**2010** Epcot Food & Wine Festival ENDED 11/14. 2011 FESTIVAL 9/30-11/13

[lurkyloo]

I dunno about PFTS viewing, but last Christmas they gave us Candlelight Processional dinner package holders access to a private viewing area for IllumiNations, and it was between the two gift shops at the entrance to World Showcase. Considering that the capacity for the Food & Wine Dessert Party Thingy is, what, 500 people, I'm thinking it will be in the same place.

 

[lurkyloo]

Oh yeah, and for anyone who is wondering whether D23's Sip & Stroll event on October 15-16 is going to include any of the events that go on sale July 20 so that they don't buy tickets for something they'll get for "free" by going to the D23 event, the answer is... D23 doesn't know, and the itinerary will not be released before July 20, so you takes yer chances...

This is a big deal for me (and maybe only me!) because at Christmas we bought tickets to all the various WDW parties and dinner packages and then discovered they were all going to be duplicated by D23's Magic & Merriment event.

So for Food & Wine this year, I'm trying to figure out what I need to call for on July 20 and what might be included if I get tickets to D23's Sip & Stroll event. I talked to the guy in charge at tonight's D23 Aulani event, and all he could tell me is that A) they won't even start talking to Epcot Events about the possibilities til next week, and B) whatever they do is going to be totally different from last year's Sip & Stroll and less of "first you go to this, then you go to that"....

 

[mom2cookies]

not to take off topic, but thanks for the comments regarding the Wishes seatting etc.

 

[bsbrady]

I have a question, during EMH, do the kiosks/booths stay open throughout?

 

[BriarRosie]

I have a question, during EMH, do the kiosks/booths stay open throughout?

It's been widely reported last year that the kiosks closed around the time of Illuminations. I don't expect them to stay open for EMH nights this year, either.

 

[minster22]

I am going to ask again and hope someone here has some imput.....we are hoping to go to Food and Wine (unofficially)on Sept 30th evening, our last night at WDW. I have been around this time in the past and it seems that most of the food kiosks have been open a day or ahead of the official opening. Anyone here remember this being so or am I wishful thinking? And no I do not want to do the Pre-opening reception....just taste around the world and then watch Illuminations.

 

[pixie08]

It's been widely reported last year that the kiosks closed around the time of Illuminations. I don't expect them to stay open for EMH nights this year, either.

I do not think they were all opened for EMH two years ago either, so for anyone wondering I would say do not count on it. If some are, great.

 

[arbolita]

I am going to ask again and hope someone here has some imput.....we are hoping to go to Food and Wine (unofficially)on Sept 30th evening, our last night at WDW. I have been around this time in the past and it seems that most of the food kiosks have been open a day or ahead of the official opening. Anyone here remember this being so or am I wishful thinking? And no I do not want to do the Pre-opening reception....just taste around the world and then watch Illuminations.

They were open the Thursday before the festival started last year for a "soft" opening, so you should be able to go to a few of them.

 

[redzinner]

Where: Festival Welcome Center

When: Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon

Price: $85.00 per person, plus tax, gratuity included – Theme Park admission required.


October 3 - Matt Lewis & Renato Poliafito, Baked, Brooklyn, NY
October 10 - Warren Brown & Mary Meyers, CakeLove, Washington, DC
October 17 - Gale Gand, Tru, Chicago, IL
October 24 - Richard Ruskell, Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA
October 31 - Geraldine Randlesome, Creative Cutters, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
November 7 - Emily Luchetti, Waterbar Restaurant and Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
November 14 - TBD

foodwinefest

 

[oybolshoi]

I do not think they were all opened for EMH two years ago either, so for anyone wondering I would say do not count on it. If some are, great.

This is correct - we were so looking forward to EMH at Epcot in 2008 and doing dessert around the showcase during the late evening and all the booths were shuttered at their normal times. Very disappointing,

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Where: Festival Welcome Center

When: Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon

Price: $85.00 per person, plus tax, gratuity included – Theme Park admission required.


October 3 - Matt Lewis & Renato Poliafito, Baked, Brooklyn, NY
October 10 - Warren Brown & Mary Meyers, CakeLove, Washington, DC
October 17 - Gale Gand, Tru, Chicago, IL
October 24 - Richard Ruskell, Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA
October 31 - Geraldine Randlesome, Creative Cutters, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
November 7 - Emily Luchetti, Waterbar Restaurant and Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
November 14 - TBD

foodwinefest

So they raised the prices of that again?

