Epcot Food and Wine Festival’s New Experiences for 2013
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Disney guests can sip and savor fresh flavors from six continents during the 18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney chefs will debut the authentic tastes of Scotland at the celebrated 46-day festival known for innovative food, wine, beer, cocktails, music and entertainment. The sizzling aromas of more than 25 ethnic and specialized marketplaces including Africa, Brazil and Florida Local will tempt guests strolling the World Showcase Promenade. Celebrity chefs like Warren Brown and Jamie Deen will bring culinary cachet to special festival events and demonstrations.
Festival planners will present a delectable menu of premium programming, plus daily wine tastings and mixology seminars. Nightly Eat to the Beat concerts will keep the party rockin’, and five bands will make their festival debut this year. In Future World, the iconic Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog will return for a third year to introduce families to the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.
- New marketplace debuts; favorites return -Traditional flavors with a twist will pair with beers, meads and Scotch at the new Scotland Marketplace designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Scottish officials were so impressed with the hit Disney film, “Brave,” that they contacted festival planners about participating in this year’s festival. The Brazil Marketplace returns by popular demand with an exciting new menu following a one-year hiatus. Hawai’i is back with its flavorful Kalua Pork Slider, and Terra, which debuted last year, returns with vegan favorite Trick’n Chicken Curry.
- Fan favorites rock the house at Eat to the Beat! Concerts – “We Got the Beat” with the Go-Go’s (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) and four other musical acts are set to make first appearances at Eat to the Beat nightly concerts. Also new to the festival stage: Edwin McCain (Oct. 10-11), The Manhattan Transfer (Oct. 12-13), Spin Doctors (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), and Christopher Cross (Nov. 2-3) Nineteen bands are slated, with STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas kicking off the concert series Sept. 27-29. Returning fan favorites include The Pointer Sisters, Smash Mouth, Boyz II Men, Sister Hazel, Air Supply, Hanson and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
- Celebrity chefs cook and dish – Renowned chefs like Warren Brown, Paula DaSilva, Gale Gand, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Dean Max, Rock Harper, Jeff Henderson, Art Smith, Buddy Valastro, Allen Susser, “Cake Boy” Eric Lanlard, Duskie Estes and John Stewart, Donald Link, Bryan Voltaggio and Emily Ellyn share their talents during culinary demos and premium events.
- Festival Welcome Center buzzes with activities – Guests can make the most of complimentary Authentic Taste seminars. Culinary demonstrations and wine seminars feature new tastes and sips for a nominal fee.
- Reserved culinary events draw foodies — Special culinary programs showcase a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers like Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson as they participate in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.
Other festival highlights include:
- More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country
- A complimentary Marketplace Discovery Passport to be stamped at each international marketplace visited for the perfect scrapbook souvenir.
- Party for the Senses grand tasting events Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, and Nov. 2 featuring tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
- Premium events including “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery on select Fridays, Cheese Seminars on Saturdays and Sweet Sundays on Sundays.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Disney World, Epcot, Food and Wine, Food and Wine Festival, Walt Disney World, WDW
Chase Lounge at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Available to All Its Customers
A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned via Twitter that as the main sponsor for the 2012 International Food and Wine Festival that kicks off tomorrow at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Chase was offering free access to its festival lounge. At the time, we were aware of Sapphire and Disney Visa customers having access to it, but since many sites have gone on to report the news, primarily only as being available to Disney Visa customers, we would like to seize the opportunity to provide additional information.
Chase has in fact announced that the lounge, which is located on the second floor of the Festival Center (aka the former Wonders of Life Pavilion), will be accessible to all Chase cardholders, including debit cards. The lounge will be open each day of the festival from 9 am to 7 pm and will offer guests complimentary services and amenities such as soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange Fanta, Lemonade Lite, Water, Coffee, Tea), free WiFi and charging stations.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Chase, Disney World, Epcot, Food and Wine Festival, Walt Disney World, WDW
Recipe: ‘Pumpkin Mousse Trifle’ from Epcot’s 2011 Food and Wine Festival
Although I must confess to not having tried it myself this past year at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival at the Walt Disney World Resort, it was impossible for me to ignore the constant raves regarding the pumpkin mousse available at the American Adventure pavilion.
