Issuu

O C TO B E R 2 02 1

ALSO SERVING HORIZON WEST AND WINDERMERE

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care WindsorAtCelebration.com | 407-917-4331 1370 Celebration Boulevard, Celebration, FL 34747

LIFESTYLE LETTER

OCTOBER 2021 PUBLISHER

Anthony S Adams | anthony.adams@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Let’s Eat!

Michelle Malay Sanchez michelle.malaysanchez@lifestylepubs.com ADMINISTRATI VE DIRECTOR

Carey Adams | carey.adams@lifestylepubs.com

OH, ARE YOU IN FOR A TREAT! This month is all about food—the prettiest,

COPY EDITORS

trendiest, newest, and tastiest foods we can find.

Candice Hawks, Austin Adams STAFF WRITER

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and find yourself eating the same things each day. We

Austin Arthur

get it; we’re all busy, and we have the go-to meals that we know will feed the family

AD DESIGNER

for the whole week. We return to our favorite restaurants and order our favorite dish

Evan Deuvall

every time because we know it is always amazing.

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor

But, this month, it is time to branch out and tantalize your taste buds. Try

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

something new; you might find a fresh staple to add to the rotation. And we’re

Larry H. Oskin, Austin Arthur

here to point you in the right direction. This issue is packed full of unique recipes,

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

up-and-coming restaurants you haven’t tried yet, and, of course, plenty of drinks

Larry H. Oskin, Austin Arthur

to complement your meal. We also want to send some love to our Advertising Partners. We support Buying Local! Every one of the businesses and organizations you see advertising in our magazine has been vetted by us and has the same involvement and dedication to our community as we do.

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

Thank you for inviting us into your home and sharing your lives with us. Here’s

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

to you and your family; live boldly, enjoy our community, be involved, and truly

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

Live Your Best Life!

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Anthony S Adams, Publisher 514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN BAQUIRAN @ORLANDOFOODSPOTS 4

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 Winter Garden Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Media Partners LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Winter Garden area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Media Partners’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Media Partners does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Winter Garden Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

INSIDE THE ISSUE OCTOBER 2021

FEATURES 10 Piesano’s Stone Fired Pizza Get Ready To Taste The Difference!

26 Cozy and Delicious Autumn Cocktails and Recipes Fall Themed Cocktails and Recipes from the ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Team

26 10

28 Southern Hill Farms Love Your Local Farmer!

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Around Town

Hot Spot

Trend Setter

26 Culinary Creations 28 Local’s Choice 32 Inspired By 34 Lifestyle Calendar

AROUND TOWN

NO MEAT, NO CHEESE BRINGS VEGAN FLAVORS TO WINDERMERE No Meat, No Cheese was inspired by Erica

This treat features smoked chocolate cake, graham cracker, marshmallow, chocolate ganache, and candied bacon.

Robinson and John Calvaruso's passion for a vegan lifestyle in tandem with their love of Italian flavors and recipes. Their fresh, craft, and scratch made vegan cutlets, wings, sausages, and other creations are affordable and are filled with flavor. You can find their products at Pizzeria14 in Windermere and online at NoMeatNoCheese.com.

CONFECTIONATELY CONFECTIONS SCRATCH KITCHEN Confectionately Confections, or C2, is a scratch made kitchen and artisan bakery offering delivery of prepared meals to the Central Florida area. C2 provides special holiday meals, delicious desserts,

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL CONTINUES

and flavorful quiches. Pictured are the scratch made Banana Streusel Muffins.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is in

Would you like to get in touch with us? We would

full effect. The festival runs until November 20, 2021.

love to hear from you! Contact us at CityLifestyle.

Pictured is the S'mores Whoopie Pie-Lon from the

com/WinterGarden using the Get In Touch link

Flavors of Fire Marketplace presented by ESPN.

and let us know what you think.

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

We Serve Those Who Serve Our community would not exist without the sacrifices and service of the heroes all around us.

Teachers, Firefighters, Military/Veterans, Medical, Police and First Responders and their children qualify for substantial rebates at closing.

