Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival 2026: Mixology Takes Center Stage

The fourth annual Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival (TBWFF) returned April 7–11, 2026, bringing five days of culinary and cocktail excellence across Tampa and St. Petersburg. While chefs stole much of the spotlight, mixology took center stage with the inaugural Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown and interactive spirit tastings, showcasing the talent and creativity behind Tampa Bay’s bar scene.

Milagro Tequila Bartender Showdown

This first-ever bartender competition brought together top mixologists for a head-to-head challenge. Finalists included:

• Trinity Shapiro, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa
• Andrew Hall, Timpano Hyde Park
• Dominic Sala, American Social Tampa
• Gaby Bockhaut, Meat Market Tampa

Champion: Trinity Shapiro, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa — recognized for inventive flavor combinations, technical precision, and stage presence during the final round judged by Milagro Tequila and Hendrick’s Gin brand ambassadors.

Chef Showdown Winners

The culinary battles also wrapped with winners across multiple categories:

• Mediterranean: Chef Ahmad Alaraj, The Shawarma King
• Steakhouse: Chef Tyson Grant, Parkshore Grill
• Mystery Box: Chef Dion Jumapao, Olivia Modern Italian
• Pasta: Chef David Lazer Benstock, IL Ritorno
• Smokehouse: Chef Bryan Jacobs, The Liberty Smokehouse
• Surf and Turf: Chef Nelly Buleje, Timpano
• Seafood: David Reyes, Hail Mary & Uno Mas Taqueria
• Truffle: Chef Diego Gonzalez, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa
• Burger: Chef Jay Narvaez, Cru Cellars
• Taco: Chef Christopher Yadid Garcia, Tacos Las Californias

These winners highlight innovation, skill, and flavor mastery, reinforcing Tampa Bay’s growing reputation as a culinary destination.

Mixology & Bar Highlights

Beyond the competition, Breakthru Beverage Florida curated a lineup of premium spirits and cocktail activations, including:

• Milagro Tequila
• Hendrick’s Gin
• Blanton’s Bourbon
• Buffalo Trace
• Diplomatico Rum
• Stoli Vodka

These stations gave bartenders the chance to feature signature cocktails, experiment with flavor pairings, and interact with festival-goers, showcasing the art and craft behind their programs.

Biggest Takeaways for Bartenders and Bars

• Inspire creativity: The Bartender Showdown and curated spirit activations offer examples of narrative-driven cocktail programs.
• Highlight technique and presentation: Guests notice attention to detail — from flavor layering to glassware and garnish.
• Elevate programming: Mixology competitions paired with chef events provide a template for premium events and tasting experiences in your own venue.

The Grand Tasting & Beyond

The festival concluded with the Grand Tasting at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, featuring over 40 restaurants, cocktail pavilions, wine tastings, and live demos. The Best of the Fest Bite of the Day, presented by First Horizon, went to Ocho Trece’s Crispy Oxtail Croquette, celebrating creativity and flavor with a $1,000 prize.