Weekend events kick off Friday evening with Central Florida Regional Hospital’s seventh annual Iron Heart Cook-off at 6:30 at the Westin Lake Mary-Orlando North, 2974 International Parkway, Lake Mary.
No, Iron Heart isn’t like an iron lung. And don’t worry, the contestants won’t be cooking hearts, at least I don’t think so. But they will be actual doctors, including Dr. William David, Dr. Manjunath Harlapur, Dr. Brad Litke and Dr. Lawrence Vallario. They will be competing Iron Chef style with secret ingredients to prepare a heart-healthy entree. I don’t know about you, but when I want good eating, I always turn to the nearest physician. Fox 35 anchor Bob Frier is the emcee.
Saturday it’s the 2016 Orlando Chili Cook-off, which is appropriate because Saturday is predicted to be chilly.
And with the temperatures cooler, a bowl of chili sounds great. Chefs from around the country whose friends have told them “Hey, you make a really great bowl of chili, I’ll bet you could win a contest; would you pass me another beer?” will meet at Festival Park, which most of the time is a vacant lot at 2911 E. Robinson St. in Orlando.
There will also be live musical entertainment, a kids zone and the World Chili Eating Challenge, which I’m pretty sure doesn’t mean “I’ll bet you can’t eat this.” Organizers expect to dole out over 100,000 samples to the estimated 20,000 attendees. Here’s a link to the official website, and if you can find the time that the event starts, you’re a better person than I am.
Also, don’t forget that flog favorite Bevfly is having a a Pre-Valentine’s Day Pairing Party Saturday. I really like this idea. From 2 to 4 p.m. (thanks for providing that information, guys) you can sip Champagne, Port and other selections and nibble on oysters, charcuterie and chocolate
It’s just $25 per person, but you’ll need to make a reservation because they don’t want the crowds to be so overwhelming that they can’t talk to everyone. I like that they’re doing this the weekend before Valentine’s Day — it’s perfect for someone who wants to a Valentine out to dinner and order a bottle of wine with more authority.
Bevfly is at 5425 International Drive, Orlando. It is open daily. For reservations at the February 6 event, or just to chat about wine, call 407-826-1542.
