2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival *HAS ENDED*

[goodferry]

How about Opening Bites? Anyone been to it before? Trying to figure why the price is higher then PFTS?

 

[TDC Nala]

There was some indication that the First Bites reception would not be held this year. Can't remember exactly where I saw that, but I did see it. However, the full schedule isn't out yet.

Here is a review of last year's First Bites:

http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw11/2011-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-first-bites-reception.htm

 

[momtoamulan]

Thanks!

 

[ImprovGal]

I expect the reason we get "HGTV" for Food & Wine instead of Food Channel is that this festival conflicts with the Food Network's own festival which is in NY in October
http://www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com/

I don't think the HGTV appearances supercede celebrity chef appearances. We had the HGTV personalities last year, as well. They gave talks but didn't tie up the chef demo kitchen. Last year the celebrity chefs were scheduled mostly on the weekends; resort chefs and some guest chefs were scheduled during the week. True, the Food Network personalities will be busy at the NYC festival that particular weekend, but we could see guests who are celebrity chefs without Food Network shows. I rather enjoy seeing the chefs who actually still cook in their restaurants. It helps me find restaurants to visit when I travel (or sometimes local to me -- Matt Genuso, I promise I'll get over to Chez Pascal soon!).

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't think the HGTV appearances supercede celebrity chef appearances. We had the HGTV personalities last year, as well. They gave talks but didn't tie up the chef demo kitchen. Last year the celebrity chefs were scheduled mostly on the weekends; resort chefs and some guest chefs were scheduled during the week. True, the Food Network personalities will be busy at the NYC festival that particular weekend, but we could see guests who are celebrity chefs without Food Network shows. I rather enjoy seeing the chefs who actually still cook in their restaurants. It helps me find restaurants to visit when I travel (or sometimes local to me -- Matt Genuso, I promise I'll get over to Chez Pascal soon!).

And those chefs are not paying Disney.

Disney promotes those who hand them checks, it is as simple as that

 

[TDC Nala]

The Food Network festival is only one weekend. And the Epcot festival usually does feature a few chefs who are on Food Network, like Robert Irvine.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The Food Network festival is only one weekend. And the Epcot festival usually does feature a few chefs who are on Food Network, like Robert Irvine.

Yeah, but I don't think Food Network is going to use it's stars to promote Disney when it conflicts with their event.

So the network promotes HGTV.

The TIW is tonight. Hopefully we get some more details, but I am not overly hopeful

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Argh! I want Dessert party info!!! This is worse than waiting for Christmas!

I'm right there with you Sistah!! Wasn't there at least one DISer at the preview tasting tonight?!!

 

[zeferjen]

Woot! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/...le-for-the-2012-epcot-food-and-wine-festival/

 

[TDC Nala]

I was going to post the link to the new info from the Disney Food Blog but it has already been posted..I am also placing it in the first post.

Those looking for Buddy Valastro, it appears he is not doing a Sweet Sunday but will be appearing at a Kitchen Memories event ($130) on November 9. The deminars aren't out yet, so he might still do one of those.

This year it appears all I will sign up for is an Italian beer tasting, one or two Italian regional lunches and a PFTS. Possibly a Flying Fish dinner but I haven't decided on that.

 

[TDC Nala]

DFB is also indicating maybe tomorrow for food booth menus.

3D dessert party is being held on October 5, 12, 26 and November 2 (all Fridays.) There will be no dessert party on October 19. On that date, the Magic of Healthy Eating dinner will be held at World Showplace.

 

[Arynrm1]

The cake boss, Buddy Valstro will be in town when I am there!!! Since I am going with 2 kids, this means no expensive events for me. I'm hoping that he will do a deminar that week as well that we can get into!

 

[Inkmahm]

Yay! The one I was really hoping for will happen. Robert Irvine is there on October 26 for Kitchen Memories. We did his lunch last year and it was wonderful. Also means he will likely be there again for PFTS on October 27. Those are the two definite ones for DH and me so far. This year I will likely do the reserved seating for PFTS but NOT Wine View Lounge. For an extra $100 per person, the Wine View Lounge isn't worth it to me. I only booked it in prior years to get the reserved seat.

 

[AJW]

Those looking for Buddy Valastro, it appears he is not doing a Sweet Sunday but will be appearing at a Kitchen Memories event ($130) on November 9. The deminars aren't out yet, so he might still do one of those.

Tidbit from last night: Marianne Hunnel mentioned that Buddy was going to be promoting his new cookbook at the Festival, and that he was focusing on savory stuff versus the sweets/cakes.

 

[onelilspark]

Joining in for this thread.

We're doing PFTS on October 27 and maybe the Tequila lunch on the 28th.

Then we'll see what demos/seminars are available!

 

[AJW]

Other fun bits of info from last night that you guys might want to hear about:

-- The F&W Fest Cookbook this year will have a different format and will include recipes from some of the deminars as well as those from the booths.

-- Booth food will be served in "boats" this year versus on plates. Not sure if this is for every booth or just for the new ones.

-- A "festival palate plate" will be available in the merch booths this year. This will be like the one you get at Party for the Senses with a little hole for your wine glass.

-- Online booking will be available similar to last year. Marianne mentioned that because Party for the Senses had three tiers this year, people might need to book that by phone. It's still being worked on right now.

-- There will be a new exhibit in the Festival Center called "from beans to bars" sponsored by Ghirardelli. Basically a chocolate exhibit with some chocolate sculptures from Disney chefs. There may be tastings and samples.

I'm parsing through my notes from last night and will post with any more details I find!

 

[Jabba20000]

From looking at the list of events it looks like they are doing away with the taquila tasting this year. Too bad, I was hoping to do this as it looks like the lunch last year had seafood in two of the courses and I am not a seafood eater. That is too high a price to payif I'm not going to eat the food.

 

[rentayenta]

Holy moly my head is buzzing from trying to process so much info this early.

 

[TDC Nala]

More of me quoting from the Disney Food Blog (thanks AJ for assembling all this):

Festival Center Seminar and Demonstration Details

Here are a few tidbits we found out about the Festival Center low-cost seminars and demos:

– Wine/Beverage Seminars will take place Mon-Thursday at 12, 2, and 4PM; and Friday-Sunday at 2 and 4PM. They will cost $14/$11

– Culinary Demos will take place Daily at 1, 3, and 5PM. They will cost $14/$11.

– Mixology Seminars will take place Daily at 6PM. They will cost $14.

– Wine Shop Samplings will take place Daily at 1, 3, and 5PM.

More details about these events will be announced soon.

 

[goodferry]

It's nice to have some information! We will definitely do the Party for the Senses on the 6th, trying to decide which of the Italian events we want to do and considering one of the early dinners (we are there from the 27th-7th)