Started by a local hero in 2015, Heroes Housing Foundation is a faith based non-profit corporation whose mission is to step in and help Hometown Heroes by offering a team of professionals to get you through the process and offers substantial rebates when buying or selling your home. Heroes in the program may also qualify for housing support when disaster strikes. www.HeroesHousing.com

We share a common mission

Keep Community Strong Paul Fedynich and Valerie Fairchild, Realtors Central Florida Heroes Housing Affiliates The ViP Home Team @ The Real Estate Collection C: 407.744.1681 - www.TheViPHome.Team

Contact us today! Scarlett Roger, NMLS 1877247 Branch Manager, Lending Officer Co-Founder, Heroes Housing Foundation C: 813.360.2806 - www.HeroesHousing.com

HOT SPOT GET READY TO TASTE THE DIFFERENCE!

PIESANO’S STONE FIRED PIZZA

PIESANO’S STONE FIRED PIZZA, RECENTLY OPENED IN WINDERMERE, CELEBRATES

SUCCESS

WITH

DISTINCTIVE MENU OF QUALITY APPETIZERS,

ITALIAN

ENTREES,

DRINKS, DESSERTS, AND TASTY FLAVORS. With this eighth Piesano’s restaurant now open, this ambitious group of Central Florida restaurateurs has created a recipe for success. They always use fresh, high-quality ingredients, freshly made dough, the finest premium quality mozzarella, provolone, and Romano cheeses, all cooked in their authentic granite stone-fired ovens and offered to you with great top-end service in a very welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere.

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

PIESANO’S ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY LARRY H. OSKIN

TASTE THE QUALITY DIFFERENCE!

Piesano’s Windermere Manager Conor Ellis proudly notes,

“our dishes start with Piesano’s plan to offer only the absolute best. Everything is made from scratch on a daily basis in our

kitchen. We make our own dough, dressings, sauces, soups, and our signature Piesano’s garlic rolls. Our granite oven is the key component for making our exceptional cuisine, so every dish is baked just right, every time. Each and every dish is custom-made and personalized before being cooked and served. Our lettuce is cut as it is used, so it is always fresh

FE ATURES

and crisp. We offer the best Italian food around.” With appetizers from Buffalo wings, flatbreads, mussels, meatballs, and Caprese, they freshly prepare each dish. Piesano’s is the only restaurant offering stone-fired pizza here in the Windermere area. Most importantly, they offer about thirty different pizza and calzone options with gourmet specialty pizzas and about three dozen different topping options to satisfy every craving. In addition, they offer soups, salads, burgers, chicken dishes, and sub sandwiches. Garlic Rolls

Chicken Marsala is popular as it is served with a homemade marsala wine sauce made with mushrooms and served over spaghetti. Their Fettuccini Bolognese is made with hearty beef and pork in their sweet house wine sauce, and a pinch of basil served on fettuccini noodles. Be sure to save room for dessert as a favorite is their chocolate chip cookie pie cooked and served with ice cream and syrup! They even offer a sit-down Meat Eater Pizza CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

STONE FIRED HOT SPOT (CONTINUED)

full bar with a large variety of beers, wines, cocktails, and liquors. They feature both local Florida craft beers from

Conor Ellis & Jerry Roberts

Suncreek Brewery and Crooked Can, as well as national and international favorites. Piesano’s offers daily lunch entrees from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM with full-sized soup, salad, and dinner portions at a reduced price. A complete Kid’s Menu is available with pasta, meatballs, small kid’s pizzas, chicken fingers, and fries. DELICIOUS EXTRAS & OPTIONS: Piesano’s is even ready to help you with gluten-free diets, allergies, and dietary restrictions. They offer gluten-free cauliflower crusts and rice flour. They share eat-in, take-out, delivery, website app ordering, and payment options, plus full catering services. Groups are welcome for parties and meetings in their sectioned-off spaces. Their family-friendly atmosphere has beautifully hand-painted murals from a local area Florida artist.

TEAM EFFORT OPPORTUNITIES: Conor Ellis started working as a Piesano’s busboy while still at the University of Central Florida, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Resources & Economics. Later he earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Ellis has worked in carryout, serving, bartending, and every position in between while working his way up the ladder into management. Ellis shares, “this really is a great place to work! We always promote from within. Piesano’s has a wonderful comprehensive training, management, empowerment, leadership, and teamwork program. Our training program is shared by the owners with an array of topics from food preparation, customer service, communications, business operations, and financial management. I love that we all work together to build a strong team-based culture. Piesano’s offers successful employment with good competitive wages and rapid career growth opportunities.”

