From October 8 to November 5, 2021, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is hosting Taste of Space: Fall Bites! , a new Food Festival to celebrate seasonal flavors with bites and local craft brews. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island in Brevard County on Florida’s Space Coast, just a short drive from Orlando.
We are blessed to live so close to the place where America launched the first man on the moon in 1969 and continues to be a place where innovation and science propel humanity forward.
Though there aren’t any Tang or freeze-dried items on the menu this fall, there’s plenty of “out of this world” bites celebrating the fall season (with some hints of Oktoberfest!) available for purchase.
Beer lovers will also want to stop by Planet Play Lounge to enjoy local seasonal brews from the Space Coast, while others (and kids!) can create their own signature beverage flavors with Pepsi drink machines found in Orbit Cafe.
For dessert, guests can pick up the massive pumpkin caramel éclair from Milky Way Ice Cream Shop – large enough to feed the whole family!
To commemorate the 2021 event, when you purchase any Taste of Space: Fall Bites meal or treat, keep your receipt and bring it to the Space Shop to receive a complimentary collector’s pin! While supplies last.
Some tips – make sure you plan your day out as there is about a 30 min bus ride to and from the Moon Rock Cafe located at the Apollo / Saturn V complex center. Make a bus ride reservation using the QR code given at arrival.
Taste of Space: Fall Bites!
Oct 08, 2021 – Nov 05, 2021
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
FALL BITES MENU
Orbit Café
Beef Brisket Slider with Chipotle BBQ Sauce and Fried Onions
Hot Turkey, Cranberry and Brie Melt
Pumpkin Whoopie Pie
Moon Rock Café
(Accessible with a bus transportation reservation to Apollo / Saturn V Center)
Bratwurst with Sauerkraut and Whole Grain Mustard
Chicken Salad with Mesclun Greens, Gorgonzola, Mandarin Oranges, and Toasted Pecans with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Milky Way Ice Cream Shop
Pumpkin Caramel Éclair – truly massive and enough to feed a whole family!!
Plus – can’t say no to Dip N’ Dots while at KSC!
BONUS – Finale Event
Taste of Space: A Culinary Journey
Nov 05, 2021 06:30 PM – Nov 05, 2021 09:00 PM
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Sip and sample seasonal tastings under the stars during Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Taste of Space: A Culinary Journey. This progressive-style dinner will showcase seasonal foods created by our Certified Executive Chefs in addition to featuring local establishments during a first-ever “Marstini” shake-off.
You’ll experience the following during your culinary journey:
- Begin in the Rocket Garden with unique appetizers while you safely mix and mingle with veteran NASA astronauts Bruce Melnick, Winston Scott and Mark Lee.
- Next, enjoy a fresh salad and our chef’s award-winning clam chowder at the Rocket Garden Cafe.
- A surf n’ turf main course awaits you inside the spacious Dine With an Astronaut before embarking on your last stop: Space Shuttle Atlantis®.
- Under the orbiter, sample a selection of desserts and experience the inaugural Marstini shake-off!
For the first time at the visitor complex, local bars and restaurants will submit their idea of a Mars-inspired cocktail for a panel of local celebrity judges. Judges will taste and select their favorite creation, and the restaurant with the winning recipe will receive bragging rights and a trophy they can proudly display in their establishment. Of course, guests of this event can also purchase any of the Marstinis made that evening.
Participating Bars & Restaurants (to date):
- Fishlips
- 4th Street Fillin Station
A DJ follows and entertains throughout the night. Each food location will also serve complimentary wine and beer samples, suggested to go along with the location’s course. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. At the end of the night, exit through the Astronaut Training Experience® and don’t forget your commemorative pin!
TASTE OF SPACE: A CULINARY JOURNEY MENU
Starter
Charcuterie Board Variety of Cured Meats, Artisanal Cheeses, Dried Fruits, and Nuts Arranged on an Individual Serving Board
Soup and Salad
New England Clam Chowder with Oyster Crackers
Arugula, Feta, Candied Pecans Finished with Cranberry Vinaigrette
Entrée
Braised Boneless Short Rib with Cottage Fries
Spicy Shrimp with Cheese Polenta & Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
Desserts
Snickerdoodle Cobbler, Pumpkin Caramel Éclair, Fresh Fruit, Cheesecake, Chocolate and Vanilla Mousse Shooters, Pumpkin and Red Velvet Whoopie Pie
Tickets: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets#SpecialEvents
Tickets for this exclusive event are $159 per person. Annual passholders receive a 10 percent discount by calling 1.855.433.4210.
This event is recommended for guests ages 21 and older. IDs will be checked on site for guests consuming alcohol. As this event takes place throughout the visitor complex, guests should be prepared to walk or stand for a prolonged period of time. Daily admission is not included or required.
NOTE:
Taste of Space: A Culinary Journey will take place throughout the visitor complex, both inside and out, while allowing room for social distancing. Masks are required indoors by all guests, except for when actively eating or drinking. Vaccinated guests are welcome to remove the mask while outdoors. Please visit our Trusted Space® page for complete details about visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
