10 Orlando “must do” fall foodie events

If you think the Orlando food scene is all giant pretzels and mouse-shaped ice cream bars, then autumn is the perfect time to taste what you’ve been missing. Fall 2016 brings a bounty of food-related events. Here are 10 foodie happenings that are positively delicious:

RELATED: 7 great Orlando attractions that aren’t Disney.

Boheme Restaurant | Photo courtesy of Grand Bohemian Hotel

Orlando Magical Dining Month
(Aug. 29–Oct. 2)

With dozens of eateries across the city offering prix fixe dinners for just $33, this annual event affords the perfect opportunity to try a buzz-worthy restaurant. Participants range from Boheme Restaurant inside the fancy-schmancy Grand Bohemian Hotel to Restaurant Row’s Seito Sushi.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
(Sept. 14–Nov. 14)

Eat your way around the world as you get an actual culinary passport stamped and enjoy celeb chef meet-and-greets and more at this annual event that brings grownups to the theme park. The stars come out for this grandiose gastronomic gathering as do plenty of adults sans children. Proof? This year’s accompanying Eat to the Beat concert series includes acts like David Cook, Chaka Khan, Wilson Phillips and other groups your kids have never heard of. Park admission is required.

Waldorf Astoria Food & Wine Weekends
(weekends Sept. 16–Nov. 13)

If the Epcot festival is too mainstream for you, take your epicurean obsession to the next level during this complementary event spread over two hotels: the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Take a hands-on cocktail class, make reservations for high tea, linger over a curated four course meal with wine pairings and more. Prices include free transportation to Epcot and the other Disney parks.

Orlando Oktoberfest
(Oct. 1 and 22)

Spread evenly over two (oddly nonconsecutive) days, this event organized bythe German American Society of Central Florida sells out. Buy tickets well in advance and bring cash so you can skip the ATM line and head straight for the biergarten. Lederhosen encouraged.

Latin Food & Wine Festival
(Oct. 16)

Spice things up during this celebration of Central Florida’s Latin American restaurants in the plaza in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to food and libations, enjoy live Latin jazz performances, cooking demos, art for sale and more.

Cows ‘n’ Cabs
(Oct. 22)

Leave the kids with a sitter during this adults only fundraiser in Orlando’s tony Winter Park neighborhood. Enjoy food from a deep bench of local chefs, wine, craft beers and more including live music under the stars in the city’s Central Park. Tickets are pricey (general admission is $110), but that includes all food and drinks plus a free cigar.

RELATED: Taste big savings by signing up for Orbitz Rewards.

Central Florida Veg Fest
(Oct. 22)

Not into food events with cows in the title? Spend a day vegging out at Orlando Festival Park, near downtown, during this 10th annual celebration of all things vegetarian and vegan. There’ll be cooking demos, a kids’ zone and workshops on topics like health, the environment and animal rights.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic
(Oct. 28–29)

Get a crash course in everything from pasta-making to sushi-and-sake pairing during this weekend of daytime seminars and tastings at the Disney resort. Overnight packages are available, so stick around on Oct.30 for the afterparty—the inaugural Sunday Bubbles Brunch at the resort’s Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

Greek Fest
(Nov. 4–6)

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church’s annual festival is a Hellas-good time. The fest includes live music, dancing, tours of the ornate interior and yasssss—all that great food. Purchase items a la carte, like spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, mousaka and all the rest. Save room for dessert (baklava is just the beginning) and a cup of Greek coffee.

Taste of Sanford
(Nov. 14)

The Central Florida city throws down during this 10th annual foodie fest at its civic center. The ticketed event includes access to local foods, beverages and wines. RSVPis required.

Tagged: Uncategorized