Downtown Orlando Food & Wine Festival
Downtown Food & Wine Fest - Orlando Style
Feb 22, 2014 - The Sixth Annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest has established itself as a signature event for Orlando. The Fest which was located in the heart of downtown Orlando at Lake Eola promised mouth-watering dishes paired with fantastic wine and live music. The Fest more than delivered with delicious samplings from 35 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, and wines from both domestic and international wineries. The Fest provided entertainment for all levels of patrons from The Ultimate Fest Experience ticket, to the Wine Tasters Club ticket to the VIP Bottle Service at The Liquid Lounge. "This signature event showcases the beauty, diversity, and vibrancy of our cultural scene in Orlando. The Downtown Food & Wine Fest highlights the best our community has to offer for entertainment and culinary distinction for all to enjoy," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Complete Review We began tasting at Avenue Gastrobar which offered an amazing Pulled Pork Taco which was slow roasted, a succulent Duck Terrin, and finally a Croissant Donut drizzled with a Sugar Can Glaze. The Chef who had recently moved from New York was bringing his eclectic style straight from Manhattan. As we moved through the Fest it offered a variety of offerings for any foodie, Primo which resides inside the JW Marriott Orlando is a transplant from the award winning restaurant of Melissa Kelly in Rockland, Maine offered samplings for their ultimate farm to table experience, the Braised Lake Meadow Chicken Ravioli paired with the melt in your mouth Hatori Grilled Lemon Pound cake w/ Local Berries and Berry Sauce. Marlow’s Tavern which features the “Best of the Best” in American tavern fare offered a classic cheesy Shrimp and Grits and an earthy soul-full Roasted Chicken Gumbo. Siro which hails from inside the inside of the Orlando World Center Marriott offers Urban Italian Kitchen cuisine, Chef Anthony brings a new spin on his grandmothers time tested Italian recipes, the double ground Chuck Angus Siro Sliders and Hand-Cut Fries were a crowd favorite. Mingos Restaurant has a menu that reflects the passion for being creative on classic dishes, there twist on a Tuna Poke inside an ice cream cone was innovatively fresh, and the succulent flash fried Pork Wings were a treat. The Fest also emphasized a focus on prodigious wines. The Foley Family Wines is anchored by premier vineyards in California and the Pacific Northwest, and had a fantastic selection anchored by the silky aromatic Sebastiani Pinot Noir. The Fest also included offerings from Kenwood, Fetzer, Cupcake Vineyards, and Hope Family Wines. The Fest brought highlights to even the most traveled foodie, and was a tantalizing treat to all those who came out.
Press Release
Downtown Food & Wine Fest Pairs Culinary Treats With Live Entertainment February 22 and 23, 2014
Produced by MIX 105.1, 1059 SUNNY FM, and 102 JAMZ in partnership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association
ORLANDO, Fla. (January 27, 2014) – The tradition continues as more than 20,000 foodies and wine lovers experience unique local cuisine paired with wines from around the globe at the sixth annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, 2014. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando at Lake Eola on Robinson Street, the two-day Fest features mouthwatering dishes from 40 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment.Live Entertainment* * Appearances and entertainment subject to change without notice. Performance times to be posted on www.DowntownFoodandWineFest.com.
Saturday, February 22 (noon to 9 p.m.)
Matt Nathanson
Orange Avenue
Simulcast MIX 105.1’s Scott McKenzie
Matt Shenk
The Mud Flappers
Sunday, February 23 (noon to 7 p.m.)
Three Dog Night
Dominic Gardious
Derek & the Slammers
Selwyn Birchwood
Tickets: Admission is $15 per person, per day with advance online purchase. Admission at the door is $20 per person, per day. Admission for children under age 12 is free. For all-weekend Fest fans, a new, two-day ticket is available for $20 per person with advance online purchase. Food and beverage tickets are available at the Fest for $2 each; food and beverage offerings range from one to four tickets.
The Fest is presented and produced by CBS RADIO Orlando, led by Orlando favorites MIX 105.1, 1059 SUNNY FM, and 102 JAMZ in partnership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Located in the heart of downtown Orlando at Lake Eola on Robinson Street, the two-day Fest features mouth-watering dishes from 40 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment. A portion of the proceeds benefit the FRLA Educational Foundation and Children’s Home Society of Florida. New for 2014 The Ultimate Fest Experience The Ultimate Fest Experience ticket is $100 per person, per day and includes parking, $40 in food and beverage tickets, access to the private Cadillac pavilion with crudités and premium wine selections, a commemorative wine glass, and additional Fest perks and privileges. A limited number of VIP tickets are available with advance online purchase.
Wine Tasters Club
A limited number of Wine Tasters Club passes will be available for purchase for $15 per person at the Fest. Club members will enjoy up to five 2 oz. pours of their choice throughout the Fest and a souvenir lanyard. VIP Bottle Service at The Liquid Lounge VIP Bottle Service at The Liquid Lounge hosted by Team Market Group will be the place to remix, relax, and refresh during the Fest on Broadway Street. Featuring beer, wine, and specialty drinks for purchase, guests will meet and mingle with 102 JAMZ Freaken Weekend On-air Mixers in a sleek and swanky atmosphere to enjoy remixes of today’s hottest hit music while relaxing in a South Beach-style setting. Forty top restaurants are scheduled to present culinary tastings including the return of the 2013 Foodie Award winners as honored by a panel of Orlando elected officials, food writers and reporters, and celebrity chefs. Foodie Award (based on one food item for taste, unique flavor and culinary excellence)
Dexter’s of Thornton Park - Crown Royal Maple Bacon Skewer
Best Overall Menu (based on overall menu creativity, depth of offerings, and quality)
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Best of Show (based on fun factor, overall energy, and crowd vibe)
Siro at Orlando World Center Marriott
Best of the Fest (Patrons got into the act, texting in their votes for their overall favorite restaurant)
The Pub
Stay Connected
For more information on the Downtown Food & Wine Fest:
Visit www.DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com
Like Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Facebook
Follow @DTFoodWineFest on Twitter
Call the events hotline at 407-919-1048 or eMail DowntownFoodandWineFest@cbsradio.com
