Here are some quick tips for food and fun in Orlando, including a blueberry festival, Cinco de Mayo, Derby Day, and more.
Florida blueberry season is here, whether you prefer picking your own or purchasing a pint in the supermarket. Yogurt, salads, cereal – you’ve got a lot of choices on how to enjoy this fresh Florida fruit. If you feel like baking, try this quick blueberry cobbler from the Edible Orlando recipe archives. You’ve heard folks say “easy as pie?” This is easier!
Here at Edible Orlando, we keep an eye on all the upcoming fun food events. Writer John Graham has tracked down the best ahead for the next 14 days.
Saturday, April 27
First, a reminder from last week! The Science of Wine returns to Orlando Science Center, 7 – 9 p.m. Sample 150 wines, sample food from local restaurants, and learn about how wine is made while benefiting OSC children’s educational programs. Tickets are $135 with discounts for OSC members and young professionals.
Mount Dora’s Blueberry Festival is both today and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Donnelly Park. Start the morning with a $10 blueberry pancake breakfast with coffee and mimosas for an upcharge. Then, wander the festival with berries for sale, along with blueberry products, blueberry beer and wine, a pie-eating contest, live music, and crafts. Admission is free, but parking is $10 with an included bus ride to the park.
Tuesday, April 30
Want to make a charcuterie board – not the salami and cheese, but an actual wooden board? Rockler Woodworking and Hardware in Altamonte Springs will teach you, 4:30 – 8 p.m. This is one of those Instagram-worthy projects with an epoxy “river” running down the middle. The class itself is $130 and after the epoxy hardens, you can either finish the board at home or pay another $35 to come back and finish it in the classroom.
Wednesday, May 1
The first Wednesday of each month, O-Town Provisions holds Orlando Foodie Fest on its site at 4128 Roush Ave., 5 – 9 p.m. That’s food trucks and pop-up food vendors. This month, a special guest is Nikko Gomez from Food on the Spectrum.
Friday, May 3
One of the newer monthly food truck events around town is Chomp! at the Hourglass Brewing Taproom on Curry Ford Rd., 6-10 p.m. About 15 trucks will be there along with (early) Cinco de Mayo-themed Hourglass beers including Margs On Deck (a Margarita gose), Batalla de Puebla (a Mexican-style lager with heirloom Bloody Butcher corn and agave syrup), and Bleep Bloop (a fruited sour with peach and hibiscus. Scheduled trucks include Dean’s Oyster Bar, Gaucha Empanadas, Tamale Co. Mexican Street Food, and The Bruja’s Table.
Saturday, May 4
Clermont starts its Cinco de Mayo on “Cuatro” with the new Taco and Margarita Festival at Waterfront Park, 12 – 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. General admission is free with mobile kitchens and food trucks, pop-up shops, live music, kid zone, and lucha libre pro wrestling.
In Kissimmee, the Cuban Sandwich Festival is back in Waterfront Park, 12 – 6 p.m., with food trucks and kitchens with live music and dance performances. Bring a lawn chair for free or buy VIP seating. The festival will also be trying to set a world record for biggest Cuban sandwich at 335 feet with the sandwich going to a local homeless shelter.
Today is also the Kentucky Derby with parties around town trying to recreate the Louisville traditions of mint juleps and fancy hats. If you’re planning a home party, Boxer & Clover at East End Market is taking advance orders for smoked barbecue wings.
Over in Winter Park at Forward/Slash’s Derby Day party, there’s no cover charge from 4 p.m. with a free whiskey sample if you’re “dressed to impress” and the Red Panda Noodle food truck. Around UCF, the party is in FBC Mortgage Stadium, starting at 3 p.m. with tickets from $125 for unlimited food and drinks, DJ Gonzo, dancing, auction and raffles. Stadium Club at the Caribe Royale Orlando, Mercedes Benz of Orlando, Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, Grand Bohemian Orlando, and The Tea Room Experience will also celebrate the fastest event in sports. (The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 6:57 p.m.)
Sunday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo is not a big deal in Mexico, but here in the U.S., it’s a decent excuse to tear into some tacos. Promenade at Sunset Walk starts the fiesta at 3 p.m. with free admission, live music on multiple stages, street performers, and food and beverage specials including margaritas and mojitos. Mango’s on International Drive starts its outdoor fun at noon with food trucks and drink specials, mariachi shows and live music, adult pinatas, and free tequila shots every hour. Rocco’s Tacos on Sand Lake Road is planning a no-cover block party with food and drink, live music, and VIP bottle service. Just down the road, Bartaco will be hosting a DJ, noon – 8 p.m., while you down green margaritas and sesame ribeye tacos.
The first 50 people into both Black Rooster Taqueria locations get a koozie and a “free guacamole” card for their next visit. The Curry Ford Rd. BRT will have its usual brunch, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., and kids’ fun on the patio (make-your-own-flowers station, 12 – 3 p.m., and face painting, 5 – 7:30 p.m. Gringos Locos locations are doing $3 off an order of build-your-own “My Tacos.”
Tuesday, May 7
Death in the Afternoon is a Mills 50 absinthe house that also makes a mean chorizo burger, but today, they’re all about the whiskey. Bernie Lubbers (aka The Whiskey Professor) will be coming from Heaven Hill distilleries for a special night of whiskies (Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, etc.) and a curated menu from the DitA kitchen. Seats are $50 per person throughcheersdita@gmail.com.
Wednesday, May 8
Can corn get fresher than this? Long & Scott Farms in Mt. Dora will be teaching how to cook “Corntastic Soups,” using Zellwood sweet corn that’s grown right on the property. The hourlong class is only $5 and starts at 10 a.m. Later this spring, the farm will be teaching how to cook with locally-grown conch peas, green beans, and Kirby cucumbers.
For more inspiration, visit our archives.
