Prepare your taste buds for a culinary extravaganza on Pensacola Beach at the eagerly awaited Taste of the Beach festival, returning October 10-12, 2024. Presented by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, this event celebrates the finest Gulf Coast cuisine, featuring fresh local seafood and more.
New this year, Taste of the Beach introduces a Thursday night Sunset Cruise, presented by Premier Dolphin Cruises. Guests will enjoy breathtaking views paired with expertly crafted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Coastal – Portofino Resort’s renowned restaurant.
“Taste of the Beach has always been about showcasing our island’s talented chefs, and this year, we’re excited to expand the event into a three-day weekend by adding a sunset cruise to the lineup,” said Meg Peltier, President and CEO of the Chamber.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
The Taste of the Beach Sunset Cruise will take place Thursday night, Oct. 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person, limited availability, and can be purchased on the website here. The cruise will take off from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk on Premier 1 yacht at 5:30 p.m. sharp and will feature an open bar, a signature Taste of the Beach cocktail and small plates.
FRIDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 11
The festivities kick off with an exclusive VIP Trolley Dinner on Friday night. Starting at the Pensacola Beach Visitor Information Center, guests can enjoy a complimentary champagne toast before boarding a private trolley to embark on a culinary journey across four top island restaurants.
Each stop offers a delectable course paired with fine wines, culminating in a memorable evening of coastal flavors.
Tickets are $125 per person, available in limited quantities.
The 2024 VIP Dinner Trolley Tour:
· 1ST STOP – Bonsai at Hilton Pensacola Beach
Chef Mark Calvo
Salad – Lobster and Shrimp Salad
· 2nd STOP – Flounders Chowder House
Chef Dennis Moore
Appetizer – Snapper Escovitch with Pickled Gulf Shrimp
· 3rd STOP – Shaggy’s Pensacola Beach
Chef Sean Wheeler
Entree – Moroccan Golden Tilefish with Couscous
· 4th STOP – Crabs on the Beach
Chef Lou Roberts
Entrée: Surf & Turf: Bacon-wrapped filet mignon and grilled scallops served with roasted asparagus.
**Dessert: Crabs Key Lime Pie to go
There are five departure times from the Visitor Information Center:
• 4:45 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m.
• 6:15 p.m.
• 7 p.m. (limited tickets still available)
• 7:45 p.m.
The VIP Dinner features a set menu that includes seafood. Those with seafood or shellfish sensitivities or allergies should refrain from attending as there will be no substitutions.
For more information about the VIP Dinner menu, trolley times and ticket purchasing, please visit the Chamber’s website here: pensacolabeachchamber.com/tob/
SATURDAY OCTOBER 12
The fun continues with a free, family-friendly festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Casino Beach. Indulge in signature dishes from 20 beach eateries staged around the Gulfside Pavilion, $10 each, including seafood specialties and other southern delights. Enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and activities like hermit crab racing and cooking classes for kids. Beer, wine and frozen alcoholic concoctions will also be available for purchase.
· 10 a.m. – Dancingly Yours – a Pensacola Beach children’s dance troupe – will perform from the Gulfside Pavilion stage.
· 10:30 a.m. – Hermit Crab Racing begins at crowd level. Ready, set, go!
· 10:30 a.m. – Best Signature Dish Competition begins. Every restaurant participating in Saturday’s daylong event can enter their dish. A panel of judges including Tia Robbins, Harriet Wyer, and Amy Burns will sample each dish from Dining Tent West.
· 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Loaded Goat – Sing and dance along to the live music of rock band, Loaded Goat, from the Gulfside Pavilion stage.
· 11 a.m. – “Crab’s Little Chefs Cooking Class – Crab Cakes” begins from Dining Tent East. Chef Lou Roberts will teach a select group of students how to make and enjoy crab cakes. Tickets are $10 per student, limited tickets available.
· Noon – “Crab’s Little Chefs Cooking Class – Ice Cream Sundaes” begins from Dining Tent East. Chef Charlie Kuzma will teach a select group of students how to make and eat Ice Cream Sundaes. Tickets are $10 per student, limited tickets available.
· 12:30 p.m. – Best Signature Dish winner is announced and a trophy presentation well be held on the main stage. The winning chef of Best Signature Dish contest will be entered into the World Food Championships in Dallas, TX, courtesy of the premier sponsor, Innisfree Hotels.
· 2 to 5 p.m. – Melo Allen – Relax to the chill live music of Melo Allen while enjoying the waterfront view and coastal flavors.
· 3 p.m – Fish Filet Demonstration – Chef John Flannigam will demonstrate how to properly filet fish.
· 5 p.m. – Festival closes.
Whether you’re a seafood aficionado or simply love beachfront festivities, Taste of the Beach promises a day of sun, sand, and sensational food. Mark your calendars and join us for this ultimate Pensacola Beach experience!
