Last week we grazed at Orlando’s Taste of the Nation, if you’ve never been to this event you MUST go next year! As food lovers, there’s nothing better than walking into a massive room filled with culinary delights to sample at your leisure.
Over forty leading chefs and restaurants served up fabulous plates during last week’s event. Even better, all proceeds combat efforts to end childhood hunger. Just $50 provides a week of nutritious meals to 34 homeless children, so each ticket purchased made a significant impact to fight hunger! Local beneficiaries included Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
After hours of sampling dishes from the area’s finest chefs, we rolled ourselves out of the Marriott. Here’s a few of our favorite dishes from the night, can’t wait to visit these chefs in-restaurant!
Capa at Four Seasons: Blistered peppers and chared chorizo with smoked sea salt and preserved lemon. Not a visually stunning presentation, but the plate was unique and flavor-packed. Bonus points to the Four Seasons for serving an exceptional rosemary sangria alongside the meat and peppers.
The Capital Grille: Porcini Crusted Filet Mignon with Sam’s Mashed Potatoes. Our favorite dish of the evening and the superior beef dish among all the restaurants. Capital Grille, you can do no wrong, thanks for serving up perfection.
4Rivers Smokehouse & The Coop: Of course John Rivers brought an entire pig, we wouldn’t expect anything less. This whole smoked pig was served with their signature BBQ sauce and cilantro mango chutney.
American Q: Hickory Smoked Brisket Slider with red onion marmalade and fried quail egg wedged between a potato roll. Anyone that brings quail to a tasting event is a winner in my book. Plus, their swine candy is to-die-for. Thanks Chef Leo for bringing your best to Taste of the Nation.
Tito’s: Homemade vodka paired with San Pellegrino, a nice change from wine, and the vodka paired well with the sparkling flavored water. I’m totally making this concoction at home next time we want cocktails.
Yak & Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Pork cheeks slow-smoked over cherry and applewood. Served with spicy thai peanut sauce and thai vegetable slaw. I’ve walked by this restaurant countless times in the park, but after tasting this dish, I’m so looking forward to visiting in-person!
Universal Orlando: Pork Belly Slider with a myriad of toppings, but most impressive, the chocolate dipped applewood smoked bacon. Bacon on top of bacon dipped in chocolate….what more could you want a mini-sandwich?
Three 20H Ice Cream: Truly made right before your eyes, their strawberry ice cream was fresh and a delightful sweet treat in the middle of so many savory dishes.
SeaWorld: Waffle cone filled with smoked brisket, jalapeño mash and sweet BBQ sauce. I’m so glad SeaWorld served meat instead of ceviche, last year’s irony was too funny. Their presentation is always notable and their waffle cone, delightful.
Soco Thornton Park: Pickled Florida Rock Shrimp Taco with salsa, refried black eyed peas and sour cream. PS: have you seen our review of their South Meets South dinner?
Dragonfly Sushi: Sporting a similar ramen dish that we tasted last month, we always enjoy the friendliness and flavor of Dr. Phillip’s Dragonfly.
Emeril’s Tchoup Chop: Possibly the oddest, yet tastiest combination of ingredients, this cotton candy hurricane with truffle popcorn sushi was full of delight and surprise. And yes, that’s real cotton candy garnishing the plate.
Fulton’s Crab House: Crab Ceviche with jumbo lump blue crab tossed with avocado, bell peppers and a variety of other fresh ingredients. A clean, non-fishy dish and something I’d venture over to Fulton’s to taste!
Thanks for all the yummy bites and sips Taste of the Nation, we’re already looking forward to next year’s event.