Kennedy Space Center announces Taste of Space 2023 dates and events.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will delight food enthusiasts again this fall with its highly anticipated "Taste of Space: Fall Bites!" event, which takes guests on a flavorful journey through the cosmos. This gastronomic extravaganza will feature a delectable array of dishes and special after-hours events, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors.

Starting on October 2 and running until November 5, "Taste of Space: Fall Bites!" will be hosted at several eateries throughout the visitor complex, as follows:  

• The Space Bowl Bistro inside Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex offers dishes such as hand-tossed arugula salad with fire-roasted peppers, onions, corn, and black beans; roasted Brussels sprouts with cranberries, pecans, parmesan, and Applewood bacon; and a dulce de leche dessert with pumpkin spice.

• The Milky Way will serve up mouthwatering delights, including fried apple pie tossed in cinnamon and sugar and a pumpkin spice bundt cake topped with salted caramel ice cream.

• The Orbit Cafe can treat themselves to an Applewood bacon, gouda, and arugula sandwich on a pretzel bun, a loaded sweet potato topped with maple cinnamon butter and Applewood bacon, or a jumbo apple cider cupcake with caramel frosting.

• The Red Rock Grill will entice visitors with walking nachos featuring chili cheese, jalapenos, and sweet potato tots complemented by maple cinnamon butter and Applewood bacon.

• The Moon Rock Cafe will offer a delectable black bean salad with arugula, fire-roasted peppers, onions, corn, and a turkey brie wrap with arugula and cranberry mayonnaise.

Local brews will be available for purchase inside Planet Play, adding to the overall experience.

Two special after-hours events will elevate the culinary adventure even further, with the highly anticipated 3rd annual "Taste of Space: Marstini Shake-Off" will take place on October 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. inside Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex. This event, recommended for guests aged 21 and above, showcases seasonal flavors at each food station. Attendees can mix and mingle with veteran NASA astronauts, including Scott Altman, Chris Ferguson, and Anthony "Tony" Antonelli. The event will feature local bartenders from esteemed establishments like Playalinda Brewing Company: Brix Project, Third Culture Kitchen, The Space Bar, and Jack & Harry’s competing to create the perfect Marstini. Guests can sample the drinks and cast their votes for their favorites. 

On November 3, the stars will align for the "Taste of Space: Celebrity Chef Edition," a star-studded chef demo and dinner event with celebrated chefs Duff Goldman and Esther Choi, who will serve something special alongside host chef Jon Ashton. The event will feature demonstrations of expert cooking techniques by chefs Goldman and Choi, accompanied by the fascinating insights of veteran astronauts Anna Fisher, Bruce Melnick, and Scott Altman. Guests will savor exclusive menu items while listening to personal stories about the experience of eating in space and the favorite foods astronauts enjoyed during their flights. The event will conclude with an opportunity to take photos with the astronauts and enjoy a delectable selection of desserts, including a specialty cake from Duff himself. 

For those seeking an even more extraordinary experience, a limited number of tickets are available for an exclusive meal following the chef’s demo. The two-hour, sit-down, multi-course dinner, designed by Goldman and Choi, will take place on the second floor of Gateway inside the flight terminal of Spaceport KSC. Attendees will have the privilege of personal visits to each table by the celebrity chefs and astronauts. The meal will culminate with an opportunity for guests to mingle and take photos with Goldman and Choi. 

"Taste of Space: Fall Bites!" promises to be a culinary journey that combines the wonders of space exploration with the delights of gourmet cuisine. With an array of delectable dishes, celebrity chefs, and the chance to mingle with veteran astronauts, this event is a must-attend for all food and space enthusiasts. Do not miss out on this extraordinary experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex! 

Ticket and bundle prices vary and are available at www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets#SpecialEvents.