Now that our air has gone from sultry to seductive,Orlando-area chefs are stepping outdoors and firing up their stoves. Among the best events are four that celebrate the season. I talkied about these events on Fox 35 on October 20. Those of you with Facebook can see the clip here. CLIP
Edible Orlando Field to Feast Dinner
The editors of Edible Orlando happen to also be co-authors with Heather McPherson of the groundbreaking cookbook Field to Feast. They’re teaming up with yet another all-star group – Disney World’s very top chefs – to host the Inaugural Edible Orlando Field to Feast Dinner. The proceeds will benefit the Kids Café program at the Second Harvest Food Bank.
The Sunday supper will have eight courses, each prepared by a different notable chef and paired with a specific wine. The menu starts with Lake Meadow chicken sausage with Zellwood corn succotash and ends with squash beignets served with habañero-corn ice cream with Madeira glaze and cocoa dust, plus chocolate pot de crème with bosc pears and rye bread tuile. Here’s the full menu.
Sunday, October 27
Long & Scott Farms, Zellwood
$175 each / $325 per couple
edibleorlando.com
East End Market’s Fall Harvest Dinner
The East End Market is soon to open, bringing Orlando a compendium of locavore-oriented food vendors in one place, plus a restaurant and a caterer. The new venue will make a splash with its Fall Harvest Dinner, where local chefs will cook foods from the area. Beer, wine, a specialty cocktail and live music will be part of the fun.
Saturday, November 16
East End Market, Orlando
$125
eastendmkt.com
Cows 'n Cabs
Once a year on a big field in Winter Park, under a grand tent, folks dressed casually in Western wear sample foods from several restaurants during the Cows ‘n Cabs fundraiser. It’s a low-key, upbeat and tasty way to spend an evening. Proceeds benefit Community Food & Outreach Center and Elevate Orlando. In addition to foods from restaurants including 4 Rivers Smokehouse, The COOP, Cask & Larder, Christner’s Prime Steak &Lobster, and Cress – which earned the No. 1 spot in the Zagat Orlando City Guide. Guests will also be free to sample 200 wines, spirits and craft beers.
Saturday, October 26
West Meadow, Winter Park
$110/VIP $140
cowsncabs.com
Harvest Celebration with Melissa Kelly
The chefs at Grande Lakes, the massive property that’s home to Orlando’s upscale Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott resorts, has long been keen on homegrown and locally raised food. A few months ago it opened an event venue called Whisper Creek Farm. It’s an actual farm, growing fruits and vegetables. And it’s the setting for grand parties (and intimate ones).
On evening in November, locals are invited to experience this truly distinctive space without being invited to a wedding or corporate to-do there. They’re urged to attend the Harvest Celebration with Melissa Kelly. Kelly is the chef-owner of Primo, a progressive Italian restaurant in the JW Marriott that has had an on-premise garden for several years. The foods will be cooked on site, as you watch, so you’ll always have hot and fresh tastes for your plate.
The JW Marriott's executive chef Chris Brown will be joining me on Fox 35. Tune in to hear the details of this incredible event.
Saturday, November 16
Whisper Creek Farm at Grande Lakes Orlando
$150
Reservations: 407-393-4683
Eat well, my friends.
Rona
www.ronarecommends.com