Deering Estate Foundation celebrates 20th Annual Seafood Festival on the Bay and Chef’s Table on the Bay event

Calling all seafood lovers! On Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Deering Estate, the award-winning Deering Seafood Festival will delight guests with everything from cooking demonstrations by top Miami and Caribbean chefs and delicious dishes from South Florida restaurants to live music, a Bahamian Junkanoo parade, boat rides, a beer lounge, a dedicated kids’ area, artists village, and much more. 

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to once again welcome our neighbors and friends to the 20th Annual Deering Seafood Festival, which is undeniably one of our most anticipated events of the year,” says Nina Zanella, Executive Director of The Deering Estate Foundation. “We have so much to be excited about this year’s festival weekend, starting with a special Chef’s Table on the Bay – An Evening in the British Virgin Islands starring Chef Kenneth Molyneaux, Executive Chef and owner of Tropical Fusion Beach Bar & Grill, Long Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Chef Cindy Hutson, of Sun Cuisine in Miami and formerly of Ortanique on the Mile, Chef Fernando Salazar of Platea Miami, and we can’t wait to share it with the community, members and generous sponsors and vendors who never fail to make our events so memorable.”  

“The Deering Seafood Festival is a beloved Miami-Dade tradition that truly captures the spirit of Miami-Dade - vibrant, welcoming, and rooted in our connection to the Bay,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This event highlights the best of our community, from local chefs and artists to the incredible natural setting of Deering. Congratulations to the Deering Estate Foundation on 20 years of celebrating culture, conservation, and community in such a meaningful and delicious way.”    

CHEF’S TABLE ON THE BAY – AN EVENING IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

To kick-off the weekend, Deering Estate will host Chef’s Table on the Bay – An Evening in the British Virgin Islands on Friday, April 10, 2026, the seventh iteration of its wildly successful event.

This outdoor dining experience will start with a cocktail hour on the lawn presented by Golden Rule Seafood and the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and move on to cooking demonstrations and island cocktails and a multi-course dinner by celebrity chefs Kenneth Molyneaux, Cindy Hutson, and Fernando Salazar, and British Virgin Islands mixologist, Jabari Stoutt. 

Chef Kenneth Molyneaux 
Kenneth Molyneaux was born and raised in the beautiful British Virgin Islands, where his love for the Culinary Arts began at a young age while working alongside his mother in her kitchen. Growing up in Long Bay, he was surrounded by the rich seasonings, bold flavors, traditional cooking techniques, and indigenous ingredients that define Virgin Islands cuisine.  Chef Kenneth graduated from the New England Culinary Institute. He went on to gain extensive experience working in several distinguished hotels and restaurants, including Long Bay Beach Hotel, Necker Island Hotel, Peter Island Resort, Boatyard Bar & Grill in Maryland, Treasure Isle, and Calamaya Restaurant. Through these opportunities, he trained with some of the finest local and international chefs. His entrepreneurial spirit later led him to establish Chef Ken Flavourful Catering, a catering company known for its vibrant Caribbean-inspired dishes and exceptional personalized service.  His hard work and dedication propelled him up the culinary ranks until he became the Executive Chef and owner of Tropical Fusion Beach Bar & Grill.

Chef Cindy Hutson
In 1994 award-winning chef Cindy Hutson met her life partner, Delius Shirley. With passion for cooking, no formal training and three kids to care for, Hutson was hesitant to open their first restaurant venture. Against the odds and with the extra support of Shirley, Hutson took the leap of faith and that same year opened Norma’s on the Beach. Rave reviews touted Hutson’s cuisine as “the best Caribbean restaurant in South Florida” and international support from USA Today, The New York Times, London Times, Chicago Tribune, Chef Magazine and Eater, who named Hutson “Chef of the Year” (2012), helped set the pace for what would develop into a thriving culinary future.  Hutson’s culturally diverse and seasonally driven culinary style is heavily influenced by extensive travel and food history. Her signature “Cuisine of the Sun” is a self-coined approach that means to create without limits and cook everything under the sun, infusing nuances of her famous island flavors throughout. “I thrive on teaching about our earth’s bounties, edible history and utilizing indigenous ingredients that are regionally prepared,” says Hutson about her culinary inspiration.

