By Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com on Oct 03, 2017 11:30 pm
The founders of the wildly popular Kappo at East End Market have finally opened their newest project, Kadence, just a few blocks away from their original location in the heart of the Audubon Park District of Orlando.
Kadence is a nine-seat sushi and sake bar with a menu consisting of a multi-course sushi tasting focused on the highest-quality selection of seasonal fish. Their menu is all omakase, meaning chef’s choice of the day.
Photo Courtesy of KADENCE
From their website, Kadence owners Lordfer Lalicon, Jennifer Bañagale and Mark V. Berdin are University of Florida alum, who, after graduating, moved to New York City and then London to train in Michelin-starred restaurants.
Hours are currently by reservation only, on Tuesday – Saturday for dinner (6:00pm & 8:30pm seatings) and Sunday (11:30am, 2:00pm & 4:30pm) with lunch hours coming soon. Dinner prices range from $135 to $145 per person consisting of 18 courses.
“If you were to pick anywhere geographically in the world, Kadence would place among the best contenders. We are blessed to have them here in Orlando.”
“What makes it excel further is the synergy between Mark, Jennifer, and Lo that reinforces the dining and food experience. Their personalities and even the music enhance and play a large role in the ambience of Kadence.”
“It’s like having the best of traditional Japanese omakase in Japan with the delivery of a uniquely Asian-American experience.”
“There is less than a handful of restaurants in all of Florida where food is delivered as an experience at this level. As someone who has dined around the world, if Orlando had Michelin star ratings, Kadence would definitely make the list.”
More than 10,000 baking professionals, industry buyers, pastry chefs, cake artists, retail bakers, hobbyists and everyday foodies from around the world are expected to attend the Cake Fair at the Orange County Convention Center from October 13-15, 2017. This delicious show is a feast for the eyes (not to mention nose and stomach)!
The Americas Cake Fair will have something for everyone: live theater main stage demonstrations by renowned cake designers and sweets-centric television personalities, including “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro; more than 100 hands-on classes, demonstrations and business seminars taught by the world’s most skilled cake decorators and industry professionals; a live global cake challenges; traditional cake competitions; and an exhibit hall overflowing with new products and services, including some items for cash and carry.
From the art of airbrushing to mastering chocolate modeling, all classes and demonstrations will provide instruction on the latest techniques. All classes are three hours in duration and must be booked in advance online.
Other Cake Fair features include:
The Sugar Art Fashion Show on Friday evening, October 13, with models strutting the runway adorned by cake costumes and edible ensembles, co-hosted by Celebrity Chef Emily Ellyn, best known as the Retro Rad Chef from Food Network & Fashion Stylist / On-Air Style Expert Melanie Pace, and benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Emily Ellyn (right)
An exclusive VIP Meet & Greet on Saturday, October 14, where guests can meet and mingle with their favorite television personalities, headliners and cake artists
Live Global Cake and Chocolate Challenges, where international teams and individuals will battle for top honors
Traditional cake competitions offering cash prizes for contestants across all skill levels
Themed “zones” sprinkled around the show floor, including a Kids Zone for a yummy interactive experience for budding cake artists; and The ACD Magazine Cake Zone sponsored by American Cake Decorating Magazine for a delectable introduction to fondant and other skills
Ticket Prices
Attendees can enjoy sweet savings by purchasing tickets online, and can save even more when attending the show on multiple, consecutive days. Prices start from $30 for regular, single-day adult admission with advance online purchase.
Stay up to date on Cake Fair event updates, special offers and exclusive contests by following the show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@cakefair). For more information, visit www.cakefair.com.
(Source credit: Cake Fair)
I am a Digital Ambassador for The Americas Cake Fair, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending the show and reporting my opinion within this blog, The Americas Cake Fair has provided me with complimentary tickets and other exclusive opportunities.
By Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com on Oct 02, 2017 09:15 am
National Taco Day is this Wednesday October 4! Check out the local deals and specials going on for this glorious day.
Americans ate more than 4.5 billion tacos last year, according to the National Taco Day website.
