Cocoa Beach Uncorked: Sip, Savor and Repeat- Journeys with Jenn

Cocoa Beach Uncorked has just wrapped up its inaugural event and it was a huge success. Located oceanfront in Cocoa Beach, it is THE premier location in Central Florida for a food and wine festival. Next year, this is where you will want to be.

Cocoa Beach Uncorked

The east coast sister event to Clearwater Beach Uncorked, welcomed thousands of attendees to Cocoa Beach. Celebrating its first year on Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach Uncorked played the perfect host to foodies, wine lovers and craft beer aficionados from across the state. A 20,000-square-foot Grand Tasting Tent featured a vast array of mouth-watering taste experiences for every palette. A percentage of event revenue benefited Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Brevard County Humane Society.

The highly anticipated festival took place June 3-4 on the beach at Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach, a favorite spot for viewing space launches. The skies cleared and the sun was shining down on this beautiful event.

Meet Celebrity Chefs

What’s a food and wine event without chefs? This years event featured special appearances by, MasterChef Season 7 Winner, Chef Shaun O’Neale and author of ‘My Modern American Table’ s. Retro rad Chef Emily Ellyn, “Food Network Star” and “Cutthroat Kitchen” Winner was serving up boozy milkshakes! What goes better on a beach day than a cold milkshake?

VIP Treatment

For VIP ticket holders there is pre-party from 12-1 pm in a tent separate from the grand tasting tent. In this tent was a tasting of items only for those with VIP access. As a VIP there is access to the tent all day which had seating and bathrooms, a nice touch to take a break for sure. My favorite part of the VIP tent was the Champagne tasting, because who doesn’t love a little champagne. The VIP tent was the perfect space to relax and prep for the grand tasting.

It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere

If you are attending this event and don’t live close enough for an UBER I highly suggest getting a room at the Hilton Cocoa Beach. There are many wineries, breweries and liquor distributors at this event and you really don’t want to pass on the experience because you have to drive.

From fine tequilas, local wineries and fresh brewed Florida beer there is something for everyone. Our favorite was the Social Sparkling Wine and Florida Kush. Something about a good margarita just gets you in a beach state of mind. Oh and social sparkling wine is only ….. 88 calories! Guilt free wine!

Savor The Tastes of Cocoa Beach

While there are many brands giving samples such as Boom Chicka Pop, The Laughing Cow and Carr’s crackers we love the local vibe at Uncorked. Florida has so many amazing local offerings, and Cocoa Beach, well the Space Coast in general is no exception to that.

Overall, Ole’ Fire and Grill killed it with their lamb shank. It was tender with a hint of spice. If you are looking for authentic Mexican in Melbourne, FL this is the place. From savory to sweet, The Donut Experiment hit the spot, when you stay on Anna Maria Island this is where you get your donuts. If you get them elsewhere you don’t have real donuts. Oh did someone say boozy cupcakes? Homemade Happiness won us over with Rumchata cookie bars. She wouldn’t share the recipe–we are now on a mission to recreate this goodness at home.

The event will be returning to Cocoa Beach in 2018. Be sure to stay tuned because I will be sharing it here as soon as I have the dates. A trip to the Space Coast is always a good idea, it’s an even better idea when Cocoa Beach Uncorked is in town!

Wine in your hand, toes in the sand.^®