FusionFest, Orlando, FL (2026)

07/19/2026

🎤✨ Meet Our Backstage Interviewer – Alica!

Alica is the creator of Alica's Pepperpot, a food blog dedicated to preserving and sharing authentic Guyanese and Caribbean recipes.

In 2023, she won First Place in FusionFest's Home Cooks Competition and returned in 2024 and 2025 as FusionFest's Kitchen Host, connecting chefs and audiences throughout the Culinary Arts Contest.

This year, Alica returns as our Backstage Interviewer, bringing her passion for food and engaging personality behind the scenes. Get ready for exclusive interviews with our competing chefs as they share the inspiration, culture, and creativity behind their culinary creations.

Join us on July 21 & 23 at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and experience the excitement from every angle, from the kitchen to backstage!

📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
🕡 6:30–9:00 PM

Get your tickets:
https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/

AlicasPepperpot FoodStories OrlandoFoodies

07/18/2026

👨‍🍳 Meet the Judges | FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest 2026 🍽️

The countdown is on! We're proud to introduce the distinguished panel of judges who will evaluate this year's culinary creations and celebrate the incredible diversity of cultures through food.

✨ Chef Alex Erdmann – Dean of Valencia College's School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, German Certified Master Chef, and passionate educator inspiring the next generation of culinary professionals.

✨ Chef Patrick Story – Executive Chef of Hollerbach's German Restaurant, Chef Patrick has spent more than two decades leading one of Central Florida's premier dining destinations.

✨ Chef Leo Vilelat – Co-founder of Chabuca Restaurant, certified sommelier, and 2023 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest Champion, combining classical French technique with the vibrant flavors of Peru.

✨ Chef Jonathan Woodbury – Founder of The Legendary Experience and 2025 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest Champion, known for blending Southern flavors with global influences.

✨ Trudy Wild – A respected arts and culture leader and longtime FusionFest supporter, Trudy has dedicated more than 35 years to strengthening Central Florida's creative community.

✨ Idrees Khan – Creator of Eat N Cultures and curator of the past four FusionFest Culinary Arts Contests, celebrating immigrant- and minority-owned restaurants across Central Florida.

✨ Terry Olson – Cultural leader, former Director of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, and co-founder of FusionFest, whose passion for food reflects his lifelong commitment to building community through culture.

Together, these distinguished judges will evaluate each dish based on creativity, cultural storytelling, technique, presentation, and flavor.

📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
📅 July 21 & 23, 2026
🕡 6:30–9:00 PM

Join us for two unforgettable evenings where cultures meet through cuisine, creativity, and community. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

🎟️ Get your tickets today:

https://www.eventeny.com/events/

OrlandoFoodies UCFRosen S

07/15/2026

👨🏽‍🍳✨ Meet Chef Sajan

What began as a passion for cooking has become Chef Sajan’s profession and lifelong calling. Drawing inspiration from his Indian and Mediterranean heritage, he brings years of experience preparing Indian, Italian, and Moroccan cuisine, creating dishes that celebrate rich traditions and bold flavors.

For the past three years, Chef Sajan has served as a Corporate Chef at The Element, specializing in catering and large-scale culinary operations while continuing to craft memorable dining experiences for diverse audiences.

✨ Join us at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and discover what Chef Sajan will create for us! Experience the creativity, cultural inspiration, and unforgettable flavors behind his culinary creation.

FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest

Dates: July 21 & 23, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Come celebrate culture through food and experience an unforgettable evening of global flavors! 🌎🍽️

Purchase your tickets now:

https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/?srsltid=AfmBOorqEKeyD0TyOkvjO8XabZmvgJu3f_-3oypGuPCUz-q21l2LTfXl

07/13/2026

👨🏻‍🍳✨ Meet Chef Michael Martino of Mark Foods LLC

Chef Michael Martino has served as an Executive Chef in Charleston, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania, and as a chef at resorts near the Grand Canyon, Arizona. A five-time consecutive Pennsylvania Iron Chef champion, he is also a Research & Development Chef known for creating innovative recipes inspired by global flavors.

In 2026, Chef Michael traveled the world exploring diverse cuisines and cultures, from Italy to New Orleans and even the southernmost inhabited place on Earth, bringing fresh inspiration to every dish he creates.

✨ Join us on July 21 at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and discover what Chef Michael will create for us! Experience the creativity, global flavors, and culinary artistry behind his unique creation.

📅 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest
Dates: July 21 & 23, 2026
🕕 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Come celebrate culture through food and experience an unforgettable evening of creativity and global flavors! 🌎🍽️

07/13/2026

🌍 Vendor & Exhibitor Applications Are NOW OPEN! 🍽️🎨🛍️

Calling all food vendors, cultural artisans, merchandise vendors, nonprofit organizations, cultural displays, and visual artists!

Be part of the 9th Annual FusionFest Festival 2026, happening Thanksgiving Weekend, November 28 & 29, 2026, at Loch Haven Park.

FusionFest is the only festival in Central Florida dedicated exclusively to celebrating the many cultures that call our region home. This one-of-a-kind event brings communities together through authentic cuisine, arts & crafts, cultural merchandise, visual arts, cultural displays, music, dance, storytelling, fashion, and family-friendly experiences.

This year's theme, "The Art of Wellbeing," celebrates the cultures, traditions, and artistic expressions that nurture the mind, body, and spirit.

🌎 Showcase your culture. Share your creativity. Connect with thousands of festival guests from across Central Florida.

📅 Check the lunk for application deadlines.

