Here are some quick tips for food and fun in Orlando, including cooking classes, super-spicy ramen, fall fundraisers, and more.
In Florida, shrimp are both harvested from the wild and grown in aquaculture farms that can cover acres. If you buy fresh shrimp, make sure to keep them in the coldest part of the fridge – usually the bottom shelf in the back – and cook them within two days. Our Edible Orlando recipe files show how versatile shrimp can be. You can pickle them like in the pic up top, toss them in a ceviche corn salad, or highlight them in a melon and prosciutto appetizer. We also love sautéing them with garlic butter and lemon or sumac.
We don’t expect you to keep track of all the tasty events coming up around Orlando over the next 14 days. That’s our job! Edible Orlando is always on watch for what’s new and about to break. Here’s the highlights from Edible Orlando writer John Graham.
Monday, Nov 4
What wine goes best with Cheetos? You’ll get the answer, 6-7 p.m., at the I-Drive Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. You’ll sample eight wines paired with junk food including BBQ Corn Nuts, beef jerky, chocolate-covered pretzels, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Tickets are $29.99 and you must be 21 or older. (It’s Riesling that goes with FHC.)
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Winter Garden’s Home State Brewing is trying something new – a culinary demo and workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., where you’ll learn to make your own autumn-themed meal. You’ll both watch and assist in prepping a harvest salad with apple cider vinaigrette, roasted butternut squash crostini, maple roasted chicken, and pumpkin pie shooters. Tickets are $44.52 after fees and you buy your own pints.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
Today and tomorrow, both the East End Market and Sand Lake Rd. locations of Domu will be making ramen bowls with one of the hottest peppers in existence. The Dragon Breath’s Ramen Challenge is part of the restaurant’s eighth anniversary celebration. Eat the bowl in under 30 minutes with no beverage and endure a five-minute “burn period,” you’ll get it free as well as a t-shirt and your photo on the winner wall. Don’t finish and you pay $22.
Thursday, Nov. 7
We’ll get to Winter Park’s big Cows ‘n Cabs charity party in a couple days, but this year, organizers are adding a new event before the event. Burgers, Beer, and Bubbles is in Central Park’s West Meadow, 7-10 p.m. and capped at 200 people. Seven local restaurants are putting their spin on hamburgers, along with champagne, beer, and live music. Tickets are $69.10 per person after fees with money raised going to Central Florida children’s charities.
Taste of Thornton Park is back for the 23rd year with 40 or so local restaurants, bars and other businesses gathered around Four Rivers Fountain, 6:30-9:30. That includes locals such as Aku Aku Tiki Bar, Cavo’s, Maxine’s on Shine, Soco, The Falcon Bar & Gallery, and Zymarium Meadery. It’s a 21 and over event, so leave the kids home. Dogs stay at home too. Tickets are $44.52 in advance (after fees) and $50 at the gate.
The Glassful of Hope annual wine walk raises money for Ali’s Hope Foundation, working to improve the quality of life for adolescents and young adults with mental health issues. This year, it’s at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 with all-you-can-eat food and wine with silent and live auctions.
Saturday, Nov. 9
Kick the mud off the Tony Lamas! Cows ‘n Cabs is back in the West Meadow of Winter Park’s Central Park, 7 -10:30 p.m. Boots and hats are the suggested dress code with 35+ restaurants cooking up tasting plates under a massive tent, plus 200 wines and even more craft beers and cocktails on top of that with live music and a cigar lounge too. Last year’s Cows ‘n Cabs raised more than a million dollars for local charities. Tickets are $217.35 per person after fees. VIP is already sold out, but there is an Ultimate VIP option for $683.10. Cows ‘n Cabs is held on the grass, so maybe don’t wear your best boots.
We’ve got at exclusive promo code for Flavor Fest, where the Horizon West area is showing off local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks, next to Cinépolis Hamlin, 5-9 p.m. Choices include Hash House a Go Go, Gertrude’s Kitchen, Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, Clean Eatz Cafe, Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ, and Skyline Chili. A $41.80 (after fees) admission gets you five tasting plates, beers, or wine as well as unlimited nonalcoholic drinks with the price going up after Nov. 4 and again on the day. Children’s wristbands start at $26.50 with three plates and unlimited nonalcoholic drinks. For 15% off, use the promo code EDIBLEORL15. Musical acts Francesca Tarantino and Audio Exchange play live.
