Here are some quick tips for fun food events around Orlando this week, including Kaya grand opening, chili cook-off and more.
We’ll get to all the food fun around Orlando in just a bit, but the nice weather has got us thinking about a picnic. Pack some sandwiches – or maybe cheese, charcuterie and wine – and find a quiet spot with someone you love … or at least someone you like enough to sit in the grass for an hour. Part of the fun is deciding what goodies to bring. Check out the Winter print edition of Edible Orlando for some picnic picks from local merchants.
More Beer, Kaya Grand Opening
Orlando Beer Week wraps up on Saturday, so let’s get in a few final parties. The “SMaSH” in Florida SMaSH Beer Festival stands for “Single Malt, Single Hops” and every brewer must bring a beer with the same malt and hops. Of course, the 30+ Florida breweries get to bring other bevvies for sampling as well. The outdoor fest is at Longwood’s Reiter Park, 1-5 p.m. and tickets are $50 in advance. Proceeds go to A Spoonful of Hope, Second Harvest Food Bank’s product line.
The Faded Kingdom Beer Fest is also Saturday, 1 – 4 p.m., at Lake Eola Park and World of Beer. Organized by Tactical Brewing Co. and Bungalower, the outdoor part of the fest highlights breweries from around the country. Inside WOB, the taps are Orlando-area brewers only. Tickets are $50, but you can get in at noon with a $75 VIP ticket. 
Deadwords Brewpub is celebrating its first anniversary on Saturday. Back in November, Deadwords won a gold medal for Bridge, its American-lager style beer. They’ll be releasing a new anniversary beer with food and beer specials all day.
For more lowdown on breweries around Central Florida, check out the Edible Orlando Ale Trail map in the latest issue of the magazine. You can find free copies all over Central Florida.
Kaya, the new Filipino casual fine dining spot, is celebrating its grand opening by also staging Filipino Freedom Fest, Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 6 p.m. The kamayan (hands-only) feast inside is sold out, but the outdoor party is spreading into the lot next door with food vendors, live music and performances, outdoor bar, kids’ activities and more. Redlight Redlight and Sampaguita Ice Cream Shop are among the drinks and eats available.
Fun in Oakland, Chili Cook-Off, Flying Pigs
Oakland, just east of Clermont, celebrates its 135th anniversary on Saturday with Oakland Heritage Day in Speer Park, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., with live music, food trucks, fine arts and crafts, kids’ activities and more. Food trucks include Burger Fi, Smoking Soul BBQ, Razzo’s Pizzeria and Hot Dog Therapy. The beer and wine garden, with sweet treats too, is by West Orange Creamery. The day starts with a 5K at the Healthy West Orange Arts & Heritage Center with check-in at 8:30 a.m. and the run at 9 a.m. All ages, strollers, and even dogs are welcome. If you can’t make the 5K, Westly’s 6th Annual Virtual 5K continues through Jan. 31 and you can walk, run, bike, row or whatever at your own pace. If you are going to Oakland Heritage Day on Saturday, check out the Edible Orlando Health & Harvest Guide with Healthy West Orange.
Wow, Saturday is a busy day for Orlando food lovers. Over at Avalon Park’s Town Park, the 9th Annual Fire in the Park Chili Cook Off to CURE runs 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Chili categories include best traditional red chili, homestyle chili, people’s choice chili and showmanship award. Chili tasting starts at 11 a.m., but the party also includes live music, kids’ zone, and cornhole tournament. Adult admission is $15 and children (with kids’ zone) are $10, but you can save a bit if you buy in advance online. Money raised goes to AdventHealth for Children Pediatric Oncology and Hematology.
Soco in Thornton Park is hosting a “When Pigs Fly” dinner on Monday night, starting at 6 p.m., with WhistlePig Whiskey and Traeger Grills. The four-course meal includes orange-braised Berkshire pork cheeks, grilled baby back ribs and sausage-stuffed jalapeños, pastrami-spiced prime rib with “Russian dressing” ailoi, and dried-fruit ravioli with a rye rice pudding. You also get a WhistlePig cocktail or neat whiskey with each course. The dinner is $125 before tax and tip. You can reserve spots by e-mailingkaren@socothorntonpark.com.
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