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Florida Strawberry Festival: Small Town Feel, Big Fun With Friends

By Christina Thomas 1 Comment

Florida Strawberry Festival with www.goepicurista.com

Florida Strawberry Festival is a “Must-See” event in Central Florida

Where else can you get mounds and mounds of fresh-picked strawberries, an awesome world-famous strawberry shortcake, midway rides, concerts, old-fashioned candy, unique burger creations and any food you can imagine fried or “on a stick”? The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida of course.  If this is one of those events that for the longest time you’ve been telling your friends and family “we should go someday” then #MakeSomedayHappen and GO!  This is what goEpicurista is all about! It is currently going on until Sunday March 9th in Plant City, Florida.

Why am I telling you to go? Because it was an incredibly fun day shared with my family and friends.  

The first time I went to the Florida Strawberry Festival was in 2007 with my sister, Carolyn. We loved going to fun events together as long as there was food involved, and was there ever! We had a blast watching the little pigs races and eating our way around the festival fairgrounds, sampling all sorts of goodies and fair foods you don’t normally get the chance to eat. We didn’t even have time to go to the concerts or on any of the midway rides, the food and the strawberries were enough to make this foodie happy with a full day of fun.  

Florida Strawberry Festival with www.goepicurista.com

Carolyn & I Selfie

We had such a great time that I got a group of friends and neighbors together, packed up in a van and drove the 50 minute ride from Orlando to Plant City down I-4. Not a bad ride until you get to Plant City exit 19 and then the line of cars can be pretty long as it seems everyone in the world is headed in the same direction: towards the strawberries.  I recommend going early in the morning when it opens at 10am as the lines get longer as the day progresses.  When you arrive you can find parking easily on the streets or in the designated parking areas. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child 6-12 years old. You can purchase tickets online here or at the ticket window. Participating Publix stores are also offering discounted tickets at $8 per adult and $4 per child.

Florida Strawberry Festival with www.goepicurista.com

Fun Day with Friends!

Here are my Top 9 Reasons to Visit the Florida Strawberry Festival:

1. The Strawberries:


What did you think would be reason #1? Of course it’s the strawberries. The Florida Strawberry Festival, ranked among the Top 40 Fairs in North America, celebrates the harvest and the 2,800+ farmers in Hillsborough County that have worked hard all season for us to enjoy their ripe and luscious fruits and vegetables. Did you know that there are over 10,000 acres of strawberries planted in the area? That’s a lot of strawberries for shortcakes, pies, milkshakes, dipping in chocolate and eating by the handfuls. These fresh-picked berries are everywhere so make sure you pick up a flat or two to bring home. Plus strawberries are full of antioxidants so the health benefits will help balance out all the crazy fair foods you are bound to enjoy.

Florida Strawberry Festival

Learning about Strawberry Production

Florida Strawberry Festival with www.goepicurista.com

Strawberries dipped in Chocolate – one of the many ways to enjoy this fruit!

2. The Strawberry Shortcake:


You can’t go to the Florida Strawberry Festival without having the world-famous Strawberry Shortcake. This one is made with a thick slice of pound cake, topped with strawberries and heaping mounds of whipped cream. I prefer the fresh strawberries instead of the strawberries in sugar so ask if they have this option available. If shortcake is not your thing (which I honestly can’t imagine why, but I don’t judge!), then you can sample deliciously thick milkshakes, healthy smoothies, crepes or decadent strawberries dipped in chocolate.

Florida Strawberry Festival

World-Famous Strawberry Shortcake

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Strawberry Shortcake Line is not always short!

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Many Ways to Enjoy Strawberries

3. The Crazy Fair Food:


My first advice for anyone going to the Florida Strawberry Festival is “go hungry!” The food choices are plentiful and while strawberries are incredibly healthy and good for you, this is not the day to watch your diet.  This is a day where you try as many crazy foods on a stick and deep-fried as you can find. It seems you can put anything on a stick: chicken, steak, ribs, pickles, cheesecake and even butter! Some of my favorite foods were the fresh squeezed lemonade, thin-cut potato chips, the fried green tomatoes, the fried Oreos and the Doughnut hamburger, a concoction made of a full cheeseburger with meat patty, cheese, lettuce and tomato sandwiched between Krispy Kreme Donuts. No, I don’t want to know how many calories that was. Yes, it was really good and totally worth it! My recommendation is always to share with your friends and spread the calories around. This way you get to try as many different dishes as possible without overdoing it.

Florida Strawberry Festival

Potato Chips never tasted so good!

Florida Strawberry Festival

Good Ole Fried Green Tomatoes

Florida Strawberry Festival

You can find anything on a stick!

Florida Strawberry Festival

Doughnut Burger & Fried Oreos – A Winning Combination!

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Doughnut Burger was really good!

4. The Candy Store:


The best part of the day was getting to spend it with friends doing things we don’t normally do. The Florida Strawberry Festival is a great event to include the kids and my friend’s boys had a blast, especially in the candy store. Here you can find all the old-fashioned candy you remember from when you were a kid, from gum balls, lollipops, laffy taffy, caramels, chocolates, and more, you will find any candy your sugar-loving heart desires. My basket was full of caramels! A word of caution, candy here can get very expensive when you give kids a basket and tell them to pick whatever they want, or when you give me a basket and don’t give me at time limit for shopping! The candy is $3.99 per half-pound and those pounds add up fast (no pun intended to the pounds that they add to your waistline too!).  $50 worth of candy later, we were ready to zip through the fair on a BIG sugar high.

