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Tackling Taste Buds: A Culinary Touchdown at Gridiron Grill-Off

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From Touchdowns to Tastebuds, Gridiron Grill-Off’s Milestone Event Scores Big in Food, Fun and Charity.

November 9th, 2019

The 10th-anniversary celebration of John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food and Wine Festival at The Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Saturday, November 9th, was a delightful culinary and charitable event that showcased the best of South Florida. The festival, created by former Miami Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl, brought together a stellar lineup of former Dolphin legends and some of the region’s top chefs.

The primary focus of the event was not only to celebrate a decade of this fantastic festival but also to support a noble cause. The Gridiron Grill-Off benefits Offerdahl’s Hand Off Foundation, which aims to address the needs of those in crisis. This philanthropic mission was at the heart of the event, making it more than just a food and wine festival.

The entertainment for the evening featured country sensation Brett Young, adding a musical touch to the celebration. The fusion of culinary excellence, sports legends, and live music created a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for attendees.

A unique aspect of the festival was the pairing of 22 high-end restaurants with 22 Miami Dolphin legends. This collaboration resulted in a diverse and exquisite range of culinary offerings, including tacos, grilled cheese, burgers, steak, sushi, octopus, and chicken. The variety of selections showcased the culinary prowess of the participating chefs and provided a delightful experience for food enthusiasts.

Despite lousy rainy weather, the mood at the festival remained pleasant and vibrant. Attendees embraced the spirit of the event, enjoying four hours of exceptional food and wine offerings. The inclusion of a cornhole tournament added an extra layer of entertainment and engagement for the attendees.

What sets the Gridiron Grill-Off apart is its commitment to giving back to the community. With 100% of the net proceeds benefiting Offerdahl’s Hand-Off Foundation, the festival is not just a celebration of food and wine but also a significant contributor to a meaningful cause. The mission to “Feed the Need of Those in Crisis” is commendable, and the festival’s partnership with various organizations reflects a collaborative effort to make a positive impact on the community.

John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food and Wine Festival’s 10th-anniversary celebration was a remarkable success. It seamlessly combined culinary excellence, sports nostalgia, live entertainment, and a philanthropic mission. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the festival remained an uplifting and enjoyable experience, leaving attendees with not only a satisfied palate but also a sense of contributing to a worthy cause.

  • Bo's Pub at The Balcony Las Olas with Keith Byars and Chef Jimmy Dean

  • Fans get to Q&A players as Louis Oliver looks on

  • Terry Kirby mingles with fans

  • AND Fish Kitchen + Bar in the Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa with Terry Kircby and Chef Eric Kaszubinski

  • The Foundry with Mercury Morris and Jim Kiik and Chef Mark Heigl

  • Mercury Morris and Jim Kiik

  • Oceans 234 with Shawn Wooden and Chef William Middleton

  • Oceans 234 with Shawn Wooden and Chef William Middleton

  • Keith Byars having a laugh with fans

  • Burlock Coast at the Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale

  • Steelpan at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach with Troy Stradford and Chef Kevin Baker

  • Beach House Pompano Beach

  • John Offerdahl’s Gridiron Grill-Off Food and Wine Festival

  • The Popsicle Bar

  • JWB Prime Steak & Seafood

  • Sky Thai Sushi with Larry Little and Chef Khruawan Russmetes

  • Naked Taco with Mark Higgs and Chef Ralph Pagano

  • Aprons Cooking School with Mark Duper and Chef Rey De La Osa featuring Duper's Schweid & Sons Burger with Chimichurri Aioli & Crispy Onions

  • Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro with Jeff Cross and Chef Tony Fliyou

  • Suviche Fort Lauderdale with Troy Drayton and Chef Alvaro Machado

  • Troy Drayton chats with fans

  • Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery at The Atlantoc Hotel & Spa with O.J. McDuffie and Chef Steven Dapuzzo

  • O.J. McDuffie

  • Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery at The Atlantoc Hotel & Spa with O.J. McDuffie and Chef Steven Dapuzzo

  • Naked Taco with Mark Higgs and Chef Ralph Pagano

  • Port South Bar & Grill at The Double Tree Hilton Hollywood Beach with Roy Foster and Chef Kati Marosites

  • Port South Bar & Grill at The Double Tree Hilton Hollywood Beach with Roy Foster and Chef Kati Marosites

  • Chef Maxx with Dwight Stephenson and Chef Oliver Saucy

  • Chef Maxx with Dwight Stephenson and Chef Oliver Saucy

  • Bravo Peruvian Cuisine with Twan Russell and Chef Betografo Quiroz

  • Twan Russel chatting with fan

  • Channing Crowder joking around with with fans

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Events

A Mother’s Day Escape with Gale Force Flavor

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Gale Miami Pairs Skyline Views, Serene Spa Moments and Casa Gianna’s Italian Comfort for a Downtown Mother’s Day Escape.

