Flavors of Florida is back in 2025!

The Disney Springs festival celebrates flavors from the Sunshine State and features special foods and drinks at over 45 dining locations at the shopping and dining district. Not only do the amazing food and drinks blow us away, but we are also obsessed with the culinary series and pairing events. If you’re looking to get the full experience, you can learn more about booking them right here!

There are several things we love about Flavors of Florida! The food and drinks are amazing, you don’t need a park ticket, and there are several special events that make it an even better experience.

Starting off, there is a FREE Culinary Series hosted by Krogerwhere you can learn about how several of the dishes and drinks are made. They take place on Friday mornings throughout the festival and are hosted by Disney Springs chefs!

There are 6 demonstrations in the Culinary Series. The first is focused on the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar! Executive Chef Sebastion Amico and his team will demonstrate how to cook Florida Fresh Shrimp Etouffée. It’s shrimp locally sourced from the Florida Gulf, and a rich sauce is served over rice.

• About the Chef
  • Chef Sebastion, a talented executive chef from Argentina, brings a vibrant fusion of traditional Argentine flavors and modern culinary techniques to House of Blues.
• About the Event
  • Date: June 27, 2025
  • Time: 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Location: Waterview Park

Next is at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante! Executive Chef Benjamin L. Dodaro will prepare a Southeastern Sangria and Bruschetta alla Calabrese.

• About the Chef
  • Executive Chef Benjamin L. Dodaro attended The Culinary Institute of America, honing his cooking and management skills and graduating at the top of his class with an associate degree in culinary arts. Most recently, Chef Benjamin accepted the position of executive chef for The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Enzo’s Hideaway, and Pizza Ponte.
• About the Event
  • Date: July 4, 2025
  • Time: 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Location: Waterview Park

Splitsville Dining Room is the next focal point of the series! Executive Chef Patrick Steele will create Splitsville’s Southern Goddess Salad.

• About the Chef
  • Chef Patrick Steele, corporate executive chef for the Millennium Management Group (MMG), has more than 19 years of food and beverage experience. At Disney Springs, he oversees Splitsville Luxury Lanes, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen, and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew. Additionally, he shepherds 11 other eateries under the MMG umbrella.
• About the Event
  • Date: July 11, 2025
  • Time: 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Location: Waterview Park

Terralina Crafted Italian is the next in the series! Executive Chef Martin Chiaravalloti will cook the Florida Shrimp and Grits!

• About the Chef
  • Now serving as executive chef at Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs—his proudest accomplishment to date—Chef Martin creates unforgettable dining experiences, bringing his creativity, expertise and passion for Italian cuisine to every dish he serves.
• About the Event

• • Date: July 18, 2025
  • Time: 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Location: Waterview Park

For something sweet, you can learn from the Disney Springs Culinary Team! You can watch Pastry Chef De Cuisine Lexy Ross and her team create an Orange Mousse Entremet!

• About the Chef
  • Chef Lexy has been a Cast Member at Walt Disney World Resort for 15 years and has served as the pastry chef de cuisine at Amorette’s Patisserie for the past year.
• About the Event
  • Date: July 25, 2025
  • Time: 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Location: Waterview Park

Finally, you can learn at Frontera Cocina! Chef Carlos David Acosta Bautist will make the Cóctel de Camarones.

• About the Chef
  • Executive Chef Carlos David Acosta Bautista began his culinary journey at an early age, inspired by his mother and family traditions. Now, he’s embracing an exciting new chapter as executive chef—a role that reflects years of dedication, growth, and a deep commitment to the culinary excellence.
• About the Event
  • Date: August 1, 2025
  • Time: 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Location: Waterview Park

Spots for this series will fill up, so be sure to sign up to secure your spot as soon as you can! You can sign up for your specific class here. Outside of the free demonstrations, you can also check out the Pairing Events. These events are a paid experience, so be aware of that before you sign up! 

There are 9 Pairing Events in 2025, starting with Enzo’s Hideaway & Morimoto Asia.

• Take a 2-stop tour of locally inspired dishes and drinks beginning at Enzo’s Hideaway and concluding at Morimoto Asia. Dine on delicious Flavors of Florida menu items gathered from various Disney Springs eateries, including:
  • Fra’Diavola from Pizza Ponte
  • Hot Honey High Voltage Chicken Sandwich from The Edison
  • Bruschetta Calabrese from Enzo’s Hideaway
  • Florida Orange Sweet and Sour Grouper from Morimoto Asia
• All items feature locally harvested Petal honey and can be paired with refreshing libations such as:
  • Everglader from The Edison – St. Augustine Distillery New World Gin, Florida orange liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, and absinthe spritz
  • Sparkling Shiso Orange from Morimoto Asia – House-made shiso orange shrub, yuzu, and sparkling green tea.
  • Don’t miss your chance to delight in a vibrant mix of cuisine showcasing fresh seafood, citrus fruit,s and more that pay tribute to iconic Florida flavors.
• About the Event
  • Date: June 28, 2025
  • When: 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM
  • Where: Enzo’s Hideaway and Morimoto Asia

Jaleo by José Andrés is next in the pairing events! 

• Step into this open fire kitchen for a hands-on culinary experience where you will learn to craft a special Arroz de Verduras, made with locally sourced Florida vegetables.
• Be guided by talented chefs as you stir the pans, feel the heat, and bring your paella to life. While you cook, enjoy passed plates and Spanish favorites like Chicken Fritters and Tomato Bread. After cooking, sit down to enjoy the dish you created—paired with additional Spanish bites, refreshing sangria, and a delectable dessert.
• Plus, take home a souvenir from this experience! Each Guest will receive a Jaleo-branded apron.
• About the Event
  • Date: June 29, July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 3, and August 10, 2025
  • When: 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Where: Jaleo by José Andrés

Next up is The Edison!

