***Epcot Food And Wine Festival Info 2008***

[tommasson77]

What is a PFTS?? I've been to DW about 20 times, but this will be my first for the F&WF. We will be there the end of Sept. I'm trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks

 

[gismo1554]

What is a PFTS?? I've been to DW about 20 times, but this will be my first for the F&WF. We will be there the end of Sept. I'm trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks

Party for the Senses is a ticketed event that basically is a big tasting center. You get a viewing area at the first Eat to the beat concert of the night then go to World Showcase Pavillion (between UK and Canada) for the main event. Here you get given a glass (to keep) and a plate (to use) and then there are different areas with different chefs/vineyards etc and different food on offer. They do supply you with a guide as well that will tell you what coloured areas have what. During the next few hours they have Cirque De Solie performing and you can taste what ever you want. There's mainly wine there but also they can have brandy and beer, oh and coffee. I didn't find any soft drinks though when I went (apart from coffee). It's a lot of fun but I think it depends on the menu on the day as it differs. When we went I know there were chefs from Tony's in MK and UK pavillion in EPCOT amoungst some from the resorts such as Citricos. They also have a lot (and I mean a lot) of different types of cheese)

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

What is a PFTS?? I've been to DW about 20 times, but this will be my first for the F&WF. We will be there the end of Sept. I'm trying to get as much info as possible. Thanks

Here's the AllEars description/pricing from 2007:

Party for the Senses – Eat, Drink and Celebrate
Hosted by Vanity Fair
World ShowPlace

Feast on this tribute to the sensory arts! Begin your evening with a reserved seat at the Eat to the Beat concert series at the America Gardens Theatre. Following the show, World ShowPlace becomes the setting for an amazing evening showcasing the talents of more than 25 eminent chefs and over 70 wines and beers. Wander amongst various tasting stations in the midst of imaginative décor and awe-inspiring acts from Cirque du Soleil, La Nouba.

Saturdays
6:30 – 9 p.m.
$135 per person, plus tax, gratuity included. Theme Park admission required.

 

[TDC Nala]

Which one?

The sushi pairing. But I am also currently considering the first Cook Book & Bottle. I will only do that if the signature dining isn't interesting enough.

 

[Lilmattie13]

Hi can someone tell me what the cook book and bottle event is?

I also noticed that some people have spoken of the free seminars. Are these listed somewhere and what and how have they been in the past? Are they worth going to? I would hate to lose precious time at the park stopping to see something that wasnt worth it.

We went to the food and wine festival years ago and havent been since so I am looking forward to is, especially since I will be without my children. There will be no worrying about what they eat etc.

TIA Have a great day everyone.

 

[kabuki]

Hi can someone tell me what the cook book and bottle event is?

I also noticed that some people have spoken of the free seminars. Are these listed somewhere and what and how have they been in the past? Are they worth going to? I would hate to lose precious time at the park stopping to see something that wasnt worth it.

We went to the food and wine festival years ago and havent been since so I am looking forward to is, especially since I will be without my children. There will be no worrying about what they eat etc.

TIA Have a great day everyone.

I can give you some info on the free seminars. The free wine tastings last year were in the wonders of life pavilion. If you get a Festival guide it will tell you what wineries will be there and at what times. During the week days we usually line up 15-20 minutes in advance and on the weekends sometimes 45 minutes a head. It's usually a wine distributor for the winery talking and letting you taste from 3 to 6 wines, sometimes you get lucky and have the actual winery owner speaking. My husband and I so a lot of these and find them fun and informative though unfortunately you do have people that walk in, down the wine and leave before it's though. If you are looking to learn about wine or a certain brand these are great.

 

[swandiverpatt]

We have a favorite vintner (or two or eight ....) We always wait until the F&W listing comes out so we can figure out what PFTS they will be serving at.

We did 2 year before last and I swore it was too much. One will do fine. I just need to remember to do a "Project Runway" project and make a skirt covered in Ziploc baggies ....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Patiently (hah) waiting for the full list to come out. It seems that the market-booths are only 2 items each, for the most part. Years past I recall 3 - but it is still a partial listing.