Florida Strawberry Festival

Candy Candy & More Candy

5. The Pig Races:


This was one of the most fun activities you could watch. Little piggies racing around a track with a promise of Oreos at the end. It’s kind of like childhood! (“good girl, here’s a cookie!”) These are so popular that the stands fill up quick and you are usually at standing room only in the back. The kids were able to watch sitting on shoulders. Lucky little ones!

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Pig Races & The Fans

6. The Entertainment:


Enjoy headline concerts from popular country stars of yesterday and today at 3:30pm and 7:30pm each day on the Wish Farms Soundstage. 3,000 tickets are provided for free (yes I said FREE!) each day on a first-come, first-seated basis. Reserved seats are available for $15 and up depending on the show which is a bargain! There are also several free shows by local and regional talent each day as well as celebrity appearances from TV personalities. And it wouldn’t be a food festival if it didn’t have an eating contest where you will see those brave souls with the toughest stomachs battle it out for fame and glory (and maybe a small prize) eating corn dogs, strawberry shortcake or mashed potatoes! Check out the schedule of events.

Florida Strawberry Festival

Fun & Friends at the Fair

Florida Strawberry Festival

Many ways to be silly at the fair!

7. The Small Town Feeling:


The Florida Strawberry Festival is a slice of Americana. This is where I am reminded that there are farms here in Florida.  How often we forget where our food comes from when we only shop at the grocery store. Going to the Strawberry Festival is like being in a small town, where the Strawberry Queen and Princesses reign supreme and people in the community all come together to celebrate the harvest. This is like how you see Small Town USA in movies such as Footloose (minus the crazy preacher and the no-dancing rule) or like Hope Floats or Doc Hollywood. It’s easy to forget that in Central Florida, once you leave the Disney area, you have all of these quaint little towns with great people making a living the old-fashioned way, from the land.  Do I sound nostalgic? Yes, but isn’t that what traveling and exploring is all about? It’s about finding pockets of culture different from your own. At the Florida Strawberry Festival you will find the Neighborhood Village showcasing homemade and handcrafted items from folks in the community. If you’re interested in quilts, cake-decorating, baking, food preservation, jewelry & beading, needlepoint scrap-booking and more, you must check out the Neighborhood Village.

Florida Strawberry Festival

Boys and their toys

8. The Midway Rides & Games:


The Florida Strawberry Festival is a fair, and all fairs must have midway rides. Is that a rule? I don’t know but it sure seems like it. Here you will find all those crazy ones that flip you around together with your tamer ones like the Ferris Wheel. There is something for everyone! And if you ever wanted a big green stuffed animal, you can get it here too. For about a bazillion tries! Don’t do the math to figure out you just paid over $50 bucks for a stuffed animal you could have gotten at Walmart for a third of the price, it will ruin the fun! Special entertainment values are offered on certain days where you can purchase a wristband to ride most rides for one low price. During the week you will find the Ride-A-Thon Days and Friday and Saturday nights are Moonlight Magic from 10:00pm-2:00am and Sundays are Pepsi Family Days where guests can bring a specially marked Pepsi can to receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride all day. That is a great deal!

Florida Strawberry Festival

How would you like to take home this big green stuffed animal?

9. The Fresh Produce:


Even before you enter the Festival grounds you will see different vendors with not just fresh-picked strawberries but all sorts of beautiful fruits and vegetables.  Keep them in mind and pick some up to take home at the end of the day. #EatLocal and support our local farmers.

Florida Strawberry Festival

#EatLocal with Wish Farms Strawberries

For whatever reasons you choose to go to the Florida Strawberry Festival, the main thing is just go!  Don’t put it off to “someday”.  The memories I have of going to the Festival with my sister and sharing a strawberry shortcake and cheesecake on a stick are priceless. And of course, I will never forget laughing with my friends at our $50 candy collection and all the crazy foods we ate. These are memories I will cherish forever. Go and celebrate life and make your Florida Strawberry Festival memories. It’s more than just strawberries, I promise!

For all Florida Strawberry Festival Information, visit their website.

You may wonder why there are only Top 9 reasons on my list in this world of Top 10 lists? Because I don’t know everything and you may have your own great reasons to add to the list that I want to hear about. I like to be open to recommendations so please share them in the comments below. What are your favorite memories of the Florida Strawberry Festival?

GO Epicurista!

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Filed Under: Go Travel & Dine Orlando Tagged With: Central Florida, Eat Local, Events, Florida Strawberry Festival, friends, Make Someday a Reality, Orlando, Things To Do

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About Christina Thomas

I'm Christina, a hospitality consultant, freelance writer, food & travel enthusiast, brand cheerleader, ice cream fanatic, chocoholic, and eternal optimist on a mission to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. Celebrating life with great food, wine and friends throughout Central Florida and everywhere I GO! I want to inspire you to take time out of your busy schedule to do the same. GO celebrate life today, for someday may never come. Join me and GO Epicurista!