Chef Fernando Salazar 
Fernando’s culinary philosophy and passion reflect the growing trend towards a healthier and down-to-earth lifestyle of a young chef while meeting the expectations of the hip and modern Miami culture. Collaborating with neighboring farmers to seek out the finest in regional and local organic produce is the essence of his cuisine. Fernando’s preference is to allow the natural flavors of food to express themselves.
In addition to cooking, Fernando’s passion is to develop younger chefs to discover their own talents in the same way that he was encouraged. Be it through vegetable picking, hosting talks at public schools, or inviting some of the finest chefs for a chance to share their knowledge, Fernando believes whole-heartedly in staying active, continuously learning, and always having fun.

This special evening is presented by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and is also sponsored by Shutts & Bowen, the Drew Kern Team, BHHS EWM Realty, Golden Rule Seafood, Sysco, and Invenio Wealth Partners.    

20th ANNUAL DEERING SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ON THE BAY

The Deering Estate Foundation is thrilled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the award-winning Deering Seafood Festival! Join us to experience this milestone event featuring fresh seafood, chef demos, live entertainment, and kid-friendly activities. Presented by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, the festival takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t miss this special celebration of two decades of food, fun, and community at the historic Deering Estate. 

Food & Drink Vendors

At the Deering Seafood Festival, guests will be able to buy food and drink from some of South Florida’s best restaurants and suppliers. Participating seafood restaurants include Golden Rule Seafood, Sports Grill, Chef Winston Catering, Antigua Barbuda, Popos Seafood, Conch Mania, Mr. Cobbs BBQ, Rodbenders Raw Bar and Grill, Catering by Les, and Pubbelly Sushi. Other food vendors guests can get excited about are Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Eagle Brands will be onsite providing Stella Artois, Kona Big Wave, Michelob Ultra, Ultra Zero, and Nutrl Seltzer. The Frozen Drink Booth is courtesy of Don Q Rum.  The Whiskey Bars are courtesy of Cairlinn Bay Irish Whiskey, and the Wine Bar is courtesy Bonterra Winery.    

Chef Demo Tent

The Chef Demo Tent is one of the highlights of the Deering Seafood Festival. It is where six fabulous South Florida chefs present 45-minute cooking demonstrations of their favorite seafood dishes, many of which are from their restaurant menus. Five demos will be led by chefs from popular Miami restaurants, and the final demo will be completed by the student winner of our annual Deering Seafood Festival Culinary Student Competition, which will take place at Florida International University (FIU) College of Culinary Arts.

This year, the Chef Demo Tent will feature student Chefs from Miami Springs Senior High, Chef Kenneth Molyneaux from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Chef Michael Altman of Kitchen 57, Chef Damien Gilchrist of Card Sound Golf Club, Chef Dewey Losasso of Puff 'n Stuff Luxury Events and Catering, and the winning chefs from FIU culinary competition.

Throughout the day, a team of FIU culinary students will serve as sous chefs to those leading the Chef Demonstration, helping them to prepare their dish and clean up the cooking area.

All cooking demonstrations are free with admission. Audiences are limited to 140 guests per demo, and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees will enjoy samples of the food prepared by the chef, get a copy of the recipe, and have an opportunity to ask him or her questions. 

Entertainment & Activities

While Florida's freshest fish and seafood are always the main event, nonstop entertainment will keep the family dancing all day long. The festival will kick off with a Bahamian Junkanoo band and Virgin Island stilt walkers parading through Deering Estate, followed by performances by Caribbean Music Farm, I Threes – The Next Generation, Code Red, Razor Blade Band, and DJ Soso.

