**2011** Epcot Food & Wine Festival HAS ENDED. 2012 Festival 9/28 - 11/11

[MartyM]

For those who are there now, how has the weather been? Has it affected FW at all?

 

[OKW Lover]

Up until today the weather has been fine. Especially this past week when the humidity has been down. Today there were some showers (heavy at times) but not steady. Interrupted the Swan Dolphin Food Fest for a while.

 

[franandaj]

Is there a Grand Mariner Tasting tomorrow? I'd really like to hear about that!!!!! I'd love to hear about the French lunches, but since they change weekly, what someone has this week has no bearing on what I'll have in three weeks!

Three weeks and I'll be there!

 

[dgbg100106]

At the beginning of the week the humidity was low and it was hot but bearable.

The last couple of days the humidity was up around 70% and it was a little tough but doable.

 

[GDUL]

In the UK area, last year it was close to the Millennium Village gate area, I believe, so between the Rose & Crown and the Canada pavilion.

The map shows it to be the 6th country heading right once you enter the WS (starting with the Craft Beers booth).

 

[bellebookworm9]

We are heading over to F&WF today! We got here yesterday morning and spent the day at the hotel (Beach Club Villas). It was warm, but rained off an on, sometimes torrentially. I doubt it really affected food and wine, but it did upset our swimming/surrey bike riding plans a bit.

 

[NejTheLion]

October 7 Event Mini-Reviews:

French Regional Lunch @ Bistro de Paris - "Tour de France"

This event continues to be one of the highlights of the festival. While expensive, it's on par with a multiple-course tasting menu at a high-end restaurant. I'm always impressed that they're able to serve 75 people so efficiently and without the food suffering any in quality. Wine pours are extremely generous with servers coming around offering seconds and thirds on everything. I'll try to post something later with pictures. Only flaw was the lack of scoring on the duck breast. Scoring allows the fat to render out, making the skin nice and crispy. Without that, it's rubbery and unappealing. I just pulled the skin off and ate the meat, which was very tender, but it was unfortunate given the quality of everything else we were given.

Wine Blending Seminer @ Swan & Dolphin

Much more engaging than most wine seminars since we had the opportunity to play around and create our own Meritage (Bourdeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec). Tony Porcellini as the host was a trip - knowledgeable and had a lot of fun. In addition to the wine, we were also given some high-quality cheese to nibble on throughout. Would definitely enjoy doing this again!

Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Causeway Tasting

To me, this is now definitely the best kept secret of the festival (partly because it's not officially part of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival). They kicked things up a notch this year. Expanded their offerings, fixed a couple minor glitches from the inaugural event last year, and even had Todd English on hand in support of his restaurant bluezoo. Although the rain did get in the way partway throu, I'd still recommend this to anyone. And with it raining all day today, I'm sure they'll go with the plan to have it inside. If you're looking for something to do this evening (October 8), don't miss this! The brown butter basted lobster roll with truffle may just be the best thing I've ever eaten at a large-scale tasting event like this!

 

[snykymom]

Anyone know if Robert Irvine's Kitchen Memories lunch is sold out? A friend wants to add one person to her table. Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

Anyone know if Robert Irvine's Kitchen Memories lunch is sold out? A friend wants to add one person to her table. Thanks!

According to the WDW website it is sold out.

 

[vossjemi]

The map shows it to be the 6th country heading right once you enter the WS (starting with the Craft Beers booth).

Do you have a link to this map? It shows where all the booths are located?

 

[TDC Nala]

There is a link to the festival World Showcase map in the first post. Ireland is Booth No. 25.

 

[LMO429]

A couple of friends are at epcot right now..they said some of the food and wine booths are closed due to the high winds and rain going on at epcot. I feel so bad when it rains on people's disney vacations ..sending pixie dust for some sunny skies!

 

[vossjemi]

There is a link to the festival World Showcase map in the first post.