• Raise your spirits at a lively pairing event where you’ll make your own cocktails. Follow along with expert mixologists as you prepare 3 dazzling concoctions made with local ingredients.
• Pair your sips with tasty morsels, including:
  • Honey Roasted Nuts
  • Key West Pink Shrimp and Corn Hushpuppies
  • A circuit board of Country Ham and House Buttermilk Biscuits
• About the Event
  • Dates: June 29; July 6, 13, 20, and 27; August 3 and 10, 2025
  • When: Noon to 2:30 PM
  • Where: The Edison

Frontera Cocina will allow you to savor a 4-course meal featuring Mexican cuisine and cocktails created for the event! The menu will include:

• Course One
  • Dish: Cured Faroe Islands Salmon Agua Chile – grapefruit, avocado, lime, serrano and cilantro
  • Cocktail: Malumita
• Course Two
  • Dish: Gunthorp Carnitas Enchiladas – green chile & tropical fruit sauce, Queso Añejo
  • Cocktail: Florida Groves Margarita
• Course Three
  • Dish: Grilled Creekstone Wagyu Strip Steak – spiny lobster & Florida corn esquites, charred knob onions and guajillo salsa
  • Cocktail: Aretha
• Course Four
  • Dish: Fresh-Made Churros with Mexican Dark Chocolate – Cafeto coffee liqueur sauce & key lime crema for dipping
  • Cocktail: Mezpresso Martini
• About the Event
  • Date: July 9, July 23, and August 6, 2025
  • When: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Where: Frontera Cocina

Wine Bar George is also getting in on the fun! It’s offering a multi-course lunch including:

• • The Big Board – a selection of artisanal meats and cheeses
  • Florida Street Corn Salad – cotija cheese, key lime crema and cilantro
  • Cornmeal Crusted Florida Soft Shell Crab – petite salad and roasted corn vinaigrette
  • Tres Leches Corn Bread – candied jalapeño ice cream
• Each course will be accompanied with a sommelier-led wine pairing.
• About the Event
  • Date: July 9 and August 6, 2025
  • When: Noon to 1:30 PM
  • Where: Wine Bar George – A Restaurant & Bar

Splitsville Dining Room will let you into their Master Mixology Class: A Toast to Florida! This class will teach you how these Florida-inspired drinks are made, and they will be paired with food. The pairings include:

• • Key West Breeze with Surf & Turf Sushi
  • Guava Lemonade with Veggie Flatbread
  • Spicy Watermelon with Potstickers
  • Key Lime Martini with Voodoo Shrimp
• About the Event
  • Date: July 15, 2025
  • When: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Where: Splitsville Dining Room

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ also has a pairing event for $100. You’ll start with the Honeybee cocktail and then dive into a flight of Bloody Marys, paired with the following dishes:

• • Church Lady Deviled Eggs
  • Savanna Bee Tupelo Chicken Biscuit Sandwich
  • Fried Green Tomatoes
  • Hushpuppies with pimento cheese and red pepper jelly
• Plus, at the end of your experience, take home a cocktail shaker, Tupelo Honey, and more!
• About the Event
  • Date: July 25, 2025
  • When: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Where: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’

Over at Paddlefish, you can enjoy a 5-course dinner and wine pairing. Start with a welcome appetizer and cocktail before enjoying the following:

• • Florida Gulf Shrimp and Pinot Grigio
  • Florida Grouper and Sauvignon Blanc
  • Short Rib and Red Blend
  • Orange Cake and White Riboli Gialla
• About the Event
  • Date: August 6, 2025
  • When: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Where: Paddlefish

Finally, The Polite Pig is offering a 5-course dinner for its pairing event!

• Course One
  • Dish: Chicken Fried Gator Lettuce Cups – chili lime barbecue
  • Beverage: Watermelon Bourbon Mule – St. Augustin straight bourbon, watermelon simple syrup, lemon juice and ginger beer
• Course Two
  • Dish: Smoked Pink Shrimp – orange pico de gallo, sweet citrus vinaigrette and rainbow chard
  • Beverage: Sour Derby – buffalo trace bourbon, grapefruit juice, honey syrup, lemon juice and grapefruit bitters
• Course Three
  • Dish: Cider Braised Pork Cheek – celery root puree and garlic greens
  • Beverage: Florida Orange Old Fashioned – Timber Creek Black Rye, Florida orange simple syrup, angostura and orange bitters
• Course Four
  • Dish: House Pastramied Duck Breast – summer sweet potato hash and warm pancetta vinaigrette
  • Beverage: Attitude is Everything – manifest rye, blueberry and thyme syrup, and lemon juice
• Course Five
  • Dish: Key Lime Tart – graham crust and whipped coconut cream
  • Beverage: St. Augustine Toasted Pour
• About the Event
  • Date: August 5, 2025
  • When: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Where: The Polite Pig

You can book your spot for the Pairing Events here. These paid events certainly come with all of the works, and we are super excited to see them returning along with the free culinary series in 2025! Flavors of Florida runs from June 27th through August 10th, 2025. As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates.

Come With Us To Check Out The Disney Food Festival You DON’T Need A Ticket For!

Will you try out any of these experiences? Tell us in the comments!