Tasty Chomps' Orlando

• Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown
• Tiffin’s at 25th Heart of Florida United Way Annual Chef’s Gala

Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown

This past weekend was The Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown BBQ competition. It brought attention to Central Florida as a BBQ enthusiast destination as Top-Nations Pit-masters (by invitation only) come and put their skills to the test.

The event’s General Admission is 5$ and free for kids 10 and under. Parking was also free with an extended lot away from the Zoo that had shuttles running back and forth every 15 minutes.

Here was the full day’s Event Schedule for Sonny’s Smokin Showdown:
7:30 AM
Judges Check-In
8:30 AM
Judges Meeting (Mandatory)
12:00 PM
Kid’s Donut Eating Contest
12:30 PM
Cooking Demo
1:00 PM
Rib Eating Contest
1:30 PM
Cooking Demo
2:30 PM
Meet the Masters
3:00 PM
Live Music: Hayfire
5:00 PM
Live Music: Rockit Fly
6:00 PM
Awards Ceremony
7:15 PM
Live Music: Jill’s Cashbox
8:30 PM
Live Music: Frankie Ballard

As you can see the entire day is filled with family-fun activities as well as entrees to be purchased a la carte from local vendors.

There was a designated kid’s area so you won’t have to worry about the young ones getting bored while you chomp away!

The lines will get pretty long so I’d get there early so you would beat the rush.

 There are a lot of different price points but pretty much everything is affordable so you’re not breaking the bank to get full.

All the Pit-Masters were hard at work keeping up with the crowd’s appetite & making sure everything is fresh and tasty!

talk about pit-masters I’d like to congratulate Cajun Blaze Competition BBQ on winning the Grand Championship as well as $20,000! 

There are tons of other vendors for you to peruse around and check out the merchandise booths

Overall it was definitely a fun-filled day that was meant to bring every BBQ lovers to central Florida. Make sure to catch the event next year!

Catch more scenes from the event on Sonny’s Smoking Showdown Invitational.

Tiffin’s at 25th Heart of Florida United Way Annual Chef’s Gala

Disney is collaborating with Heart of Florida United Way 25th annual Chef’s Gala which will take place on Saturday Feb. 4th, 2017.  A night full of exquisite cuisine from more than 20 of Central Florida’s Top chefs, along with thoughtfully paired fine wines, live music, and silent auction.  United Way’s largest fundraiser, Chef’s Gala will benefit local programs that provide food, shelter and other services to thousands of central Floridians in need.

This year’s Gala will feature one of Disney’s newest and experimental restaurant- Tiffin’s. Laying in Animal Kingdom Tiffin’s tells the stories of the travels and expeditions of the imagineers, especially Joe Rohde’s.

There are three main dining rooms, one holding it’s own unique story and experience, we were seated in the Harambe, Africa room as we prepare to chomp the global inspired menu.

We started with a trio of appetizers.

1. Lobster-Popcorn Thai Curry Soup
2. Roasted Baby Beets
3. Marinated

The star of the Trio was definitely the Lobster-Popcorn Thai Curry Soup with Basil Emulsion. It definitely packs a flavorful punch and slight hint of lemon grass.

Tamarind-Glazed Short-Rib had a cauliflower puree and vegetable variations to accompany it. Incredibly tender. Smokey and slightly sweetened by the glaze.  This dish will be featured at the 2017 United Way’s Chef’s Gala.

Hosin-Glazed Grouper with forbidden rice hidden inside swiss chard with a turmeric sauce. Every bite into this dish was so delightful! There were great textures and arrays of notes definitely one of my favorite dishes by Tiffins.

We ended with some dessert sample (From Top left to Bottom Right)

1. Passion Fruit Tapioca
2. Calamansi Mousse
3. Lime Cheesecake
4. South American Chocolate Ganache

The variations in the dessert really shows how versatile Tiffin’s menu really is. Along with the great menu options the restaurants also holds many exciting adventures that will entice the guests.

Tiffins

Heart of Florida United Way Chef’s Gala

Recognized as the region’s premier food and wine pairing event, Heart of Florida United Way Chef’s Gala features exquisite cuisine from more than 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs, along with thoughtfully paired fine wines, live music and a silent auction. Hosted by Walt Disney World Resort and raising nearly $300,000 each year, Chef’s Gala is historically United Way’s largest fundraiser for education, income, health and basic needs programs that serve thousands of Central Floridians in need.

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