Comments

  1. Zubair says

    01/10/2015 at 4:42 am

    Such Sort of events are necessary to refresh yourself as there are lots of to do activities with your friends, family members and with people to whom you concerned about. Moreover in the age of Mobile Devices, Fun Portals can provide entertaining stuff on daily basis as you just need to keep visiting these sites in order to remain attach with your friends globally.

    Reply

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I'm Christina, a hospitality consultant, freelance writer, food & travel enthusiast, brand cheerleader, ice cream fanatic, chocoholic, and eternal optimist on a mission to #MakeSomedayHappen one delicious bite, sip and trip at a time. Celebrating life with great food, wine and friends throughout Central Florida and everywhere I GO! I want to inspire you to take time out of your busy schedule to do the same. GO celebrate life today, for someday may never come. Join me and GO Epicurista! Find out more...

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“I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, no “I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the year’s.” — Henry Moore (hosted)⠀
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I decided this year not to set crazy unrealistic new year’s resolutions. I think I’m much happier for it! Every day I set my intentions and goals, and I think today is a good day to indulge! 🤣 ⠀
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The "Palate Coffee Bub Sundae" at @palate_bubsandicecream in @historicdowntownsanford combines my favorite treats, which I’ve tried to give up in the past and couldn’t! Coffee, chocolate and ice cream.⠀
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The made to order, warm and fluffy on the inside crispy on the outside, bubble waffle cone was filled with coffee and chocolate ice cream, chocolate covered espresso beans, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and EXTRA goodness!⠀
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The Kadolph / Lemmon family behind Palate Bubs & Ice Cream also own Sanford's favorite coffee shop @palatecoffeebrewery across the street and have continued their "Love Missions" with proceeds from both businesses funding initiatives to end human trafficking and help victims heal via @lovemissionsglobal. ⠀
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That’s a treat filled to the brim with goodness that you can feel good about indulging in!⠀
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Today is “Ditch The New Year’s Resolutions Day!” and here’s what I propose: ⠀
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🍦 Be kind to yourself. ⠀
🍦 Make progress towards your goals one step & one day at a time. ⠀
🍦 Celebrate each win! ⠀
💕 Reward yourself... and, indulge every once in a while! ⠀
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👉🏼 Read all about this and all the Sanford sweet treats we’ve discovered in an article Lisa Wilk of @tastecooksip and I wrote for HistoricDowntownSanford.com which will be published on Monday 1/18! ⠀
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You can also check out other fun articles we’ve written about all the foodie options to enjoy in this charming district for a day of #Sanfording, from cocktails to craft beer to healthy eats.⠀
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Go plan a Dessert Crawl in #HistoricDowntownSanford! #MakeSomedayHappen⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #palateicecream  #ditchthenewyearsresolutions
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring. — David Bowie (hosted)⠀
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You’ll never be bored with an @everglazed_fl treat in your hand. And if you love surprises, Get the Funky Chicken Sandwich or the Breakfast Sammie at this new donut shop in @disneysprings ⠀
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The decadent dessert-like donuts and cold brews might catch your attention first, but these fantastic sandwiches are the sleeper hits! ⠀⠀
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“Born and Glazed in Florida” big enough to share (if you want 😉) and served for breakfast ALL day. Great for those of us who love to eat breakfast late in the day.⠀
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Sandwiches are served on a buttery sweet bun or you can level up and get it on a griddled glazed donut for $1 more! ⠀
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👉🏼 Read all about this new donut shop delighting Disney fans on GoEpicurista.com ⠀
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Happy Weekend! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #GOepicDisney #MakeSomedayHappen #Everglazed #DisneySprings
“You’ll never get bored when you try something “You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do.” — Dr. Seuss (hosted)⠀
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It’s never boring in @TheMilkDistrict and while it may be named after local landmark T.G. Lee Dairy factory, there’s a plethora of plant based and vegan options in this progressive neighborhood to get excited about! ⠀
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For #veganuary they’ve renamed it “The Almond Milk District” to encourage all of us to enjoy more meat-free and plant based foods, drinks and products. If you're vegan-curious, now’s the time to try something new! ⠀
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During a recent media tour, I was so delighted with all the tasty plant based options we found!⠀
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👉🏼 Go to GoEpicurista.com for a full review and list of all participating businesses! ⠀
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🍺 A variety of vegan beers and menu options including tasty sandwiches at @sidewardbrewing - try the Tempeh Reuben! ⠀
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🍵 We learned about the benefits of CBD and sampled cold hemp tea at #TheHempDepot with @davidcbd_dispensary⠀
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🌮 It was Taco Time at @restaurantmxtaco  where chef Ryan Manning's fantastic hongo sikil pak with pumpkin seed pesto, camote con mole taco, vegan birria tacos, quesadillas, rice bowl and guacamole all left us wanting more!⠀
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🥪 At @pompomsteahouse , warm pumpkin spiced tea with a bourbon kick paired with the Vegan Pom, Tuscan Melt and Dreamwich sandwich bites got us excited. Have you ever had a sandwich with noodles? Soooo good! ⠀
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🥛 At @juicebarorlando, owner Susan Buttery treated us to her fresh cold pressed juices, hummus, and a fantastic chia seed muffin with almond milk. It was all so good I brought more home. The Sassy Grassy and Spice of Life juices I could drink every day!! ⠀
