The second annual Latin Food & Wine Festival was held over two nights last weekend. I was honored to be the emcee for the opening night event, Savor the Night, at Stirling Global Gallery’s rooftop terrace on the 16th floor of the Plaza, overlooking downtown Orlando. What an incredible venue for an event like this. I couldn’t believe I’d never been there. The night was picture perfect. On Saturday, the scene shifted to the Dellagio Plaza on Restaurant Row for music, drinks and food, sold by the “peso.” Thanks to all who stopped by my booth to say hello. Everybody did a terrific job and I was pleased to be a part of it. Read below for more details from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, which sponsored the event.
Orlando, FL – Oct. 4, 2010 – The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO) hosted its second Latin Food and Wine Festival (LFW) over the weekend with record breaking attendance of 5,500.
The event took place October 1st and 2nd during Hispanic Heritage month. The Festival is considered the premier culinary and wine festival in Central Florida with a Latin twist and a great way to celebrate the Hispanic culture.
On the evening of Friday, October 1st, the festival kicked off with a sold out event: Savor the Night, an intimate culinary affair hosting over 300 VIP guests. Savor the Night took take place at the beautiful rooftop of the Stirling Global Gallery at The Plaza in Downtown Orlando on Orange Avenue. Central Florida’s most respected restaurant critic, Scott Joseph was the evening’s emcee. Guests enjoyed palatable dishes from Crave, Amazonas, Pío Pío Latin Cuisine, Chef Rama, De La Vega Restaurante y Galería, Gargis, Dolce Bakery, Unique Cakes, Makers Mark, Hooters, Rums of Puerto Rico, and Wines from Masbach Ridge Winery, Mimmo Wine Distribution and Standard Coffee. Savor the Night also featured the art work of well known artist, Alberto Quintero, and a silent auction featuring hotel stays, gift baskets, restaurant gift certificates, art, and more. Colombian artist Alicastro and DJ Memo, along with the tango and milonga dance of Alberto and Selena Hoyos, entertained guests under the stars during this open air affair.
The festival’s main feature on Saturday, Oct. 2, the Grand Tasting hosted thousands of food and wine aficionados at the stunning Dellagio Town Center. Attendees sampled perfect-size dishes from some of Central Florida’s restaurants and distributors, wonderful wines, spirits, and beers, all celebrating the world of Latin cuisine, with great entertainment from Suva, Alicastro, Ariel Nan, DJ Memo, Grupo Kompas, Mike Petrovich, Ravelli and a surprise guest appearance by world renown Colombian artist, Charlie Zaa. Several local Hispanic artists displayed their art including Pedro Brull, Alberto Quintero and Victor Quino. Admission to the Grand Tasting was free. All food and beverages were purchased with LFW “Pesos” to be sold throughout the Festival ($1 = 1 LFW Peso).
Among the sponsors for this event was Walt Disney World Resort as the presenting sponsor for LFW. Among other companies supporting LFW were OUC, Publix, Fifth Third Bank, Progress Energy, Banco Popular Karl Black, Florida Technical College and the Dave School. LFW’s premier media sponsor was WFTV, Channel 9, and ABC.