In honor of the foodie holiday, Rubio’s Coastal Grill will offer guests deals all day Tuesday, October 3 (in conjunction with Taco Tuesday) on the signature fish taco that helped put the company on the map, as well as a few newer selections. Special all day deals include:
$1.75 Original Fish Taco
$2 Original Fish Taco Especial
$2.25 Original Fish Taco with new Mango Salsa (available only on Oct. 3!)
$1 off all alcohol all day
Cocina 214 in Winter Park will be offering its new Rotisserie Chicken Tacos for $10 to celebrate National Taco Day. The achiote rubbed rotisserie chicken is served with veggie rice, queso fresco, roasted corn, sautéed poblano salsa on corn tortillas.
Tijuana Flats, a unique, fast-casual Tex-Mex dining experience, is celebrating National Taco Day with $2 tacos and $2 Mexican drafts at all locations on Wednesday, October 4th.
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® will be celebrating the delicious holiday with unlimited 50-cent tacos, all day! There’s no limit on how many specially priced tacos a guest may purchase, so go ahead and go loco with any Beef, Chicken Tinga and Veggie Mini Crispy Tacos. Hand-prepared and made-to-order with only fresh ingredients, these tacos are nothing short of authentically delicious.
From Rockaway PR:
Did you know?
· Tacos were invented between 1,000 and 500 B.C. as a kind of edible spoon*
· The first mention of a taco in the United States can be found in 1905 in a newspaper**
· Americans consume more than 4 Billion Tacos Each Year ***
· The World’s Biggest Taco was made in 2011 and was 246 feet long***
*according to Tacopedia
** according to The Latin Kitchen
***according to Women.com
Food Lover’s Guide to Orlando’s Best Seafood Tacos
By Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com on Oct 01, 2017 06:39 pm
Seafood dishes, Cantonese stir fry noodles, dim sum – these are just some of the many staples at Chan’s Chinese Cuisine in the heart of Orlando.
Partners Tony Yeung and Annie Wong opened Chan’s Chinese Cuisine in late 1996 in Orlando, and have now been open for over 20 years here in Orlando serving authentic Cantonese Chinese cuisine. On June 5, 2017, the City of Orlando proclaimed it “Chan’s Chinese Cuisine Day” in honor of their anniversary.
Black Pepper Lamb Chops
Annie Wong’s uncle Chan opened Tom’s Chinese Cuisine in Daytona Beach many years ago. Annie, who operated her uncle’s restaurant, wanted to continue the success and opened an authentic Chinese cuisine in Orlando with Tony Yeung as a partner in 1996.
Chan’s Tony Yeung and Annie Wong
With over 45 years of experience, Chef Tony Yeung first started his chef career in Hong Kong at the very young age as 14. Prior to coming to Orlando, he worked as a managing chef in New York.
Special Roast Pork, Cucumber, and Dried Squid AppetizerSpecial Roast Pork, Cucumber, and Dried Squid Appetizer
20 years ago when Annie and Tony founded Chan’s, they discovered that many customers did not know what authentic Chinese Cuisine consisted of, with many more knowing just the Americanized Chinese take-out version of the cuisine.
When they first opened, Tony and Annie had to explain and educate the customers about dim sum and authentic Chinese cuisine. Other challenges they faced including sourcing.
Special Geoduck Sashimi
“We had a hard time to find the right ingredients and often needed to order from New York or even California. Now, it’s easier to have fresh and good ingredients as the Asian American population is growing together with Chinese tourists,” said Chef Tony Yeung.
Ginger Scallion Dungeness Crab
“Many customers were from out of states or tourists who looked for authentic Chinese Cuisines. But right now, there are more customers especially younger folks who know about Dim Sum and authentic Chinese cuisine,” said Annie.
Seafood Fish Maw Soup
Today, Chan’s still has many customers who are tourists and convention guests looking for a traditional style Chinese banquet meal. Chan’s is still one of the few restaurants in Orlando who can cater wedding and birthday banquet and can host around 18-22 big tables, for a total of 200 or so guests.
