You may not realize this, but the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is not the only must-attend event for foodies this fall. The culinary team at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is already gearing up for the annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Get your plates and wine cups ready for two nights of outdoor food and fun on October 18 – 19.
Last year was my second year attending and it was bigger and better that the previous year. I left with a very fun stomach and a list of wines I knew I wanted to try again. The chefs and staff of the Swan and Dolphin’s best restaurants partner with their top vendors to make this an experience you’ll savor. Now that the classic is returning for its fourth year I urge you to attend and savor the flavor of culinary innovation along the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel’s lush causeway.
So what will you find at the classic? Join me below:
In addition to enjoying the delights of numerous food and wine stations, guests can immerse themselves in food and wine education seminars; meet the masters behind the culinary magic and take in some live entertainment at the same time.
Among the scheduled enticing food selections are a short rib Oscar, marrying beef, Maryland blue crab, asparagus and hollandaise; a Chinese-inspired vegetarian bao; a handcrafted convergence of bacon, black-eyed pea puree and mapleg. Finishing touches like raspberry s’mores and a milk chocolate mousse dome with a center of caramel cream and hazelnut dacquoise sponge cake, make for perfect way to end the evening.
New to the educational lineup is a pasta-making seminar hosted by hotel executive chef Robert Ciborowski. Guests will learn to make pasta dough from scratch and assist with the creation of specialty pastas. The wine education tract will feature a new Italian wine class, where guests will learn the history of Italian wine and its influence on culture and cuisine. Returning beverage seminars include modern mixology, sake, beer, wine-blending, champagne, Riesling and Spanish wines. The seminars are led by the hotel’s certified culinary and beverage experts.
While enjoying live entertainment and enticing food and wine samples, guests also can get a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English. English is a world-renowned restaurateur who has gained national acclaim through his line of restaurants and cookbooks, and his countless other food-related enterprises. His concept, Todd English’s bluezoo, is a AAA four-diamond restaurant and one of the signature restaurants of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. Other noted chefs, including Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef – and the world’s only two-time World Pastry Chef – will also be on-site throughout the weekend.
With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel boasts more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages. The hotel’s restaurants are annual winners of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence including Shula’s Steak House, a three-time recipient of the exclusive Best of Award of Excellence.
Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com.