South Beach Seafood Festival’s VIP Chef Showdown

Photography by Richard Alvarez on October 23rd, 2021 in Food, Lifestyle

Miami Beach, FL – October 23, 2021 – After a year away, it was time to bring the heat, and boy did the 7th Annual VIP Chef Showdown do just that! Brought to you by Jack Daniel’s and presented by GOYA Foods, and additionally presented by City National Bank and Tequila Herradura, the Chef Showdown featured 14 chefs who hit the Showcase Kitchen for Miami’s ultimate night of competition. Chefs prepared their best seafood dishes for 1,200 VIP guests to sample in their battle tents and vote on their favorites.

Several individual battles took place such as Battle Shrimp hosted by Vaitaire Seafood, featuring 4-time Champ Chef Demetrios Pyliotis from Poseidon vs. Chef Wayne Sharpe from Jrk!, Battle Salmon presented by Oshēn Salmon featuring Chef Ilde Ferrer from Meet Dalia Miami vs. Chef Alex Martinez from Mercato Della Pescheria, Battle Oyster featuring 2019 Chef Showdown champion Chef Chad Wyrosdick from Papa’s Raw Bar vs. Chef Cristian Canencio from Uchi Miami, Battle Sushi featuring Chef Shoyo Lida from Kosushi vs. Owner Andrew Mayer from Poke OG, and Battle Surf N’ Turf featuring Chef Jim Pastor from Rusty Pelican vs. Chef Hillary Fernandez from Maia House Restaurant. The showcase event was Battle Taco featuring Chef Jorge Ramos from Bodega vs. Chef Jay Cruz from Tacos and Tattoos, while the main event was Battle Crab featuring 2019 Showdown Champion Chef Brian Nasajon from Beaker and Gray vs. 4-time battle taco champ Chef Bernie Matz from Cafe Bernie 305.

Every battle was so close, but the 2021 champions were Battle Shrimp: Chef Wayne Sharpe from Jrk!, Battle Salmon: Chef Alex Martinez from Mercato Della Pescheria, Battle Oyster: Chef Cristian Canencio from Uchi Miami, Battle Sushi: Chef Shoyo Lida from Kosushi, Battle Surf n’ Turf: Chef Jim Pastor from Rusty Pelican, Battle Taco: Chef Jorge Ramos, from Bodega, and Battle Crab: 2-Time Showdown Champion Chef Brian Nasajon from Beaker and Gray.

Guests enjoyed VIP treats and interactive experiences from Jack Daniel’s, Tequila Herradura, City National Bank and Cadillac. They sipped wines from hosting sponsors Bogle Vineyards, Phantom, Juggernaut, Rabble, Line 39, and Castello del Poggio.