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

D flagship Gainesville Piesano’s Restaurant. In 2014, the team opened its third location with Managing Partner Ryan Zachow. Continued growth and success allowed Jerry and Sabrina Roberts to come aboard, bringing even more restaurant expertise to help grow the Piesano’s Stone Fired Pizza brand. Jerry Roberts shares, “I really do love our Piesano’s menu and foods! We love to invest in our people. I truly believe that our passion for great food quality is what sets us apart. Fortunately, our customers agree!” Piesano’s Stone Fired Pizza is located at 7782 Winter Garden Vineland Road Suite 140 in Windermere, FL 34786. Call (407) 887-1122. Be sure to visit them at: PiesanosToGo.com and follow them at: faceboook.com/Piesanos.

PIZZA

They created the framework to launch their

GROWING SUCCESS STORY! Piesano’s now has eight locations open in Clermont, Ocala, Windermere, The Villages, and Gainesville, with a ninth already under construction and plans for more in the near future. They are now open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Fridays through Saturdays. PIESANO’S TEAM BACKGROUND: Co-owner Joel Mills moved to Florida in 1994 with skills with pizza and Italian dishes. In 2009, Joel and his wife Rebecca collaborated with Michael and Melissa Akey, and Laure Young as a team of experienced restaurateurs.

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

TREND SETTER

THREE BIRDS CAFE

Foodie Fav o r i t e s

Three Birds Cafe hosted their grand opening just this year, but it is already on my list of favorite local spots! Three Birds Cafe has a great ambiance and is perfect for coffee, lunch, or even charcuterie and wine.

ARTICLE MICHELLE SANCHEZ Tres Amigos Grill is a fresh and quick spot that you can feel good about. Chef John Kresl is known for his flavorful salsas, flame-grilled proteins, and his charming personality. OUR IN-HOUSE FOODIE, MICHELLE

TRES AMIGOS GRILL

SANCHEZ OF @MADEINORLANDO, IS ROUNDING UP SOME OF HER FAVORITE SPOTS AROUND WINTER GARDEN, WINDERMERE, AND HORIZON WEST TO SHOWCASE DURING OUR FOODIE ISSUE THIS MONTH!

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

PICO BISTRO

HAWKERS WINDERMERE

Hawkers Windermere boasts one of the best brunches around! They also have great cocktails and small bites with incredible flavors. Always order the Roti, you won't regret it!

04 Pico Bistro has expanded into Winter Garden! You can now have a full dining experience alongside their award-winning empanadas in their new restaurant. ORLANDO CITY PASTA Orlando City Pasta is fresh and handcrafted each week. Orlando City Pasta can be found locally at the Winter Garden Farmer's Market, the Windermere Farmer's Market, and the Clermont Farmer's Market!

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

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WINTER Kevin and Laurie Tarter

GA R DE N ’ S PR E M I E R R E STAU R AT EU R S !

THE POWER COUPLE BEHIND SOME OF THE BEST DOWNTOWN WINTER GARDEN FOOD

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY AUSTIN ARTHUR

WINTER GARDEN IS KNOWN FOR A GREAT

“We had no idea we would be opening up a restau-

DOWNTOWN WITH SOME WONDERFUL EATING

rant here at all, but we just knew that we loved Winter

EXPERIENCES, THREE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES

Garden, the bike trail had just come through, but it

ARE OWNED BY A WINTER GARDEN POWER COU-

was a completely different landscape than what we

PLE, KEVIN AND LAURIE TARTER. I sat down with

see today. We never imagined downtown would have

them to discuss their history and journey toward their

all the things it has now, but we are very glad to be a

great success. Thirteen years ago they opened their

part of it”, explained Laurie.

first restaurant, the Chef’s Table at The Edgewater.