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of Central Florida's International Arts & Culture Festival

Food Vendors:
https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=50353

Merchandaise
https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=50351

Visual Arts: https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=50342

Premium Vendors
https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=50352

Cultural Displays:
https://www.eventeny.com/events/vendor/?id=50345

FusionFest – Central Florida's International Arts & Culture Festival

CulturalArtisans VisualArts CulturalDisplays ShopLocal ThanksgivingWeekend

07/12/2026

👨🏽‍🍳✨ Meet Chef Joemar Torres, Owner of Anna's Empanada

Originally from Puerto Rico, Chef Joemar Torres has been passionate about cooking since childhood. For him, food is more than a meal, it's a heartfelt way to express love and bring people together.

As the owner of Anna's Empanada, Chef Joemar has spent the past 15 years sharing his culinary talents throughout Orlando. He also cooks for children through Alianza's Summer Camp and supports mental health initiatives, using food to nourish both body and spirit.

✨ Join us on July 23 at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and discover what Chef Joemar will create for us! Experience the flavors, creativity, and cultural inspiration behind his culinary creation.

📅 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest
Dates: July 21 & 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Come celebrate culture through food and experience an unforgettable evening of creativity, community, and global flavors! 🌎🍽️

Get your tickets:

https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/

07/11/2026

👨🏾‍🍳✨ Meet Chef Yves Desravines (Chef Rouge)

Born in New York City and raised in Florida, owner of Rouge Foods LLC, Chef Yves Desravines proudly embraces both his Haitian heritage and American upbringing.

Inspired by the traditional Haitian cooking he learned from his mother and enriched by the diverse culinary experiences of New York, Chef Yves creates dishes that celebrate culture, family, and community.

✨ Join us on July 23 at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and discover what Chef Yves will create for us! Experience the bold flavors, creativity, and cultural inspiration behind his culinary creation.

📅 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest
Dates: July 21 & 23, 2026
🕕 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Come celebrate culture through food and cheer on our talented chefs as they transform global traditions into unforgettable culinary experiences! 🌎🍽️

Get your tickets at:
https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/

07/10/2026

✨ Happy Friday, FusionFest family!

As we wrap up another wonderful week, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible partners and supporters who help bring the 9th Annual FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest to life.

Your generosity, collaboration, and commitment make it possible to celebrate talented chefs, honor the rich cultural diversity of Central Florida, and bring our community together through the universal language of food.

Join us for two unforgettable evenings of culinary excellence!

📅 July 21 & 23, 2026
🕡 6:30–9:00 PM
📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

We extend our sincere appreciation to our amazing partners:

🧡 Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs – This program is funded in part by Orange County Government through Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs.

🎭 United Arts of Central Florida – This program is supported in part by United Arts of Central Florida.

🏛️ UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management – Thank you for generously hosting the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and providing an outstanding venue for this celebration.

☕ Artifix Coffee – Thank you for providing exceptional coffee service. Be sure to enjoy the delicious flavors of Artifix Coffee while experiencing an evening filled with culinary artistry and cultural celebration.

📰 Orlando Life Magazine – Thank you to our valued media partner for helping share the stories of our talented local chefs, celebrating cultural diversity, and amplifying the spirit of FusionFest throughout our community.

To our partners, participants, judges, volunteers, and guests, thank you for making this event possible.

Together, we continue to celebrate the cultures that make Central Florida extraordinary and create meaningful connections through food, creativity, and community.

🎟️ Get your tickets today and join us for an unforgettable culinary journey!

https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/

ArtsAndCulture Community CelebrateCulture OrlandoEven

07/09/2026

👩🏻‍🍳✨ Meet Chef Karyna Moskalchuk

With more than eight years of professional experience as a sushi chef, Chef Karyna Moskalchuk is an award-winning culinary professional and entrepreneur.

Formerly the owner of two successful sushi restaurants in Ukraine, she now owns a catering company in the United States, where she continues to share her passion for exceptional sushi and culinary excellence.

An educator, researcher, and author, Chef Karyna is dedicated to innovation, quality, and sharing her expertise with the next generation of culinary professionals.

✨ Join us on July 21 at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and discover what Chef Karyna will create for us! Experience the artistry, creativity, and cultural inspiration behind her culinary creation.

📅 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest
Dates: July 21 & 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Come celebrate culture through food and experience the incredible talent of Central Florida's culinary community! 🌎🍣

Purchase your tickets now!
https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/

07/07/2026

👩🏿‍🍳✨ Meet Chef Fadila Kruger-Bryan of Whiskful Spice

A passionate South African chef and the 2025 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest Runner-Up, Chef Fadila Kruger-Bryan is known for crafting bold, imaginative dishes rooted in the rich and diverse flavors of South Africa.

Through Whiskful Spice, she blends global culinary traditions with authentic South African ingredients to create unforgettable dining experiences.

✨ Join us on July 23 at the FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest and discover what Chef Fadila will create for us! Experience the bold flavors, rich traditions, and creative spirit she brings to every dish, you won't want to miss this unforgettable culinary journey.

📅 FusionFest Culinary Arts Contest
Dates: July 21 & 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Come celebrate culture through food and cheer on our talented chefs! 🌎🍽️
This invitation creates a sense of curiosity while encouraging people to attend both contest nights.

Purchase yout tickets here:
https://www.eventeny.com/events/culinary-fusion-contest-2026-30469/

FusionFest

07/19/2026

07/18/2026

07/15/2026

07/13/2026

07/13/2026

07/12/2026

07/11/2026

07/10/2026

07/09/2026

07/07/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request