{"id":217239,"date":"2026-04-03T09:12:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T09:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/217239\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T09:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T09:12:21","slug":"gather-graze-benefiting-the-kitchen-house-comes-to-ocoee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/217239\/","title":{"rendered":"Gather & Graze, benefiting The Kitchen House, comes to Ocoee"},"content":{"rendered":"

As spring has sprung, tickets are now on sale for Gather & Graze<\/a>, a one-of-a-kind culinary experience that will bring together some of Orlando\u2019s most talented chefs for a unique, new fundraiser benefiting The Kitchen House<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And the location is brand-new.<\/p>\n

Instead of a soiree at\u00a0 The Kitchen House itself, guests will gather in Ocoee, at the verdant Lake Meadow Naturals Farm<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve always loved holding these twice-yearly events at The Kitchen House, but because of the limited space, we\u2019ve only been able to have 60 or 70 guests,\u201d explains program director Julianna Calloway. \u201cWe wanted to open it up to a wider audience and introduce more people to the great work we do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Operating out of the beautiful Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen & Garden in Orlando\u2019s College Park neighborhood, The Kitchen House<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a special focus on hands-on culinary and garden education for local youth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t think of a better way to showcase our chef ambassadors and guest chefs than to invite everyone to one of our best local farms,\u201d says Calloway, noting that the Lake Meadow Naturals location in Ocoee does more than simply open the tent to more guests.<\/p>\n

\"NineNine different chef stations will offer exciting, curated bites and lots of guest interaction with the culinary teams. (Courtesy Krista Lyn Photography)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt allows us to lower the ticket prices a little, it opens us up for a whole new, wider audience.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Stand-up tables will allow guests to mingle as they visit nine chef stations. It\u2019s an interactive atmosphere where diners can talk to the teams about what they make, how it\u2019s prepared, what they do for The Kitchen House and more.<\/p>\n

\"HeldHeld 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)<\/p>\n

\u201cThis lineup is really incredible,\u201d says Calloway. \u201cEveryone loves to donate their time and expertise because they know it\u2019s going to a good cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bars, photo-ops and a demo from The Kitchen House using ingredients from their market garden will help round out the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll talk about the ingredients, the work that we do with the Orlando Junior Academy and all of the\u00a0education we do in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

All are included in the ticket price.<\/p>\n

Bringing this level of culinary talent together in one place is rare, which makes Gather & Graze a phenomenal foodie option for a Spring afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a fun time for all the chefs,\u201d says Calloway of the meet-and-greet-style soiree.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram\u00a0@amydroo<\/a>\u00a0or on the OSFoodie Instagram account\u00a0@orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email:\u00a0amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>, For more foodie fun, join the\u00a0Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you go<\/p>\n

Gather & Graze will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. on April 19\u00a0 at Lake Meadow Naturals Farm. Tickets
are $195, with limited VIP sponsorships available. Tickets and sponsorships: thekitchenhouse.org<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t