Ocala Food & Wine Festival

November 7-9, 2025

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About

The Ocala Food & Wine Festival is a three-day, chef-led culinary celebration featuring culinary competition, beer, wine and spirits education and samples of extraordinary cuisine.

Experience three days of exceptional cuisine at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. This exclusive weekend is your invitation to indulge with top chefs, elegant events and world-class accommodations. Plus, catch Celebrity Chef Duff Goldman at the Grand Tasting November 8!

Make the most of the weekend with the Five-Star Festival Package, offering exclusive access to the Chefs’ Dinner. Book the package to fully immerse yourself in gourmet cuisine and luxurious comfort.

This 21+ event benefits the Public Education Foundation of Marion County ProStart Program.

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Event Schedule

Chefs’ Dinner presented by Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits – Ocala Food & Wine Festival

November 7

Grand Tasting – Ocala Food & Wine Festival

November 8

Grand Prix Reception Experience Presented by Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte – Ocala Food & Wine Festival

November 8

Champagne Brunch – Ocala Food & Wine Festival

November 9

Festival Highlights

Five-Star Festival Package

Two nights’ accommodations for two guests in luxury lodging
Access for two to all signature festival events: Chefs’ Dinner, Grand Tasting, Grand Prix Reception Experience, Champagne Brunch
Breakfast for two Saturday morning at Stirrups Restaurant
Early check-in and late check-out
Complimentary weekend golf cart rental
15% off a Calluna Spa service for two
Surprise Welcome Amenity
Valet parking for guests that choose The Equestrian Hotel

Offer Details

Talent

Meet the Full Team

Duff Goldman

Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes” Celebrity Chef

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Duff Goldman is a chef, best-selling author and artist known for his dazzling, creative approach to food and his awesome stories describing the simple science of baking. On the hit Food Network show Ace of Cakes Duff welcomed viewers into his innovative cake shop, Charm City Cakes, where his team of pastry chefs and artists create spectacular custom cakes. You can watch Duff mentor the next generation of bakers on the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship. He is also the lead judge on Holiday Baking Championship and Spring Baking Championship. His latest show, Super Mega Cakes, premiered in June 2025. His cookbook, Super Good Baking for Kids, debuted on the NYT bestseller list and you can now purchase cakes from Duff on Goldbelly and buy his baking kits online that he has created in partnership with Baketivity. This fall he will be opening Duff’s Deli & Market at The Atlanta International Airport. Duff believes we can discover our inner creativity and celebrate with each other through the fun of baking!

Chef Stephan Holland

World Equestrian Center Executive Chef

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With over two decades of mastery in Modern American, Spanish, Asian, Japanese, and Haute Cuisine, Chef Stephan Holland brings global finesse to the table. He previously led special projects, openings, and development at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas and has overseen and conceptualized multiple restaurants in Sweden. Chef Stephan has headlined premier events such as the NPIWFF Wine and Food Festival and collaborated with Andrew Zimmern, Martha Stewart, José Andrés, and Nobu Matsuhisa. Now at The Equestrian Manor at WEC, he is spearheading four new restaurant concepts set to debut in 2025.

Chef Yohann Le Bescond

WEC Complex Executive Pastry Chef

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A 2025 James Beard Awards® semifinalist presented by Capital One, Chef Yohan Le Bescond brings artistry and innovation to his role as Executive Pastry Chef at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. In this position, he orchestrates the pastry programs across the complex’s multiple dining venues.

Chef Jonathan Martini

The Equestrian Hotel Executive Chef

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Chef Jonathan Martini is the Hotel Executive Chef at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, where he oversees the world-class culinary programming at The Equestrian Hotel. With a multicultural culinary background, his cuisine is infused with the rich flavors of his roots in Brazil and Italy. His depth of expertise includes time at two Forbes five-star-rated properties in Florida and Montana, and experience working for one of the world’s Top 50 best chefs.