“What better time of year to have an outdoor party?!” Pam Brandon wonders out loud.
Of course, that’s a hypothesis.
Brandon, a local food writer, was the legendary Disney cookbook author (and lead planner for the defunct Long & Scott Farms Field to Feast Shindig), so he knows a thing or two about outdoor bashes.
The 8th annual “A Fall Fête” fundraising dinner is colorful, communal and truly a garden party. Brandon and his fellow executives at The Kitchen House in College Park, as well as our talented group of chef ambassadors, would be happy to invite you.
The event will be held on October 27th from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are available now at thekitchenhouse.org/calendar-database/fallfete, priced between $250 and $300, with sponsorship opportunities available.
Guests include Lordfur Laricon (Kaya), James Petrakis & Julie Petrakis (The Ravenous) Pig), Fabrizio Shenardi (Four Seasons Orlando), Jamie McFadden (Chef), Nick Barton (The Monroe), Megan Amnott (The Kitchen House), and Kitchen House co-founder Kevin. Mr. Fonzo’s hands-on programs have enriched the lives of countless children who come to learn about where their food comes from.
“When kids get out in the garden and cook with the food they’ve harvested, you know something clicks,” Fonzo said in a recent news release. “They understand that real food is delicious and doable. That’s the magic of The Kitchen House. We don’t just feed people, we instill lifelong skills and confidence.”
And these little seeds, sown over a lifetime, are planted through fundraisers like the Fall Festival.
Those who remember Edible Education Experience may note The Kitchen House’s lyrical new name. This reflects its role within the College Park area and is something Brandon says makes sense.
“In addition to serving as a place of education for children, The Kitchen House has also become a gathering place for the community…[The name]is more direct, more welcoming, and more empathetic.”
Best Italian: 2025 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards
Events here are similarly intimate, from Fonzo’s incredible La Tavola Dinner (2025 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards Critic’s Choice Best Italian Cuisine) to the Garden to Kitchen program for high-needs students.
Autumn Fête offers seating outside in the garden and porch, as well as in the kitchen and at an upstairs table, where guests can watch the collaboration.
“The garden is in full bloom,” Brandon says. “Although the seating is different, it’s a very communal dining experience, from cocktails and snacks to interacting with the chef. It’s a lovely evening.”
It captures everything The Kitchen House team believes in, co-executive director Sarah Elliott said in a statement.
“Collaboration, community, and the simple joy of cooking with care. Every ticket sold helps make that experience possible for more Central Florida children.”
Want to lend a hand? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For even more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
If you go
8th Annual Fall Festival: October 27th from 6pm to 9pm at the Kitchen House, 26 E. King Street, Orlando. Ticket prices range from $250 to $300 (thekitchenhouse.org)