Although I didn’t read it before it was apparently deleted, a tweet from @WaltDisneyWorld leads me to believe that the recipe for the pumpkin mousse was published online, if but for a short time. Thus I am pleased to be able to bring you the official recipe from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as relayed via a press release from Ocean Spray, one of the event’s sponsors.
Note however that the recipe comes with the warning that it has been sized down proportionally from the kitchen sized proportions required by the Epcot theme park, so ‘flavor profile may vary.’
Pumpkin Mousse Trifle with Cranberries and Apricot-Orange Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 store-bought spice cake mix, prepared per package directions and cooled
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup apricot jam
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 egg yolk (or 1/4 cup pasteurized egg yolks)
- 3/4 cup canned pumpkin pie filling
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries , plus extra as garnish
Directions:
Prepare cake as following package directions. Cool completely. Cut into cubes and set aside.
To make streusel:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a sheet pan with foil; set aside.
Combine oats, flour, brown sugar and sugar in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and stir until mixture is crumbly. Pour onto prepared sheet pan
Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside to cool; crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
To make apricot-orange sauce:
Combine apricot jam and orange juice in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth. Set aside.
To make pumpkin mousse:
Combine egg yolk and pumpkin pie filling in a medium mixing bowl.
Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stopping every 30 seconds to stir. Stir melted white chocolate into pumpkin mixture.
Using an electric mixer on high speed, whip cream in a medium mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into pumpkin mixture.
To assemble trifle:
Place a dollop of mousse at the bottom of a serving dish. Top with Craisins® dried cranberries and a drizzle of sauce. Place a few cubes of cake over mousse. Top with another layer of mousse, Craisins® and sauce, then top with streusel. Garnish with a few Craisins® on top.
Makes 6-8 servings.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Food, Food and Wine Festival, Recipe
2011 Food and Wine Festival Offers Mobile WebApp, Gowalla Stamps
Available throughout Walt Disney World’s Epcot during the International Food and Wine Festival, September 30 – November 13, 2011, the QR code shown here will take guests to an official mobile site for the event. Although the actual URL is pretty hefty, for the benefit of those without a QR decoder app, we are offering http://626.sk/food which will direct you to the mobile site.
Once you reach the mobile site / webapp, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Food and Wine events (including availability), Eat to the Beat concert information, pavilion information and more as well as the ability to mark favorites, share items and even add items to the calendar. The site is designed primarily for use on an Apple iOS device such as an iPhone, but it does work to varying degrees on other devices such as Android devices, although functionality may be limited.
The official Food and Wine Festival Facebook page has added the ‘Festival Tidbits‘ app which provides an interactive map of all the food offerings at the festival with the ability to share with friends. You can also add ‘passport stamps’ to your timeline to show off where you’ve been at the festival and Disney has announced that it will expand on its Gowalla partnership by offering Food and Wine Festival passport stamps.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Food and Wine Festival
Wine and Dine Half Marathon ‘Finish Line Party’ to Feature Attractions and New Food Offerings for First Time
A capacity field of runners will experience new food and wine options as well as have exclusive access to signature Disney attractions for the first time at the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, at Walt Disney World Resort, further enhancing an event affectionately known as the “ultimate runners night out.”
At the post-race Finish Line Party at Epcot that lasts until 3 a.m., several Epcot attractions will be operating, including Soarin’, Test Track and Mission: Space. Also, there will more than 20 new food and beverage kiosks, bringing the total number to nearly 90, as well as live video feeds of the race on giant monitors.
The new food and entertainment enhancements are designed to further heighten the runner experience and build on the race’s instant popularity. This year, more than 12,500 runners – nearly 2,000 more than last year’s inaugural race – are expected to take part in the unique experience of running through Walt Disney World theme parks at night. The 13.1-mile trek starts at 10 p.m. at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and takes runners through Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios before finishing at Epcot during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The event features a relay option which gives runners the opportunity to team up with a partner and each run the course in 4.8-mile and 8.3-mile intervals. Everyone who completes the race receives a finishers’ medal.
Defending champions Anton Van Zyl from Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and Melissa Wisner from Washington, D.C., return, leading a field of runners from all 50 states and 21 countries.
