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.