Pipa Tofu – shaped like Chinese pipa string instruments
Managing Chef Tony told us he can prepare pretty much anything authentic Chinese as long as he has the ingredients. Call ahead to find out and coordinate at least 24 hours. Some local favorites at Chan’s include Stir fried noodle – Hong Kong style and egg tart dim sum. Chef Tony likes his secret recipe Soy Sauce Stir Fried Lobster, made by special request many years ago on special request for VIP high rollers when he was still a chef in Hong Kong.
Steamed Fish with Chinese spinachv
Some Special Dishes found at Chan’s
Baked Dungeness Crab with fried rice in lotus leaf
Chicken & Shrimp Fried Rice in Cream & Tomato Sauce
Superior Soy Sauce Live Lobster – secret recipe
Superior Soy Sauce Live Lobster – secret recipeDessert – Osmanthus Flower Jelly with Wolfberries
Chan’s Chinese Cuisine
1901 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Ocean Prime, a classic ocean liner supper club. Renowned for both their steak and seafood offerings, with their impeccable service has helped them established an ever growing popularity all over the Untied States.
Ocean Prime serves the pemequid oysters, these oysters from the cold pristine waters of the Northeast are truly some of the East Coast’s best.
Chef Mattson, Executive Chef of Ocean Prime Orlando, gave a brief history of oysters that are chosen by Ocean Prime and what to key flavor notes that vary from different species of oysters. Also different ways oysters are prepared and demonstration on how to shuck them.
In addition to offering oysters raw, Ocean Prime serves them fried in a delectable batter, as well as a southern style preparation with aged Parmesan.
A pairing of Chandon champagne go very well with these fresh oysters, in addition with their selection of hand crafted cocktails.
With its great oysters, aged steaks, and other weekly offerings, Ocean Prime is a place to go for a casual dinner to a special anniversary.
Weekly Eats:
Sunday Surf & Turf – Special Sunday menu featuring an 8 oz filet with your choice of “Surf” for $55 per person.
Sushi Mondays – On Mondays, enjoy half priced sushi during happy hour in our Lounge.
Shake, Shuck & Pop Fridays – Start your weekend with a bang! On Fridays from 5-7PM, enjoy $1 oysters, $10 sushi rolls, $10 glasses of Veuve Rosé & $10 featured cocktails shaken tableside.
Ocean Prime https://www.ocean-prime.com/ 7339 W Sand Lake Rd Ste 400, Orlando, FL 32819 (407) 781-4880
About Chef Mattson
Garnering more than 17 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including eight years as an executive chef, Mattson joined the Cameron Mitchell team in 2003. He held a variety of positions before joining the OCEAN PRIME culinary team in July 2011.
With experience from line cook to executive chef, he has trained more than 25 sous chefs and won several honors including Ruth’s Chris Hospitality Group’s “Executive Chef of the Year,” and a nomination for Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ “Sous Chef of the Year.”
Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Mattson currently resides in Orlando with his wife and three sons. In his leisure time, he enjoys being with his family, playing hockey, discovering new music and collecting vinyl records.
James and Julie Petrakis are really committed to bourbon & barbecue. They own the popular gastropub Ravenous Pig and James Petrakis was voted Best Chef in Orlando ’17. On April 10, James & Julie Petrakis along with James’ brother Brian opened the doors to their newest project The Polite Pig, a fast-casual barbecue & bar joint located at Disney Springs.
James & Julie Petrakis cook book sold at The Polite Pig
James & Julie Petrakis believe that the best thing to go with barbecue is beer and bourbon so they built a bourbon bar.
Hop Salt Pretzel – with Beer Cheese Fondue and IPA Mustard
Clockwise:
– The Southern Pig Sandwich – with Fennel-apple Slaw, Tangy Mustard BBQ, Duke’s Mayo, and Smoked Pork. Served with a Pickle Spear
– Brisket Sandwich– with Pimento Cheese, Lil’ John’s BBQ, Picked Jalapeños and Crispy Onions. Served with a Pickle Spear
– Sweet Potato Tots – with Parmesan Cheese
– Crispy Brussel Sprouts– with Whiskey-Caramel
– BBQ Cauliflower – Paprika Sour Cream
– BBQ Sausage Hoagie – with IPA Mustard, Peppers and Onions, Cheddar Sauce, and Pickle Relish. Served with a Pickle Spear
This was the best meal that I have ever had at Disney Springs and I cannot wait to go back to The Polite Pig for more. The barbecue had the perfect balance of flavors and the brussel sprouts were the best Brussel sprouts I’ve ever had in my entire life.
