The Outdoor Kitchens at this year's Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, running through May 17, feature the old standbys (America, China, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco) as well as some new ones – namely, Botanas Botánico (focusing on Venezuelan fare), Urban Farm Eats, Pineapple Promenade and Florida Fresh.
Chef Eddie's Restaurant will move into the old Johnson's Diner space at 595 W. Church St. Eddie James picked up the keys last week and says he expects to open in three to four weeks.
TR Fire Grill, the new concept from the Tony Roma's folks, has opened on South Semoran Boulevard near the airport. Look for another to open later this year in the Ravaudage complex in Winter Park.
Kaebisch Chocolate, a new artisan chocolate kitchen and store, has opened in Winter Garden in the Avamar Crossing shopping center. Also in Winter Garden, the Crooked Can Brewery on Plant Street is set to open soon.
Each chef battling in 5 Chefs, 5 Courses, 5 Charities this Sunday at 5:30 p.m. selects a charity to which a cut of the proceeds are donated. (Tickets are $150.) The family-style farm-to-table dinner features Fabrizio Schenardi of the Four Seasons, Henry Salgado of Txokos, Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant, Kathleen Blake of Rusty Spoon and Marc Kusche, on home turf in Hamilton's Kitchen at the Alfond.
Forty food trucks battle it out at the Food Truck Wars this Sunday, March 15, on Uptown Boulevard in Altamonte Springs. Festivities run from noon to 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Food isn't.
BRIEFLY:
I got a tour of Ten 10 Brewery last week, and the affable owners are aiming for an end-of-March opening ... After closing their Turkey Lake Road operation, Memories of India has opened in the OBT/Sand Lake corridor on Crystal Clear Lane ... Dickey's, the world's largest barbecue franchise, has opened on South Chickasaw Trail ... Qarma Crepes has opened in University Commons Plaza near UCF ... The concrete shack in the Copper Rocket parking lot on the corner of 17-92 and Lake Avenue in Maitland is now home to Shish.Co Mezze & Grill.
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