Foodie Fill-ups

I recently had the pleasure of attending a special craft beer pairing event at Rosen Centre, and if you know me, you know I love me some craft beer. If you don’t know me, now you know. 

Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill at Rosen Centre is home to the Sip & Savor series, which pairs craft beers and cuisine. ©Brendan O’connor

The five-course Harry’s Sip & Savor took place at Harry’s Poolside Bar and Grill, located right on the edge of the pool deck at Rosen Centre, so you can squint and pretend you’re on the beach when you’re really just 30 minutes away from downtown Orlando.

The dinner featured the refreshing craft beers of Hidden Springs Ale Works, out of Tampa, who like to make beers that wink at nostalgia and childhood memories. They have fun names like Sexual Manatee and Peanut Butter Deja Moo that made me giggle with each pairing. I was surprised to find myself sitting with Jim Colbert, from The Jim Colbert Show on Real Radio 104.1 FM (who I used to have a segment with for five years), talking about all the cool events to check out each weekend. Jim loves the Sip & Savor series so much he told me he tries to make every one and give it lots of promo on his show so his listeners don’t miss out—and some of them were seated with us during dinner, hanging on his every word. While I told dirty jokes with his wife, Tori. 

The dinner was a delight, with a cardamom sorbet stunning me into silence before the decadent chicken roulade made its way to the table. The roulade had a spicy house made mole that went perfectly with the aforementioned Deja Moo. 

The next Sip & Savor is scheduled for Saturday, August 17, once again featuring the yummy brews of Hidden Springs Ale Works. This month’s menu features sweet potato gnocchi and steamed mussels paired with an Orange Crush American Wheat Beer, fried flounder with the ZFG Zero IBU Pale Ale, bone marrow with a Riot Juice Berline Weisse and the return of my beloved chicken roulade with a Sexual Manatee Sour Ale. 

Tickets for the five-course beer pairing dinner start at $70, with special deals to stay overnight if you over imbibe. Which I definitely did; I was thankful for the fancy suite they put me up in. It was so large, my neighbors couldn’t hear me burping into my pillows all night. Head to harryspoolside.com/harryssipandsavor for more information or to reserve your spot before they inevitably sell out. Which they will. 

But let’s not just stop there. Orlando has plenty of foodie- centric events coming up, so I rounded up some of my favorites for you to save the date. Some of these are fancier than others.

MONTHLY

Diversitastic Dining with FusionFest

Once per month
Various locations
fusionfest.org

Immerse yourself with this monthly tour of Orlando’s diverse food scene with FusionFest, a nonprofit founded by the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs department to “celebrate the people and the many different cultures that make Central Florida awesome.” In August they’ll be heading to The Dough Show to celebrate Egyptian cuisine, and in September, they will be visiting Simon Parilla Bar and Grill for Colombia; in October they’re off to Virgin Island Thyme to learn about the Virgin Islands. Tickets are usually $60 and totally worth it.

Sanford Food Truck Fiesta

Every second Sunday
Downtown Sanford
historicdowntownsanford.com

One of the largest food truck roundups in Central Florida, enjoy delights from more than 30 of the best food trucks and tents alongside local vendors and crafters. All the local bars and restaurants are open, too, with plenty of outdoor music and patios to enjoy. 

AUGUST 

Vine and Dine

Thursday, August 1
Dubsdread Golf Course,
549 W. Par St.
taproomatdubsdread.com

Join the Historic Dubsdread for a culinary tour of international flavors and drink pairings at this multi-course dinner with stops at Mexico, France, Spain, Italy Japan, Ireland, Germany and the United States. Tickets are $75 per person. 

Taste! Central Florida

A marathon of fine foods, Taste! Central Florida has so many selections, it’s hard to remember what you’ve eaten. Pace yourself! ©Taste Central Florida

Saturday, August 10
Signia by Hilton Orlando
Bonnet Creek
tastecfl.org

This cluster-cuss of an event features so many chefs, brewers and foodies, it’s hard to keep track of what you’ve eaten. As someone who has gone to this food marathon at least twice in my life (it’s all a blur and I’m not sure how many times I’ve actually been there) I can tell you that the whole experience is reminiscent of a cruise ship buffet, with endless tables of free food, and women dripping in jewelry and their husbands who have no idea why they’re there but don’t care as long as they have a free, cold beer in their hand. The event raises funds for Second Harvest Food Bank and Coalition for the Homeless. 