Guests who want to get out on the water can take guided Pelican Skipper pontoon boat rides (for an additional fee) from Deering Estate to Chicken Key. Back on land, arts aficionados can wander down Artists Lane and find handmade paintings, photography, crafts, jewelry, and much more by local artisans.

Just for Kids

Presented by Kiddos Magazine, The Deering Seafood Festival will have a special “Spring Fun Kid’s Zone” with arts and crafts, a DJ, interesting exhibits, games, kid-friendly food, raffles, a magic show, a toddler play area, and lots of other fun activities for the kids! 

Also at the festival, the Deering Discovery Cove will return with fun, educational programming and activities from Deering Estate’s environmental classes and camps! 

Tickets

Festival attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online. Tickets for adults are priced at $25 in advance and $30 at the gate, and tickets for children ages 4-14 are priced at $7 in advance and $10 at the gate. While Deering Estate Foundation members are entitled to free festival admission, members must go online to obtain a ticket for entry. Ticket prices include park entrance and activities, but exclude food, drink, boat rides, and vendor purchases. 
 
Transportation & Parking

In addition to street and area parking, a free “Park and Ride” will be available to all festival guests at Westminster Christian School and Palmetto Bay Village Center. Shuttle buses will go to and from the venue and Deering Estate every 15 minutes. For those wishing to ride their bikes to the festival, a courtesy bike valet will be available from Heritage House. 

Sponsors

As a nonprofit organization, Deering Estate could not host its year-long calendar of exciting community events without the help of its generous supporters. The Deering Estate Foundation is honored to announce that the 20th Annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay is presented by British Virgin Islands Tourist Board. 
 
Other sponsors include Golden Rule Seafood, Sports Grill, Jaguar Land Rover South Dade, Community Health of South Florida, European Collision, Baptist Miami Cancer Center, Peterson’s Harley Davidson South, Trinity School, Eric’s Outboard, The Keyes Company, The DeValdivielso Team, Florida Power and Light, South Florida Police Benevolent Association, Sunstate Bank, Smile Institute Miami, Prestige Windows & Doors, Kaufman & Rossin, Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, Kutner Personal Injury, The Tonkinson Foundation, Bet Shira, The Florida Villager, Diario Las Americas, Miami New Times, Go Latinos Magazine, Community Newspapers, Florida Keys Media / Radio, Miami International Airport, Clear Channel Outdoor, Drew Kern – The Kern Team, Shutts and Bowen, LLP, Tonkinson Financial, and the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs Tourism Development Council.  

The 20th Annual Deering Seafood Festival will take place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Deering Estate. Deering Estate, a Miami-Dade County Heritage Park, is located at 16701 S.W. 72 Ave., in Palmetto Bay. All proceeds will benefit the Deering Estate Foundation and are used to provide funding, advocacy and support for Deering Estate and its initiatives. For more information about the event, please visit www.deeringseafoodfestival.org. 

About the Deering Estate Foundation
For those who treasure the Deering Estate, who advocate for its preservation and wish to invest in its future, the Deering Estate Foundation provides opportunities for individuals and corporations alike to partake in membership, signature events, and one-of-a-kind experiences, all in service of providing vital funding and support to the Deering Estate. Through these efforts, the foundation fulfills its mission to uphold the legacy of Charles Deering's cherished 1920s-era property, to provide funding for the cultural, educational and recreational experiences it offers, as well as its significant scientific and archaeological endeavors to conserve its diverse flora, fauna and the eight native ecosystems that thrive on its 450 acres, and to ensure its longevity as a prized American heritage site. Established in 1989, The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. is a community-based charitable 501(c) 3 Florida Corporation and the philanthropic partner of the Deering Estate.

About the Deering Estate
Deering Estate, located at 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Miami, is a 21st Century house museum, cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the State of Florida and managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. Deering Estate is designated as one of seven Miami-Dade County “Heritage Parks” which have a vital role in our community’s history, environment and in providing recreational and cultural experiences.