulge and explore, with a new signature event and even more high-profile talent. Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine returns as host for the week, joining honorary chef host Sean Brasel of Meat Market to lead the culinary excitement and keep the energy high throughout the festival. New to the lineup is Thursday’s signature event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, featuring Chef Irvine and celebrity chef friends in an immersive night of live cooking and restaurant tastings. Friday’s fan-favorite VIP Chef Showdown grows with two new battles and the debut of the Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown, bringing 20 chefs and two leading mixologists to the stage in the most high-energy edition of the competition yet. And the signature Grand Tasting returns bigger than ever, taking over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park with an unmatched riverfront feast that could only happen in Tampa Bay. 

Further elevating this year’s programming, the festival also introduces a new Chef Committee, an advisory group of standout local culinary talent who will help shape chef participation and restaurant curation across the week’s events. Committee members include Chef Jon Atanacio of Epicurean, Chef Bryan Jacobs of The Liberty Smokehouse, Chef Sean Brasel of Meat Market, Chef Matthew Zappoli of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Chef Jason Ruhe of Brick & Mortar and Chef Lee Aquino of The Birchwood.

The festival continues its partnership with the EAT SMART campaign, a 501(c)(3) initiative of the Community Initiatives Foundation dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of children in the festival’s destination cities. Through programs that provide nutritious meals and essential nutrition education in local schools and community organizations, EAT SMART’s work ensures young people across Tampa Bay and beyond have access to healthier futures. This year’s festival will once again help advance that mission, with proceeds benefiting local charitable initiatives in the Tampa Bay area.

Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival Event Schedule

DAY 1 | TUESDAY, APRIL 7 | EXPERIENCE ST. PETE

The festival’s journey kicks off with a delicious exploration of St. Petersburg’s compelling coastal dining scene. A curated selection of the city’s premier restaurants will showcase their distinctive cuisine and warm hospitality through spectacular, four-course dining experiences led by St. Pete’s most talented chefs. Each extraordinary dish is thoughtfully paired with a craft cocktail or exceptional wine from acclaimed national brands, making for an exciting evening of indulgence and discovery to exceed all expectations.  

Tickets: Tickets to go on sale in January 2026.

Where: To Be Announced Soon

DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 | EXPERIENCE TAMPA

Tampa dazzles on night two as the city’s most sought-after dining destinations, from the hotspots to the classics, open their doors for a night of exclusive pairing dinners. Visionary local chefs in these celebrated kitchens craft four- to five-course menus featuring creative dishes and thoughtfully matched premium wines or handcrafted cocktails provided by Breakthru Beverage and its partners. It’s an ideal opportunity to experience the strong culinary spirit and exceptional restaurant scene that continue to elevate Tampa as a world-class dining destination.

Tickets: Tickets to go on sale in January 2026.

Where: To Be Announced Soon

DAY 3| THURSDAY, APRIL 9 | ROCK THE RANGE WITH CHEF ROBERT IRVINE & FRIENDS

This year’s lineup debuts a showstopping Thursday night event: ROCK THE RANGE with Chef Robert Irvine & Friends, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Benefiting the Robert Irvine Foundation, this all-new experience blends indulgent dining and live entertainment into one next-level Hard Rock celebration. 

Tickets: Tickets to go on sale in January 2026.

Where: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

DAY 4 | FRIDAY, APRIL 10

BREAKING BREAD WITH HEROES: Friday morning brings a meaningful tradition as the festival joins the Robert Irvine Foundation to host a private breakfast honoring the courageous men and women who serve our country and communities. Chef Robert Irvine, along with host sponsor Publix and American Social, will welcome first responders, active-duty military and veterans for a gathering that recognizes their courage, service and sacrifice. Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast and the opportunity to connect and share stories with those who share their dedication to protecting and supporting others.

Tickets: Invite Only

Where: American Social Bar & Kitchen Tampa

VIP CHEF SHOWDOWN: One of the festival’s most anticipated events, the Chef Showdown invites Tampa Bay’s top chefs to step into the spotlight for an electrifying evening of head-to-head culinary battles. This year’s competition is bigger than ever, with 20 talented chefs facing off in nine epic matchups, plus an all-new Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown highlighting the region’s standout mixologists. Each chef team will host its own battle pavilion, where guests can sample competing dishes and cast their votes before the chefs take the Publix Culinary Showdown Kitchen stage for live demos judged by culinary insiders and media. Presented by GOYA Foods, the VIP Chef Showdown brings high‐energy excitement as spectacular food and friendly rivalry fuel riveting battles. The complete chef and mixologist lineup will be revealed in February. 

Tickets: $170. Tickets on sale now

Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL

DAY 5 | SATURDAY, APRIL 11 | GRAND TASTING

The festival’s finale and the ultimate showcase of Tampa’s thriving restaurant scene arrives on Saturday with the Grand Tasting, brought to you by title sponsor and exclusive wine and spirits provider, Breakthru Beverage Florida, presented by GOYA Foods and hosted by Publix. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park transforms into a high-energy playground of flavor, featuring a wide range of standout bites from Tampa Bay’s favorite restaurants, all organized by neighborhood so guests can map out their future dining adventures. Fresh From Florida returns as a sponsor of the day, spotlighting the state’s exceptional local ingredients throughout the Grand Tasting experience. Adding to the fun, the event’s Official Bank Partner and host of the Best of the Fest contest, First Horizon, will provide guests an opportunity to cast their vote for the Best Bite of the Day, crowning one restaurant as the ultimate champion of the festival. Over at the Publix Culinary Showcase Kitchen Stage, there will be nonstop action with live demos from masterful chefs, while DJs provide an energetic soundtrack for a day of great food and good vibes. Explore the vast array of wine and cocktail pavilions and engaging experiences from top national brands throughout the park. With so much to taste and discover along the riverfront, the Grand Tasting is the signature celebration of Tampa Bay’s food culture and a fitting finale for the festival. 

Tickets: $160 pre-event, $185 day of event. Tickets on sale now!

Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL

Weekend pass bundles are available, including those with the option of a two-night stay at the festival’s host hotel, Epicurean. Epicurean Hotel is in South Tampa’s vibrant SoHo district, the social address of the city, where sophistication is inspired by youthful ambition. Epicurean Hotel merges lifestyle with design, business travel with leisure, and glamour with simplicity, while partnering with local benchmark brands, such as Bern’s Steak House and Haven Tampa, to offer exceptional cuisine and a singularly unique experience. Discover where passion meets palate and Awaken Appetites Unknown and visitwww.epicureanhotel.com for more information. Weekend passes with hotel bundles are available now on the festival website.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the Fourth Annual Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival, visit tampabaywff.com.