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🍪 We ended our tour at @MarketonSouth - champions of 100% vegan eats in this district since 2015, we tried a variety of southern style BBQ sliders, Mac n’ Cheese and spicy chik'n dippers from @dharmafinevittles & scrumptious cookies and donuts from @valhallabakery ⠀
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Read more about it on the blog and go support these fantastic local businesses. The promotion with AMD specials is thru January, however you’ll find vegan and plant based options year-round. ⠀
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#MakeSomedayHappen #GoEpicOrlando #TheMilkDistrict
“Everywhere you go, take a smile with you.” - “Everywhere you go, take a smile with you.” - Sasha Azevedo (hosted) ⠀
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Who said anything about a diet in January? We need smiles right now. 😃 Happiness, donuts, coffee and smiles go hand in hand, don’t you think?⠀
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@everglazed_fl is now open in @disneysprings and I spent a sugar rush fueled morning learning all about this new donut and coffee shop. But there’s much more than donuts, I found plenty of surprises and even some really good things for the community. Donuts are simply the conduit to happiness! ⠀
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Here I am with one of my favorites - Reese's Nitro & Peanut Butter Explosion Donut. This is dessert for breakfast, lunch and dinner! ⠀
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👉🏼 Check out my full review on GoEpicurista.com, find out my favorites, my least favorites, and learn more about why you may want to add Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew to your list of places to dine at on your next Walt Disney World visit.⠀
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There’s so much to bring us down in the world right now. A sugar high is guaranteed to bring spirits up. Smiles guaranteed. 😃⠀
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“There is no cure for birth and death save to en “There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.” - George Santayana⠀
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Hello 2021! May we enjoy the interval more than ever this year. It's time for "The Cure".... 😉⠀
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Got any plans for the first day of the year? ⠀
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@raglanroadpub in @disneysprings is celebrating with their popular "Rollicking Raglan Weekend Brunch" today and their fantastic “The Cure” signature Bloody Mary. ⠀
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Dig into a phenomenal brunch menu of delicious offerings ranging from The Full Irish breakfast and Pancakes Diaspora to the OMG Burger and the pub’s famous Fish & Chips – a premium 10-ounce North Atlantic beer-battered cod filet.  Enjoy live Irish entertainment (starting at noon) while you sip “The Cure” or one of their epic Irish coffees. ⠀
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Space is limited so reservations are encouraged at 407/938-0300 or online. ⠀
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👉🏼 Check out GoEpicurista.com for more details on the best Bloody Mary & Weekend Brunches in Orlando including Raglan Road Irish Pub. ⠀
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Slainte! Cheers to a better 2021! 🎉🥂 #GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen
"Acknowledging the good that you already have in y "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." - Eckhart Tolle⠀
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In a year that will never be forgotten, there's still so much I'm grateful for. ⠀
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💫  Life. We made it this far! ⠀
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💕  Love. There will never be a day I'm not most grateful for my husband, my family and my dear friends. If you're reading this - I'm grateful for YOU!⠀
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🥂  Fun. Yes! Despite the challenges of this pandemic. We adapted. And we searched for joy in every turn. ⠀
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✨  We got creative in the kitchen⠀
✨  We enjoyed the outdoors & went for more walks than ever before⠀
✨  We used Zoom, What's App & social media to stay connected⠀
✨  We attempted to learn new skills in the early days (remember March?!) ⠀
✨  We watched a lot of TV! (Schitt’s Creek, Ted Lasso, Killing Eve, The Queen’s Gambit, Mandalorian & even Tiger King got us thru it!)⠀
✨  We heard the words “pivot” “unprecedented” & “hunker down” way too much. ⠀
✨ “We’re in this together” has a new meaning ⠀
✨  We were distanced yet became much more aware of the world around us ⠀
✨  We had our eyes opened to the harsh inequalities that exist and the importance of speaking out ⠀
✨  We appreciated quality experiences over quantity and became much more selective of where we went when we left the house⠀
✨  Staycations did wonders for our mental health. Thank you @wyndhamgrandorl and @waldorforlando for epic "getaways"! ⠀
✨  In the year of "Take Out" we were awed by epic "At Home Experiences" Thank you @newstandardwp & @tavernaopaorl (Read about them on GoEpicurista.com) ⠀
✨  We were inspired by the tenacity & creativity of small business owners, restaurateurs & food'preneurs who worked so hard to survive & thrive (so many to mention!)⠀
✨  We were encouraged for the future of our hospitality industry by new openings like Knife & Spoon @ritzcarltonorlando & revamps like Henry Moso's @kabooki_orlando 2.0 - The Most Epic Meals of 2020!⠀
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There were so many things on my “To Do List” that didn't get checked off. But for today, I'm choosing simply to be grateful for this moment. ⠀
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Wishing you loads of abundance & joy. Happy New Year 2021!⠀
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#MakeSomedayHappen
“No matter how hard the past, you can always beg “No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” — Buddha (hosted)

Hope for a better new year. Hope is all we can hang on to. That and a glass of champagne! 😉🥂

As I reflect back on this difficult year, there's still so much to be grateful for. I'm mostly grateful for the friendships that have sustained me and the continued partnerships with my favorite local businesses that have inspired me to keep GoEpicurista going. And, while we didn't travel or dine out much in 2020, we did manage to enjoy a few fabulous staycations and epic meals in Orlando that truly made our spirits bright. More than ever I appreciate now, it's about "Quality vs. Quantity."

