A new batch of chefs has been announced for the inaugural Orlando Wine Festival and Auction, and the lineup is starting to look pretty impressive.
The event will be March 15-17 and is sponsored the Orlando Magic to benefit the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. Most of the events will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. The weekend will feature wine dinners in private homes; a grand tasting of wine and food prepared by local and nationally recognized chefs; an auction; and a dinner hosted by a celebrity chef. The weekend will culminate with the Magic’s home game on Sunday evening.
Previously announced chefs include: Current Top Chef champion Joseph Flamm, Spiaggia, Chicago; Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia and Terralina at Disney Springs; Justin Plank, Terralina; Scott Hunnel, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; James and Julie Petrakis, Ravenous Pig; and Steven Richard, Paddlefish.
Newly announced chefs are:
Akshay Bhardwaj – Executive Chef at Michelin starred Junoon, New York
Kevin Fonzo – Kevin Fonzo Foundation
Brandon McGlamery – Luma on Park
Masaharu Morimoto — Morimoto Asia
Art Smith – James Beard Award winning owner of Homecoming, Disney Springs
“The Orlando Magic are thrilled to announce these initial 12 award-winning chefs as the first commitments to participate in our Inaugural Orlando Wine Festival and Auction,” said Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We are so excited that they will be sharing their culinary talents with all of our guests while helping a very worthy cause, at-risk youth in Central Florida. The weekend promises to be one not soon forgotten.”
More chefs are expected to be added, and the participating wineries will be announced in January. For more information on the Orlando Wine Festival and Auction or to purchase packages, visit www.wineauctionorlando.com
