South Beach Seafood Week Returns With Chef Battles, Stone Crabs, and Cocktails

In a few months, the sixth-annual South Beach Seafood Week will return to the sand with a celebration of the sea — and stone crabs.

October 16 through 20, the five-day extravaganza will present intimate dinners, educational seminars, chef battles, an ocean-inspired cocktail showdown, and a daylong beachside tasting.

A peek at this year's events reveals an evening at Joe's Stone Crab; a six-course surf 'n' turf meal at Meat Market; and Crabs, Slabs, and Cabs, an informal cocktail-hour-style gathering at the Shelborne.

As with previous years, the festival will also host the popular Chefs' Showdown, in which 14 Miami toques — including Meat Market's Sean Brasel, Joe's Stone Crab's David Salinas, and Dragonfly's Masa Hamaya — will go head-to-head for seven seafood-centric titles, including best oyster, sushi, and lobster. Attendees will sample fare from each competing chef and vote for their favorite dishes.

As for drinks, the festival will host the third-annual Brown Forman Cocktail Showdown, in which ten competing bartenders will churn out unique ocean-inspired concoctions.

Closing out the week, approximately 14,000 foodies will make their way to Lummus Park to dine on stone crabs, smoked oysters, fish tacos, and jumbo shrimp. Dozens of Miami restaurants — including Ella's Oyster Bar, Lobster Bar Sea Grille, Rusty Pelican, Stiltsville, Naked Taco, and Joe's Stone Crab — will set up minicafés on the sand from noon till night.

In addition, expect three live music stages, a Jack Daniel's basketball court, a craft cocktail bar, and an educational culinary showcase featuring Norman Van Aken.

Upgrade to VIP, which includes perks such as a yoga and wellness area, a late-night dance party, and extra food and drinks.

South Beach Seafood Week. Tuesday, October 16, through Saturday, October 20, at various locations. Tickets cost $45 to $250 via sobeseafoodfest.com.