Our dinners at Bull & Bear at @waldorforlando and La Luce at @bonnetcreek were epic! I'm still dreaming of that beef carpaccio and the pasta explosion and the perfectly cooked filet and.... all the perfectly paired wines. 

If you haven't dined at Bull & Bear and La Luce or if its been a while, add them to your list and make it a point to GO! 2021 needs all the goodness you can bring! 

Make any day a celebration. Seriously, life is too short. #MakeSomedayHappen

🎉 If you don't have plans for New Year's Eve, La Luce and Bull & Bear are serving fabulous multi course menus to help you say “Hello 2021” in style! 

👉🏼 Check out GoEpicurista.com for a full list of all the festive ways to celebrate in Orlando on 12/31.

#GoEpicOrlando #WAOFoodie #HBCFoodie #WaldorfOrlando #HiltonBonnetCreek
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is yo “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. — Micheal Altshuler⠀
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Everyone’s asking “Are you ready for 2021?” And as much as I want to say YES and put this crazy year in the rear view mirror, I also have a long "To Do List" to get done before the year is over. 😩  Where does the time go? Am I the only one who feels like the days are just flying by? ⠀
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Speaking of blink and you miss it moments, I couldn’t believe when I heard @seitobp is celebrating their 20th Anniversary! It's one of my favorite sushi spots in town and I'm sad to say it's been a while since my last visit. This lobster claw sushi is a throwback of a most epic dinner there! ⠀
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If you haven't been to Seito in Baldwin Park, now's the time to visit or re-visit. They're celebrating with over $2K in giveaways! (Follow on social for details!) Plus featuring a fantastic special multi-course menu of old favorites and new flavors this week. ⠀
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Congratulations to Jason and Sue Chin, the talented "pilots" of the Good Salt Restaurant Group. They've filled Orlando's culinary scene with loads of flavor with Seito, @theospreyorlando and @reyesmezcaleria with a 4th restaurant @themonroeorlando coming to give more to look forward to in 2021! ⠀
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Cheers to local restaurants doing good! 🥂⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #SeitoBaldwinPark
“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to c “Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.'” — Alfred Lord Tennyson (hosted)⠀
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It’s the last Monday of 2020! 🎉 How about ushering 2021 with a little sweetness and lots of hope? These gorgeous @sweetbyholly mini cupcakes are the perfect treat for your NYE party safe at home. ⠀
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The New Year’s Eve 6 Pack is only $6, available for pick up on 12/30 & 12/31⠀
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👉🏼 Quantities are limited so it’s best to Pre-Order,  online or by phone.⠀
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Good Riddance 2020! Cheers to a happier and sweeter 2021! 🥂🧁⠀
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How are you celebrating this New Year’s Eve? Please stay safe & celebrate responsibly so we can all enjoy a happier 2021. 😷 ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #SweetByHolly #NewYearsEve
"I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup "I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer." 🎶 —Johnny Marks and Burl Ives⠀
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What festive cocktail will be in your cup of cheer this New Year’s Eve? ⠀
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I loved this gorgeous sangria at Capa in @fsorlando 🍹 The bartenders at the posh resort’s restaurants are some of the best in town, and a great place to welcome 2021, whether you’re craving a Spanish feast at  Capa with a fab Gin Tonic or sangria, Ravello’s Italian cuisine with a Lavender Sgroppino Prosecco cocktail or Cranberry Old Fashioned (recipes below!), Plancha’s mojitos, PB&G indulgent Chocolate Peppermint Martini, or The Lobby Bar’s “Be Gone 2020” - You know there’s plenty of cheer! ⠀
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👉🏼 SAVE THIS POST! ⠀
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👍🏼 Check out GoEpicurista.com for my fun festive and safe ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Orlando including Four Seasons Resort!⠀
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Here’s 2 fun cocktail recipes for a delightful Four Seasons Orlando experience at home.⠀
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🥃 Cranberry Old Fashioned⠀
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1 oz “Cranberry Simple”: fresh cranberries, water, and sugar. Simmer one cup of cranberries with sugar (about ¼ cup or to preferred sweetness) and 2 cups of water in a pan on medium heat, and then reduce to low heat. Once cranberries are tender, strain out the cranberries, and the remainder serves as the cranberry simple syrup.⠀
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1 oz Bourbon⠀
3 Drops Cranberry Bitters⠀
1 Dash Angostura⠀
1 Lemon Wedge⠀
Sprig of thyme⠀
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Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir. Strain into a rocks glass over an ice sphere. Squeeze in and add the lemon wedge. Garnish with a sprig of thyme. Enjoy!⠀
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🍾 Lavender Sgroppino⠀
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3 oz Lemon Sorbet⠀
2 oz Prosecco⠀
.5 oz Lavender Infused Vodka⠀
Sprig of rosemary⠀
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Scoop the lemon sorbet into a Champagne flute, and then add the vodka. Top with Prosecco. Garnish with rosemary. ⠀
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Cheers!⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #FSConnectsAtHome #FSOrlando
"The party's on, the feeling's here that only come "The party's on, the feeling's here that only comes this time of year." —Paul McCartney⠀
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We're all anxiously looking forward for 2020 to end and a more hopeful 2021 to arrive.  Aren't we? How will you celebrate on New Year's Eve this year? ⠀
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I'm happy as long as I have a glass of bubbles in my hand. I plan to order takeout and welcome the new year in my PJs at home. The 2020 way! LOL! 🥂⠀
