A Juneteenth Night Market, featuring local Black-owned businesses, artists and musicians — and a special, super tasty collaboration — is coming to Smoke + Donuts (601 N. Primrose Drive in Orlando) on June 19.
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Juneteenth (a portmanteau of its date, June 19) marks the effective end of slavery in the United States, commemorating the arrival of Union troops in the westernmost Confederate-controlled region in 1865, bringing news of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“In place of our usual Boshi Bar pop-up — which typically features a vinyl DJ spinning throughout the evening — we’re welcoming local Black vinyl DJs and vocalists to help create the soundtrack for this special event,” said Smoke + Donuts’ chef/owner Ian Russell.
Not surprisingly, the menu’s going to be fire. But for this party, that’s literal, as Chicken Fire has signed on to help feed the masses.
“The Chicken Fire/Smoke + Donuts collaborative menu item for the event features our house-made buttermilk biscuit, smoked butter, blackberry compote from our partner farm Gotha Goods, pickles, maple syrup and Chicken Fire’s signature chicken tenders,” Russell said.
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“This collaboration not only highlights one of the Milk District’s prominent Black-owned businesses, but also gives back to the community, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Historic Oviedo Colored School Museum.”
“We wanted to do the night market because it’s important that we don’t just say we are observing Juneteenth, but we celebrate and involve the Black community in Orlando,” said Smoke + Donuts chef de cuisine Ian Coleman, who joined the Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant’s team in May.
“It was important that we include Black businesses and highlight all the different ways the Black community shows up. It’s especially important to us as a company to show support to the members of our staff who belong to this community,” he said.
The event goes from 6-11 p.m., both on the patio and in the parking lot at Smoke + Donuts.
Pacific Coast tea time
It’s a celebration *in* Celebration, but this isn’t your grandmother’s tea tasting.
Join native Oregonian Christina Thomas of GoEpicurista.com, following up her successful two-event wine tasting at The Good Pour Winter Park, with two more exciting events celebrating the fruits of her native state.
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On June 20 and June 27, from 3-5 p.m., guests can sign up for Sip + Savor samples from the iconic Oregon brand, Smith Teamaker, a pioneer among American specialty tea brands, at The Lucky Goat at Celebration Place (56 Riley Road in Kissimmee).
“The first time I ever did a tea tasting was at Smith Teamaker’s original tasting room in northwest Portland,” Thomas told the Orlando Sentinel. That was 10 years ago.
“I was on a mission to expand my palate and explore all things food and wine, and I was not a tea drinker — until that day. Tasting tea like you would wine, talking about terroir, aromas, flavors and a sense of place. It was a revelation.”
One she intends to share with guests at the workshop, from bold and energizing black teas like Lord Bergamot (Smith’s version of an Earl Grey) to the soothing, herbal Meadow blend with golden Egyptian chamomile, hyssop, Cape rooibos, rose petals and linden flowers.
“Tea flights at Smith Teamaker cafes are a must-do when visiting Portland, which is why I had to include them as part of our Sip + Savor Summer Camp itinerary,” she says. “Everyone left with armfuls of gorgeous, jewel-toned tea boxes. And this is why I’m excited to share a little bit of the experience at the Lucky Goat Celebration Place Cafe.”
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This newcomer to Celebration was founded in Tallahassee in 2010 and was a place where Luis Lopez, who traveled here for business frequently, found both exceptional, small-batch roasted coffee and a sense of warmth that bloomed exponentially, prompting him and his wife Jessica to open their own in Celebration last March.
“The best part,” he says, “has been slowly becoming a part of this amazing community,” and these proprietors hope that programming such as the Sip + Savor series, upcoming World Cup viewing meetups, book clubs, craft events and more, bring in even more people to experience their space.
As they’re one of only a handful of Orlando-area purveyors featuring Smith Teamaker products, Thomas says it was a natural fit.
Although Thomas is a big Oregon booster, she’s a local champion, as well, so in addition to showcasing this still-new venue, guests will also enjoy Orlando-spun treats from Orlando Scone Co. and Winter Springs’ Chiffon Culture Bakery as part of the Sip + Savor tea experience.
Tickets cost $30 and include three signature Smith Teamaker blends paired with event-exclusive Orlando Scone Co. scones with specialty jams and preserves from Oregon, along with croissant options from Chiffon Culture. Grab them and get more info at bit.ly/sipsavororegontea.
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: [email protected], For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
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