A few years back, I crossed paths with Chef Sean Brasel of Meat Market during a destination food and wine festival. As fellow Tampa residents, our conversation naturally veered toward our hometown’s burgeoning culinary scene. I’ll never forget when he confided in me his dream of bringing a wine and food festival to our beloved city. The excitement in his eyes mirrored my own as I imagined the endless possibilities.
Tampa is a city where the culinary scene pulses with creativity and flavor. It’s where passionate chefs and restaurateurs draw inspiration from the bounty of our seasonal crops. From strawberry fests to stone crab celebrations, food is woven into the city’s very fabric. What better place to stage an epicurean extravaganza than this vibrant locale? Speaking not just as a lifelong Tampa native but as someone intricately involved in the food, beverage, and hospitality world, I can assure you— there’s no place like it.
Today, the Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival stands as a testament to that initial shared dream. It is now a thriving annual tradition that receives increasing popular acclaim and doubles in size each year. As it gears up for its third edition, April 8-12, 2025, the festival promises an even more expansive and enticing lineup, now featuring the newly added “Experience St. Pete” evening event.
Tickets are on sale, and you won’t want to miss out! Use the code DG10 for $10 off each ticket purchase. Prepare for a culinary adventure that builds anticipation with each event. Beginning with An Evening at The Tampa Club, an invite-only event on Tuesday, April 8—followed by Experience St. Pete on Wednesday, April 9, Experience Tampa on Thursday, April 10, climaxing into the fan-favorite Chef Showdown on Friday, April 11, and finishing with the much-awaited Grand Tasting Saturday, April 12.
With chefs and sommeliers crafting unforgettable pairings, it’s a celebration where every bite and sip tells a story. Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival is ready to welcome you with open arms and seduce your taste buds with sheer brilliance!