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👉🏼 Check out GoEpicurista.com for my extensive list of options for festive ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in Orlando - whether you're looking for a multi-course dinner prepared by a talented chef, a theme party, to be entertained at an outdoor concert, or like me, to order a holiday feast to go. ⠀
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One of my favorite restaurants in Orlando, @reelfishcoastal is bringing back their 1.5 lb Maine lobster special for only $39 in addition to their fantastic full menu including the best selection of fresh oysters in town to ring in the new year! Best part is you can order it all to go! ⠀
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Of course, if you choose to dine in, they’re following all safety protocols. ⠀
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Enjoy "GET REEL" Happy Hour from 4-7p, Bottomless Champagne for only $20.21 starting at 4pm, Live DJ from 7:30pm until late and complimentary champagne toast when the clock strikes 12midnight! Make reservations as space is limited. Call (407) 543-3474 or visit: ReelFishCoastal.com ⠀
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Cheers to 2021! We can't wait! ⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #ReelFishCoastal #NewYearsEve
“Will you please tell Santa that instead of pres “Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back.” – Kevin, Home Alone ⠀
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Merry Christmas Everyone🎄 Kevin may have wanted a cheese pizza but he wanted his family more. I know the feeling. Today I got both!⠀
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There’s no better present than spending time with family, even if that means having a pizza party on Zoom. ⠀
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So many of us are missing our families this year and so we’ve gotten creative. We may have even started a new Xmas tradition. ⠀
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From Portland, Oregon to Orlando, Florida. Dominican Republic to Chicago. We all gathered on Zoom, made pizza, played trivia games, did a scavenger hunt and had an amazing time! ⠀
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For our pizzas, I used @bredinbk ready made crust and topped with roasted peppers, prosciutto, roasted garlic, arugula and my favorite, local Orlando made, family owned Dicuru @freshmozzarellausa. Vladimir and his nephew Jorge are the nicest guys and their Burrata and mozzarella is by far the best in town! ⠀
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👉🏼 Look for Dicuru in your grocery store or order direct from them. I love supporting family owned and run small businesses like them. ⠀
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The holidays are all about family. I’m grateful to be able to spend it with mine even if it’s virtually. While some are no longer with us, their memories will always remain in our hearts. ⠀
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Scroll to see my family Xmas pizza party. The best present was the last video. 💕 😊 🍕🎄⠀
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Merry Christmas! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #DicuruMozzarella #ChristmasonZoom
“From what we get, we can make a living; what we “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” - Arthur Ashe⠀
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Thank you for following my @GoEpicurista journey. I’m so grateful for each one of you who reads, comments and shares my posts. You inspire me! Together we #MakeSomedayHappen 💕 ⠀
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It’s Christmas Eve and I have some yummy cupcakes for YOU! ⠀
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But this isn’t your traditional #GIVEAWAY...⠀
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@sweetbyholly was so kind to give me gift certificates for their fab mini cupcakes and I would love to pay it forward and give them to YOU or anyone who needs a little cheer this time of year.⠀
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The holidays can be tough, this year more than ever. If you or someone you know needs some sweetness in their life, please leave a comment below. 😊⠀
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Maybe you know a front line health care worker, first responder, teacher or delivery driver, restaurant staff or anyone who’s had a really tough year. Tag them in the comments and let them know you care. ⠀
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I know these are just cupcakes. They won’t change the world. But I guarantee they will bring a smile to their face. Sometimes that can make a world of difference. 😄⠀
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This is not your typical GIVEAWAY. ⠀
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I’m not asking you to FOLLOW @GoEpicurista or @sweetbyholly or LIKE this post to win - although it would be nice 😊⠀
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👉🏼 Simply leave a comment & TAG the person you want to bring a little cheer to. ⠀
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👉🏼 Tag as many people as you want by leaving separate comments. ⠀
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👉🏼 The winner does have to live in Orlando area to pick up their cupcakes.⠀
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👍🏼 4 winners will be selected at random on 12/25 and each will receive (1) six pack of awesome mini cupcakes from Sweet By Holly. ⠀
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Winners will be notified by DM. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Instagram. ⠀
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🧁 If you’re interested in bringing some cheer to your loved ones this season, pick up a HollyDay Dozen TODAY! Scroll to see how pretty!⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #SweetByHolly #merrychristmaseveryone🎄
“OK, what about the gift situation then? Because “OK, what about the gift situation then? Because everything on my list requires pre-order." — David Rose, #SchittsCreek⠀
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Looking for last minute local gift ideas for the #OrlandoFoodie in your life? ⠀