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Morikami Turns Mother’s Day into Lasting Memories

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Morikami Serves a Mother’s Day Worth Savoring with Garden Views, Homemade Flavor and Heart.
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Inside Tequila Town Where Culture and Cocktails Collide

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No Chaser Needed as Tequila Town Delivers Straight Shots of Culture, Connection and Cocktails With a Kick in Miami.
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Beach Bites and Breezy Sips at SAVOR SoFLO

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Sips, Sand and Small Bites Set the Tone as SAVOR SoFLO Festival Serves Up a Beachside Tease of What Could Grow Into Something Bigger. (more…)

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Simple Joys and Sweet Treats at SoFlo Watermelon Festival

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A Day of Bounce Houses, Pig Shows and Juicy Bites as SoFlo Watermelon Festival Brings Out the Kid in Everyone.
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Revved Up Start at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction

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Pedal Down, Prices Up and Tires Sideways as Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Burns Rubber Into Day One.
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Blades, Buzz and Bibbidi-Bobbidi Brilliance as Disney on Ice Skates Back into South Florida

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Be Our Guest, Then Hold On Tight as Disney on Ice Sends Pirates, Pixie Dust and Power Moves Flying Across the Ice at Watsco Center April 16th–19th. (more…)

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Inside Palace Bar’s Haus of Gucci Ball

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Between flying queens, strong pours, and a room full of Pride week energy, Palace turned Friday night into one of the hottest parties on Ocean Drive.


April 11, 2026

During Miami Beach Pride Week, plenty of venues try to capture the moment, but Palace Bar made Friday night feel like the place everyone wanted to be. The Haus of Gucci Ball brought together drag, fashion, nightlife, and the kind of high energy crowd that made the whole evening feel elevated from the start.

The atmosphere hit immediately. Palace was glowing, the music kept the room alive, and the crowd was fully locked in. It felt vibrant, glamorous, and very Miami Beach. More than just a dinner outing, the night unfolded like a full Pride experience on Ocean Drive.

The clear highlight was a queen whose acrobatic performance completely took over the room. She moved with an incredible mix of strength, control, and confidence, turning the floor into her stage and delivering a routine that felt both dazzling and deeply seductive. At one point, she was flipping around on a man with such effortless precision that the whole crowd seemed to stop at once. It was captivating, sexy, and easily one of the most memorable moments of the night.

The food and drinks absolutely kept up. We had the filet bites and tuna tostones, both perfect for sharing between performances, along with skinny margaritas and lemon drops that were dangerously easy to drink. And yes, Palace was pouring strong, which only added to the fun. The cocktails matched the mood of the night perfectly: bold, smooth, and hard to stop ordering.

What makes Palace Bar work so well during Miami Beach Pride is that the energy never drops. The performers are not just part of the background. They pull the whole room in. The crowd responds, the music keeps moving, and the night keeps building. That kind of momentum is exactly what makes an event feel worth showing up for.

 

The Haus of Gucci Ball was one part of Palace Bar’s larger Miami Beach Pride Week programming, which has helped make the venue one of the biggest draws on Ocean Drive this week. With events spanning multiple days, Palace has become a go to destination for people looking for drag performances, nightlife, rooftop energy, DJs, and a crowd that wants to celebrate Pride in full.

That is what makes Palace such a fixture during Miami Beach Pride Week. It is not just about location or history. It is about creating nights that actually feel exciting once you are there. Friday night’s Haus of Gucci Ball had the glamour, the chemistry, the performances, and the kind of atmosphere that kept people fully engaged from beginning to end.

If you were at Palace Bar on Friday night, you already know how good it was. If you missed it, this was one of those Miami Beach Pride nights worth hearing about.

Ready for your next night at Palace? Visit Palace South Beach for reservations, menus, and upcoming events, and follow Palace on Instagram for the latest drag shows, Pride weekend moments, and Ocean Drive updates.

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