The 14th annual South Beach Seafood Festival returns Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Saturday, Oct. 24, with restaurant dinners in Miami and Miami Beach, followed by cooking competitions and tastings on the sand at Lummus Park.

The festival follows the opening of Florida’s stone crab harvest season, which runs Oct. 15 through May 1, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The week opens Wednesday, Oct. 21, with Made in Miami, a collaborative dinner at Phuc Yea, 7100 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami. Chef Cesar Zapata and chef Jose Mendin host alongside Goya's chef Fernando Desa, chef Eileen Andrade of Finka, chef Michael Beltran of Ariete and Chugs, chef Eduardo Lara of Wolf of Tacos and chef Max Santiago of Meat Market Boca. The dinner starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $235 per person and include tequila pairings and post-dinner entertainment, according to the festival's website. The menu features dishes like Lara's oysters al pastor with charred pineapple mignonette and Andrade's key lime shrimp aguachile.

Thursday, Oct. 22, brings two pairing dinners at Rao's Miami Beach and Macchialina, both starting at 7 p.m., according to Biscayne Times.

Friday, Oct. 23, features the Tequila Herradura VIP Chef Showdown at Lummus Park's Goya Culinary Village. Eighteen chefs face off in nine head-to-head battles across categories including seafood pasta, surf 'n' turf, ceviche and two new rounds: Battle Burger and Battle Fish Sandwich. The event runs 7 to 11 p.m., with tickets starting at $175. Bartender showdowns run alongside the chef battles, with a $1,000 prize in the Pacifico Beer competition and $500 in the Herradura contest.

Saturday, Oct. 24, closes the festival with the Seafood Slam. Lummus Park opens to ticketed guests from 1 to 5 p.m. for tastings from more than 40 restaurants, full bars, live music and voting for Best of the Fest. The winning restaurant takes home $1,000, and one voter wins a $250 gift card to that restaurant, according to Biscayne Times. Tickets start at $160. Stone crab purchases are not included in admission and cost extra, according to the official event listing. Saturday is all ages, and children under 10 enter free. Wednesday through Friday events are 21 and older.

The festival is produced by CI Foundation Inc. and owned by South Beach WFF Foundation Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A portion of proceeds supports the EAT SMART program, which provides meals and nutritional guidance to youth in Miami-Dade County public schools.

Mohan Koka, chairman of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, said the festival is part of a fall lineup of culinary events on Miami Beach. The MBVCA called the festival the start of South Florida's culinary season.

Lummus Park has accessible pathways, ADA entry lanes and accessible restrooms. Pets are not permitted; service animals are welcome. The festival runs rain or shine. Tickets are available at sobeseafoodfest.com.

Upcoming community events: