2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival on the DFB

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Magic Mirror's picture
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I agree with Kristen that if you are not used to eating more culinary exotic foods, you have to start with something that a more bland eater will try. I am more adventurous in my eating and will try more spicy or international flavors in my food. Amy on the other hand is a very basic eater and doesn't stray far from a routine marinara or chicken soup. I was nervous when we went to Disney World that some of the food choices on our ADR menus would be too out there for her palate and she would end up going hungry after dinner. I was happily surprised that there were many foods there I would have never dreamed of her liking. She is now a fan of hibiscus sauce over meat, chili seasoning in chocolate mousse and jasmine rice. We are looking forward to expanding our food flavors on our next trip. mickey

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Magic Mirror wrote:
I agree with Kristen that if you are not used to eating more culinary exotic foods, you have to start with something that a more bland eater will try. I am more adventurous in my eating and will try more spicy or international flavors in my food. Amy on the other hand is a very basic eater and doesn't stray far from a routine marinara or chicken soup. I was nervous when we went to Disney World that some of the food choices on our ADR menus would be too out there for her palate and she would end up going hungry after dinner. I was happily surprised that there were many foods there I would have never dreamed of her liking. She is now a fan of hibiscus sauce over meat, chili seasoning in chocolate mousse and jasmine rice. We are looking forward to expanding our food flavors on our next trip. mickey

I can heartily ditto this! I'm much more adventurous with my eating then Jon is...when I first started dating him, not only was he very apprehensive of trying sushi (which was kind of a deal breaker for me! laugh ), but he had refused to ever try guacamole because it is green eek eek eek Now he eats and enjoys both of these, but I was a little shocked at how much he was willing to try at F&WF. In fact, there wasn't a single thing that we got that he didn't at least try a bite of, including the escargot which he loved! While I would have been happy to try a bit more authentic dishes that pushed my comfort zone, I was extremely happy that there were options that were at a level that my husband with the "boring American palette" would push himself to try.

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M wrote:
The Colonel wrote:
Yes the Americans that embrace the foods of all the world have dumbed down palates. What do the chefs of New York know about adventurous cuisine?

First off, I want to make it clear that I am bashing my own--I'm an American.

Of course there are numerous exceptional restaurants in NYC, San Fran and most major American cities. That doesn't mean the general populous has wandered away from boring food. Most ethnic restaurants cater to what the majority of us demand, which is unadventurous, Americanized items. Sadly, I feel that Epcot generally does the same. I live in a suburb of Seattle and can drive two miles to a taco truck to get more authentic Mexican food than can be found in Epcot. And, oh yeah, it costs about $6 for a great lunch.

There is food that I enjoy at Epcot (especially at Norway), but they have the perfect venue and concept to take the average family on International food journeys and experiences beyond typical fare. Frankly, I think they fall short.

What I see on the Food and Wine blog looks like more of the same, which is a shame.

Are you complaining that Disney World theme park food is not authentic enough? I wholly agree. But can we really expect anything more?
In fact, I am a huge critic of WDW TS food in general. I think the "dining" plan has ruined any propects for good quality TS food in WDW. I think the CS meals are much more honest, less pretentious and much better value. Anyway, at F&W their hearts are in the right place. They can't serve sheeps eye and blowfish sushi- it's an amusement park first, a food destination second. If we could just get rid of the darn kids, we may be able to get a few decent restaurants.

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M I can understand your frustration but I agree with Kristen. I have to be very careful with what I eat. I can't eat really spicy food because I have an ulcer. I do try new things but I am one of those Americans who likes her food a little more bland. Now if you are talking about Italian I will be the first in line.

M
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I'm not suggesting all choices in the World Showcase restaurants should be bolder and more authentic, but why not have a special section of the menu that offers such items? Or they could just add two or three to be included in the regular menu, starred or signified in some fashion, emphasize that they are traditional or whatever buzzword they would like to use, and really go for it. I don't think that's asking for too much. While I am poking fun at the average Joe, I also think there are plenty of people who would go for more adventurous options.

Like I mentioned before, I enjoy much of what Epcot offers in the food department. And, as The Colonel indicated, I think a lot of the best stuff is away from the restaurant tables. I wouldn't ask for more if I didn't think Disney was capable of pulling it off. Okay, maybe I would.