Double Layer Chocolate Cake
We got to chat it up with Dick & Marti Waters, owners of Palm Ridge Reserve. They are the suppliers of the whiskey for The Polite Pig and their distillery is an hour away north from the Polite Pig, near the Ocala National Forrest. What makes their business so special is that they have no employees, it basically just a husband and wife team giving it their all.
Farm to table whiskey. They use small barrels because the sloshing in smaller barrel breaks down the whiskey faster. Dick Marti told us that the best place in the world to make whiskey is in Florida because the humidity helps the barrel sweat from condensation.
The four grains they use to make bourbon: Florida corn, barley malt, flake dry, & rye malt
Be sure to check out The Polite Pig soon for some delicious bourbon & bbq!
The Polite Pig 1536 Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32830 (407) 938-7444
politepig.com
Fast-casual chain Cafe Rio Mexican Grill will give a free meal and drink to the first 300 people that are at the ribbon cutting ceremony promptly at 10:30AM on Wednesday, October 4. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill will be opening its first Florida location at 1050 N. Orlando Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789, located in the same plaza as the new Whole Foods. The new Winter Park restaurant will mark the company’s 111th national location.
Cafe Rio and the Winter Park chamber welcomes the public and the media to join them for their grand opening. The restaurant will host their signature “giant burrito” and ribbon cutting. In keeping with their tradition of giving back to the community, Cafe Rio will give a $2,500 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida during the grand opening festivities of events. “This demonstration of social responsibility on the part of Cafe Rio is a great indicator of their approach to service and to community-building,” said Greg Higgerson, Vice President of Development at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “Because they care, more than ten thousand meals will reach the plates of low-income families, children, seniors, veterans, and others who are struggling,” he added.
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been serving its loyal customers fresh Mexican food since 1997. Their menu is inspired by the traditional Mexican cooking found in the Rio Grande region of Northern Mexico, Southern Texas, and New Mexico. Cafe Rio specializes in serving its customers the highest-quality, made from scratch Mexican meals, using only the freshest ingredients.
They are a scratch kitchen with a strict “no freezer and no microwaves” policy in all of their locations.
Each Cafe Rio restaurant features a wide-open kitchen.
Guests can clearly view sauces simmering, team members hand scooping avocados, chopping tomatoes, grilling meats and squeezing over 1000 fresh limes each and every day.
Fresh tortillas are made in house and are available in flour, corn, or wheat.
Enchiladas – Includes Rice, Black or Pinto Beans, Pico de Gallo, & your choice of Meat (steak).
Tacos – Includes Rice, Black or Pinto Beans, & your choice of Meat (steak).
Burrito – Tortilla stuffed with Rice, Beans, Pico de Gallo, & your choice of Meat (steak). Get it Enchilada Style. Baked with Cheese & Sauce.
Fresh Lime Pie – Fresh Squeezed Lime Mixed into a Creamy Blend, Baked in a Crumb Crust
Famous Tres Leches – A Light Fluffy Cake Soaked with Three Types of Milk
Download the free app and get a free $5 food credit.
Promo codes for an additional $5 food credit: wpflcp, wpfljb, wpflid. One code only. Expires October 22.
Be sure to make it out to the grand opening of Cafe Rio Mexican Grill in Winter Park on October 4 at 10:30am to snag your free meal and drink!
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill – Winter Park
1050 N. Orlando Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
(321) 422-2099 www.caferio.com
From the art of airbrushing to mastering chocolate modeling, all classes and demonstrations will provide instruction on the latest techniques. All classes are three hours in duration and must be booked in advance online.
Emily Ellyn (right)