Kevin went on to explain that when they moved to

The restaurant began with a small space at the historic

the area nearly twenty years ago, there were only about

Edgewater Hotel, boasting an intimate dining experi-

three places for food, the MoonCricket Grille, a pizza

ence with only nine tables in the modest yet elegant

place, and a little deli. Growing up in a small town, south

dining room. Their success was nearly instant and

of New Orleans, Kevin’s dad would often cook big meals

within a year, they were able to grow their space to

and the family relished in large mealtime gatherings.

sixty seats and by 2011 they opened the Tasting Room,

However, his father was not a cook by trade, he was an

a separate experience powered by the same incredible

offshore contractor for a Gulf oil company, the industry

kitchen. Their third Winter Garden endeavor is the Attic

Kevin was pursuing. That was until the oil market went

Door across the street which is a very nice lounge-style

into a tailspin during the 1980s Oil Glut, resulting in the

wine bar, also serving delicious foods.

decimation of that industry’s economy for years. Facing

However, Kevin and Laurie did not always have plans

career uncertainty, Kevin was unsure of the path for his

to be local restaurant entrepreneurs, indeed when they

future, during this time he was working in restaurants

moved to Winter Garden in the early 2000’s they saw

when the owner of a Chinese food restaurant offered

a city that was not doing very well. Although the West

him a cooking job. He took the work and eventually this

Orange Trail had already come through the downtown

restaurant owner would sponsor Kevin to go to culinary

area, and while they instantly fell in love with the city,

school in New Orleans. The program was exclusive

its current glory was still some years away.

and only took thirty-two students a semester, it was an CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

WINTER GARDEN’S PREMIER RESTAURATEURS! (CONTINUED)

apprenticeship program where the student would go

After months of prodding them to go on a blind date

to school one day and the other day would work at an

together, their friend finally succeeded in getting the

actual restaurant. Kevin’s apprenticeship took place

two to meet. Laurie recalls the moment when she first

at Arnaud’s, the historic New Orleans fine dining

met Kevin, “I looked at him and I had never in my life

restaurant which was founded in 1918.

felt like I knew someone’s soul, in the way I instantly

“It was a great place to cut your teeth as a young

felt his. It was like my soul recognized his soul.”

cook and it was still that militaresque style. Chefs from

Kevin introduced his desire to eventually own a

France and Germany that used to dominate the land-

restaurant and Laurie insisted that he learn and cre-

scape were running it and you know, they screamed

ate a passion for the front-of-the-house side of the

and yelled… it was like a baptism by fire. They wanted

industry. Kevin indeed became proficient with the

to find out if you were going to be able to make the

front of the house and by 2008, now being married

cut, giving up your Fridays and Saturdays, holidays,

for some time, they opened their first restaurant

and nights while your friends are all partying. It’s a big

together, The Chef’s Table- a farm-to-table gourmet

commitment to get into this business,” reflected Kevin.

cuisine restaurant that offers a fixed course fine din-

Kevin would soon find himself on the opening

ing experience. Everything they do is fresh and nearly

culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian in 1988, a

all homemade from scratch, all the way down to the

move that would not only further instill his passion

stock. One of their current entrée items is a delicious

for the industry but would also lead to an even more

house rubbed pork ribeye and for the most popular

important life-changing engagement.

appetizer, one must try the famous mushroom and

During that period, Laurie was separately enjoying a journey of love for the restaurant industry as a

chive crepe torte. If you are interested in wine, there are perfect pairing options readily available.

server and passionate professional in the “front of the

When they first opened it was just Kevin and

house” side of the business, the portion of the restau-

Laurie with one cook, they eventually hired another

rant business that deals directly with the guest face

cook to help while they ran the dining room. Since

to face. Starting as a server in Tampa straight out

that time, Kevin and Laurie enjoy coming in to check

of high school, she loved everything about serving

on things and meet guests but now have an out-

including a passion for good food, good wines, and

standing team running the day-to-day and creating

good people. She was a bit dismayed at first when

the fresh menu items.This team also runs their sec-

people would question her about getting a “real job”.

ond restaurant, the Tasting Room - a more casual

“I was always confused by that, I was thinking ‘well,

option, perfect for enjoying small plates, craft beers,

I make great money and I really like what I do’ yet

and a full bar. Not well known to Winter Garden resi-

I kept hoping for another career because everyone

dents is that they recently have been offering guests

tells you, ‘you have to get a 9-5 job … you’re not

to select full menu items from the Chef’s Table à la

grown up until you get a 9-5 job’. Then when I began

carte into the Tasting Room. This offers a new great

working at California Grill, I walked in and saw I was

option for families, including those with young chil-

at a restaurant where I was not one of the smartest

dren, to enjoy all the great food selections offered by

on the floor. There was so much to learn about wine

Kevin and Laurie’s team.

and food and I thought to myself, that this is my time to become a true professional,” explained Laurie.