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Booked these 10-29 seminars this morning:

2:00 PM Willamette Valley Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Wine.........we really like Oregon Pinot Noir

3:00 PM Kouzzina Chefs with Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora(r), Disney's BoardWalk Inn (Savory)

Should be fun!

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How much is the food at Food and Wine? Would $50-$60 be good for a day at the fest for two people?

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It could be. It depends on how much you are planning on trying. This year's prices aren't available on the DFB. Here's the link to last year's to give you an idea on prices.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-marketplace-booths-and-menus/

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Skunk wrote:
Booked these 10-29 seminars this morning:

2:00 PM Willamette Valley Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Wine.........we really like Oregon Pinot Noir

3:00 PM Kouzzina Chefs with Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora(r), Disney's BoardWalk Inn (Savory)

Should be fun!

Is there a link to a list of seminars? I found some general info on the DFB but I was hoping for a day-by-day list, so we know what we would like to book when general booking opens on 13th August.

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That entirely depends on how much you want to eat and drink. On $60 each person could try about 4 things (with an average cost of $7 per item).

From DFB:
"2012 prices for most dishes were in the $3 " $7 range. However, we found options as low as $1.50 and as high as $7.50. "

"In 2012, beer was $3 " $6.75 for 6-12 oz. options. Pricier brew ($8) included Moretti Beer at the Italy Marketplace booth. Most offerings were in the $5.50-6.75 range, including craft beer! Most wines were $2.50 " $4.75 and mixed drinks averaged $7 " $9."

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Miss Mikki wrote:
Skunk wrote:
Booked these 10-29 seminars this morning:

2:00 PM Willamette Valley Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Wine.........we really like Oregon Pinot Noir

3:00 PM Kouzzina Chefs with Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora(r), Disney's BoardWalk Inn (Savory)

Should be fun!

Is there a link to a list of seminars? I found some general info on the DFB but I was hoping for a day-by-day list, so we know what we would like to book when general booking opens on 13th August.

Here you go:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-culinary-demos/

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-beverage-seminars/

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-mixology-seminars/

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Skunk wrote:
Miss Mikki wrote:
Skunk wrote:
Booked these 10-29 seminars this morning:

2:00 PM Willamette Valley Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Wine.........we really like Oregon Pinot Noir

3:00 PM Kouzzina Chefs with Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora(r), Disney's BoardWalk Inn (Savory)

Should be fun!

Is there a link to a list of seminars? I found some general info on the DFB but I was hoping for a day-by-day list, so we know what we would like to book when general booking opens on 13th August.

Here you go:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-culinary-demos/

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-beverage-seminars/

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-mixology-seminars/

Thank you! That was just what I was looking for.

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Miss Mikki wrote:
Skunk wrote:
Booked these 10-29 seminars this morning:

2:00 PM Willamette Valley Vineyards (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Wine.........we really like Oregon Pinot Noir

3:00 PM Kouzzina Chefs with Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora(r), Disney's BoardWalk Inn (Savory)

Should be fun!

Is there a link to a list of seminars? I found some general info on the DFB but I was hoping for a day-by-day list, so we know what we would like to book when general booking opens on 13th August.

Here's a link to the beverage seminars by date.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-beverage-seminars/

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JoAnn C's picture
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Mixology seminars

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-beverage-seminars/

Culinary demos

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-culinary-demos/

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Mandy wrote:
How much is the food at Food and Wine? Would $50-$60 be good for a day at the fest for two people?

Working from memory and not checking actual prices: If you can stick to the less expensive options at each booth, you don't want beer or wine, and you're not big eaters, yes. If you really have to have that lobster roll and champagne and you have healthy appetites, no.

When I went alone two years ago, I spent $30 to $40 per day eating nothing but F&W Fest booth offerings and drinking no alcohol. (I didn't restrict myself to the less expensive menu items.) A year later hubby came along, we included a glass of wine or two each day, and we spent over $100 per day at the festival between the two of us.

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JoAnn C wrote:
It could be. It depends on how much you are planning on trying. This year's prices aren't available on the DFB. Here's the link to last year's to give you an idea on prices.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012-epcot-food-and-wine-festival-marketplace-booths-and-menus/

I looked up the prices for the items I tried on the first day I was at the festival last year. I used snack credits for the food, but if I paid out of pocket for everything it would have cost $33.25.

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