2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 31, 2017 - November 13, 2017

[MickeyMinnieMom]

She's the host of the cooking demos. The only nice thing about the reduction in the number of demos is she probably won't be drunk! (Seriously she drinks wine non-stop and if there are several demos a day she's wasted by the last one!) She also thinks that you came to hear her and that EVERY chef is her best friend.

Some of the chefs are good and just keep her under control, but it takes a strong personality!

And now she has her own "spice mix" (AKA as a "I found something to make money off of at the festival" from what I have heard it's not really even very good) that gets it's own sessions so you just get her bragging about herself... NO WAY! LOL!

She is so obnoxious that I no longer sign up for demos. I am done with her act!


http://www.pamsmith.com/index.php

Yup. I will say that Alex Guarnaschelli was AWESOME at handling her!

 

[hippiechicken]

Since I'm not happy with my demos, I'm thinking about doing one of the meals. However I don't eat any red meat, pork or duck. Give me any chicken, turkey, fish or shellfish, veggies, fruits, grains...I'm fine. Does anyone know if they offer alternatives? The 2 that I'm thinking of are French Family and Mediterranean F&W. I know French Family got rave views last year but I don't remember seeing much about the Mediterranean.

Last year my daughter was able to get substitutions at the Italian lunch. She simply told the waiter she didn't want the meat, and he offered her other options. I remember she had cantaloupe instead of lobster. She was also able to get items without meat at Party for the Senses.

 

[nordkin]

As a DVC member, where do I call tomorrow morning & what is the earliest I can call? Or can I do this online as DVC member?

I talked to Member Services yesterday on a different issue then asked about early booking. I was told we had to call them so they can verify were are DVC and eligible to book starting at 9. We are calling both numbers just in case.

 

[samsteele]

I didn't see any exciting culinary demos for my Epcot dates either. I've cut back on the deminars anyway so not a big deal. If anyone is considering the Patrick Whalley (Publix) culinary demo on Sept. 20 - he put on an excellent deminar a few years ago & I would recommend. Great speaker & tasty food. Don't be put off by Publix (supermarket chain). He's a great presenter and it's an exceptional cooking resource.

 

[nordkin]

Just received this from DVC.

For reservations, Disney Vacation Clubmembers should contact DVC Member Services beginning at 9am on Tuesday, July 18. Online and telephone reservations will open to the general public at 7am on July 20. Reservations are required and many events fill up quickly.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Just received this from DVC.

For reservations, Disney Vacation Clubmembers should contact DVC Member Services beginning at 9am on Tuesday, July 18. Online and telephone reservations will open to the general public at 7am on July 20. Reservations are required and many events fill up quickly.

I find this all so frustrating... EVERY YEAR!!

Some events still only say to call -- even on July 20. And this makes it sound like everything could be booked online. Drives me batty... every year...

 

[gottalovepluto]

So happy for this thread, I know what to watch out for and what to book to make the best of our big F&W trip! Y'all are AWESOME!

 

[Disney & ME]

The PFTS chef lineup has been announced too. http://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/m...e-festival/party-for-the-senses-2017_july.pdf

 

[sunnygal041]

She's the host of the cooking demos. The only nice thing about the reduction in the number of demos is she probably won't be drunk! (Seriously she drinks wine non-stop and if there are several demos a day she's wasted by the last one!) She also thinks that you came to hear her and that EVERY chef is her best friend.

Some of the chefs are good and just keep her under control, but it takes a strong personality!

And now she has her own "spice mix" (AKA as a "I found something to make money off of at the festival" from what I have heard it's not really even very good) that gets it's own sessions so you just get her bragging about herself... NO WAY! LOL!

She is so obnoxious that I no longer sign up for demos. I am done with her act!


http://www.pamsmith.com/index.php

Oh my, I know who she is. Wow

 

[sunnygal041]

The PFTS chef lineup has been announced too. http://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/m...e-festival/party-for-the-senses-2017_july.pdf

I'm glad to see Erin McKenna's team there. I am dairy-free and I love her stuff!

 

[randumb0]

The PFTS chef lineup has been announced too. http://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/m...e-festival/party-for-the-senses-2017_july.pdf

Wow they've never posted the entire chef lineup prior to (unless I've just missed it). This is exciting

 

[cdtommie]

I called to ask what number to call Tuesday at 9AM and was told to call DVC (I'm a DVC member), but I assume the WDW-FEST number has to be open for AP, TIW and Golden Oaks (that sure ain't me).

It wouldn't make sense to tell the AP, TIW and GO folks to call the DVC number. I'm guessing the only reason to call DVC would be for the PFTS 50 seats reserved for DVC? Total confusion as usual every year.

 

[karrit2000]

Wow they've never posted the entire chef lineup prior to (unless I've just missed it). This is exciting

It's been there for at least the past 3 or 4 years. The link is usually buried in the info somewhere. I know I've perused it in previous years. They are good at hiding some of the links. One year I was actually able to access the Vendor info that showed what the Participating vendors & Sponsors were required to supply & Pay in order to participate. It was quite mind blowing.

 

[DVC4US]

I called to ask what number to call Tuesday at 9AM and was told to call DVC (I'm a DVC member), but I assume the WDW-FEST number has to be open for AP, TIW and Golden Oaks (that sure ain't me).

It wouldn't make sense to tell the AP, TIW and GO folks to call the DVC number. I'm guessing the only reason to call DVC would be for the PFTS 50 seats reserved for DVC? Total confusion as usual every year.

This is what has me confused on who to call. I am DVC & an AP holder and I want to book PFTS for Oct 21st. I wanted to book the select seats they have for DVC but we have a party of 10 and each member can only book 8. (we do have 2 different memberships included in our party of 10) I was told I would have to make 2 different reservations and they could not guarantee we would be sitting together. Who wants to do that? So I plan on trying both numbers and just book our party of 10 in one reservation and skip the special DVC seats.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

The PFTS chef lineup has been announced too. http://secure.cdn1.wdpromedia.com/m...e-festival/party-for-the-senses-2017_july.pdf

Thank you! I love Art Smith. He just seems to really embrace having a Disney restaurant more so than others. And boy is the food good!!! Know Morimoto has done a number of events in the past - maybe this date doesn't work for him. Would love to see Rick Bayless @Fronteracocina participate.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I just realized the schedules (at least for the end of the festival in Nov that I'm looking at) are all filled out! None of that "to be determined" nonsense they had when I went in 2015!

 

[karrit2000]

Does anyone know if they made the wine offerings at the booths more than a 1 or 2 ounce pour last year. I noticed that some of them were quite pricey compared to prior years but were weren't able to attend last year's festival so I'm curious. I'm not going to pay $12+ for a tiny taste of any wine. Once they pass $5 I have a hard time justifying it for a just mouthful.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Does anyone know if they made the wine offerings at the booths more than a 1 or 2 ounce pour last year. I noticed that some of them were quite pricey compared to prior years but were weren't able to attend last year's festival so I'm curious. I'm not going to pay $12+ for a tiny taste of any wine. Once they pass $5 I have a hard time justifying it for a just mouthful.

I didn't encounter generous pours, sadly.

 

[karrit2000]

I just realized the schedules (at least for the end of the festival in Nov that I'm looking at) are all filled out! None of that "to be determined" nonsense they had when I went in 2015!

Yes but as always they have the disclaimer that "All appearances, menu items, presentations & events are subject to change" so we will need to keep checking for updates as usual anyway.

 

[karrit2000]

I didn't encounter generous pours, sadly.

Guess I'll be stalking the booths prior to purchasing to see what others are being served before I buy.