Fall cleaning just doesn’t have the same ring as “spring cleaning”, but I swear that’s the mood I get in when I go to the Orlando Home Show. Aisles and aisles of how-to products and services along with the great demonstrations and specialty exhibits get the ideas flowing! Not to mention all the cooking and food demos/ideas/suggestions/products (and tastings, Oh My!).
Go to the Orange County Convention Center Oct 24–26 for the Orlando Home Show, your one-stop spot for shopping all things home and garden.
I had the privilege of hearing about the show ahead of time at a preview event held at Hamilton’s Kitchen in The Alfond Inn at Rollins College. In addition to being given some insight into the show’s great offerings and home and garden celebs, as part of a “Meet Eat & Tweet” we were able to get a special preview of Chef Marc Kusche’s Cooking Stage appearance. Edible Orlando helped sponsor the event to get local food bloggers excited about both the Home Show, and the restaurant. (May I just say… mission accomplished!) Chef Marc and his staff make everything from sauces and dressings on up to the main course options from scratch. Every day. The quality locally-sourced ingredients and farm freshness can be tasted.
Our meal included exceptional fall flavors like a creamy pumpkin soup with almond foam and jalapeno cheddar biscuits that have just enough heat to keep them interesting, but not so much you’re grabbing for your water. Next on the menu was a grilled flatbread with prosciutto and mozzarella with a squash hash and a beet and picked carrot salad with ricotta and micro greens.
Insider tip: You must try beets with pickled carrots salad. The combination of flavors
was unexpectedly amazing, and the tender, salty crunch of the carrot in the same
bite as the dense, earthy beet was more than my mouth could stand. I’m
not a big “salad person,” but this is one I now crave.
Speaking of craving, my absolute favorite dish of the night was Lobster Risotto with garlic Shrimp. The richness of the lobster that infuses every bite of the risotto, combined with a little bit of heat and bouncy tender-/crisp-ness of the shrimp. Oh!
Chef Marc Kusche, executive chef, created these, and many other dishes for us to taste and guests at Hamilton’s Kitchen to enjoy. One can only imagine what his Cooking Stage appearance will bring. I, for one, hope to get some inspiration for meals I can re-create at home. Or (and more likely) I’ll just get hungry and go visit Chef Kusche and his amazing team at Hamilton’s Kitchen.
While at the Orlando Home Show I’m sure to get some home remodeling/decorating/beautification tips and inspiration, too. Or (and more likely) I’ll grab some brochures and business cards to have someone help me in these endeavors. What?! You know that’s one of the reasons you go, too!
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Visit Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn, 300 E. New England Ave, Winter Park. For reservations, call 407-998-8089.
Buy Orlando Home Show tickets by clicking on this link. Use the code BLOG for $4 off.
Other Edible Orlando chefs on the cooking stage include: Hari Pulapaka of Cress, Camilo Velasco of Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen, Mark Jeffers of Highball and Harvest, and don’t miss Todd Wilbur, the author of 10 cookbooks including Top Secret Recipes.
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