The Seafood Fest at Waterford Lakes Town Center, noon-6 p.m., is a family-friendly event with no admission charge and no alcohol sold. The two dozen vendors selling food include Cousins Maine Lobster, Danketsu Tacos, Reel Cajun Cookin, OMG Crab Cakes, Peru Power, Rineboi Churrasco Grill, Mama Cannoli, and The Cupcake Lady Orlando. Activities include free balloon animals, face painting, reptile petting zoo, DJ, and prizes.
Morton’s The Steakhouse in Dr. Phillips is hosting Duckhorn Vineyards for a wine pairing dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. The night’s menu includes hors d’oeuvres with brut cuvée, an arugula and goat cheese salad with chardonnay, roast lamb chops with pinot noir, short rib with merlot, sliced New York strip with two cabernet sauvignons, and chocolate truffles with coffee. A seat is $190.64 after taxes and fees.
Chef Kevin Fonzo is at the Edible Education Experience, noon-2 p.m., for an interactive cooking class. Everyone will get hands-on and join Chef Fonzo in making holiday side dishes inspired by his Italian heritage while also being plant-based. (Eggs and dairy are used.) The class also includes an opening mocktail and dessert cups in reusable containers. Tickets are $55 with Chef Fonzo teaching the class again on Friday, Nov. 15, 6-8 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day marks the end of World War I and honors military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Many restaurant chains offer some form of discount or free meal to vets with proof of ID, including California Pizza Kitchen, Carrabba’s, Denny’s, Golden Corral, Rock and Brews, Starbucks, Texas Roadhouse, and White Castle. Rules vary, and not all locations participate, so it’s always good to call ahead for specific details.
The Casselberry Food & Wine Festival arrives tonight in Lake Concord Park, 6-9 p.m. Local spots participating include Tastily Divine, Maya Rośa, Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard, Gators Dockside, Bowigens Beer Company, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, Marlow’s Tavern, Rock & Brews, and Metro Diner. Tickets must be bought online and start at $33.85 after fees, going up to $39.19 on Nov. 4. Ages 11-17 are $12.51.
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Every year, Winter Park’s Courtesy Bar transforms into the Christmas-themed Miracle on Orange. Today is the day. New cocktails include the Crooked Antler (brandy, ruby port, vanilla liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, chestnut orgeat, lapsang tea, acid-adjusted orange, aromatic bitters, nutmeg, and peated whiskey spritz) and the Christmasaurus, served in a red dino mug (pineapple rum, mezcal, velvet falernum, apricot liqueur, lime, coconut milk, toasted cumin, coffee syrup, pineapple syrup, and bitters). Reservations are a good idea with openings released on Nov. 6, Nov. 20, and Dec. 4. You can get early access by joining Courtesy Bar’s email list.
Thursday, Nov. 14
Former Edible Orlando Editor Katie Farmand is back at Winter Park’s Center for Health and Wellbeing, 6-7:30 p.m., teaching how to make some healthy and delicious side dishes for the holidays. For the hands-on class, you’ll make and sample mujadara (Middle-Eastern lentils and rice) and warm Brussels sprouts and mushroom salad. Tickets are $35.
Friday, Nov. 15
The Food & Wine Classic at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts is back for the 15th year, one of the biggest outdoor food events in Central Florida. Both tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 16, chefs from 10 resort restaurants will be serving up tempting tastes from 5:30-9 p.m. Dishes include sablefish from Todd English’s bluezoo, shrimp and grits from Picabu, and burnt end pimento melts from The Fountain. There will also be wine stations, a beer garden, live music, and fireworks. Single-day, event-only tickets are $195 (before fees) and you must be 21 or older. Food and beverage seminars are an additional $75 before fees. There is a discount to attend both nights, and attendees can also get a discount on a room reservation by calling 888-828-8850.
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