The folks out west must be jealous that EPCOT has just kicked off it’s food and wine festival. They’ve released this video that provides a peak backstage at a unique opportunity for Disneyland Resort cast members – a culinary academy. Disney’s Culinary Academy is a… Read More »Disneyland Culinary Academy
EPCOT’s International Food & Wine festival officially opens tomorrow, but if you head to the park this afternoon you’ll likely be able to experience some of the options during today’s test run. There are 70 new dishes this year and most of the old favorites (like Canada’s Cheese Soup). Look for more of an international street food feeling this year at the 27 food booths and showcases.
Orlando food critic Scott Joseph got to sample a few of the tasting sized dishes early this year and he has a review up on his blog. A downloadable guide and map are available at Scott’s blog or the official website.
Another change might come as a surprise to long time event attendees. The daily wine seminars and tastings are no longer be free. There is now an $8 fee. Tickets are sold through the reservation system. However, Disney is holding some tickets for sale in the park each day for guests who may not have heard about the change.
Food and Wine runs a long 45 days this year wrapping up on November 8th, which will make it a pretty tight turn around to get the Winter Holiday decorations up at the park.
One of my favorite parts of the Food & Wine Festival are the Eat To The Beat concerts. Plenty of big names this year, and, in what I believe is a first, an American Idol winner.
A full listing of which acts are scheduled below the jump:
Read More »EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival’s new look
The Food & Wine Festival returns to EPCOT this year September 25 – November 8 for the 14th time. As with last year the even is slightly downsized from the height of 30+ countries, but the flavor and experience is all there. During the six-week event, park guests can taste fine cuisine and wines from top “foodie” cities of the world and enjoy entertainment from musical acts that will bring back memories of yesteryear.
Festival guests can enjoy the flavors of more than 25 international marketplaces dotting the World Showcase promenade highlighting tastes from cities on six continents, including Bologna, Italy; Bangkok, Thailand; Wellington, New Zealand; Santiago, Chile; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; and, from the United States – New Orleans. Tapas-sized portions of regional specialties run $2 to $7 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. Puglia, Italy, returns as a sponsor this year, presenting culinary demonstrations with regional chefs and showcasing Adventures of Pasta and Olive Oils.
I personally hope that this year’s festival will include more of a street food element. It is a trend in food service right now, and it works well with the ‘foodie’ cities theme they have this year. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Follow the jump for more festival highlights:
I’m beginning to sense a trend at Walt Disney World and that trend is Tequila. Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney opened earlier this year and now the much anticipated La Cava del Tequila bar at the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT has opened. I’m betting there… Read More »La Cava del Tequila opens in Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT
A few fun posts and bits of news to pass along tonight. I actually spent today at SeaWorld and had a great time. The crowds were decidedly light for a Saturday and lines were short (walked on Atlantis and Kraken). It was my first ride… Read More »Around the Hub – Weekend Update
Guests at EPCOT’s Mexico pavilion will soon have a new Tequila bar in which to add a new twist to their Disney vacation. La Cava del Tequila, will become the newest addition at Mexico Pavilion on August 28, 2009. Through the décor, art work, original… Read More »Tequila Bar set to open August 28th in Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT
Chef Robert Irvine from Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible,” gets tips from Chef Mickey for his Oct. 25 appearance at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Chef Irvine is back on the Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible” show after sitting out one season after the controversy… Read More »“Dinner Impossible” on tap for EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival
I’d like to welcome Kevin Yee as a guest author to The Disney Blog. Opened in 1989 as an inaugural part of Pleasure Island, the Portobello Yacht Club maintained the backstory of shipping magnate Merriweather Pleasure, whose warehouses were decimated by a storm, prompting him… Read More »The New Portobello Restaurant: Deceptively Simple