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Treat your friends and family to something they can look forward to using! You know they’ll love their favorite dish or cocktail at their favorite restaurant, like this festive “Christmas in Singapour” at @eathawkers. ⠀
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Restaurant gift cards always come in handy. And they help support our local restaurants, which need it more than ever. Plus they’re great for those of us who are last minute shoppers. 🙈⠀
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Many restaurants like Hawkers are offering bonuses! ⠀
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#Hawkerdays gift card promotion is going on now through 12/31. The more you spend, the more you receive! You get $5 bonus gift card for every $25 gift card purchased, and no one has to know if you keep the bonus! 😉 ⠀
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Have you finished your Xmas shopping?⠀
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Happy Holidays! 🎄 ⠀
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#GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #HolidayGifts #SaveRestaurants
“Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather a “Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance — each beautiful, unique, and gone too soon.” —Deborah Whipp⠀
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This year has certainly made us cherish the memories of great times spent with loved ones sharing yummy food, laughing and living life. They are such fleeting moments, gone too soon. ⠀
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I'll tell you what else goes fast, and that's these gorgeous @dgdoughnuts 💕 ⠀
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I didn't know they were named the best donut in the State of Florida on Yelp but I can see why! ⠀
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They're so creative, made in small batch, hand rolled, hand cut and hand decorated daily with inventive flavors that change weekly. They sell out quickly so if there's a flavor you want, be sure to get there early or order ahead. Definitely a Must Eat!⠀
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These are "Fancy Pants" Donuts! ⠀
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And if you want a boozy treat to celebrate the season, check out the ones with a pipette shot! ⠀
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The "Coquito" filled with sweet coconut custard, topped with a pipette of @bacardi  limited edition Coquito cream rum and Jack Daniels Caramel Winter Apple filled with spiced apple filling topped with dulce de leche rosettes and a pipette of of @jackdaniels Winter Jack Tennessee Whiskey are sure to make a fun celebration! ⠀
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#SupportLocal #EatLocal this holiday season! Forget the calories. Indulge! It's 2020 after all! ⠀
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Thank you @bebefehr for sharing! #GoEpicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #dgdoughnuts
"The best time for ice cream is always." — Unkno "The best time for ice cream is always." — Unknown⠀
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Just because it’s the #wintersolstice doesn’t mean you can’t have ice cream! Do you like frozen treats even if it’s cold outside? I do! 🍦 Especially when it’s a festive cone like this one at @peterbrookewp in Winter Park. ⠀
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If you’re looking for some delicious gifts this holiday season, don’t forget to support our local small businesses. ⠀
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Peterbrooke has some amazing chocolate treats for everyone on your list and while you’re there you might as well treat yourself to some gelato too! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #SupportLocal #SupportSmallBusinesses
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singi “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” - Buddy The Elf (hosted)⠀
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Here’s my recipe for Christmas Cheer:⠀
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✅ Creative Holiday Cocktails⠀
✅ Yummy Asian Street Food⠀
✅ Fun Playlist to Jam, Dance & Sing!⠀
✅ Outdoor Patio for Comfortable Social Distancing⠀
✅ A great friend & business partner to share it with! ⠀
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Lisa @tastecooksip and I had a festive & productive work meeting at @eathawkers Mills location. Our first (masked) face to face meeting since the pandemic began in March! ⠀
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Thank goodness for Zoom but nothing beats face to face meetings to spark the creative juices! We have tons of fun stuff coming up for @figdigitalmedia including new ways to help our local small businesses get social media to work for them. ⠀
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We were totally jamming to the fun 90s playlist in their new outdoor patio. Maybe the new holiday cocktails had something to do with our festive mood? 😉⠀
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The OG Hawkers location now has a full bar and that’s reason to celebrate!⠀
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Check out these Holiday Cocktails, available until 12/31 at all locations:⠀
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🔥 “Get Toasted” - a rich mix of Coconut rum, house-made Vietnamese coffee liqueur, & Bailey's Irish cream. We played mixologist and added some Vietnamese Iced Coffee to it because, coffee!!! I love anything garnished with toasted marshmallows and a Pirouline cookie!! ⠀
 ⠀
🎅 “Santa's Nightcap” with Spiced rum, house-made five-spice simple, amaretto, evaporated milk, and coconut was coconutty. The gingersnap cookies & crushed cookie rim, would make Santa 😊⠀
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🎄 We loved “Christmas in Singapour” made of @hendricksgin, house-made rosemary simple, cranberry, pomegranate & lime juice. It came in a holiday ornament atop chilled cranberries and fresh rosemary for a stunning presentation. ⠀
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🫖 The “Hotty Toddy Christmas” is perfect for the cool weather we’re having with Bulleit rye whiskey, Masala chai black tea & saké⠀
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We dined on our Hawkers favorites: Roti, Edamame with chili, Shrimp Papaya Salad & Crispy Tofu Bites. ⠀
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The outdoor patio with twinkling lights and a fun @mills50district inspired mural is perfect for safe dining.⠀
