Overview The Orange Bowl Food and Wine Celebration is a spring night of unlimited tastings at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, under the Guitar Hotel, where South Florida restaurants cook against each other for awards from celebrity judges and the guests; Abiaka won the 2026 People's Choice overall vote. It is the Orange Bowl Committee's signature fundraiser, and proceeds go to Orange Bowl Cares, the committee's community program. The committee is a nonprofit created in 1935 to bring visitors to South Florida through its bowl game, and its 410-plus volunteer members and staff of 30 put on more than 50 events a year. On site General admission covers everything on the floor: restaurant stations plus wines, craft beers and signature cocktails. VIP guests get in an hour early, at 6:30 p.m. in 2025 and 2026, and have their own lounge with dedicated bars, a gift on the way out and, in 2026, a private culinary experience. A DJ and a live band play, a raffle and a silent auction run through the night, with hotel stays and autographed sports memorabilia among the prizes, and the awards close the evening. The 2025 edition ran 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. under the theme A Road Trip Through South Florida. Talent and Influencers About 30 restaurants took part in 2026, among them NYY Steak, Bulla Gastrobar, Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar, Bae Korean Grill, Boatyard, Giselle Miami, Fireman Derek's Bake Shop and Abiaka Wood Fire Grill. Judges hand out Showstopper for presentation, Taste of South Florida for flavor and Chef's Kiss for creativity; guests vote People's Choice for best bite, best dessert and overall. In 2026 NYY Steak won Showstopper, Pisco y Nazca Taste of South Florida, Bae Korean Grill best bite and Phuse Cream best dessert. The 2025 judges included CBS Miami sports anchor Mike Cugno and ESPN West Palm radio host Theo Dorsey, and Top Chef alum Kenny Gilbert headlined in 2023. Track record The 2023 edition, held at the Broward County Convention Center, raised more than $150,000 for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Special Olympics Florida and Orange Bowl Cares. The event moved to the Hard Rock in 2024, and that year more than 40 restaurants took part and it raised more than $250,000. Brand presence Florida Blue presented every edition from 2023 through 2026, and 17 associate sponsors were named in 2026. A partner can put its name on the VIP area. Associates get branded exhibit space with product sampling, signage, recognition in event marketing and a promotional item in the VIP or general-admission gift bags.