Fun Food Events Aug 3-16

You might think it’s a little hot in Florida right now for fresh produce, but the season for Florida avocados is just getting started. Our avocados are generally the big, smooth ones. (California avocados are small and pebbly.) From the Edible Orlando archive, here are recipes for a Florida avocado guacamole and, of course, an avocado toast.

Edible Orlando writer John Graham is always on the hunt for the best bits of fun food around Orlando. John scoured the calendar, narrowed it down to just the must-dos, and has the scoop for the next couple weeks

AJ Chocolate House on Winter Park’s Park Ave. is celebrating its one-year anniversary with 30-percent off storewide, live music, and hourly raffles. In addition to making handcrafted chocolates in-shop, AJ also does fondue, coffee, tea, desserts, ice cream, milkshakes, brunch, wine, and party platters.

Windermere Brewing Company is teaming with The Creative Kitchen for a charcuterie class, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., where you’ll learn to cut fruit, form provolone roses or salami rivers, and make your own personal-size palm leaf board. The class is $40 including taxes.

At Disney Springs, Master Sommelier George Miliotes has invited Master Sommelier (and founder of Gramercy Cellars) Greg Harrington for a winemaker dinner at Wine Bar George, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Both experts will take you through a five-course pairing dinner of Washington state wines. Scallops, porchetta steak, short rib, and a chocolate orange torte are all on the menu. The night is $261.61 per person after taxes and fees.

Also at Disney Springs, Jaleo Head Chef Kris Anderson is celebrating the Disney Springs Flavors of Florida festival with an eight-course dinner preceded by passed food and drinks, all inspired by Florida ingredients. The menu includes Florida spiny lobster tail, Florida red snapper, Florida filet mignon, and Lake Meadows sous vide eggs with wild mushrooms and summer black truffles. The meal and chef presentation are $150 including tax and tip. Reservations are going fast.

Corona Cigar Company in Dr. Phillips has a special pairing dinner for scotch lovers where each course is matched with a distinct Glenfiddich, 7 – 10 p.m. Through the welcoming cocktails and meal, you’ll sample Glenfiddich 12-, 14-, 21-, 23-, 26-, and 30-year. You’ll then cap the night with a Davidoff cigar and be given a bottle of Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Our Bourbon Barrel Reserve to take home. Tickets are $200 and available inside the Dr. Phillips location.

We’ve got two tequila/mezcal events in one night. The Neighbors at East End Market is spotlighting Del Maguey Mezcal with a cocktail class, 6 – 8 p.m. You’ll get light snacks and all the ingredients to make three drinks for $97.88 after tax and fees. Over at the Hilton Orlando, cantina and restaurant TodoVos is hosting a pairing dinner built around Código brand tequilas for $113.89 per person.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is hosting a book signing, 5:30 – 7 p.m., with Dave Krepcho, author of “Empty Plates: The Evolution of Hunger Relief.” Krepcho was president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank for 17 years and his new book covers the history of hunger relief efforts and looks to the future. “Empty Plates” also suggests how leadership, vision and culture can increase any organization’s impact. You can buy the book at the signing or bring one you already own. A percentage of event book sales will go to Second Harvest.

Gravity Taproom in Orlando’s North Quarter is plussing up the usual Sunday brunch with a Lobos Coffee Roasters collaboration, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Beans & Brews Brunch will feature a Lobos pop-up location, a draft coffee milk stout from Lobos and Home State Brewing (Leche De Lobo), and a yet-to-be-revealed coffee-infused brunch dish.

Comedians and podcasters (“2 Bears, 1 Cave”) Tom Segura and Burt Kreischer will be meeting and greeting fans to promote their new vodka, Por Osos, at the Winter Garden ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 3 – 5 p.m. You can also buy a signed bottle there. The event is open to the public with no registration, but space is limited and “first come, first served.” That said, ABC feels the need to say you can’t camp out overnight and entry is not guaranteed.

Winter Garden’s New York Beer Project is pairing four courses of Hawaiian food with different beers for a luau dinner. You start off with a mai tai and a lei. (Don’t eat it!) Then comes pineapple tuna poke with a pilsner, guava vinaigrette spinach salad and Hawaiian sweet bread with a Mexican lager, huli huli chicken and potato mac salad with an IPA, and a butter mochi sundae with an imperial porter. Tickets are $102.04 (with fees) or $10 less for NYBP Mug Club members.

Orlando’s Magical Dining kicks off for 2024 with 150 Central Florida restaurants offering special prix fixe menus at $40 or $60 per person. It’s a great chance to revisit favorites or try something new to you, including eight Michelin Guide spots. Using the Magical Dining website, you can narrow your search by location as well as cuisine, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free entrees. Magical Dining runs through Monday, Sept. 30.

Over in New Smyrna Beach, the Summer Social returns with the opportunity to sample more than 100 California wines and food tasting tables from locals including Spanish River Grill, Norwood’s, Riverpark Terrace, and Outriggers. The Napa-inspired party is at the Grand 721 wedding venue, 6 – 9:30 p.m. The night also includes cigar rolling, bourbon cocktail bar, and live music. Proceeds benefit the T Three Foundation which helps hospitality workers during unforeseen hardships. Tickets are $150 per person.