As spring has sprung, tickets are now on sale for Gather & Graze, a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that will bring together some of Orlando’s most talented chefs for a unique, new fundraiser benefiting The Kitchen House.
And the location is brand-new.
Instead of a soiree at The Kitchen House itself, guests will gather in Ocoee, at the verdant Lake Meadow Naturals Farm for a gathering featureing Melissa Kelly (Primo at Grande Lakes), Fabrizio Schenardi (Four Seasons Resort Orlando), Lordfer Lalicon (Kaya), Wendy Lopez (Reyes Mezcaleria and Sparrow), Kevin Fonzo (La Tavola), Jamie McFadden (Cuisiniers CateredCuisine and Events), Chef Tim Keating, Chef Ryan Sand, and a special dessert experience by Gwendolyn Rogers (The Cake Bake Shop at Disney World).
“We’ve always loved holding these twice-yearly events at The Kitchen House, but because of the limited space, we’ve only been able to have 60 or 70 guests,” explains program director Julianna Calloway. “We wanted to open it up to a wider audience and introduce more people to the great work we do.”
Operating out of the beautiful Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen & Garden in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood, The Kitchen House offers programs for adults and children that connect people to their food and where it comes from. Its offerings benefit local schools, businesses and community members at large, teaching people to source, cook and enjoy plant-forward meals, partnering with local chefs, farmers and artisans, as well as health-care systems.
There’s a special focus on hands-on culinary and garden education for local youth.
“We couldn’t think of a better way to showcase our chef ambassadors and guest chefs than to invite everyone to one of our best local farms,” says Calloway, noting that the Lake Meadow Naturals location in Ocoee does more than simply open the tent to more guests.
Nine different chef stations will offer exciting, curated bites and lots of guest interaction with the culinary teams. (Courtesy Krista Lyn Photography)
“It allows us to lower the ticket prices a little, it opens us up for a whole new, wider audience.”
Included in the $195 cost per person: live music, craft cocktails, raffle prizes, and the dinner, of course. All proceeds will benefit The Kitchen House and its programs.
Stand-up tables will allow guests to mingle as they visit nine chef stations. It’s an interactive atmosphere where diners can talk to the teams about what they make, how it’s prepared, what they do for The Kitchen House and more.
Held at Lake Meadow Naturals Farm, the space will allow for many more attendees than at past fundraisers, held at The Kitchen House’s considerably smaller College Park property. (Courtesy Krista Lyn Photography)
“This lineup is really incredible,” says Calloway. “Everyone loves to donate their time and expertise because they know it’s going to a good cause.”
Bars, photo-ops and a demo from The Kitchen House using ingredients from their market garden will help round out the experience.
“We’ll talk about the ingredients, the work that we do with the Orlando Junior Academy and all of the education we do in the community.”
All are included in the ticket price.
Bringing this level of culinary talent together in one place is rare, which makes Gather & Graze a phenomenal foodie option for a Spring afternoon.
“It’s a fun time for all the chefs,” says Calloway of the meet-and-greet-style soiree.
“We want everyone to have a good time, to be able to connect with them and to showcase the food and ingredients. Take pictures. Appreciate the local food scene, and all the great work these chefs do.”
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
If you go
Gather & Graze will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. on April 19 at Lake Meadow Naturals Farm. Tickets
are $195, with limited VIP sponsorships available. Tickets and sponsorships: thekitchenhouse.org