Hello Everyone!
Well I’ve been back in real life for a week and other than being Walt Disney World homesick already, I am also very very hungry. Now the reason for this is a very easy one…Epcot’s 17th Annual Food & Wine Festival!!
In this post I am going to share with you my experience of the festival and give you tips on things to try and how to tackle the event.
Now for this event I went at it hard and wanted to have at least 1 item from every booth in 1 day and truly conquer the Food & Wine Festival! Well I did it…or we did it, because doing that on your own would be a really hard task so it helps if you have a few family members or friends to help. This also helps with cost and if your family or friends don’t mind sharing, you get to have a little taste or sip of everything!
So here is my 2012 Epcot Food & Wine adventure!
Staying at Disney’s Boardwalk resort is great. Just stating a fact. I awoke from a well needed lay in and strolled over to Epcot at around 10:30am to wait for World Showcase to open at 11am. I picked up my passport (because half the fun is eating and drinking, the other half is collecting stamps from each booth). I listened to many a Podcast before I came and researched with the help of the wonderful Disney Food Blog for my plan of attack.
Now instead of starting over by the Mexico pavilion or the Canada pavilion I opted to start just past France at the Belgium booth. This I thought would give me a quieter walk around World Showcase than the other ways. While this was true I came into a few problems within the first few booths. I am willing to forgive as this was opening day of the festival (Friday, September 28th) but I saw they were test running the booths the night before, so I don’t know why they had problems.
Belgium
Guylian Belgian Chocolate Seashell Truffles
What better way to start the day than with Guylian Belgian Chocolate. mmmm! This was where I came into the first problem; they had no Belgian Waffles ready!! There was a wait for waffles to be ready so we opted for the truffles, and what mighty fine truffles they were.
New Zealand
My thoughts on the Lamb Meatball
Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney
Oh New Zealand. Where do I begin? Firstly, they had no ice so you could not buy any cold drinks, next, they can’t find their stamp for my book so I have to come back later, and then they serve me this. A meatball served in what we British have on our sunday dinners (a Yorkshire pudding) topped with some weird tomato mush. It wasn’t too great but not every dish will be a hit with everyone.
Morocco
Kefta Pocket
This was much better. A nice ball of seasoned beef inside a Kefta pocket. I experienced no problems with the Morocco booth, they were ready and waiting for foodies.
Singapore
Singapore Sling
Beef Rendang With Jasmine Rice
Whew, Singapore was one of my favourite booths as it had possibly my favourite dish of the event. The Beef Rendang was a spicy, juicy, filling dish which was a bargain at $3.25 for a big portion. This was one of the great finds of the festival. I also had to try the Singapore Sling because I had heard so much about this drink (mostly bad). The lady serving at the booth told me it was something crazy like 90% proof!! I’m surprised that they are allowed to sell a drink like this because let me tell you, it is some strong stuff. It didn’t taste too bad but it did give you a good kick or a punch in the throat. Also note this was a little before mid-day, maybe the wrong idea.
Japan
Sukiyaki Beef Pan
This dish was very tasty. Marinated and sliced Rib-eye steak with sautéed onions covered in Teriyaki sauce, you can’t do much better than that. Im not a fan of sushi which was the other dishes this booth sold, so this dish was a great alternative.
Florida Local
Florida Lager
The Florida Local booth is new this year and I wasn’t really keen on any food items they sold so I opted for a rather tasty 6oz Florida Lager. I should have really gotten a food item in hindsight as the next 2 booths were also alcoholic.
Hops & Barley
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Just a short walk to my next Beer stop with a 6oz Samuel Adams Boston Lager. I don’t really like dark beers so I stay safe with the lagers or ciders.
Fife & Drum
Red Stag Frozen Lemonade
My last alcoholic beverage for a while was the Red Stag Frozen Lemonade which was very tasty. Jim Beam whiskey frozen with lemonade is very refreshing. I urge you to try this next time you are there as it helps with the hot Florida sun.
Italy
Ravioli di Formaggio all'Emiliana
So after 3 alcoholic drinks and the Singapore Sling still punching me from earlier I was in desperate need for food. And what better food than a big tub of meaty, cheesy goodness! Otherwise called a Lasagna, this was a big portion and was very tasty with Parmesan and Mozzarella mixed with creamy Beef Bolognese. A winning combination.
Poland
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream
This doesn’t look very appetizing but it surprisingly was. Think of a hot dog without the bun. The sausage mixed well with the onions and sour cream, and I’m not too sure what potato pierogie was but it was good.
Germany
Roast Bratwurst In A Pretzel Roll
This has always been a Food & Wine favourite of mine. It’s a must have item and I could eat these all day long. It’s a shame there isn’t more Pretzel Bread but the sausage is mighty tasty on it’s own.
Brewer’s Collection
Radeberger Pilsner
Beer Time! It wouldn’t be a Food & Wine Festival without a Radeberger Pilsner. One of my favourite beers of the event.
Cheese
Sterling Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Yes this is the Cheese booth and I purchased a wine. I wasn’t feeling the Cheese Fondue that day as I knew a certain stop in Canada was coming up and I had the cheesy Ravioli in Italy. Standard Sauvignon Blanc, I’m not really a wine expert.
South Africa
Seared Filet Of Beef With Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce
This dish was very nice. I don’t really like sweet potatoes but I polished these off. The Filet of Beef was cooked to perfection and the Braai Sauce was a great addition to the dish.
South Korea
Mung Bean Pancake With Shrimp And Kimchi Sauce
This dish was awful. I like shrimp but this was disgusting and I had to chuck this away.
China
Pork Potstickers
Potstickers are always a good choice and it was a tough decision as China had 3 different dishes I wanted to try. In the end my love of potstickers overcame and it didn’t dissapoint.
Scandinavia
Rice Pudding With Driscoll's
This was the last stop before a well needed break. The rice pudding wasn’t what I was expecting but it was good enough and was a change to all the meat and alcohol.
So with that, I took a break to have a nap and change out of my ever tightening clothes. That ends Part 1 of my jaunt around the Food & Wine Festival. I hope you enjoyed this part and look forward to part 2 in the near future.
Leave me a comment on here or on Twitter @detailsofdisney
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