Like others, still waiting for the Pairings on other days.

I am intrigued by the concept of having our own tasting - the wine selections are there at the Festival marketplace - a nice hotel room, perhaps witha view of fireworks (that would be special) and our wine - hum....this has possibilities.

 

[MinnieMeg]

oops.

 

[BriarRosie]

Eve's cheese plate looked fantastic.

But I've been spoiled by this:

This is the cheese plate we got for FREE at the culinary demo in California Adventure during Disneyland's food and wine festival. After getting this for free, I won't pay $70+tax for the cheese and wine event.

The only event I want to do so far would be the Sushi pairing. Hopefully there'll be a Signature Dining event listed that I'd want to book, too.

 

[BriarRosie]

So, I have finally made my decision! I am going to surprise DBF with PFTS! Yay! I am so dang excited! Is this one of the events I'll need to wake up early to book? lol

No, you're one of the lucky ones who do not have to get up at the crack of dawn. You could wake up, make breakfast, have coffee, read the paper and THEN call....and the event still won't be close to being sold out.

That's because Party for the Senses is at World Showplace. That event can swallow hundreds of people at a time, while the other events are more limited. I'd guess that many of the sold out events take 50-100 people, sometimes fewer, depending on the size of the venue.

 

[BriarRosie]

I can give you some info on the free seminars. The free wine tastings last year were in the wonders of life pavilion. If you get a Festival guide it will tell you what wineries will be there and at what times. During the week days we usually line up 15-20 minutes in advance and on the weekends sometimes 45 minutes a head. It's usually a wine distributor for the winery talking and letting you taste from 3 to 6 wines, sometimes you get lucky and have the actual winery owner speaking. My husband and I so a lot of these and find them fun and informative though unfortunately you do have people that walk in, down the wine and leave before it's though. If you are looking to learn about wine or a certain brand these are great.

Last year, I didn't do any of the wine demos, just the food ones. But a few years back, I went to a cognac/brandy demo because I never had cognac before. The distiller was Germain-Robin.

Not only did I learn about the history of this company and how they made their cognac, I tasted it alongside another brand, Hennessy. And not only did I taste how far superior the Germain-Robin was (and why it won awards), I knew exactly WHY it was superior. (They don't distill from "garbage grapes" aka the grapes other vineyards don't think meets the highest quality for standard wine making. G-R uses wine-quality grapes.)

I walked in knowing nothing about cognac, and now I know if I want something good, I'd skip the Hennessy and go for the Germain-Robin.

 

[MinnieMeg]

Thanks. What did you think of this event, if you don't mind my asking. This one doesn't seem to get a lot of discussion around the DIS. Or maybe it does and I've just managed to miss it ...

DH & I have attended 4 vertical tastings. You check in at the desk on the 2nd floor of CH. They escort you to the elevator. They serve you a glass of wine while you mill around waiting for the event to begin. Long rows of tables are set up facing the windows in the lounge. Ten glasses of wine are sitting at each place, along with a cheese plate. The 4 presenters sit facing you, with MK in the background.

After the introductions, it is recommended that you put your cheese plate aside until you have finished tasting the wines. The wines are usually from one vineyard, but can be from 2. Each wine is from a different year. This allows you to taste the variabilities of vintage due to lack or excessive heat, rain etc. Each wine is tasted, then the "experts" discuss it. They are very knowledgeable, but not stuffy or condescending. John Blazon is always there. He not only leads the discussion, he also unobtrusively educates the group so that no one is bored but the newbies are comfortable. The winemaker and a MS or WE are also present. We've been fortunate to learn from Evan Goldstein and Andrea Immer Robinson. Often they will talk about food and wine pairings.

After all the wines are tasted, each wine is voted on to find the 3 favorite wines of the group. Then you can drink the wines in your glasses, matching them with the really yummy cheese plate.

