Tasty Gourmet Food at Taste of Winter Park

Of all the spring festivals and events going on around Central Florida, the Taste of Winter Park, April 15 from 5:00-8:00 p.m., is the one I recommend the most. When I attended in the past, I enjoyed numerous samples of decadent gourmet cuisine from the area's top restaurants, along with wine, beer and dessert samples. 

Here are some of the food/ beverage stations I suggest you visit: Barefoot Wine, Barnie's Coffee Kitchen, Caramel Kitchen, Lombardi's Seafood, Marlow's Tavern, Mellow Mushroom, Orchid Thai, Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Whole Foods Market. I'm bummed that, this year, the great chefs at Cask & Larder and The Ravenous Pig are not sharing their beautiful and delicious creations with us!

Tickets: $45. It's pricey, but you get unlimited food and beverage samples.

Where: Winter Park Farmer's Market, 200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, Fla.

Sample Gourmet Food from Top Restaurants at Taste of Winter Park

Besides the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, the Taste of Winter Park is the local food festival that I look forward to every year. I am sure all my foodie friends agree. Where else can you sample dishes such as prime rib from Shula's Seakhouse, jumbo shrimp from Mitchell's Fish Market, and lobster hot dogs from The Ravenous Pig? Not to mention unique desserts such as Lavendar Tea Cake with Chambord Icing and all the wine and beer you would like.

This year, the Taste of Winter Park is featuring 45 restaurants and shops, including 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Cask & Larder, Luma on Park, P.F. Chang's, Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream, Whole Foods Market, and Prato. For $45, you get as many food and drink samples as you would like. This is a wonderful way to try new restaurants along with all of your favorites.

When: Wednesday, April 17, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: 200 West New England Ave., Winter Park