For something even more casual and a bit livelier, often with live music, is the Attic Door across

She mentioned that she loved front-of-the-house

the street. The Attic Door was acquired by Kevin

service so much that she never had any ambition

and Laurie just a couple of years ago after buying

to be in management or to own her own restaurant.

it from their good friend, Lori Gibson, who owned

That was until she and Kevin finally met, at the con-

and operated the Winter Garden hotspot for fifteen

stant and very passionate urging of a mutual friend.

years. The Attic Door has a fun atmosphere with CONTINUED >

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

WINTER GARDEN’S PREMIER RESTAURATEURS! (CONTINUED)

Austin his wife Kellie, at the Chef's Table for anniversary dinner

To this Kevin continued, “We also have a responsibility. This is our hometown now, we put roots here… we can’t face people day in and day

mixed-matched comfortable furniture as well

out if we are serving a subpar product. That’s

as dining room tables. In addition to the classic

why we make everything in-house. I could buy

wine bar-style food of sliders, cheese plates, and

stuff pre-made, but we do not believe in taking

Mediterranean plates, they also serve a popular

the easy route. Everything we can, we make here

sizzling shrimp among other fork and knife items.

because we can control it and we’re confident in

However, the most popular item currently being

the outcome and how it’s going to be perceived.”

served at the Attic Door is a special family recipe

Personally, I can attest to the truth of all these

Kevin has introduced, the Meatballs & Polenta

comments. My wife and I have been to all three of

which is house-made beef and spinach meatballs

their excellent establishments multiple times and

with a two-day homemade tomato gravy served

for our recent anniversary in April, we visited the

over hot and delicious polenta.

perfect place for a special occasion, Chef’s Table

When describing their values and principles

at The Edgewater. The atmosphere is always

to me, Kevin and Laurie explained how they truly

intimate and beautiful, with an exciting ambiance

believe in treating their staff like family. Laurie

being in view of the bustling kitchen where they

added about the guests, “We want them to know

are preparing the most superb food in all of West

they’re valued and that their needs are something

Orange. Kevin and Laurie make it possible for

we want to take care of. We believe in treating

Winter Gardeners to speak proudly about yet

people how you want to be treated.”

another “best” this city offers, “Best in Food!”

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

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CULINARY CREATIONS

COZY AND DELICIOUS A U T U M N C O C K TA I L S AND RECIPES FALL IS A SEASON FULL OF FLAVOR! We sat down with the experts at ABC Fine Wine and Spirits to share some fun Fall inspired cocktails and recipes! Each recipe contains the ABC Boutique Brand of Liquor, Sourced and Certified.

DONUTS WITH SPIKED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING This boozy treat contains seasonal Fall liquor and is perfect for baking at home.

INGREDIENTS + 1 Can Biscuit Dough, Frozen + Oil + 1 Cup Softened Unsalted Butter

Donuts with Spiked Cream Cheese Frosting

+ 1 Cup Softened Cream Cheese + 1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract + 1/3 Cup Michael's Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream + 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar + Pumpkin Spice

DIRECTIONS DONUTS: Cut a hole into your frozen biscuits to create a traditional donut shape. Pour a ½-inch layer of oil into a pan. Heat your oil on medium or medium-high for 5 minutes. This will help prevent oil from being absorbed into your dough. Place dough ARTICLE MICHELLE SANCHEZ

in heated oil and let cook for a minute on each side or until golden. Rest on paper towels to remove excess oil. FROSTING: In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese together. Slowly stir in vanilla and Michaels Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream. Add ¼ cup of powdered sugar at a time and whip on high until frosting is the desired consistency and sweetness. Add a layer of frosting to a warm donut and sprinkle with pumpkin spice and enjoy. Apple Pie Cocktail 26

