2023 Ocala Food and Wine Festival

Ocala Food & Wine Festival presented by Lugano Diamonds
November 3-5, 2023 | *21+ Event*

ABOUT THE EVENT
The third annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival presented by Lugano Diamonds returns to World Equestrian Center November 3-5. The 2023 event is a celebrity-chef-led celebration featuring three days of culinary competition, beer, wine and spirits education and samples of extraordinary cuisine.

The 2023 Ocala Food & Wine Festival is a 21+ event. Event proceeds benefit the Public Education Foundation of Marion County ProStart Program. 

2023 Featured Talent:

• Chef Lorena Garcia


• Chef Timothy Hollingsworth


• Pitmaster Rashad Jones


• Pastry Chef Yohann Le Bescond


• Master Sommelier and Beverage Director Roland Micu
  

EVENT SCHEDULE 
Friday, November 3 
6pm-9pm | Barbecue, Bourbon & Blues
Join us under the stars on the Grand Plaza for a welcome event featuring local Ocala barbecue and live-fire cuisine, bourbon tastings and blues music with the Honey Hounds. Sample from over 20 vendors with high-quality bourbon, whisky and rye, smoked cocktails, beer, and bourbon-barrel aged wines, along with a menu of culinary samples from the celebrity chefs. 

Menu: 
Whole Hog Porchetta with Guava Agave Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Fire Cheddar Polenta Cornbread Madeleines 
Otium pulled pork sliders, hot vinegar slaw 
Churrasco skewers, black garlic mole, chimicurri, arugula
Grilled Tomahawk steaks, Certified Angus Beef Brand ribs, chimichurri
Pitch-fork beef fondue, ancient grains, brussels spouts, truffle vinegar 
Smoked Certified Angus Beef Brand brisket, Anson Mills grits, grilled onions
Whole Snapper Caja china, masa azul tortillas, guacamole 
Bourbon apple bread pudding 
Wood fired skillet cookie, whipped cream, caramel 
Chocolate dipped pistacchio financier 

Saturday, November 4 
11am-3pm | Taste of Ocala
Gather in Exposition Center 1 for the grand tasting featuring celebrity-chef-led demonstrations, included educational classes with masters of the industry, and samples of cuisine, wine, beer and spirits. The Junior Chef Mystery Basket competition will return on the main stage!  Breakout Classes and cooking demonstations available throughout the day. 

Mainstage Schedule:
11:15am – 11:35pm | Chef Tim Hollingsworth Demonstration
11:50pm – 12:10pm | Pitmaster Rashad Jones Demonstration
12:30pm – 12:50pm | Chef Lorena Garcia Demonstration
1:15pm – 1:35pm | Pastry Chef Yohann Le Bescond
2pm – 2:45pm | Junior Chef Mystery Basket Cooking Competition
2:45pm – 3pm | Awards Presentation

Breakouts: 
11:35pm, 12:10pm, 12:50pm, 1:35pm | Chopin Room
11:35am, 12:10pm, 12:50pm, 1:35pm | Burgundy Room 
11:15am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm | Moët Hennessy Bubbly Lounge

7pm | Celebrity Chef Dinner with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates  Exclusively available for Five Star Package holders.
Indulge in an exquisite, multicourse dinner from a team of celebrity chefs. Each course is artfully prepared and thoughtfully paired by a different culinary master or industry expert featuring premium selections from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ portfolio. Learn from the celebrity chefs as they present each course and serve you on the elegant outdoor terrace at Stirrups Restaurant. 

Sunday, November 5 
10am-1pm | Jazz Brunch    Exclusively available for Four Star & Five Star Package holders.
Raise a glass to the end of the weekend with this elegant Champagne brunch on The Equestrian Hotel terrace featuring live jazz music. 

TICKETS
Tickets for the full weekend are exclusively available in weekend packages.

To purchase, click the dropdown to choose the desired package level. Then click “Get Tickets'' and add your selection to your cart. 

Pre-Sale | Special Prices Available Through September 4, 2023
Spend the whole weekend with us! Select the package level you would like for the 2023 Ocala Food & Wine Festival. Package prices increase after September 4, 2023. Limited availability. Additional taxes after September 4; fees may apply. 

• Five-Star Experience |  $495 regular price *SOLD OUT*

Friday: Barbecue, Bourbon & Blues 
Saturday: Taste of Ocala Main Event and Educational Classes, Exclusive Lugano Rosé Garden Lounge Pre-Dinner Cocktail Hour, and Multicourse Celebrity Chef Dinner 
Sunday: Champagne Jazz Brunch 

• Four-Star Experience | $345 regular price    *SOLD OUT*

Friday: Barbecue, Bourbon & Blues 
Saturday: Taste of Ocala Main Event and Educational Classes 
Sunday: Champagne Jazz Brunch 

• Barbecue, Bourbon & Blues | $125
  WALK-UP TICKETS AVAILABLE ON SITE!!!

         Friday Only:  Barbecue, Bourbon & Blues

• Taste of Ocala | $95 
  WALK-UP TICKETS AVAILABLE ON SITE!!!

Saturday Only: Taste of Ocala Main Event and Educational Classes 

Impacting Our Community
Event proceeds from the Ocala Food & Wine Festival will benefit the Public Education Foundation ProStart Program, a local charitable foundation whose programs support youth development in the culinary and hospitality industries in Marion County and beyond. 

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; early bird pricing based on availability through September 4 


• Sales tax waived for Freedom Sales Tax Summer Holiday in Florida through September 4. Fees may apply. Sales tax applied beginning September 5, 2023.


• Please refer to www.ocalafoodandwinefest.com/ for additional event information, including bios for talent and full event schedule 
  *Email Consent: By providing your email on this platform, you agree to receive marketing communications from World Equestrian Center. You can opt out of these communications at any time by using the 'Unsubscribe' link provided in our emails.

If you have questions regarding this event, please reach out to:
Kim Kent, Special Events Manager
1390 NW 80th Ave Ocala, FL 34482
Office: 352-414-7855
Email:  kimberly.kent@wec.net
www.wec.net