EPCOT F+W The Good, the Bad...and the Ugly!

[OrlandoMike]

Went to Food and Wine last night, it was a perfect Fall evening in Orlando....here is a short review.

The Good I missed last years festival, so this may not be new, but it was for me. I loved the way the stands were set up, with more than one menu on display, pay in advance, and take your receipt to the stand for what you paid for. It made the traffic flow a lot better than in the years past. The stands were also themed a little better than in years past. I am glad they are taking the time to theme each booth. A very nice touch. The POS systems are also now handling credit/debit/gift cards a lot faster than in years past.

The food samples were very nice, even though the prices seem to be a little higher than in years past. But at Disney that's to be expected.

Loved the new Tequila bar inside Mexico! I could see me spending an hour or two in here on a hot summer day!

The Bad Less stands than in years past. No real "branded" merchandise for the 2009 festival. (They did have a few nice prints for sale with this years "art" on them. But nothing that really said "2009 Festival" on it.) The floral displays with the huge abstract wine glasses...did nothing for me.

The Ugly Saw a culinary cast member eating on stage, in the cooking prep area. UGH! Didn't wash her hands before going back to work. Found what seemed to be a "chef" and we thought we would bring it up to him, but before we could catch him, he ducked into the same food prep area, and started to pick through the food with his BARE HANDS and eat himself!

I guess the sanitation standards don't apply at EPCOT!

Overall it was a fun walk around the world, but honestly, I really don't think you get what you pay for! We dropped about $120, and honestly left kind of hungry. A fun evening, don't get me wrong, but not something to substitute for dinner.

Funny story, as we crossed the bridge between France and England Shrek looked at me and said "Wonder if Ricardo is working over at Yachtmans....I'm ready for a steak!"

 

[Jeff90]

Glad you and Shrek had time to go out and have fun...you busy man you!!

That's gross about the CM eating on stage! eck!

So, what was your favorite? They were all so good to me, for me, had to be France...the snails and the champagne french thingies...LOL! ( I say that to aggravate Rob )

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Holy crap. If they will do that out in front of everybody, I don't even want to wonder what goes on behind the scenes.

I am glad you guys had a good time, though!

Just under 7 weeks until we see Ricardo. Can't wait!!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You know? We haven't been yet. We will be there this coming weekend though. We're staying at Kadani Village and will do the FWF on Saturday (maybe some on Friday evening too).

You can spend loads and still be hungry, that is true. The days of plates being large enough to truly share, are long gone. I remember when we used to go my wife would get one sample and be full!

Not too pleased to hear about the sanitation stuff. It doesn't take much to gross me out and that has done it.

Not too pleased about no dated merchandise. We get something each year with the date and FWF on it... used to get the posters but we had too many of them so we switched to other things.

 

[MonorailMan]

It grosses me out when I see everyone on the Food Network preparing food without wearing gloves. Even though I like the show, I honestly would ne-e-e-e-e-e-ver eat one of Duff Goldman's cakes. Seriously. If you watch some of the stuff his staff does with their hands while applying fondant with their bare hands......ick. (i.e. fixing their hair, touching their faces, etc.)

I used to work in a commercial kitchen for a catering company, and we didn't have to wear gloves in the kitchen. However, we made sure everyone did in the serving area. (I guess it's all for show.) I was one of those sticklers who was washing his hands 4-5 times an hour. We also weren't allowed to eat until we got "behind the scenes".

It kinda surprises me that they were allowed to do that at Epcot.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

It's a conundrum to be sure.

Gloves tend to make people lazy, and don't prevent the same sorts of unsanitary actions that people do with bare hands. I've seen people who were gloved throw food into the trash, while touching the garbage container, handle money then turn to handle food with the same gloves, those sorts of things.

If gloves are used properly then they are changed at EVERY change in action, and that isn't something that you see done.

Washing hands should be done with every change of action, and yes that includes handling one's face, hair, items other than the food being prepared...

Very few kitchens insist on proper hygiene, that is why there are so many cases of food borne illness (not necessarily food poisoning).

I walked into a kitchen at an ALF and saw a barehanded food service worker mixing tossed salad with her hands, while eating from the bowl with her hands!

Needless to say, they were totally displeased when I had them dump the entire bowl. Who wants to eat out of that?!

Anyway, sanitary food practices are an issue with me as you can tell! LOL.