The Deering Estate Foundation looks forward to welcoming families of all ages to experience fresh seafood, chef demos, live entertainment and kid’s activities at the award-winning Deering Seafood Festival.

Here is what guests can look forward to during the weekend of the 18th Annual Deering Seafood Festival.

Food & Drink Vendors

At the Deering Seafood Festival, guests will be able to buy food and drink from some of South Florida’s best restaurants and suppliers. Participating seafood restaurants include Golden Rule Seafood, Sports Grill, Catering by Les, Chef Winston Catering, Antigua Barbuda, Popos Seafood, Conch Mania, Mr. Cobbs BBQ, Rodbenders Raw Bar and Grill, Paella Party, Catering by Les, Conch Mania and Pub Grill. Other food vendors guests can get excited about are Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream and Sugar Boutique. Eagle Brands will be onsite selling Stella Artois, Kona Big Wave, and Michelob Ultra. And, don’t forget the Frozen Drink Booth courtesy of Bombarda Rum.

Chef Demo Tent

Sponsored by the Deering Estate Foundation, the Chef Demo Tent is one of the highlights of the Deering Seafood Festival. It is where six fabulous South Florida chefs present 45-minute cooking demonstrations of their favorite seafood dishes, many of which are from their restaurant menus. Five demos will be led by chefs from popular Miami restaurants, and the final demo will be completed by the student winner of our annual Deering Seafood Festival Culinary Student Competition, which will take place at Florida International University (FIU) College of Culinary Arts on March 14, 2024.

This year, the Chef Demo Tent will feature, among others, Chef Nivan Patel from Orno, Chef Fernando Salazar from Platea, Chef Jorge Mas, from Kuba Cabana, and the winner of the FIU Cooking Competition.

Throughout the day, a team of FIU culinary students will serve as sous chefs to those leading the Chef Demonstration, helping them to prepare their dish and clean up the cooking area.

All cooking demonstrations are free with admission. Audiences are limited to 100 guests per demo, and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees will enjoy samples of the food prepared by the chef, get a copy of the recipe, and have an opportunity to ask him or her questions.

Entertainment & Activities

While Florida’s freshest fish and seafood are always the main event, nonstop entertainment will keep the family dancing all day long. The festival will kick off with a Bahamian Junkanoo band and Virgin Island stilt walkers parading through Deering Estate, followed by performances by Caribbean Music Farm and Brothers of Others.

There will be a craft beer area and, for the first time ever, a special “Masters” golf area in a shaded area with tables and chairs so that guests can watch the last day of the Masters Tournament or test their skill on a putting green provided by Monster Grass. There will also be Irish Whiskey tasting provided by Cairlinn Bay.

Guests who want to get out on the water can take guided Pelican Skipper pontoon boat rides (for an additional fee) from Deering Estate to Chicken Key. Back on land, arts aficionados can wander down Artists Lane and find handmade paintings, photography, crafts, and jewelry by local artisans.

Just for Kids

Presented by Kiddos Magazine, The Deering Seafood Festival will have a special “Spring Fun Kid’s Zone” with arts and crafts, a DJ, interesting exhibits, games, kid-friendly food, raffles, a magic show, a toddler play area, and lots of other fun activities for the kids!

Also at the festival, Deering Discovery Cove will return with fun, educational programming and activities pulled from Deering Estate’s environmental classes and camps! These classes attract more than 17,000 children throughout the year both virtually and, more recently, in person.

Tickets

Tickets for adults are priced at $25 in advance and $30 the day of, and tickets for children ages 4-14 are priced at $7 in advance and $10 the day of. While Deering Estate Foundation members are entitled to free festival admission, members must go online to obtain a ticket for entry. Members will be prompted to add their member number when reserving their free tickets online. Ticket prices include park entrance and activities, but exclude food, drink, boat rides and vendor purchase.

Festival attendees are encouraged to purchase/reserve tickets in advance online.

Date: April 14, 2024

Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Venue:
Deering Estate
16701 SW 72nd Avenue
Palmetto Bay, FL 33157

Tickets: $10-$30.

For tickets https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/49736415/18th-annual-deering-seafood-festival-miami-deering-estate-foundation.

For more details https://deeringestate.org/events/deering-seafood-festival/.