So not worth $85/person.

 

[Leota]

Awesome! Gale Gand will be there during our trip. I worked with Gale at the Strathallan way back in the 80's. It'd be great to see her. I wonder if she'll remember me. I was a lowely appentice/rounds-person & she had her own pastry area that I didn't get to help with too often.

 

[oybolshoi]

So they raised the prices of that again?

So not worth $85/person.

agreed. it was $65 per person when we did it four years ago and even then I'm not sure it was worth the price. but we did very much enjoy meeting warren brown - super nice guy.

 

[PNO4TE]

I am going to ask again and hope someone here has some imput.....we are hoping to go to Food and Wine (unofficially)on Sept 30th evening, our last night at WDW. I have been around this time in the past and it seems that most of the food kiosks have been open a day or ahead of the official opening. Anyone here remember this being so or am I wishful thinking? And no I do not want to do the Pre-opening reception....just taste around the world and then watch Illuminations.

They were open the Thursday before the festival started last year for a "soft" opening, so you should be able to go to a few of them.

In past years the kiosks have been open the night before (some even the day before) the official opening. With the First Bites opening reception going on in the Festival Welcome Center it is possible that some of the kiosks could be open. However, I think that it is just as likely that they won't be. I have come to learn that no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to guess or predict what Disney will do!

 

[PNO4TE]

agreed. it was $65 per person when we did it four years ago and even then I'm not sure it was worth the price. but we did very much enjoy meeting warren brown - super nice guy.

And that is the only reason I might consider booking it this year. I had a chance to talk to both Mary and Warren twice last year, mainly because we had our locale in common. They are just as nice as they can be. I also lucked into his culinary demo thanks to the kindness of an overbooked tablemate at the wine seminar just prior to his spot. He is so well spoken (most attorneys are ) that he held our attention the entire time.

 

[minster22]

Thanks for the replies about the soft opening....I actually got a little nervous about the announcement of the pre-opening party thinking they might keep the kiosks closed so that everyone will buy tickets for the special event. I guess I will just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

 

[Steve-O]

Where: Festival Welcome Center

When: Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon

Price: $85.00 per person, plus tax, gratuity included – Theme Park admission required.


October 3 - Matt Lewis & Renato Poliafito, Baked, Brooklyn, NY
October 10 - Warren Brown & Mary Meyers, CakeLove, Washington, DC
October 17 - Gale Gand, Tru, Chicago, IL
October 24 - Richard Ruskell, Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA
October 31 - Geraldine Randlesome, Creative Cutters, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
November 7 - Emily Luchetti, Waterbar Restaurant and Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
November 14 - TBD

foodwinefest

These dates appear to be for 2010. Are there any other events that this site has schedule for? Particularly looking for French Regional Lunches and Special Dinner events.

 

[redzinner]

These dates appear to be for 2010. Are there any other events that this site has schedule for? Particularly looking for French Regional Lunches and Special Dinner events.

I haven't seen any dates for the Lunches or Dinner events yet ... soon, hopefully.

 

[redzinner]

From Scott Joseph's Orlando Restaurant Guide:
Now here’s a tasting that really is Grand.

On the five Saturdays in October during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Grand Marnier will present a tasting of its full range of liqueurs, including the 100 and 150 year olds. After the tasting, guests will learn how to shake and muddle special Grand Marnier cocktails, then taste flambeed crepes Suzette and frozen souffle glace prepared by the chefs of Bistro de Paris. All of this for $45, which is probably less than a taste of the 150 year old Grand Marnier alone. The cost includes tax and gratuity, but not addmission to Epcot, which is required. Tastings will be at the Bistro from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Still no official announcement on ticket sales start date, but be sure to put this one on the top of your list. It's going to sell out fast.

This event is so on my list!
I disagree with his last statement: it has been published by Disney that ticket sales will start on July 20 at 7 am.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

And that is the only reason I might consider booking it this year. I had a chance to talk to both Mary and Warren twice last year, mainly because we had our locale in common. They are just as nice as they can be. I also lucked into his culinary demo thanks to the kindness of an overbooked tablemate at the wine seminar just prior to his spot. He is so well spoken (most attorneys are ) that he held our attention the entire time.

I'm going to hope for a cooking demo from him around that weekend. I may spend the overpriced $10 or whatever it is for that.