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

Pumpkin Spice Spiked Latte

A P P L E P I E C O C K TA I L This budget-friendly boutique bourbon beverage is full of

PUMPKIN SPICE S P I K E D L AT T E

traditional fall flavors that will take you back to your child-

Nothing says the start of Fall quite like this twist on a

hood days of glazed and caramel apples. The ginger beer

pumpkin spice latte. Perfect for a rainy day inside or a

provides a nice balance to the sweeter notes of this cocktail.

pairing with pumpkin pie.

INGREDIENTS

+ ½ teaspoon cinnamon

+ 5 Ounces Coffee, Freshly Brewed

+ ½ teaspoon sugar

+ 1 Ounce Michael's Pumpkin Spice. Irish Cream

+ Honey

+ 1 Ounce Vodka

+ 1 ½ Ounces Cooper's Mark Apple Bourbon

+ 1 Ounce milk

+ 1 Ounce Cinnamon Whisky

+ Whipped cream

+ 4 Ounces Ginger Beer

+ Cinnamon

+ Apple slices + Cinnamon stick

DIRECTIONS

Pour coffee into a mug. Combine remaining liquid ingredi-

Combine cinnamon and sugar. Run honey around the rim of your glass and dip it into the cinnamon and sugar mix.

ents and stir gently. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon. ABC Fine Wine and Spirits provides home delivery and curbside pick-up.

Add ice and combine bourbon, whisky, and ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

LOCAL’S CHOICE

Southern Hill Farms

LOVE YOUR LOCAL FARMER! ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY LARRY H. OSKIN

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

“We work together to strive for top-notch crops, harvests, and events. We all value the well-rounded customer experience to make it fun, rewarding, and memorable.”

SOUTHERN HILL FARMS OFFERS A FUN

Family Inspirations: Lisa Hill shares, “I

AND DELICIOUS OPPORTUNITY WITH

remain truly inspired by being able to work

U-PICK BLUEBERRIES, PEACHES, SWEET

every day with our children and grandchil-

CORN, STRAWBERRIES, AND SUNFLOW-

dren actively involved. We have been able to

ERS. Southern Hill Farms, owned by David

branch out even further with special events

and Lisa Hill, is a true family business.

and festival events.” Brooke adds, “We now have so many family members; every aspect

Southern Hill Farm History: While their

of Southern Hill Farms is really thought out

family farm started several generations ago

as we work as a unified team. We love to

with vegetable crops and landscape trees,

help personalize family-friendly and qual-

it has successfully grown into much more.

ity farm experiences for our visitors. We

David Hill married Lisa, whose father and

work together to strive for top-notch crops,

grandfather were local Apopka area farmers.

harvests, and events. We all value the well-

Lisa’s father, Billy Long, started by modestly

rounded customer experience to make it fun,

renting twenty acres and proceeded to own

rewarding, and memorable.”

over one-thousand acres. Their last crop of

Rachael supervises Southern Hill Farms

sweet corn there was grown in June 1998.

merchandise with their food products and

After the state of Florida reclaimed their fam-

foodservice menus. Lisa, Brooke, and Rachael

ily farm in 1998, the family wanted to keep

work together to make all of the fresh home-

farming; they then worked one hundred and

made pies and baked goods. Visitors can buy

twenty acres as a landscape tree farm. With

homemade seasonal cakes, cobblers, pies,

eighty acres planted with trees, they survived

jams, jellies, muffins, and salsas. Their popular

the 2008 recession. Then, with inspiration

apple cider, strawberry, and blueberry dough-

from their son Michael, they added blueber-

nuts, as well as their handcrafted blueberry

ries in the vacant forty acres. Their first blue-

lemonade drinks, are available.

berry harvest was in 2012. After that, Michael and daughter-in-law Brooke wanted to start

Fall Festival: While blueberry, strawberry,

a U-Pick farm operation. After just two years

and sunflower picking are their biggest sea-

of successful commercial farming and the

sonal attractions, the Southern Hills Farms

new U-Pick farming program, it simply grew

Fall Festival draws thousands of visitors. This

from there. In 2017, they successfully added

year’s Fall Festival will kick off now through

peaches, strawberries, sunflowers, sweet

November 7th, 2021. They will feature an

corn, zucchini, squash, zinnia flowers, and a

entirely new corn maze for extra family fun.

plethora of more vegetables.

