Here are some quick tips for fun food events in Orlando this week including a bee class, a beer dinner, and free ice cream.
We know that Thanksgiving is still weeks away, but right now is the time to start thinking about Christmas cookies. Decide what treats you want to make and stockpile the ingredients so you won’t panic later. Some cookie doughs can even be made today and frozen until mid-December. The latest print issue of Edible Orlando has some great recipes from our pals at Edible Education Experience, including the flourless chocolate walnut cookies at the top of the page.
If you really want to up your cookie game, this is the inaugural year of the JW Marriott Children’s Cookie Masterclass. On multiple dates throughout December, kids of all ages can decorate delicious cookies with colorful icing and candy. Choose from different shapes and sizes of cookies baked in-house, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa, and set your inner cookie artist loose! Up for a bigger challenge? The JW Marriott Gingerbread Social is an exclusive event for adults over 21 to enjoy a festive cocktail show and a gingerbread decorating challenge where you and your partner will design your own edible masterpiece. Tickets must be purchased in increments of two and include one cocktail per guest, one gingerbread house, and unlimited access to the hot cocoa & coffee bar. Both events are $97 per guest, which includes tax and tip.
In the meantime, Edible Orlando writer John Graham has scoured the calendar for all the food fun coming up around Central Florida in the next week and picked the top of the crop. Here we go!
Saturday, Nov. 4
Black Hammock Bee Farms in Oviedo will teach you how to keep your own hives, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The beginner level beekeeper class will cover the basics as well as go through a boxed hive and wrap up with a honey tasting. The day includes a catered lunch and refreshments. Cost is $87.61 with taxes and fees. If you have a “bee suit,” bring it, but they will wisely have extras.
Sunday, Nov. 5
We’ve got a bunch of “Taste of…” events around Orlando this week, starting off with A Taste of Dr. Philips outside at Dellagio Orlando from 1 – 4 p.m. More than 20 local restaurants from “Restaurant Row” and beyond will be serving up tastings of food, wine, and beer. The Down Brothers will play live. Money raised goes to the Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips Foundation (501c3) which then donates to multiple Central Florida charities. Tickets are $75.
Monday, Nov. 6
Just one day later comes two more “Taste” events! Taste of Altamonte will be at Cranes Roost Park at Uptown Altamonte, 5:30 – 8 p.m. More than a dozen local restaurants will be there with a cap of 500 attendees. Tickets are $75 per person with the Altamonte Springs Rotary Foundation distributing proceeds to local charities.
Just a little to the northeast is where you’ll find the Casselberry Food & Wine Festival, 6 – 9 p.m., at Lake Concord Park. The tally here is more than 20 local restaurants, breweries, wineries along with DJ Johnny Velvet. Tickets are $39.19 with taxes and fees for adults and $12.51 for kids 11-17.
Wed, Nov 8
Domu is celebrating seven years at East End Market with a Wine Down Wednesday, 5:30 – 9 p.m. Your $30.37 (with taxes and fees) advance ticket gets you bottomless wine, sangria, sparkling wine, and draft beer with light bites (till 7:30pm) and DJ Omakase. Pizza Slut will also be there. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Thursday, Nov 9
Seven popular Orlando chefs will be at Quantum Leap Winery, 6:30 – 10 p.m., for Friends of the Vine: A Magical Evening, a benefit for the James Beard Foundation. The night starts with a reception in the winery’s tasting room, moving on to chef food stations with wine pairings. Chefs at the party include “Nikki” Akins (Nikki’s Place), Tonda Corrente (La Femme du Fromage), Trina Gregory (Se7en Bites), Stephen Grey and Mark Leggett (Arthur’s Catering), Matt Hinckley (Hinckley’s Fancy Meats), Lordfer Lalicon (Kaya), Jamie McFadden (Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine and Events) and Master Sommelier George Miliotes (Wine Bar George). Tickets are $175 (plus tax). 
Belgium’s Delirium Beers and Huyghe brewery are coming to the World of Beer Otown West for a pairing dinner, 7 – 9 p.m. The four-course meal includes a brisket slider with pickles, spring greens salad with Guillotine beer dressing, blackened shrimp with herbed polenta, and chocolate panna cotta. Even the sorbet is topped with a Delirium Red reduction. Advance tickets are $40 (before tax and fees) and day-of is $45. You also get a souvenir glass and hat.
You may have seen Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in the supermarket with flavors including Brambleberry Crisp and Skillet Cinnamon Roll. Now, they’re opening a scoop shop in Winter Park Village with free scoops for the night from 7-11 p.m. The first 50 people through the door also get swag bags.
Friday, Nov 10 
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is back both Friday and next Saturday, 5:30 – 9 p.m. Chefs and staff from ten restaurants inside the two resorts will be serving up unlimited food and beverage samples along the resorts’ causeway. Some restaurants will vary the menu just in case you want to attend both nights. Single-night tickets are $185 per person (plus fees) but you can also add a VIP champagne and dessert party or afternoon classes with many of the Swan and Dolphin chefs and staff. Of course, there are also packages if you’d like to stay the night.
For more inspiration, visit our archives.
