321 Flavor Bites: Hanging with astronauts, Merritt Island seafood fest, pumpkin waffles

Suzy Fleming Leonard, Florida Today
·4 min read
FLORIDA TODAY food editor Suzy Fleming Leonard and photo editor Malcolm Denemark hang out with veteran astronaut Bruce Melnick and Rebecca Burgman, public relations manager for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, during a press preview of Taste of Space: Fall Bites.
FLORIDA TODAY food editor Suzy Fleming Leonard and photo editor Malcolm Denemark hang out with veteran astronaut Bruce Melnick and Rebecca Burgman, public relations manager for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, during a press preview of Taste of Space: Fall Bites.

On an average day, my job's pretty great. But some days, it's out of this world.

Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when I got to visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for a press preview of the annual Taste of Space Fall Bites event.

I got to chat with veteran shuttle astronaut Bruce Melnick, and I got to sample some of the fall treats available throughout the Visitor Complex this month.

To learn more about this flavorful event, check out my story.

Glorious October

Inspired by last week's food holiday list and all the delicious flavors that have claimed October as their month, I decided to track town places locally where you can celebrate Pasta Month and Pizza Month and Pickled Pepper Month. You get the picture.

Here it is: My list of places to celebrate everything that's delicious about October. (Except candy corn. Ick.)

“Deli Mike” Duclos, who recently closed his Beachside Grill & Deli in Cocoa Beach's Cape Royal Building, holds up one of the free popsicles he gave out with meals.
“Deli Mike” Duclos, who recently closed his Beachside Grill & Deli in Cocoa Beach's Cape Royal Building, holds up one of the free popsicles he gave out with meals.

So long, Deli Mike

Last month, we said goodbye to a local favorite, "Deli Mike" Duclos, owner of Beachside Grill & Deli in Cocoa Beach.

He's closing down his little deli in the corner of the Cape Royal Building and retiring to Costa Rica.

Here's Lyn Dowling's story about Deli Mike's last day in the restaurant and his plans for the future.

Field Manor plans Seafood Festival

Long before there were rockets on the Space Coast, there was seafood, and a seafood banquet was a Field family tradition for decades.

The tradition continues at Field Manor, the original home of the pioneering Brevard family. The homestead at 750 Field Manor Drive, Merritt Island, will host its annual seafood fundraiser to help engage the community and raise money for the ongoing preservation and protection of Field Manor.

The historic house museum has partnered with the Brevard Humane Society for the Seafood Festival and this year funds will also go to the Humane Society for the construction of a new animal shelter.

“The ongoing preservation of Field Manor, our packing house, and the homestead are crucial to help preserve iconic pieces of Florida’s early settler history,” said Gwen Denninghoff, director of marketing for Field Manor.

Tickets for the festival include admission, a multi-item seafood sampler, a side of coleslaw, water, lemonade or tea, and a Field Manor drink koozie.

Food vendors will have additional seafood and non-seafood items available for purchase. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. New this year, the festival will include a mini-market showcasing local goods that emphasize coastal and animal-related themes.

A silent auction, museum and packing house tours, and live music round out the program for that event, slated from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7.

Tickets are $45 and are available at fieldmanor.org. More information can be found at the Seafood Festival web page, as well as on Instagram and Facebook on the Seafood Festival event page.

Wine dinner at the Chef's Table

The Chef's Table, next door to Amici's in Suntree, is preparing for its October wine dinner.

Set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18, the five course dinner with wine pairings is $125 per person. If spicy purple sweet potato and parsnip soup with spice creme fraiche, candied bacon and chili oil (first course) sounds tempting, just wait until you get to the third course of pumpkin risotto paired with Fireball Whiskey salmon rubbed with cinnamon and cloves.

You'll have to call for the rest of the menu, and reservations: 321-255-5377.

The Chef's Table is at 7720 N. Wickham Road, Suntree.

Pumpkin season at Metro Diner

Metro Diner is celebrating Pumpkin Month with menu items such as pumpkin waffles.
Metro Diner is celebrating Pumpkin Month with menu items such as pumpkin waffles.

Pumpkin season has arrived, and Metro Diner, which has a location at 7954 N. Wickham Road, Suite 101, Suntree, is celebrating with seasonal menu items.

Get your pumpkin fix with pumpkin bread pudding, pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin waffles. Wash it all down with pumpkin coffee or an apple pie mimosa.

Food to celebrate this week

What does the nationalday.com calendar have in store for us this week?

  • National Cinnamon Roll Day, Oct. 4

  • National Kale Day, Oct. 4

  • National Pumpkin Seed Day, Oct. 4

  • National Taco Day, Oct. 4

  • National Vodka Day, Oct. 4

  • National Apple Betty Day, Oct. 5

  • National Noodle Day, Oct. 6

  • National Orange Wine Day, Oct. 6

  • National Fluffernutter Day, Oct. 8

  • National Pierogi Day, Oct. 8

  • National Beer and Pizza Day, Oct. 9

  • National Angel Food Cake Day, Oct. 10

  • National Cake Decorating Day, Oct. 10

  • National Porridge Day, Oct. 10

Until next time, happy eating y'all.

If you have questions about any of our food content, feel free to reach out anytime via email at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Or connect with me on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard

Suzy Fleming Leonard

FLORIDA TODAY food editor

Maria Sonnenberg contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: In this week's food news get a Taste of Space, seafood on Merritt Island