Toasting an Exceptional Weekend at the 2026 Ocala Food & Wine Festival

08 NOV 26 Ocala, FL

A man in a straw hat plays a saxophone at an outdoor event with tables and umbrellas in the background.

The three-day festival concluded with an elegant Jazz Brunch at The Equestrian Manor, celebrating exceptional cuisine, memorable events and refined hospitality at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.

High-angle view of a large outdoor patio with many round tables and white umbrellas, filled with people dining at an event.

Ocala, FL – The sixth annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival came to a celebratory close Sunday, November 8, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). The Jazz Brunch brought guests together for one final toast, with live jazz, chef-attended stations and bubbly marking the occasion.

A Final Toast at Jazz Brunch

This year’s Jazz Brunch debuted at Lallie’s Covered Pavilion at The Equestrian Manor, where vibrant floral arrangements and colorful culinary displays brightened the open-air setting. Live jazz accompanied a leisurely morning of chef-prepared brunch favorites and specialty beverages.

Eggs Benedict topped with a sprig of greens and paprika on a white plate.

An abundant brunch spread featured fresh salads, Eggs Benedict and an assortment of pastries and desserts. The made-to-order omelet station was a guest favorite, with chefs preparing custom omelets throughout the morning.

Two women at an outdoor buffet table with finger foods and drinks.

At the beverage stations, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar featuring Chopin Vodka offered an array of garnishes for guests to customize their cocktails. Veuve Clicquot Champagne provided the bubbly for a final toast, while Four Roses Bourbon rounded out the morning’s featured spirits.

After a full weekend of festivities, fresh juices and wellness shots from Emma’s Patisserie at The Equestrian Manor offered a refreshing Sunday reset.

The artistic touches that defined the festival carried into Sunday’s celebration, with additional paintings from The Gallery Off 80th alongside a chocolate-and-wine creation crafted by WEC Chocolatier Beni Perine.

A Weekend Worth Celebrating

Two women wearing sunglasses sit at an outdoor table with orange plastic glasses and floral centerpieces.

From Friday’s exclusive Chefs’ Dinner Presented by The Gallery Off 80th to Saturday’s Grand Tasting and Grand Prix Dining Experience, the festival celebrated the creativity of acclaimed chefs, the breadth of its participating partners and the excitement of culinary entertainment.

Behind every memorable experience was the dedication of WEC’s culinary, beverage, hospitality and event teams, whose creativity and collaboration brought the weekend to life. Special thanks go to the festival’s sponsors, participating partners and guests for making this year’s celebration possible. Together, their contributions made an impact beyond the festivities, with event proceeds benefiting the Public Education Foundation of Marion County’s ProStart Program and supporting the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals.

Save the Date for 2027

There’s already another weekend to look forward to.

The Ocala Food & Wine Festival returns November 12 to 14, 2027, and select Five-Star Festival Packages are now available.

For returning guests, it’s an opportunity to continue a favorite tradition. For those inspired by this year’s festivities, it’s an invitation to experience the full celebration, including the exclusive Chefs’ Dinner and upscale resort accommodations.

We look forward to raising a glass with you again next year!

Follow the Ocala Food & Wine Festival at WEC on Facebook to continue the celebration all year long with event photos and details for 2027 or visit ocalafoodandwinefest.com. 

This 21+ event is presented in marketing partnership with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Event Sponsors

A grid of various beverage brand, corporate, and organization logos.