By Peter Covino

Lifestyles Editor

It is one of the biggest days of the year in Australia, with fireworks, outdoor sports competitions, concerts and festivals.

You can get it on the some of the fun and be an honorary Aussie next Saturday as Quokka Coffee, 131 Broadway, Kissimmee, celebrates Australia Day with a street party.

The event will feature live music, Australian food, wine and beer and more from 4 to 10 p.m.

You can call the coffee/sandwich shop at 407-483-5827 for more information.

Chili time

It’s Chili Day in downtown Kissimmee today with the annual Sunshine Regional Cook-Off starting at 11 a.m.

The event includes tastings of the competition chili at 3:01 p.m., the People’s Choice Chili competition beginning at 12:30 p.m.

You can watch chili chefs work their magic at the cooking stations in front of the Kissimmee Civic Center as they compete for $4,000 in cash prizes and a chance to go to the world finals ICS competition later this year.

Food & Wine

More than 20,000 people are expected to fill the streets of downtown Orlando at the Downtown Food & Wine Fest, Feb. 23-24.

The event, at Lake Eola on Robinson Street, features local cuisine paired with wines from around the world. More than 40 Orlando area restaurants are expected to participate. And musical guests include Atlanta Rhythm Session (Feb. 23) and All-American Rejects (Feb. 24).

Admission is $10 per person, per day with advance online purchase  at www.DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com.  Advance tickets are also available at Mercedes-Benz of Sanford, Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, and Mercedes-Benz of South Orlando.

Admission at the door is $15 per person, per day. Admission for children under age 12 is free.  Food tickets are available at the event for $2 each; food and wine offerings range from one to four tickets.  New for 2013, VIP ticket packages include parking, a private pavilion, and additional Fest perks and privileges.   A limited number of VIP tickets are available only  at Mercedes-Benz of Sanford, Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, and Mercedes-Benz of South Orlando.

New for 2013, the Liquid Lounge will be the place to remix, relax, and refresh during the Fest on Broadway Street.  Featuring beer, wine, and specialty drinks for purchase, guests will meet and mingle with 102 JAMZ On-air Mixers in a South Beach-style setting.

The Fest is presented and produced by CBS Radop, led by Orlando favorites MIX 105.1, 1059 SUNNY FM, and 102 JAMZ in partnership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.  Located in the heart of downtown Orlando at Lake Eola on Robinson Street, the two-day Fest features dishes from 40 of Orlando’s premier restaurants, domestic and international wines, and live entertainment.  A portion of the proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and the FRLA Educational Foundation.

Cooper’s

Waterford Lakes Town will be adding Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, a modern casual dining establishment featuring a signature menu with dishes designed to pair perfectly with Cooper’s Hawk wines.

Opening in late 2013, the unique Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant concept will include an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, and Napa-style tasting room as well as a retail gift store. This 10,320 square foot space will be located near Regal Cinemas and Pier 1 Imports.  Signature dishes include options such as chicken giardiniera, gnocchi pomodoro, pistachio-crusted grouper and short rib risotto in addition to a selection of sandwiches, burgers and desserts.  Gluten-free, catering, brunch and kid’s menus are also available.

“The addition of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant will complement the exciting and diverse tenant mix found at Waterford Lakes Town Center,” said Jamie Fraser, Director of Marketing and Business Development. “Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant will further enhance our visitors’ experience at the shopping center and we are thrilled to welcome them this year.”

“We are incredibly excited about being part of Waterford Lakes Town Center and feel like this is a great fit,” said Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant Founder and CEO Tim McEnery.  “We are looking forward to bringing our concept to a new market and this will also complement our future International Drive location, which is scheduled to open in 2014.”