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All the World’s a Bog with Chef Ming Tsai at Food and Wine Festival

Editor: please welcome back guest author Suzannah!

Tuesday night I ventured over to Epcot for one of the Culinary Demonstrations for the 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The demonstration I attended was sponsored by Ocean Spray’s Craisins – not only a sponsor of the Food & Wine Festival, but also an official sponsor of both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks. The chef for the evening was Ming Tsai, owner of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Massachusetts, author of two cookbooks: Blue Ginger and Simply Ming, and host of the PBS programs East Meets West and the Emmy nominated Simply Ming. Originally from Massachusetts, I’ve always been a fan of Ming Tsai and loved his cooking shows, so I was excited to see him create a dish for us.

Guests were greeted at the Festival Center (former Wonders of Life pavilion) with samples of Ocean Spray Craisins as they waited to be seated at tables in front of a demo kitchen stage. This was actually my first-ever culinary demo during the festival, I’m almost embarrassed to admit for the past 16 years I’ve been attending the Food & Wine Festival, I’ve only ever taken part in the Marketplace Booths and their delicious offerings, never a demo or seminar of any kind. I was pleasantly surprised at the presentation. For a mere $11-14 per person (depending on the chef), guests get an exciting cooking demonstration with a celebrity chef, either nationally known, or famous within the Walt Disney World Resort or local area. I had no idea we’d actually be seated at a table and get to enjoy the dish being prepared. I would definitely do this again and am now looking into future demos I can bring my husband or family back to.

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Gluten-Free Options at 2011 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

My wife is back from her second trip to the EPCOT Food & Wine festival. That’s two more than me, so I’m pretty jealous. She keeps gluten-free due to allergies, and while the regular Disney dining is very accommodating, every year at the festival is a bit of a challenge.

Last year some one provided a great list of which foods were Gluten-Free, so we tried to find that again this year. Alas, Disney was playing coy, and our mileage varied when we asked the festival managers.

We were finally able to get a couple cooperative chefs. Combine that with my wife’s detective work and here is the final list. Please remember to ask for a Chef at each booth so they are aware of your allergy needs.

Australia: Shrimp on the Barbie, Grilled Lamp Chop
Brazil: Seared Mahi Mahi (hold the sauce)
Argentina: Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce (my wife’s favorite)
Caribbean: Ropa Vieja (hold the mango salsa)
South Korea: Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw
Cheese: Cheese Plate
Germany: Goulash Soup
Hops & Barley: Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddler
Singapore: Beef Rendang
New Zealand: Seared Sea Scallop with Jumar-Red Curry
Portugal: Linguica Sausage, Calmari Salad
Ireland: Warm Choclate Lava Cake (is flourless)
Canada: Chicken Chipotle Sausage with Sweet Corn Polenta

It would be very nice if Disney would provide this list before the festival begins, instead of us having to compile it on our own.

Lots of photos below the jump:

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Ocean Spray brings Cranberry Flavor to EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

I wonder if these guys will be at EPCOT

The food and beverage partnership that was announced last October, is finally coming to fruition. The last few months have seen small changes at Walt Disney World restaurants. Craisins are now showing up in more recipes and on restaurant signs. And now, Ocean Spray will bring the Cranberry to the Epcot(R) International Food & Wine Festival. Chef Ming Tsai and Ocean Spray Growers will debut the first Cranberry Bog Exhibit celebrating the taste, health, and heritage of the Cranberry at the festival.

“Three quarters of Americans have never heard of a cranberry bog, never mind witnessed the beauty of the cranberry harvest firsthand,” said Ken Romanzi, Ocean Spray’s chief operating officer, North America. “Through our sponsorship with Disney, we are thrilled to educate a whole new group of people who might not otherwise understand the journey of their favorite Ocean Spray products, like Ocean Spray(R) Craisins(R) Dried Cranberries, from the bog to their favorite recipes.”

I’m actually a big fan of Craisins myself. I like adding them to my chicken salad or just eating them plain. I’m looking forward to this exhibit and maybe learning a few new uses for the flavorful food.

The full press release is below the jump:

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What to Expect at This Year’s EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Today we welcome guest author AJ Wolfe from the Disney Food Blog to discuss the new additions and events we can expect at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival this year. The 2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will entice visitors to return… Read More »What to Expect at This Year’s EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Giant Sandsculpture Recreates Disneyland Paris

When I was a child I loved to build sandcastles down at the beach. I even entered in a sandsculpture contest or two. I was never that good, but there were many contestants who were. Some of those projects were quite involved. Giant dragons, huge… Read More »Giant Sandsculpture Recreates Disneyland Paris

EPCOT 2011 Flower & Garden Festival Preview

EPCOT’s 2011 International Flower & Garden Festival opens today. While I won’t be able to make it out until this weekend, I did send a spy today who took these sneak peeks of the preparations still underway for one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World.

Familiar toy shaped Topiaries from Toy Story 3 will great guests as they enter EPCOT.

And there will be sand sculptures again. This year highlighting Wild Cats from the DisneyNature label.

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18th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Fun Facts

Some of the changes coming to this years 18th annual EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival includes an expanded butterfly garden, new topiaries, and HGTV stars. The festival runs March 2-May 15 and will feature over thirty million blooms, half a million plants, and an amazing… Read More »18th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Fun Facts