Fun Food Events July 8-19

July 14 is National Macaroni and Cheese Day, so let’s riffle through the Edible Orlando recipe file for this gourmet version served up at the Epcot International Food Festival. The secret? A whole lot of Boursin Cheese!

The whole point of this email/article is to spread the word on what’s coming up in the next couple weeks for Central Florida food lovers. Edible Orlando writer John Graham has the lowdown on the stuff you don’t want to miss!

Disney Springs has brought back Flavors of Florida through Aug. 11 with restaurants adding special summer items to menus – including Sunshine Stroll, an orange pilsner exclusive to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar and Disney Springs outdoor carts.

Several Disney Springs restaurants are also adding ticketed special events. Chef Art Smith of Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen will host brunches with cocktail parings both July 8 and  July 11, starting at 9:30 a.m. The menu includes a dragon fruit mojito with a course of menu samplings (Cuban sandwich, deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes), a Southern Mary with full breakfast item and a side (including chicken and doughnuts, fried egg avocado toast, or Hallelujah biscuit), and desserts with an espresso martini. Tickets are $151.23 with taxes and fees.

Paddlefish at Disney Springs is also hosting a Flavors of Florida pairing dinner, tonight starting at 6 p.m. The five-course meal pairs seafood with wines, including Cedar Key surf and turf, etouffee with Key West pink shrimp and lump crab, tilefish, braised short rib, and Key lime brûlée. Tickets are $140.56 with taxes and fees.

Illume, the rooftop restaurant at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek is becoming a different bar for just one night, 6 – 11 p.m. Marriott, in a partnership with Bacardi and Nestle Premium Waters (Perrier/Pellegrino), is recreating Denver’s Yacht Club, judged one of the 2023 World’s 50 Best Bars. The Illume crew will be recreating craft cocktails and menu items from Yacht Club alongside a DJ. The event is open to the public and Illume’s regular menu will still be available.

The Waterford Lakes mini-golf sports bar PopStroke and Georgia’s Terrapin Beer are teaming up for the first (and potentially annual) Burgers, Birdies, and Brews party, 6 – 9 p.m. Your $28.52 ticket (with taxes and fees) gets you 18 holes of mini-golf, three beers, full-sized food and beverage tastings along course, giveaways, and a boozy milkshake at the end of the night. All ages are usually welcome at PopStroke, but Burgers, Birdies, and Brews is a 21+ event.

If you like pork and adult beverages, Swine & Vine at the Waterford Lakes Cooper’s Hawk Winery may just be for you, 7 – 10 p.m. This July edition of the Wine Club pairing dinners includes a bacon old fashioned and pretzel buns with bacon butter, a summer chopped salad with capicola and candied bacon alongside a Baden Blanc blend, Jamaican jerk pork shank with peach bourbon sauce and a pinot noir,and a triple chocolate brownie with bacon glaze and peanut butter cup ice cream paired to a sweet red wine. Reservations are $79, which includes tax and tip.

Domu’s sixth annual Wieners and Wine returns, 5:30 – 9 p.m., in the East End Market courtyard. Your $23.18 (with fees) ticket gets you bottomless wine/sangria/sparkling wine/draft beer, light bites (while they last), and music from DJ Eno. The “wieners” part is Cholo Dogs on site, selling sausages. Domu East End will be open for regular service. On the day, tickets go up to $28.52.

Superica, the new Tex-Mex place on S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park, is recognizing local chefs by adding special menu items for one week only and raising money for charity. Today through July 24, it’s Andrew Scala of JAM Hot Chicken and a hot chicken torta with homemade spiced mole, slaw, and pickles. Andrew will be there for the kickoff tonight with 100% of proceeds from his dish going to Cannonball Kids’ Cancer. On August 22-28, James Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig will be adding pork belly tacos with birria sauce to the Superica menu.

Grand Bohemian Orlando continues its series of hands-on mixologist classes with a focus on Belvedere Vodka, 7 – 9: 30 p.m. Taught in the Peacock Room, amateur bartenders will taste vodkas (including the new rye-based Belvedere 10), learn to make two cocktails, enjoy some light bites, and go home with a personally engraved bottle of Belvedere. Tickets are $129.89 after fees.