Hold your horses, Central Florida foodies, because the 5th Annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival returns to the World Equestrian Center this weekend with global flavors and go-all-out competition that ends in a Sunday Champagne Brunch ($125 per person, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Headlining this year’s activities: celebrity chef Duff Goldman, star of many Food Network offerings beginning with “Ace of Cakes,” which featured his own chop, Charm City Cakes.

It’s exceptionally exciting for WEC Complex executive pastry chef Yohann Le Bescond, who is also a veteran Food Network competitor and a 2025 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist.

“It’s such an honor, because Duff was the judge on two of the Food Network shows I’ve done — ‘Summer Baking Championship,’ Season 1, and ‘Beat Bobby Flay’ — but it’s also the very first time we have a pastry chef as the celebrity chef, which is very exciting for me because we are able to feature dessert as prime real estate.”

Superfans will want to consider the event’s Five-Star Festival Packages (starting at $1,599 for two), which include luxe weekend accommodations and access to everything, including its most exclusive events, Friday night’s Chef’s Dinner being one of them.

“Duff had a big influence on the overall five-course menu,” Le Bescond says, “and something I’m very proud of is that we are working together on the dessert: ‘Duff’s Famous Dutch Apple Pie, Chef Yohann’s Take.’”

Goldman will still be on-hand, along with Le Bescond and a roster of brilliant local and national chefs, for Saturday’s Grand Tasting ($135 per person, 1-5 p.m.). Here, guests can mingle as they enjoy unlimited food offerings from more than 20 food stations and sips from some 60 beverage vendors.

Among the many brilliant chefs whose work guests will be sampling is the World Equestrian Center’s Yohann Le Bescond, Food Network competitor and semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef. (Courtesy World Equestrian Center)

Goldman and Le Bescond will also hit the stage for a Mystery Basket Competition, where Le Bescond hopes the Judge vs. Student scenario will bring him some sweet revenge.

Playful competitiveness aside, Le Bescond says the event is much bigger than serving drinks and food to everybody.

“Some of the proceeds will be going to [the Public Education Foundation of Marion County’s] ProStart program, which supports different culinary programs all over the county,” he explains, noting that 30 students, aged 16-19, will be there at the festival, helping out.

For guests at Saturday’s Grand Tasting, flavors from celebrated national and local chefs will be paired with premium wines and spirits. (Courtesy World Equestrian Center)

“For many, it will be the first time they will be in a professional environment where they can be around the guests and work stations,” he says. “In the past, we’ve had some of these students graduate and come apply to work at WEC. It’s a really wonderful outreach in the community for us to not only promote what we do, but recruit the chefs of tomorrow.”

In fact, he, Goldman and some of the other participating chefs will be visiting several Marion County culinary programs on Friday morning, ahead of the festival’s commencement — and the students’ own Mystery Basket Competition, a Grand Tasting crowd favorite that showcases the creativity and skill of this next-gen culinary crew.

Dinner events are exclusive and elegant at the Ocala Food & Wine Festival. (Courtesy World Equestrian Center)

“Beyond the competition, we’ve partnered with one of our sponsors to donate pastry small-work kits, so regardless of the outcome, all the students will leave with tools that will better their careers.”

And ProStart, he says, will receive a check for $25,000 to support all the culinary programs around the World Equestrian Center.

“The Ocala Food & Wine Festival has real meaning for the future of Marion County and its development,” says Le Bescond, “which is why it’s important to all of us at WEC to do it right.”

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.

More food festival fun this weekend

Orlando Japan Festival: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 9 at Kissimmee Lakefront Park, 201 Lakeview Drive in Kissimmee. Free admission, free parking. It’s the 25th annual celebration honoring the richness of Japanese culture. Lots of authentic food from a la carte vendors, traditional performances and hands-on cultural experiences for all ages. Music, martial arts, crafts and more. More info: facebook.com/orlandojapanfestival

Taste of Thailand Food Festival: Gates open at 10 a.m. Nov. 9 at Wat Florida Dhammaram, 2421 Old Vineland Road in Kissimmee. Food service from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Festival ends at 3:15 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-12. Kids ages 6 and younger enter free. Includes all-you-can-eat Thai cuisine, cooking demos and live entertainment. More info: experiencekissimmee.com/event/taste-thailand-food-festival-2025/26906

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/06/ocala-food-wine-festival-orlando-thai-japan-festivals/