Thank you!! I had read the first post before, but missed that. That is exactly what I was looking for!

 

[LMO429]

October 7 Event Mini-Reviews:

French Regional Lunch @ Bistro de Paris - "Tour de France"

This event continues to be one of the highlights of the festival. While expensive, it's on par with a multiple-course tasting menu at a high-end restaurant. I'm always impressed that they're able to serve 75 people so efficiently and without the food suffering any in quality. Wine pours are extremely generous with servers coming around offering seconds and thirds on everything. I'll try to post something later with pictures. Only flaw was the lack of scoring on the duck breast. Scoring allows the fat to render out, making the skin nice and crispy. Without that, it's rubbery and unappealing. I just pulled the skin off and ate the meat, which was very tender, but it was unfortunate given the quality of everything else we were given.

Wine Blending Seminer @ Swan & Dolphin

Much more engaging than most wine seminars since we had the opportunity to play around and create our own Meritage (Bourdeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec). Tony Porcellini as the host was a trip - knowledgeable and had a lot of fun. In addition to the wine, we were also given some high-quality cheese to nibble on throughout. Would definitely enjoy doing this again!

Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Causeway Tasting

To me, this is now definitely the best kept secret of the festival (partly because it's not officially part of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival). They kicked things up a notch this year. Expanded their offerings, fixed a couple minor glitches from the inaugural event last year, and even had Todd English on hand in support of his restaurant bluezoo. Although the rain did get in the way partway throu, I'd still recommend this to anyone. And with it raining all day today, I'm sure they'll go with the plan to have it inside. If you're looking for something to do this evening (October 8), don't miss this! The brown butter basted lobster roll with truffle may just be the best thing I've ever eaten at a large-scale tasting event like this!

I am attending the french regional lunch 10/28 I am looking forward to it. DO they give you options for lunch. Not a big fan of duck but I am willing to try it again.

also wish the swan and dolphin events were offered more than one weekend.

glad you enjoyed everything!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I am attending the french regional lunch 10/28 I am looking forward to it. DO they give you options for lunch. Not a big fan of duck but I am willing to try it again.!

They do not give you options. Its a set menu. The menu changes for each event though.

 

[bellebookworm9]

A couple of friends are at epcot right now..they said some of the food and wine booths are closed due to the high winds and rain going on at epcot. I feel so bad when it rains on people's disney vacations ..sending pixie dust for some sunny skies!

We just came back. When we headed out this morning, it was raining pretty hard, but we put on our flip flops and ponchos and headed out. Spent three hours there, got to Australia and the Caribbean, and it started *monsooning*. We are literally soaked to the skin so taking our afternoon break early. I didn't see any booths closed, and we passed quite a few.

 

[LMO429]

We just came back. When we headed out this morning, it was raining pretty hard, but we put on our flip flops and ponchos and headed out. Spent three hours there, got to Australia and the Caribbean, and it started *monsooning*. We are literally soaked to the skin so taking our afternoon break early. I didn't see any booths closed, and we passed quite a few.

so sorry it is raining so hard I hope it lets up..even disneyfoodblog posted a facebook status that many of the booths are closed hopefully the rain will stop and they open back up

 

[LMO429]

They do not give you options. Its a set menu. The menu changes for each event though.

Based on the number of different courses I am not to concerned if something on the menu is not a food that I care for. I am def willing to at least try it.

For those who have been does it really last the full 3.5 hours that they allot for it?

 

[TDC Nala]

For those who have been does it really last the full 3.5 hours that they allot for it?

At the 9/30 lunch, the first course was a duck gizzard salad. That didn't go over very well.

The lunch lasted 3 hours.

In heavy rain and wind, they will close the booths. It is not safe for them to be cooking in the booths with that kind of weather.

 

[KPSmithSr]

Hey LMO429, DW and I will be at the French Lunch that day with you, if there is anything you don't like, pass it on down. Especially the wine!!!