Escape to an island celebration at the 8th annual Deering Seafood Festival and savor Florida’s freshest fish and seafood prepared in an infinite number of delectable dishes. Virgin Island stilt walkers dressed in their colorful costumes tower above steel drum musicians as they welcome guests of all ages to the historic Deering Estate at Cutler. What keeps people returning each year, and others eager to attend for the first time, is the wholesome family experience, delicious food, and on-going live entertainment that has become the key to the
festival’s success.
festival’s success.
The bar has been set high for this year’s event on Sunday, March 25. After being selected one of the Top 100 Events in 2011 (#7 in the food category) and chosen one of Florida’s Top Ten Food Festivals in 2010 by BizBash Media, the staff and volunteers at the Deering Estate Foundation have been working overtime to keep the festival unique.
Set on the biggest backyard on Biscayne Bay, on-going entertainment includes the Pan Paradise Steel Band and and Caribbean Crew each performing their reggae/calypso sound, and the popular free-spirited Bahamian Junkanoo musicians who weave throughout the crowd.
Under the big top tent, sponsored by Whole Foods Market Coral Gables, local celebrity chefs conduct cooking demonstrations and share their unique recipes. Chefs Giorgio Rapicavoli (Eating Room), Simon Stowjanovic (Altamare) and the Executive Chef of Islamorada’s Green Turtle Inn prepare their seafood specialties. During the food samplings, the chef’s hold an informal Q and A. This year the winner of Johnson & Wales University’s Seafood Competition, demos the winning recipe at the festival. Fellow culinary students work alongside the chefs and offer assistance in food preparation. Following all cooking demos, a sommelier from Crown Wine & Spirits discusses wine pairings and offers tastings.
Throughout the day seafood markets, restaurants and caterers such as Golden Rule Seafood Market, Whole Foods Market, Eating Room, River Oyster Bar, Black Point Ocean Grill, Imlee Indian Bistro, Shibui Japanese Restaurant, Iggy’s Street Wok and Paella Party prepare scrumptious seafood including shrimp, lobster, oysters, conch, fish and crab prepared in a variety of ways. For land lovers Sports Grill is on hand with their famous wings and burgers.
To experience all that is the Deering Seafood Festival, save time for pontoon boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key, explore the Artists’ Village featuring local artists and artisans crafters with original paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry, and enjoy one of the nature hikes and tours of the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage.
In the Lil’Shrimp Kids Zone is the Deering Discovery Cove, featuring Five Oceans of the World, created by the estate’s Educational and Interpretive Staff, with a hands-on adventure. The Kids Zone also offers unlimited fun on the inflatables, and serves kid-friendly food.
The Deering Estate at Cutler 16701 SW 72 Ave., Palmetto Bay. Admission: Adults $15 in advance online/ $25 at the gate, Children 4-14 year $5, and Foundation Members Free, includes park entrance and all activities, excluding food, drink, pontoon rides and rock wall, from10am-6pm.
305.235.1668 ext. 263
deeringseafoodfestival.org.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.
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