Meg

 

[extremesoccermom]

Hi can someone tell me what the cook book and bottle event is?

TIA Have a great day everyone.

Finally a question I can answer. My mother and I went 2 years ago for a grown up expedition and loved it we can't wait to bring the men folk with us this time!
The cook, the book and the bottle: WE checked in and recieved a nice canvas tote bag w/ the F&WF logo that contained a cook book and a bottle of wine along with advertisements for the winery. We found a seat and settled in as more people filed in and filled up the seating area. There is a cook (obviously) I don't remember off the top of my head who we saw (maybe to much wine - every time you drink it down they fill it up - good thing all I had to worry about was getting on the right bus to get back to my room . She wrote a cook book on Mediteranian foods. This is were I had hummus for the first time and LOVE IT.
She demonstrated a 3 course meal with samples that came out along with a winery that provided us with 3 complimentary wines. She also showed some slides of one of her visits and regaled us the talk of the food and preperation from her travels. All of the food was wonderful. At the end of the demonstration she came into the audience to sign our books and answer any other questions. She was very nice and we got to bring home the bag, cook book and bottle of wine.
I have pictures that I will try to post tomorrow.

 

[daisy112878]

Ugh 2 of my favorite atlanta chefs are going to be there but not until Oct. 22nd. Now I have to talk dh into going and taking work off for it.

If anyone wants a good meal I highly suggest the regional feasts on 10/22, it's the greece one. Chef Pano and Chef Piero are the executive chefs of two of our favorite ATL restaurants. They do amazing food.

 

[kabuki]

Last year, I didn't do any of the wine demos, just the food ones. But a few years back, I went to a cognac/brandy demo because I never had cognac before. The distiller was Germain-Robin.

Not only did I learn about the history of this company and how they made their cognac, I tasted it alongside another brand, Hennessy. And not only did I taste how far superior the Germain-Robin was (and why it won awards), I knew exactly WHY it was superior. (They don't distill from "garbage grapes" aka the grapes other vineyards don't think meets the highest quality for standard wine making. G-R uses wine-quality grapes.)

I walked in knowing nothing about cognac, and now I know if I want something good, I'd skip the Hennessy and go for the Germain-Robin.

I wish I could have done that one. We did a Sherry class three years ago that was amazing. Last year the classes were focused more on region during our stay rather then a particular grape or maker. They did have a scotch one that was full over an hour a head! Can't wait for this years schedule to see what we need to line up for. Plus no matter who it is - we wait in line with a glass if Sparkling from the Wine Bar! Makes the wait go by quicker!

 

[pixie08]

Ok I am a bit annoyed...I noticed that only 3 tasting have been posted. Now I hope those are not the only days this will be offered.I noticed last year they had one almost every day!

This is what has been posted so far:

Sake, Sushi and Sashimi

Tokyo Dining , Japan Pavilion

Mondays: September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3

3:30 - 5:00pm


Mediterranean Flavors

Restaurant Marrakesh, Morocco Pavilion

Tuesdays: September 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4

3:30 - 5:00pm


Tastes of Italy

Tutto Italia, Italy Pavilion

Saturdays: September 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8

2:30 - 4:00pm


Do you think they will add one for Weds or Thurs?

 

[rtobe]

I know I've seen earlier postings that reservations are not being taken until later in August (the 25th?) Has anyone seen that confirmed? What number do you call? Thanks! Looking forward to PFTS and perhaps another tasting

 

[extremesoccermom]

The 2006 cook/author was Anissa Helou and her book which I actually still use is Mediterranean Street Food
Signage around Epcot

Introductions:

Lemon Chicken (shot of the TV screen)

Anissa Helou cooking

I thought I had pictures of the food but I don't see them.
We also did the Chefs' Afield, Kitchen Converstions and Sweet Sundays.

 

[TDC Nala]

yes, the booking date is August 25. You could call either 407-WDW-DINE or 407-WDW-FEST.

as for only three pairings, there's no way we can know if there will be more until they release more.