The 25th annual Mount Dora Taste drew thousands to Sunset Park for a night that blended food, music and community into one lively waterfront celebration.

Hosted by the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce, the event featured 25 participating establishments serving up everything from inventive appetizers to craft beverages. Attendees moved booth to booth sampling dishes, many returning veterans of the event armed with trays to balance their finds; a practical upgrade that newcomers quickly learned to appreciate and vow to take up next year.

“What a night at the 25th Annual Mount Dora Taste!” Chamber officials say in a press release. “Sunset Park was buzzing from the first bite to the final song, with guests tasting their way through 25 participating businesses and an incredible lineup of local flavor.”

The energy stayed high throughout the evening, thanks in part to Blender Live Music, whose setlist mixed crowd-favorite hits from the 1980s and ’90s with original songs that kept guests lingering near the stage between tastings.

This year marked a notable addition to the event: the Media Choice Awards, introduced alongside the traditional People’s Choice honors. Local outlets and influencers, including Channel 9, Good Day Orlando, Orlando Shine, Orlando Foodie Girl, Triangle News and yes, Lake & Sumter Style Magazine, joined attendees in judging the offerings.

On behalf of Style Magazine, I was honored to be among them. I attended alongside my friend, partner and voting buddy Franz Wallace and like many in the crowd, we quickly realized pacing was essential. Even with small-“ish” portions, the sheer variety made it nearly impossible to try everything, though we pushed through for the sake of fair voting, knowing full well that Sunday would probably mean an aversion to food of any kind.

Chamber officials said it perfectly: “From creative appetizers and savory entrées to indulgent desserts, beer, cocktails and more, our participating restaurants and beverage vendors brought their best and made it very hard to choose a favorite.”

And the winners are…

People’s Choice Awards

Best Entrée: Lakeside Inn — Pork Belly w/ Bourbon Peach glaze & Key lime Chipotle Aioli

Best Appetizer: The Troff — Cajun Grilled Oysters

Best Dessert: K K Ô Chocolate — Mango Petite Gateau

Best Beer: Eden Abbey Brewing Community — Belgian Strawberry Blonde Ale

Best Cocktail: Fiesta Grande Mexican Restaurant — Pineapple-Jalapeño Margarita

Media Choice Awards

Best Entrée: Mavis’ Jerk Shack — Baked Mac & Cheese (reg & vegan) w/jerk chicken or curry chickpea

Best Appetizer: Beirut Bites — Hummus & pita chips

Best Dessert: Sweet Bites by Beirut Bites — Dubai chocolate strawberry cups

Best Beer: Eden Abbey Brewing Community — Belgian Strawberry Blonde Ale

Best Cocktail: Maw’s Mountain Moonshine — Once in a Blue Moon: Blueberry Piña Colada

While the winners impressed, the broader takeaway from the night was the depth of talent across the region’s food and beverage scene. Many dishes that didn’t take home awards were just as memorable, making voting a genuinely difficult task.

For Style, it was an evening defined by discovery and by the realization that a single night isn’t enough to fully experience what these local establishments have to offer. Every bite seemed like a promise to return to Mount Dora soon for a full portion of not only the featured dishes by participating establishments, but a sampling of more dishes on every, single menu.

“A huge thank you to every participating restaurant and beverage vendor for bringing the flavor, creativity and hospitality all night long,” the Chamber says. “Twenty-five years in, Mount Dora Taste is still one of the best ways to experience the food, drinks, music and community that make this area shine.”

Photos by Roxanne Brown and Franz Wallace