2013 Food & Wine Festival

[Christine]

Walt Disney World invited INTERCOT to attend the media event kicking off the 18th annual Food and Wine Festival in Epcot on Saturday September 28, and John (alongfortheride on INTERCOT) and I were privileged to be asked to attend. Hopefully you were able to follow LIVE via INTERCOT's Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram feeds.

The day began with a brunch on the second floor of the Festival Center. We were able to experience several Marketplace offerings, including chocolate orange cupcakes, hazelnut chocolate cheesecake, morello cherry pistachio mousse, champagne, and frozen s'mores from the Desserts and Champagne kiosk.

There was a "breakfast" station with a lovely frittata, Ghiradelli mini muffins, and fresh fruit.

We also were able to try the vegetarian haggis with neeps and tatties from Scotland, the kimchi dog with spicy mustard from South Korea, and crispy pork belly with black beans, onion, avocado, and cilantro from Brazil.

While all of that was spectacular, the big treat was yet to come. Special appearances and time to speak with Epcot's Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann and Celebrity Chef Carla Hall from ABC's The Chew.

Speaking with Chef Jens Dahlmann was fascinating. You could hear his passion for the festival through his delightful German accent. He explained to me how the festival takes 9 months or more of preparation. He brings in over 100 student chefs to assist, though throughout the day, I saw him plating food in more than one kiosk. He's extremely hands on and places high standards and demands on his team. He said that he believes there is ALWAYS room for improvement, and he will always strive to be better. I was very captivated by his work ethic and history in how he became a chef. We will upload video of this interview on INTERCOT's YouTube channel soon.

I was unable to have more than a photo op with Chef Carla Hall. As you can imagine, she was in high demand at the event and time ran out before she could meet with everyone. I had a brief chat with her off camera regarding her new mini cookies that are the size of a sugar cube. She was terribly funny telling my husband that she assures him they would even satisfy him, as they're packed with flavor!

After brunch, we went through the Marketplace and enjoyed browsing the great festival merchandise. This year's offerings are very well done. They offer Disney inspired "cartoony" fun products as well as more "sophisticated" themed items.

We were able to briefly meet Visit Scotland's (www.visitscotland.com) chairman Mike Cantlay, who was at the Scotland kiosk. We would meet him again later at the evening's event and will upload that video interview on the YouTube channel soon. He was a very charismatic person who exudes a love and pride for his homeland that runs over to those he speaks with. I have now added visiting Scotland to my bucket list!

We spent the afternoon perusing the different kiosks, trying new things as well as our old favorites. Our agreed top 5 must-do list (which is a VERY difficult list to compile) is as follows, in no particular order:

1. Escargot persillade en brioche and chocolate milk crème brulee from France
2. Teryaki chicken hand roll from Japan
3. Lettuce wrap with roast pork and kimchi slaw from South Korea
4. Shrimp taco with purple cabbage in Mexico
5. Kalua pork slider with sweet and sour dole pineapple chutney from Hawaii.

After milling around the World Showcase, we took in the Eat to the Beat concert featuring Starship. A link to the video on INTERCOT's YouTube channel will follow soon.

Once the concert was over, we were escorted to the Chase Lounge above the American Adventure pavilion for a private reception, where I found a new love: Schofferhofer grapefruit beer! Cool and refreshing!

Then we were on our way to the big event: Scotland: Land of Food and Drink. This event was to kick off and welcome the addition of Scotland to the Food and Wine Festival. After Saturday night, it will become Party of the Senses.

We were delighted by a wonderful buffet including haggis, chicken, salmon, potatoes and rutabagas, cauliflower cheese soup (which was my absolute favorite of the night), as well as decadent desserts. The wee toffee apple cakes were amazing as were the shortbread cookies with strawberries and whisky cream. Speaking of whiskey, there were several different premium label whiskeys available to sample. I do not have a palate for whiskey, but it was highly successful with other guests . I did however enjoy the multiple whiskey infused sauces and marinades that were in several dishes.

The entertainment for the event was surreal. Rachel Sermanni from Scotland sang several times, including a finale "Auld Lang Syne". Her voice is like an angel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The City of Dunedin (Florida) Pipe Band and Highland Dancers also performed several different numbers which were regal and captured the spirit of Scotland.

The excitement continued as Princess Merida and Queen Elinor paraded through the venue and met with guests. It was a fantastic character experience, to say the least.

Sadly, after having grazed through the Food and Wine Festival and enjoyed so many tasty and entertaining treats, the day came to an end. But not before the 10:00 weekend edition of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. That was the perfect kiss goodnight to a day of sights, sounds, smells, and savoring.

The joy of EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival is that you have an opportunity to let your taste buds think outside the box. Years ago, the Food and Wine Festival was where I tried sushi for the FIRST time. It's a tiny portion at a small price, not a large commitment of an entrée. That is one of the biggest draws to Food and Wine.

If you've been before, you know that this is a much anticipated event. Yes that means the crowds are large, but the kiosks are run efficiently. The afternoons (particularly weekday afternoons) tend to have lighter crowds.

If you have not been to a Food and Wine Festival at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort, put it on your bucket list! And maybe Scotland, too!

[Christine]

Vegetarian Haggis with neeps and tatties
Kimchi Dog with spicy mustard
Crispy Pork Belly with black beans, onion, avocado, and cilantro
Chef Jens Dahlmann speaks to our group
Chef Carla Hall speaks to our group

[Christine]

Interviewing Chef Jens Dahlmann
Hangin with Chef Carla!
Merchandise
Merchandise
Mike Cantlay of Visit Scotland

[Christine]

Playing the bagpipes in Scotland
Starship in concert
Scotland: Land of Food and Drink
One of the fabulous desserts!
Chef preparing Salmon

[Christine]

More great food!
A rare appearance by Merida and Queen Elinor!
The Dunedin Pipe Band makes an entrance
Dunedin Pipe Band and Tampa Bay Highland Dancers on stage

[disneykidsince1970]

LOOKS FABUOUS!!! I just cannot wait to walk around and enjoy the smells, the sights, the people, the taste!

Thanks Christine - looking forward to hearing more on the podcast!?

[VWL Mom]

Thanks Christine, great review. Reading it really makes me want to come down for a few days of F&W just to try out the new items especially the Frozen S'mores.

[wildernesslady]

Great review. I can't wait to try it all in 27 days.

[Dsnygirl]

Thanks Christine, soooo wish we were going this year!! And Scotland's been on my bucket list for years... so excited it's part of the F&W Fest now!! Hoping it stays, if only for the bagpipers!! Hungry now....

[MO-5]

Excellent job CW! What a great report, wish I could make it this year

Jim Lawlor