2012 Food and WineFestival

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Loved the report!

Having grown up in an area with a very large ethnic Polish population (Buffalo), we ate a lot of Polish food, including pierogies. I could eat my weight in those things. I would love to try the Kielbasa and Pierogies at F&W.

[Family of Bears 98]

Love Pierogies! We have had yearly pierogie-making day at our house every year since I was little. We make Grandma Krywy's recipe in bulk to last months. Haven't tried Epcot's yet, curious to see how they are.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Love Pierogies! We have had yearly pierogie-making day at our house every year since I was little. We make Grandma Krywy's recipe in bulk to last months. Haven't tried Epcot's yet, curious to see how they are.

Do you fill with farmer's cheese? potato?

Sorry Dave....don't mean to hijack this with a pierogie discussion. :rofl3:

[Family of Bears 98]

Yes, cheese and potato. When we want to get a little crazy we throw in some onions. All 1000 of them stuffed and pinched closed by hand. Served fried with melted butter. Mmmmm.

[Family of Bears 98]

Sorry Dave....don't mean to hijack this with a pierogie discussion. :rofl3:

Sometimes you just have to talk pierogie

[devores 382]

Its not technically a hijack. The thread was about food and youre talking about food. So its all good. Besides, fiends never apoligise for a hijack. Its to be expected and a part of every thread.

[.....Gary 85]

We ventured to the Cast Preview of the 2012 Food and Wine Festival. This is one of those events we attend every year, but this is the first Cast Preview we have been able to attend.

The crowds were lower, but there were still allot of people. I attest this to the internet. Word gets around quick and this event is quickly becoming common place and people plan trips expecting it now. But nothing is guaranteed and a few booths were closed and some of the food items were not available. So its not the full experience.

We started out arriving at 1400....or 2pm (I gotta get out of that military time mindset).

The displays were up. I noticed the theme for this year. "Taste your Way Around the World." Disney is cashing in on the theme of so many guests to EPCOT. Drink your way around the world, eat your way around the world, shop your way around the world....you get the idea. Didnt need to put much imagination into that.

We head straight to World Showcase and begin our "trip". We had starved ourselves all day to prepare for this and was starving.

The first booth up was:

This was a new vegan booth. Nothing against vegans, but nothing seemed appealing to us, even after fasting all day.

Judge for yourself......

Introduced: 2012

Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice featuring Gardein Chick’n Breast - $3.75,Vegetarian

Chili Colorado with House Made Chips & Cashew Cheese, featuring Gardein Beefless Tips - $3.75,Vegetarian

Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Sorbet and Coconut Foam - $2.75, Vegetarian

Paul Dolan Sauvignon Blanc – $4.25

Paul Dolan Pinot Nior – $4.25

Silk Berry Smoothie - $3.75

Next up:

Introduced: 2011

Ropa Vieja with Cilantro Rice - $3.50

Jerk Spiced Chicken Drumstick with Mango Chutney - $3.25

Bacardi® Frozen Dragon Berry Colada - $7.75 and $12.75

Bacardi® Torched Cherry Frozen Cherry Limeade - $7.75 and $12.75

We had the Jerk chicken. We get one serving and share. This tactic helps us make it all the way around the world without exploding. We also pace ourselves, taking time to eat and relax at each destination rather than eat and run. Today we didnt have the normal full day to enjoy things. The preview was only from 2 to 8. Six hours to visit 29 locations.

Sorry, I forgot to get a picture of the chicken. Remember, I was famished at this point and nearly ate one of my fingers while devouring it.

The portion was small, for the cost, and you get one drum-let. The chicken was good though.

Next:

Introduced: 1996

Beef Empanada - $4.00

Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Purée - $5.00

Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay - $3.75

Terrazas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon - $3.75

Terrazas Reserva Torrontes - $3.75

Terrazas Reserva Malbec – $3.50

We did not taste anything here. My wife makes a mean empanada and last year these just did not compare. We skipped the disappointment and moved on.

Next:

Introduced: 1997

Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze - $4.75

Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies - $5.75

Lamington - $3.00

Beverage Selections:

Rosemount Estate Traminer Riesling – $3.00

Rosemount Estate Chardonnay Semillon – $3.00

Rosemount Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz – $2.50

Rosemount Estate Shiraz Cabernet – $3.00

We had:

Thats the shrimp on the barbie. It was delicious.

But, I never did see the Barbie. I was expecting this:

Oh well, Jipped again.

Next:

Introduced: 1996

Crispy Shrimp Taco with Chipotle Lime Mayo and Cabbage Served on a Flour Tortilla - $5.25

Taco de Filete with Cascabel Pepper Sauce and Scallions Served on a Flour Tortilla - $5.50

Natilla de Cajeta (Caramel Custard Served with Sauce) - $3.00

Dos Equis Beer (20 oz) – $8.25

L.A. Cetto Chardonnay – $4.50

L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah – $4.50

Lime Strawberry Margarita On the Rocks – $7.75

Tequila Flight: Tequila Blanco, Reposado and Anejo – $12.50

It was mentioned on another TR that allot of the countries with a presence in EPCOT simply move the food they normally serve out to the Food and Wine booth. Mexico is one of them. We were looking for something different, so skipped this booth.

Next:

Introduced: 2011

Taste of Scandinavia: Cured Salmon, Herring and Shrimp Salad - $4.00

Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberries - $3.50

Rice Pudding with Driscoll’s® Only The Finest Berries™ - $2.75

Iron Horse Fairytale Cuvee – $8.75

Xanté – $6.00

Xanté Sunshine – $7.50

We tried the meatballs last year and were not impressed. We had also tried the Rice pudding. So with nothing on the menu that stood out, we moved on.

Next:

Introduced: 1996

Mongolian Beef with Chinese Steamed Bun - $4.50

Pork Pot Stickers - $3.75

Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Pickled Vegetables - $4.25

Mango Tapioca Pudding - $3.25

Tsing Tao Beer – $6.00

Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Riesling – $3.50

Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Syrah – $3.50

Happy Lychee with Vodka – $7.00

Sunny Guava with Coconut Rum – $7.00

Remember at the beginning I said not everything was opened? Well, China was not. Bummer, because we love the pot stickers. I know you can get them in the quick service there, but the sauce they serve with them is different at Food and Wine. So, we moved on.

Next:

Introduced: 2010

Lettuce Wrap with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw - $3.25

Mung Bean Pancake with Shrimp and Kimchi Sauce - $3.00

Bohae Black Raspberry Wine-Bokbunjajoo – $4.00

Chung Ha Soju Fruit Slushy – $7.00

Chung Ha Soju – $6.50

Last year they had the bulgogi which we really liked. I lived in Korea for a year and it was very similar to what I ate there. We were looking forward to it again this year. But it was not offered. BOOOOO. Not a fan of kimchi, we moved on.

Continued (because I cant remember pic count)............

I'm with you, not a fan of kimchi at all.

[Just Beachy 18]

Great TR, Dave! Fantastic pictures, too! I would be so full, I would be rolling out of there!! lol.

[Southern Blessings 4]

Thanks for posting the offerings at each country! I feel like I was tagging along!

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

Thanks Dave, now I'm hungry for Korean bulgogi. Nice trip report.

[Seals 111]

I've never been to the F&W Festival. After looking at these pictures I realize I now have yet another goal in life. Although I will probably be broke and unable to move by the time I leave. It's interesting seeing all the choices and prices.