TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival is officially returning to the riverfront this spring, and for its fourth year, the event is crossing the bridge to formally include St. Petersburg in the festivities.
Organizers announced this week that the five-day culinary celebration will run from April 7 through April 11, 2026. While the festival has always drawn crowds from across the region, this year marks a strategic expansion of its footprint, mirroring the rapid growth of the dining scenes in both Tampa and St. Pete.
Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine is set to return as the week’s host, joined by Honorary Chef Host Sean Brasel of Meat Market. Together, they will headline a schedule that mixes returning fan favorites with several new additions.
One of the most notable changes to the 2026 lineup is the introduction of a new signature event on Thursday night. Dubbed “Rock the Range,” the immersive cooking and tasting experience will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, featuring Chef Irvine and a roster of celebrity friends.
The competition heats up on Friday with the “VIP Chef Showdown,” which is expanding to include two new culinary battles. For the first time, the event will also feature the “Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown,” pitting two leading mixologists against one another alongside the 20 chefs vying for the title.
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To help curate the growing list of participating restaurants, the festival has established a Chef Committee. The advisory group includes local culinary figures such as Jon Atanacio (Epicurean), Bryan Jacobs (The Liberty Smokehouse), Matthew Zappoli (Seminole Hard Rock), Jason Ruhe (Brick & Mortar), and Lee Aquino (The Birchwood).
“We’ve had three years to hone in on what guests want, and this year we’re delivering on that in an even bigger way,” said Valerie Roy, Director of Marketing and Client Strategy at CI Management. “Tampa Bay’s culinary scene continues to thrive, and our expanded lineup reflects the excitement of this region.”
The 2026 Schedule at a Glance:
- Tuesday, April 7 (Experience St. Pete): The festival kicks off across the bay with four-course pairing dinners at select St. Petersburg restaurants.
- Wednesday, April 8 (Experience Tampa): The action moves to Tampa for a night of exclusive multi-course menus at the city’s top dining spots.
- Thursday, April 9 (Rock the Range): A new event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino blending live entertainment and tasting stations.
- Friday, April 10 (VIP Chef Showdown): The head-to-head cooking competition at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Earlier in the day, the “Breaking Bread with Heroes” private breakfast will honor veterans and first responders.
- Saturday, April 11 (Grand Tasting): The week concludes with the main event at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, featuring neighborhood-specific food pavilions, wine tastings, and the “Best of the Fest” voting competition.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the EAT SMART campaign, which supports nutrition education and healthy meals for children, as well as the Robert Irvine Foundation.
Tickets for the VIP Chef Showdown ($170) and the Grand Tasting ($160) are currently on sale. Tickets for the specific dining experiences on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will become available in January 2026.
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