What do you get when you mix a cool (ish) Florida fall day, Epcot, amazing food from all over the world, wine from across the globe and celebrity chefs?
Answer: The Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
I have been to all the parks multiple times but this was the first time ever going to the 'Food and Wine Festival.'
From the moment you enter the main gates, the scents throughout the park hint to you the culinary adventure you are about to have.
Epcot usually is home to eleven country showcases. During the food and wine festival, there are thirty food kiosks available for you to literally snack and drink yourself around the world.
From Hawaii to Australia and everywhere in between, cultures from around the globe represented at the Food and Wine Festival.
Many of the Kiosks are also staffed with young people from the country which brings a whole new level of fun to the experience. The kiosk from Greece was built to look like it was from the town of Santorini.
My first stop was the Festival Center.
This is where all the celebrity chefs do their demonstrations and where all the shops are located. We got to the park as soon as it opened so I was one of the first ones into the center. I didn’t stay for any of the demonstrations. but on the way out I did find the wine kiosk that was offering samples. I am not much of a drinker, but as I get older it feels like the adult thing to do is have a favorite wine. I explained to the worker that I am a light weight and she suggested a Blueberry wine that was so good. I ended up my day with a bottle to take home. We ended up having a twenty-minute conversation on what proof means in regards to alcohol and what to look for in the park that might suit my tender palate.
That kind service is something that sets Disney apart from any other amusement park, it was obvious that this woman enjoyed her job and that enjoyment was contagious to everyone she spoke with.
After the festival center, I set out to the world showcase.
My fist stop was Korea. They had some more unique choices but I decided to stick with something relatively tame. I chose the Korean BBQ beef on white rice with a glass of Raspberry wine. The exuberant young man who gave me my drink told me, “the BBQ beef is so good I would eat a pound of it if I could”. After two bites, I was ready to agree with the young man.
I passed several country's kiosks that offered authentic foods, but I was fairly certain that I was not going to be able to stomach Polish Kielbasa or sea scallops from Argentina, so I booked it to a country I knew I would love: Italy.
In Italy I ordered chicken parmagain on penne pasta. I had to smile when the young Italian man yelled "di pollio!” to the workers in the back. I sat at a table overlooking a river with a gondola floating. I felt like I was dining at a street Café in Venice.
After Italy, I could not leave the world showcase without a stop in France. I have always loved France. I have never been to the country but the food and the culture have always intrigued me.
At the France pavillian the pillars are covered with handbills, there are street performers and of course artists along the streets painting the masters.
The thing I never miss is the “Le Boulangerie.” They serve sandwiches here but why not skip the sandwiches and go straight for dessert.
I purchased a chocolate tart and a box of macaroons. I ate my tart outside at the café tables watching as people sipped Champagne and shopped.
I met a couple earlier that said they started the morning in France sipping Champagne and a worker with a heavy French accent told them, “you are starting the day as it should start” and wished them a happy time.
I hate to admit I threw in the towel after France.
I couldn’t eat another bite and if I drank anymore I would have to stay another night in the hotel. I am already planning to come back next year with my sisters and stay the night somewhere close. There is so much food and drink that I missed.
The 'Epcot Food and Wine Festival' creates an authentic experience for visitors. You leave at the end of the day feeling like you have experienced a little of all the countries you visited.
The Festival lasts until November 14th so if you get a chance to visit, I would highly recommend it. I promise you won't be disappointed. You can visit Disney.com for more information.
See you next year Epcot.
