Tampa Bay Food Fight Returns to Amalie Arena with Celebrity Chef

A huge food competition is coming back to Amalie Arena on Feb. 11, 2025. The eighth annual Tampa Bay Food Fight brings together 50 popular restaurants to help support Metropolitan Ministries' job training programs. From 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., the arena turns into a food lover's dream. Tampa favorites, including the famous Bern's Steak House and popular Bavaro's, will serve food alongside St. Petersburg spots like Mowgli's Tiffin and the waterfront Parkshore Grill. Guests can choose between two ticket options. For $150, Level 1 tickets include 21 food tastings, eight craft cocktails, and better seats. Level 2 comes with 14 tastings and five drinks with regular seating.

TV personality Geoffrey Zakarian headlines the event with his daughter Madeline, adding some celebrity flair. The father-daughter pair, who just wrote a family cookbook together, follows in the footsteps of past hosts like chef Robert Irvine. The event features live cooking demos and music. Food critics say it's the best way to sample Tampa Bay's top restaurants all in one place.

This fundraiser supports a tough 15-week Culinary Arts Program. Students learn essential kitchen skills through hands-on classes and real restaurant work. Many graduates now work in restaurants all over Tampa Bay. Since it started in 2018, tickets have sold out every year. The money raised helps Metropolitan Ministries provide food, shelter, and education services.

Up-and-coming restaurants like House of Vegano join well-known spots like Mise En Place, Teak, and Timpano in the lineup. Their involvement helps connect local restaurants with job training programs.