SEPTEMBER  

Clermont Sips and Salsa Festival 

The Clermont Sips and Salsa Festival is full of fun and flair, with live music, salsa dancing, sexy cuisine and more. ©City of Clermont

Saturday, September 21
Waterfront Park
clermontfl.gov

Dance your way through vendors serving sexy, flavorful dishes to live salsa music and dancing. There will even be a dog costume contest, a dominoes tournament and more.

Destin Seafood Festival

September 27-29
Destin Harbor
destinseafoodfest.com

This annual fest is one of Destin’s most celebrated traditions and kicks off the Destin Fishing Rodeo through the end of October. It has five music stages, spots for kids to run off and leave you alone long enough to drink a beer and tons of vendors to buy candles from.

OCTOBER 

Vegan Eat Party

Sunday, October 13
Bill Frederick Park,
3401 S. Hiawassee Rd.
eventbrite.com

Sample a variety of local food vendors serving vegan and plant-based dishes alongside family-
friendly activities and other small businesses specializing in vegan and sustainable living. 

Winter Park Wine and Dine—Fall Edition

Wednesday, October 16
Winter Park Farmers’ Market,
200 W. New England Ave.
eventbrite.com

Fancy it up at this premier Winter Park schmoozefest filled with exceptional wines, food and music. This year’s fest is supported by Caymus and Veuve Clicquot, because Winter Parkers deserve only the best. Tickets are $50-$400. 

Central Florida Veg Fest 

Saturday, October 26
Festival Park,
2911 E. Robinson St.
cfvegfest.org

Admission is free to this family/dog/vegan-friendly festival in Orlando’s Festival Park. It’s one of the biggest and best vegan festivals in the state, featuring more than 200 vendors, workshops, presentations and more.

NOVEMBER 

Greek Fest Orlando

November 1-3
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland
orlandogreekfest.com

This fest is completely free to attend and features vendors hawking authentic Greek foods, performances of traditional dancing and music and the public opening of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. They’ll have public tours and iconography presentations inside, so finish your souvlaki before entering. 

Orlando Beer Festival

Saturday, November 2
Festival Park,
2911 E. Robinson St.
orlandobeerfestival.com

Visit one of the largest beer festivals in the area, where you can sample hundreds of varieties of beer, ciders, seltzers, spirits and cocktails from dozens of breweries from across the country. They have live music, DJs, game zones, giant beer pong and lots of bushes to pass out in if you need to take a break. Tickets start at $50 but they have deals for designated drivers too. 

Cows ‘n Cabs

A cowboy-themed fundraiser, Cows ‘n Cabs pairs food from 35 local restaurants with more than 200 wines, cocktails and craft beers. ©Lauren Watai Photography

Saturday, November 9
Winter Park’s Central Park
cowsncabs.com

This is an annual cowboy-themed fundraiser that features 35 of the best local restaurants in the region paired with more than 200 types of wines, cocktails and craft beers to wash it all down. It reeks of money and opulence, and if you’re not careful, you may fall in love with a cowboy/cowgirl while you’re there. I wear an inflatable cow costume each year, which is always fun at first but by the end of the night, my udders are completely worn out from all those middle-aged women with their wandering hands.

Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

November 15-16
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com

Waddle your way through an almost overwhelming number of food vendors from the parks, the hotels and even some locally owned restaurants and foodpreneurs outside the beautiful Swan and Dolphin resorts. 

Orlando Taco Festival

November 16-17
Pointe Orlando,
9101 International Drive
tacofestorlando.com

The 5th annual Orlando Taco Festival is taking over the 36,000-square-foot entertainment facility, LIVE! At Pointe Orlando, featuring tacos from more than 25 taco and food vendors, including PBR Cowboy Bar, Shark Bar and Houndsmen. Oh, and there will be mechanical bull riding and a giant margarita bar. Tickets start at $8. 

Ormond Beach RiverFest Seafood Festival 

November 16-17
Riverfront, 25 Riverside Drive
ormondbeachmainstreet.com

A delicious celebration of coastal cuisine with live music, delectable seafood and activities for all ages. Peruse the freshest catches from local fisherman as it’s prepared to perfection by top chefs.