The bar has been set high for this year's event. After being selected as one of the Top 100 Events in 2011 (placing #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.

"We're really proud of the reputation that we have created and believe that the quality of food served combined with on-going live entertainment, are the key to our success," said Eric Haas Festival Chair. "To keep everyone happy, we have extended the hours and are opening the gate at 10 am this year."

At the entrance, guests are greeted by the sounds of steel drums and the towering Virgin Island stilt walkers. Once inside the gate there are activities for every age. To fully experience the Deering Seafood Festival, plan to spend the entire day. There are pontoon boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key, an Artists' Village featuring paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry by local artists, nature hikes and historic house tours. On the main stage, the entertainment lineup includes the Pan Paradise Steel Band and Caribbean Crew, each performing their reggae/calypso sound, followed by Mr. Nice Guy. Adding to the island theme are the ever-popular, free-spirited Bahamian Junkanoo musicians who playfully dance throughout the crowd.

Local celebrity chefs Giorgio Rapicavoli, Miami's first winner of the TV Food Network's show Chopped (Eating House), Simon Stowjanovic (Altamare) and Kareem Anguin (Oceanaire Seafood Room) prepare their specialties at cooking demonstrations under the big top tent, presented by Whole Foods Market Coral Gables. During the food samplings, recipes are shared while the chef's hold an informal Q and A. This year the student winner of Johnson & Wales University's Seafood Competition recreates the award-winning recipe at the festival. Throughout the day, fellow culinary students assist the chefs in food preparation. Also, a sommelier from Crown Wine & Spirits discusses wine pairings and offers tastings following each cooking demonstration.

A one-day only seafood emporium is created bringing together restaurants and caterers such as Golden Rule Seafood Market, Whole Foods Market, Eating House, Green Turtle Inn, Black Point Ocean Grill, Imlee Indian Bistro, Shibui Japanese Restaurant, Iggy's Street Wok, Rodbender's and Paella Party who prepare shrimp, lobster, oysters, conch, fish and crab in a variety of ways. For land lovers, Sports Grill is on hand with their famous wings and burgers.

In the Lil' Shrimp Kids Zone, the Deering Estate's Educational and Interpretive Staff, have created a hands-on adventure called the Deering Discovery Cove, where this year kids will explore the Five Oceans of the World. The Kids Zone also offers unlimited fun on inflatables and serves kid-friendly food.

Admission: Adults $15 in advance online and $25 at the gate. Children ages 4-14 are $5 and Deering Estate Foundation Members are Free. Admission includes park entrance and all activities, excluding food, drink, pontoon rides and rock wall, from 10 am - 6 pm. For more information call 305-235-1668 ext. 263 or log on to:Deering Seafood Festival.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.

About the Deering Estate at Cutler
The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:00 pm. Natural areas tours are offered daily at 12:30 pm (October - May). EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit Deering Estate.