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Cheers to being able to safely enjoy the holidays!⠀
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#GOepicOrlando
“When the going gets tough, the tough make cooki “When the going gets tough, the tough make cookies.” - Erma Bombeck⠀
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It’s been a tough year to say the least so I skipped the baking and got these cookies at @ritzcarltonorlando instead! ⠀
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I absolutely loved their crinkle cookies and the cranberry chocolate bark, and who could resist a gingerbread man? ⠀
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They were some of the treats found along our festive lakeside walk at the beautiful resort. We paired with a glass of bubbles, Coquito and Hot Chocolate. Perfect! ⠀
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Is baking cookies part of your holiday traditions? What’s your favorite cookie? ⠀
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How are you celebrating the holidays this year? ⠀
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👉🏼 I published an update to my “Top Orlando Hotels for Christmas Dining” on GoEpicurista.com and the Grande Lakes Resort comprised of Ritz Carlton and @jwmorlando is one my must visit favorites this holiday season! ⠀
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Several resorts are offering to go options this year for those who wish to dine lavishly at home but skip all the work. Check out the Knife & Spoon To Go feast for 4-6. It’s impressive! ⠀
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Happy Holidays! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #RCmemories #LoveOrlando #christmascookiesfordays
"Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned f "Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas." — Clark Griswold, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation⠀
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What’s your favorite holiday activity tradition?⠀
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I’ve been on a Xmas movie binge and never realized there were so many holiday movies out there! Scroll Netflix, Prime, and let’s not forget ALL the Hallmark Channel lineup and there’s every predictable holiday love story. It’s hilarious! I think I’ll stick to comedies like Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, and Elf and The Holiday & Love Actually for rom-coms. Of course I always watch White Christmas. It’s a classic! What are your favorites? ⠀
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Speaking of favorite holiday traditions, let’s talk about chocolate treats! ⠀
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One of my favorite local chocolate shops @peterbrookewp has everything you can dream of covered in chocolate. Popcorn, pretzels and Oreo cookies are my go to’s. They make great gifts for the chocolate lovers in your life. (Hint Hint 😉)⠀
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And if you’re looking for a fun activity the whole family will enjoy, pre-order a Chocolate House Decorating Kit. It comes with everything you need to make the most adorable - and delicious - chocolate house! ⠀
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Check out their IG and website for details. They offer curbside pickup, delivery and shipping too! ⠀
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Make the holidays as delicious as can be this year! God knows we all deserve it! ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #PeterbrookeWP #nationalchocolatecoveredanythingday
"We elves try to stick to the four main food group "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.” — Buddy the Elf (hosted)⠀
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I’ve been on a sugar high lately! Tis The Season, Right? But no complaints here! ⠀
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I got to check out the @sweetbyholly Christmas Collection of Mini Cupcakes and all I can say is “Sweet Golly Miss Holly”, Hollis Wilder, 3x @foodnetwork Cupcake Wars Champion, really outdid herself this year. ⠀
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Her and her team created the most gorgeous and scrumptious flavors. The cupcakes are super moist and fluffy, made with high quality ingredients like Valrhona chocolate and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla and there’s always a little surprise filling inside! ⠀
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#ShopLocal this season. The Hollyday Dozen is $25 and makes a perfect gift for your family and friends with a sweet tooth. ⠀
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2020 Hollyday Collection Flavors:⠀
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🧁 Birthday Cake⠀
🧁 Dirt (weird name, great flavor!) ⠀
🧁 Chocolate Mousse⠀
🧁 Peppermint Red Velvet ⠀
🧁 Hot Cocoa ⠀
🧁 Ginger Bread⠀
🧁 Banana Pudding ⠀
🧁 Cinna Bun⠀
🧁 White Raspberry⠀
🧁 Salted Caramel ⠀
🧁 White Chocolate Mocha⠀
🧁 Sugar Cookie ⠀
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👉🏼 Order online at at sweetByHolly.com. Available for pick up or delivery through 12/24. Closed Xmas Day.⠀
👉🏼 Check out their Instagram giveaways and sign up for their Sweet Club for 2 free cupcakes! ⠀
🍦 Kids get a FREE ice cream all month! CHILLINPEACE premium Italian imported ice cream in 8 delicious flavors with fun toppings and drizzles.⠀
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We all need a little sweetness in our lives, especially this year!⠀
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Today is #NationalCupcakeDay 🎉 Did you know one of the first recipes for a cupcake can be traced back to 1796!? ⠀
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Are you a cupcake fan? What flavor would you choose first? ⠀
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#GOepicOrlando #MakeSomedayHappen #SweetByHolly #HolidayTreats #MiniCupcakes
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What is Go Epicurista?

Your source for inspiration to take time out of your busy schedule and celebrate great food and wine experiences with friends everywhere you go! Let’s talk about Restaurants, Unique Events and Travel Experiences that belong on your “someday list.”

Don’t put off enjoying life with friends until someday. #MakeSomedayHappen Go Epicurista!

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