There will be a large kid zone with rides CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

LOCAL’S CHOICE (CONTINUED) including a carousel, big slide, bungee jump, rock-climbing wall, bounce house, swing ride, an obstacle course, a petting zoo, and inflatable jump pillows. Plan to pose for family photos with the pumpkin patch and in the corn maze and sunflower fields, as well as with an old tractor, fire engine, road grader, and antique trucks. There will be entertainment with live music every day on Thursdays through Sundays and a revolving variety of food trucks. This festival will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays through Fridays and open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Seasonal Specials: They offer a variety of sweet to slightly tart blueberries with Emerald, Jewel, Arcadia, Meadowlark, Farthing, and Sentinel in April and May each year. With U-Pick farming, you can’t buy anything fresher! You find it, you pick it, and you eat it. After the Fall Festival, they will re-open in December for U-Pick strawberries and sunflowers through mid-March. Children under three are admitted for free. As a U-Pick farm, you merely pay for what you pick with staff set up at tents to help you. They have a spring Bouncing Blueberries event for stay-at-home moms with singing, story reading, hayrides, and crafts. There are a variety of U-Pick programs that you can explore on their website and Facebook pages. They offer Blueberry Loyalty Club Cards. Every time you pick fifteen pounds, you will earn a free pound. Private Parties, Events & Extras: During the various seasons and in-between their own events, you can host corporate parties, school field trips, graduation parties, birthdays, weddings, and more. Their restrooms are clean, air-conditioned, and have chandeliers hanging to help make any wedding party and bride happy to be there. They have hosted 5K / 10-mile runs. They have actively supported numerous community service programs, fundraisers, and charities. Some of their season-ending farm field gleaning programs have shared thousands of pounds of free strawberries, peaches, and fruits to food banks. They are closed June through August and the first part of September each year. Southern Hill Farms is a large local employer and always looking to share work opportunities. Visit their website to sign up for their free eNewsletter. David Hill shares, “We are very blessed to be able to work together as a family with all of our strengths and loves. We welcome you to come here to enjoy the most positive farm experience! Southern Hills Farms: For more information, visit from Highways 429 or 27. They are located at 16651 Schofield Road, Clermont, FL 34714. Call 407-986-5806, visit: southernhillfarms.com, and follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/southernhillfarms. 30

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

WeekLy Service starting at

Never Pick Up Dog POO P Again!

$15

www.poopbandit.com mike@poopbandit.com (407) 604-1008 CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

INSPIRED BY

Br i ng i ng Joy B ack i nt o t he K it chen

CHEF DENNIS PRESCOTT TALKS FALLING IN LOVE WITH FEEDING PEOPLE AND THE CONNECTION FOOD CREATES

F i nd t he t h i n g s t h at you love . Ta ke t he s t r e s s ou t of fo o d . Fe e d p e ople b e c au s e a l l t he y r e a l l y c a r e a b ou t i s s p end i n g t i me w it h you . Br i n g joy b ack i nt o t he k it chen .”

WHETHER YOU KNOW HIM FROM THE NETFLIX HIT RESTAURANTS ON THE EDGE OR FROM HIS ABSOLUTELY MOUTH-WATERING FOOD PHOTOS AS @DENNISTHEPRESCOT T ON THE ‘GRAM, THIS FORMER-MUSICIAN

TURNED

INTERNATIONALLY-

RENOWNED CHEF IS AN AMAZINGLY TALENTED, THOUGHTFUL, AND GLOBE-TROT TING FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. When it comes to inspiration for creating experiences around food and your community, as well as creating travel bucket lists to some of the world’s most unique and delicious destinations off the beaten path, Chef ‘Dennis The Prescott ’ is a culinary change maker whose feed you’ll want to feast on. Host for two seasons of the show, Dennis and his two food and design co-hosts travel the world to revive failing restaurants by connecting them to the local culture. Filming included

S c a n fo r t h e f u l l article online.