Fans can purchase tickets to the post-race party at Epcot at www.runDisney.com or at the event’s Health and Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
In addition to the race and Finish Line Party, the weekend features the Disney Halloween 5K at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Kids’ Races at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, both on Saturday. The Health and Fitness Expo takes place Sept. 30-Oct. 1 inside the Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The expo features the latest in running equipment, products and apparel as well as seminars from running experts – including runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Food and Wine Festival, Half Marathon, runDisney, Running, Sports, Wine and Dine
Special Events for Epcot’s 2011 Food and Wine Festival Start Booking August 16
Dreaming of a festive autumn evening at the grand-scale Party for the Senses food and wine event at Epcot? Or maybe a more intimate artisanal Cheese Seminar with New York City fromager Max McCalman is on your radar.
Foodies who want to lock in their favorite events at the 16th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13 should save the date of Aug. 16, 2011, and set their alarms for 7 am. That’s when reservations open for all special culinary and beverage programs offered during this year’s 45-day food, wine, beer and cocktail extravaganza. These special events have proven to be extremely popular and availability is limited.
Events available to book:
- First Bites Opening Reception (Sept. 29, 6:30-9 p.m.)
- “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11)
- Taste, Shake and Indulge Like the French Grand Marnier Tasting and Interactive Experience (Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5)
- Epcot Wine Schools (Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 5)
- Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining (Oct. 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27, 30, Nov. 1, 2, 3, 7, 10)
- Kitchen Memories — formerly Celebrating Family & Friends in the Kitchen (Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11)
- Cheese Seminars (Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12)
- Party for the Senses (Oct. 8, 15, 22, Nov. 5, 12 at new times: 7:30-10 p.m.)
- Food & Wine Pairings (Mondays, Tuesdays)
- Sweet Sundays (Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13)
Additional special events slated will include Italian and French pairings and lunches, as well as Mexican tequila events. To make reservations: 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378). Event updates and details will be posted at disneyworld.com/foodandwine.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Events, Food and Wine Festival
D23 Announces 2010 ‘Sip & Stroll’ Event, Dave Smith Retirement Dinner at Walt Disney World
On October 15 and 16, D23 members are invited to partake in the 2010 ‘Sip & Stroll’ event at Walt Disney World. In addition, a limited number of tickets will be available for a private retirement celebration dinner in honor of Walt Disney Studios Archivist Dave Smith which will be held at the VIP Lounge at the Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion at Epcot.
Tickets for the just event are $85 while tickets for both the event and dinner are $185 each. D23 members in good standing may purchase a ticket for themselves and one additional guest.
The event begins on Friday evening as D23 attendees are invited to celebrate Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival with unique experiences created just for them. The group will first gather in the foyer of The American Adventure pavilion for a wine and cheese reception. A selection of artisan cheeses with dried fruits, berries, nuts, and house made breads along with Canadian cheddar cheese fondue and additional flavorful treats will be available. Wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages will also be served to set the tone for a fabulous event.
Guests who have purchased the Dave Smith retirement dinner package will then join the festivities inside the VIP Lounge of The Seas with Nemo and Friends Disney Legend Dave Smith, retiring Chief Archivist for The Walt Disney Company, is honored on his final day with the company.The VIP lounge is one of Epcot’s most beautiful private spaces, featuring an enormous glass window that looks into the pavilion’s 5.7 million gallon aquarium. Dinner includes a selection of crisp salads, grilled flatbreads, pecan-roasted turkey, fresh scallops and beef medallions. Sumptuous sides include sweet potato mash, wild mushrooms and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese. You can also wash down some delicious German sausage and baked spaetzle with Radeberger beer from Germany. For dessert, there will be a selection of sweets inspired by Disney movie classics. Dinner includes wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages — all perfect to toast the man who founded the Walt Disney Archives 40 years ago.
Saturday morning the event convenes at the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase to sample some robust Mexican coffee and pastries at the newly opened La Hacienda restaurant, hosted by Ricky Deblar, president of the San Angel Inn, who will be on hand to talk about the latest addition to Epcot eateries.
Following the breakfast treat, the group will journey on to the Odyssey building for exclusive presentations and surprises. Our friends from Guerlain and Givenchy will explore their rich histories with Epcot — and Givenchy will offer a sample of their brand new fragrance. Chef Scott Hunnel and Israel Perez of Disney’s exquisite Victoria and Albert’s restaurant will share exciting details about the new Queen Victoria Room, and they will prepare a new dish that will be featured at Remy — the new restaurant on the Disney Dream!
