EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

[Amy]

Wow reiki1, you've given me a great idea of what to look for at the F&W fest. I hope to make it there someday when it is on. I definitely would like to visit the welcome center in the old Wonders of Life Pavilion, mostly so I could snap some photos!
How was the experience at the Chef's table at Victoria and Albert's? That must have been a fantastic meal?!

[Wizzard419]

Oh the lettuce wrapped korean stuff is actually quite traditional for korean BBQ and became popular in the US since it's a no-carb wrapper for foods.

Good god, $6 for a glass of processeco? I know wines have markups but if I recall the price range at the "superstore of booze" (Wine and More) ranged from $4-12 a bottle.

[Amy]

Oh the lettuce wrapped korean stuff is actually quite traditional for korean BBQ and became popular in the US since it's a no-carb wrapper for foods.

Good god, $6 for a glass of processeco? I know wines have markups but if I recall the price range at the "superstore of booze" (Wine and More) ranged from $4-12 a bottle.

My Dad told stories that made me never quite trust Korean food. Never tried it, probably never will

[Wizzard419]

The meat is super thin pieces or beef or pork (traditionally) and it's cut with scissors after you grill it. Western health depts. hate korean places because all that ash and grease build up and people don't do the best jobs of cleaning it up.

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

My tradition is to try the new food stands first. Will probably go for Hawaii first because I love local island food.

After the new stands, then I would go for my favs-

France - escargot, short ribs
Ireland - fisherman's pie, lava cake
Canada - maple glazed salmon, apple sausage?, cheddar cheese soup
Poland - kielbasa and pierogies

According to the list, it looks like some of the regular visiting countries have different offerings this year. I like that they change things up a bit. Nice to see that South Korea will be back and will offer bulgogi. It'll be easier to eat than the short ribs. :/ Also, yay for steamed mussels from Belgium!

Again this year, no Durban Spiced Chicken from Cape Town

[Amy]

Seems like most everyone enjoys the escargot from France. Are they tender or a bit on the chewy side?

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

Seems like most everyone enjoys the escargot from France. Are they tender or a bit on the chewy side?

They are pretty tender. Besides, it's put in a bread thing with garlic and butter, so it's not like you're eating it commando.

[reiki1]

Wizzard419 - yes there is mark up.

Consider this...in February, I purchased a glass of Champagne from the EPCOT French Pavilion Wine Kiosk - the price: $11.88 (with tax that is 12.66 as I am looking at the receipt right now) - for the SAME sized glass of prosecco I paid about half that in the Wonders of Life pavilion (even a Bottle of Bud will run you about $5.25 before tax in WDW). You may be quite surprised by the Disney liquor prices. Hopefully the price of the Prosecco hasn't increased this year but even if it went to $8 it is still a pretty good bargain considering what you will find as you walk around.

I also suggest going to the pavilion because they have merchandise in there that you may not find on World Showcase (not to mention that you also can still see and hear what the presenters are doing - you just don't get to taste the wines but those seminars only cost around $8 so you might look into attending them anyway.

For anyone who is curious about the Victoria and Albert's chef table - expensive (yes, but not as expensive at a 10 course meal with wine pairing would cost with a famous chef cooking anywear else) -but totally worth it since you are not competing with anyone else for the chef's attention and we even got a tour of the wine cellar. I found that it was much less informal and definately more fun at the Chef's table (much more stuffy and formal in the dining room). I reviewed it and have pictures on Yelp.

http://www.yelp.com/user_details_review ... %26+albert

In any event - be adventurous (and pace yourself).

[reiki1]

oh Amy - since you have not done the Food and Wine Festival - you should take a look at "Epcot's Food and Wine Festival 101" posted on Allears.net
http://allears.net/tp/ep/fw09/issue524.htm

It is an excellent overview of what to expect at the festival.

[jacobcary1]

I always miss these events. I have been to a few back when I still lived there.

[Wizzard419]

That is still a shocking markup, 1 glass = breaking even if they were paying retail (which they probably aren't). Usually the markup is a lot less severe, esp. for a cheap wine like prosecco.

[reiki1]

very true - but profit is king. Just imagine how much money must make off the Food and Wine festival alone (and that goes on for roughly a month and a half)!

[Wizzard419]

Indeed, it helps offset the slowdown that they normally get that time of year so they get people booking rooms, and spending money, etc. They have to work a little harder to get the money but the ROI is there.

Unlike groupon who apparently spend $1.43 to make a dollar.

[reiki1]

ROFL!!!

[Sharonofwindham]

Chicken on a stick with peanut sauce? Probably Chicken Satay.

THAT'S IT! YUM!!