13 episodes over 9 months that included three in Canada, one in the continental US, one in Hawaii, and others outside of North America, including Hong Kong, Slovenia, Austria, Malta, St. Lucia and Finland.

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

T r avel R ecom mend at ion s for Food ies “Slovenia borders Italy and Croatia, which is to say there are a lot of shared values in and around food; they have really great cheese, dairy, beef, pasta, but very few tourists, hardly any. So if you love Italy, that kind of specific travel and food experience, particularly Northern Italy, because you can see the Alps from where they are. It’s picture perfect, a beautiful place, and also where orange wine is from.” Dennis also highly recommends Costa Rica, Hawaii and Finland. “Most people love the idea of travel, but we tend to pick the same places when we travel, and there is nothing wrong with that, they are amazing for a reason, but when you get off the beaten path a little bit, you learn the difference between vacation and travel.” In addition to travels, Dennis is a huge advocate for supporting local businesses and the connection grilling in your own backyard can make. “Grilling is inherently communal. You talk to your neighbors, they smell it, they ask you what you’re cooking; the whole act of it is a community. One of the most common fears Dennis hears from people cooking and/or grilling at home is, ‘where do I start?’ Dennis recommends cooking the things that bring you joy — things that are on a restaurant menu you can’t NOT order because you’re so pumped that those dishes are on there. “Find the things that you love. Take the stress out of food. Feed people because all they really care about is spending time with you. Bring joy back into the kitchen.” CityLifestyle.com/WinterGarden

OCTOBER

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR

WINDERMERE FARMERS MARKET

LOOPED AT THE GARDEN THEATRE

CAT RIDGEWAY AT THE ATTIC DOOR

Enjoy a Friday morning stroll through

The newest play to the Winter

Local singer sensation, Cat Ridgeway

the Windermere Farmer's Market,

Garden scene, Looped, will be at the

will be live at The Attic Door on

which boasts a variety of vendors

Garden Theatre from October 8th

October 16, 2021 at 7pm.

featuring fresh produce, seafood,

through the 24th.

Town Square Park

160 W Plant Street

baked goods, and more!

HICKORY HAMMOCK 5K AND KIDS FUN RUN

28 W Plant Street

2ND SUNDAY'S DOG RESCUE

BEARS WHO CARE OKTOBEARFEST FUN RUN & FESTIVAL

Crooked Can Brewing Company

14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden, FL

2nd Sunday's Dog Rescue at Crooked

The 4th Annual Bears Who Care

15973 Citrus Knoll Drive,

Can Brewing supporting Cause for

OktoBEARfest

Winter Garden, FL

Paws is taking place on Sunday,

on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at

The Hickory Hammock 5K and Kids

October 10, 2021 from 11am to 2pm.

Hamlin Town Center. The event

Fun

The event features adoptable furry

includes a 1K and 5K, raffles, family

friends, live music, and family fun.

activities, and more.

ORLANDO HEALTH WINDERMERE RUN AMONG THE LAKES

WINDERMERE HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE AND HAYRIDE

Orange County Convention Center

The 20th Annual Windermere Run

The annual Windermere Halloween

October 8-10, 2021 the Orlando Home

Among The Lakes will be held on

Costume Parade and Hayride will

and Garden Show is back at the

Saturday, October 16, 2021. Runners

take place on October 30, 2021 at

Orange County Convention Center.

can participate in a 5K or 10K run. Both

9:30am at Town Hall.

Run

benefitting

Edgewood

Children's Ranch is taking place on

taking

place

October 3, 2021 at 7:30am.

8 ORLANDO HOME AND GARDEN SHOW

520 Main Street, Windermere, FL

520 Main Street

in person and virtual runs are available.

Off ffe ering a Full Range of Landscaping Services Landscape Maintenance | Irrigation Services Landscape Installation | Erosion Control & Drainage Hardscape Installation | Landscape Design

Visit Us Online or Call Today to Book Your Service! (407) 844-4820

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@AnRLawnCareFL 34

Winter Garden Lifestyle | October 2021

We Keep Your Yard Beautiful!

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