Taste of Ocala

Saturday, November 5, 2022
*21+ Event*

Taste of Ocala 
Time:  11am-3pm
Location:  Grand Plaza 
General Admission: $65 per person

Featured Chefs: Art Smith, Lorena Garcia, Elizabeth Falkner, Yisus Diaz, Esdras Ochoa, Tim Hollingsworth and Rashad Jones
Don’t miss a day of tasting and entertainment with cooking demonstrations and an Iron-Chef-style mystery basket competition. Sip and sample food and drink from over 20 local restaurants, premium wineries, breweries and distilleries. The main stage will host a series of demonstrations led by celebrity chefs, including Art Smith, Lorena Garcia and Ocala’s own pitmaster, Rashad Jones. Samples of food and beverage are included in General Admission ticket price.

Main Stage Schedule: 

11:30am-12pm | Cooking with Art Smith
12:30pm-1pm | Barbecue with Rashad Jones of Big Lee’s BBQ
1:15pm-1:45pm | Taco Time with Lorena Garcia
2:15pm-3pm | Iron-chef-style Mystery Basket Competition hosted by Timothy Hollingsworth
3pm-3:15pm | Awards and Donation Ceremony

Educational Breakout Classes 
General Admission Ticket Required | Class Price: $50 each
Level up your culinary game with a diverse range of educational breakout classes available for your selection throughout the afternoon. Join experts of the culinary craft and industry professionals as you refine your palate with a Master Sommelier or learn the secrets of a perfect macaron. Select à la carte classes based on your interest, covering everything from Buffalo Trace Bourbon to rustic Italian cooking.  To Purchase: Add-on educational classes once you have selected a general admission ticket. Classes will be offered in three time blocks at 11:30am, 12:45pm and 2pm in various locations around the property. Each class is $50 per person. Availability is limited. 

Block 1: 11:30am-12:15pm 

• Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour | Location: Arena 3, Mezzanine Suite 1


• Getting to Know Celebrity Chef Lorena Garcia | Location: Arena 3, Mezzanine Suite 2


• The Art of French Pastry | Location: Arena 4, Mezzanine Suite 1


• Big Reds of the West: California vs. Washington | Location: Arena 4, Mezzanine Suite 2


• Rustic Italian Cooking | Location: Stirrups Restaurant


• Castello Banfi: Brunello di Montalcino Vertical Tasting | Location: The Paris Room

Block 2: 12:45pm-1:30pm

• Chopin & Caviar | Location: Arena 3, Mezzanine Suite 1


• A History of Chocolate | Location:  Arena 4, Mezzanine 1


• Maker’s Mark: Not Finished Finishing | Location: Arena 4, Mezzanine Suite 2


• New Southern Cuisine | Location: Stirrups Restaurant


• Master Sommelier Wine Walkthrough | Location: The Paris Room

Block 3: 2pm-2:45pm 

• Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour | Location: Arena 3, Mezzanine 1


• Getting to Know Celebrity Chef Art Smith | Arena 3, Mezzanine Suite 2


• The Magic of Macarons | Location: Arena 4, Mezzanine Suite 1


• A Sip of Santa Barbara: a Master Sommelier-led Regional Wine Tasting | Location: The Paris Room 

Want to be a Food & Wine VIP? 

VIP Weekend Ticket Package
Friday. Saturday. Sunday
Spend the whole weekend with us! Enjoy the VIP experience at Ocala Food & Wine Festival:

• One ticket to Friday’s Tasting Notes Welcome Party


• One ticket to Friday’s exclusive Tacos and Tequila afterparty


• One general admission ticket to Saturday’s Taste of Ocala event


• One ticket for a Taste of Ocala educational breakout class of your choice


• Access to exclusive Lugano Rosé Garden Lounge


• One ticket to Sunday’s Champagne Jazz Brunch

Please use the following link to purchase the VIP Weekend Package:  https://www.showclix.com/event/weekend-vip-ticket-package
Limited availability. Additional taxes and fees apply. 

Want to stay on-site during the festival?
Book at The Equestrian Hotel 

Please Note:

• EVENT IS 21+


• No refund will be given within 48 hours of the event, unless the event is canceled by World Equestrian Center – Ocala due to inclement weather


• Tickets are limited


• Additional taxes and fees apply


• Please refer to https://www.ocalafoodandwinefest.com/ for more event information

If you have questions regarding this event, please reach out to:
Kim Kent, Special Events Manager at foodandwine@wec.net