That afternoon, guests can join D23 head Steven Clark, Dave Smith, Archives Director Becky Cline, Disney twenty-three editor in chief Carmen Capone, D23′s Disney Geek Jeffrey Epstein and others from the D23 Team as they sip and stroll our way around World Showcase. As we talk about some of our favorite Epcot spots, each guest will have a “passport” they can use to obtain exclusive Sip & Stroll surprises at various locations around the lagoon.
Also during the day, the VIP lounge inside The American Adventure pavilion will be open just for D23 Members as a place to enjoy some water or lemonade. If you haven’t seen the elegantly designed lounge, you will definitely want to stop in for a look and a libation.
That evening the group will gather at the America Gardens Theatre for reserved seating to the Eat to the Beat concert featuring ’80s icon Howard Jones (“What is Love,” “No One is the Blame”).
The event draws to a close at the Italy Isola for private, reserved viewing of the nighttime spectacular IllumiNations and a mouthwatering dessert party that will include strawberries with Creole Shrubb burst, milk chocolate hazelnut crunch, flambéed cinnamon doughnuts with tiramisu gelato and much more! The perfect way to end a fantastic food-filled weekend!
Tickets will become available for purchase on August 30 at 1 pm ET. Please note that park admission to Epcot is required for both days and is not included in the D23 package. For more information and to order tickets when available, see here.
Categories: D23 Expo, Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: D23, Food and Wine Festival, Sip & Stroll, World Showcase
Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival Returns for Sixth Year, April 29 – June 12
Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival will celebrate its sixth anniversary in 2011 with six weeks of culinary experiences for guests of all ages, April 29-June 12 at Disney California Adventure park and select locations across the Disneyland Resort.
Chefs, winemakers and guest speakers will focus on cultures, tastes and traditions with hundreds of tantalizing demonstrations, along with outstanding wine and spirits seminars. Guests will also feast on delicious food, wine and beer available throughout Disney California Adventure park.
- Look for celebrity chefs, Disney chefs and culinary masters to present their gastronomic talents in a full menu of complimentary demonstrations and signature paid events. In years past, the signature events have included Sweet Sundays, “Taste Wine Like an Expert” classes, and Taste Food-Wine-Life, a night that celebrates the essence of the festival with a mosaic of food, wine and live entertainment.
- Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival includes experiences for anyone who appreciates the art of food, wine and beer.
- Many of the popular live culinary demonstrations and autograph sessions feature celebrity chefs. The 2010 lineup included chefs Guy Fieri, Cat Cora, Robert Irvine and Jeffrey Saad.
- At the spectacular ticketed events, food and wine aficionados collect cooking tips from chefs, mingle with noted winemakers and celebrate the flavors presented by culinary masters.
- Guests sample from the delicious tapas menu at the Taste of California Marketplace.
Note that some festival events held in Disney California Adventure may require park admission, which is not included in the event price. For more information, see www.disneyland.com/foodandwine closer to festival dates.
Categories: California Adventure, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks Tags: DCA, Events, Food and Wine Festival
2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Guide and Map Now Available
Walt Disney World has just made its festival guide and map available for the 15th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival which takes place October 1 – November 14, 2010. The guide covers returning and new international marketplaces such as Belgium, South Korea and Charcuterie & Cheese plus events unique to the festival including brand new entries such as the Marketplace Discovery Passport sponsored by Disney Vacation Club, ‘First Bites Opening Reception,’ ‘”3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery,’ ‘Taste, Shake and Indulge Like the French’ and more! Newer eateries such as Kouzzina and Paradiso 37 as well as some older favorites such as Bongo’s Cuban Cafe and Fulton’s Crab House are also joining in on the fun this year.
Reservations for dining experiences open up tomorrow, July 20 at 7 AM ET.
The 2010 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Guide and Map are available in PDF format.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Events, Food and Wine Festival, FW
2010 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Merchandise Preview
Merchandise featuring the artwork of Disney Fine Artist Tim Rogerson for the 15th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is now available for preview.
Tim will be offering signings at the festival gift shop near the Canada Pavilion on October 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 and November 6, 7, 13, 14 between 11 am and 9 pm.
The event runs from October 1, 2010 through November 14, 2010.
To preview the special festival merchandise available, see the official merchandise page here.
Categories: Epcot, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Events, Food and Wine Festival, Merchandise, Tim Rogerson
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