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Every year I dream of going to the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase. And every year, like a good friend, I “like” all the photos on social media posted by my friends during their visit. While I’m truly happy for them, I’m also secretly a little bit jealous. I mean, really, I love food more than anyone I know (well, maybe except our editor, Merly.)
So, this year my husband and I made a decision to embark on a well-deserved and much anticipated mini get-away to the Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World® Resort, for the opening weekend of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (September 19 – November 10, 2014). That’s right, a romantic weekend with just my hubby, no children, and lots and lots and lots of food. Ahhhhh!
Walking around the World Showcase and visiting all the kiosks was such a treat. We made it a point to visit every one of them and try at least one food item. And, in case you’re wondering, there are 36 kiosks. Yes, I brought my stretchy pants. The hardest part was deciding where we wanted to go first. Also, even though we’re not big drinkers, we found ourselves trying wines and beers … and enjoying them. After all, I guess it’s all about new experiences for your taste buds, right? (I’m now on a mission to find someplace locally that sells Peach Sake Gell.)
Of course, after eating our way around the world, we had to rank everything we tried. For sheer embarrassment over the amount of food I consumed, I won’t tell you all of it, but here’s the best of the best according to Amy & George:
Best Asian Food: Pork Lettuce Wraps with Kimchi Sauce in South Korea I know you’re supposed to eat this using the lettuce as a wrap, but trust me, get a fork. The folks running the booth told me that the pork is slow cooked for hours, and I was so impressed with this dish that I asked our Test Kitchen to come up with our own version that I could make at home. They got it right on and you can click here to get the recipe for yourself.
Best Latin American Food: Well, it’s hard to choose because there was such a variety: Brazil, Patagonia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, and I have to say that these kiosks were the most fun. Flamenco dancers, bongo players, guitarists and employees shouting, “EMPANADAS!” all transport you to another place and really give it an authentic feel. OK – on to the food. The Shrimp Tacos in Mexico were very good (or maybe it was because of the Sangria), but I think the Brazilian Cheese Bread stands out the most because I wanted ten more of them. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but these little balls of cheesy goodness surprised me so much with their big flavor that I had to give them the title.
Best Vegetarian Dish: Vegetarian Moussaka in Greece – served piping hot in adorable little ramekins. How do they make this taste so much like the real thing with no actual meat in it? I have no idea.
Best Memory Food: Apricot Filled Doughnuts from Germany. I think the atmosphere of the grassy picnic area with wooden tables brought me back to my grandparent’s house in Pennsylvania where we would sit outside by the garden and eat Dutch-style pastries fresh out of the oven.
Best Unique Food: We have a split decision on this one. I love me some venison, which I don’t get to have often, so I say the Venison Sausage in New Zealand wins this award. My husband, however, has an affinity for lamb and the Lamb Meatball from the same kiosk is his choice, which worked out fine since I didn’t have to share. 🙂
Best Surprise Food: At the Farm Fresh stand we found an unexpected taste sensation with the Pepper Bacon Hash. The combination of jalapenos and hollandaise sauce will amaze you!
Best Dessert: Belgium Waffles with Berry Cream Sauce – in Belgium of course! I know you’re saying, what’s so special about a Belgium waffle, but you won’t believe how good these are. Hold on to your hats, because our Test Kitchen actually recreated these, so you can enjoy them in your own home. Click here for our version.
Overall Best Food: By unanimous decision … Filet Mignon Medallions with Mushrooms and Truffle Butter in Canada. Seriously, get one for every person; do not attempt to share or there will be a fight.
Of course there are plenty of beverages to try at the Festival, too. Here are our favorites:
Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage: Hands down the winner here is the Mango Green Tea with Poppin’ Bubbles from China. I had three of these over the course of the weekend; they were so good! Something about those little pearls bursting with mango juice made me feel like a kid again, which is okay because I was in Disney!
Best Alcoholic Beverage: We enjoy sweeter wines so the Reisling flight in Germany was delightful, but if you like sweet and want to try something different, stop by Japan and try the Peach Sake Gell. This chilled, fizzy drink has slurps of jiggling, peachy gems enticing you to have one more sip and it’s soooo refreshing in the hot Florida sun.
Sadly, our magical vacation had to come to an end, but I have great memories, photos, a passport book and cool souvenir plates to keep me going until next year. Oh, you bet I’ll be going back…I might even bring the kids next time…or not.
These passports were available at every kiosk. It was a great way to keep track of our tasting adventure!
Pick up one of these souvenir plates up before you begin your eating spree – you’ll be glad you did!
Are you thinking about visiting the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this year, or have you been before? Share your favorite foods from the festival or what you’re looking forward to the most.
Our friends at Walt Disney World have graciously donated five $50 gift cards to give away on MrFood.com! You can enter to win one by leaving a comment below. We’ll be randomly picking winners on October 15th. These gift cards are good at the parks and Disney stores too. Thanks Mickey!
Giveaway Rules: Giveaway is open and offered only to legal residents of the forty-eight (48) continental United States and the District of Columbia. Only one entry per person. Readers must comment on the blog for a chance to be entered. Open from October 7, 2014 at 8am EST to October 14, 2014 at 4:59pm EST. Five (5) winners will be selected at random using a Random Generator. Winners will be notified on the blog, as well as by email.
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED – CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!
Denise S. | Ashley Morrissey | Jon Heil | Cynthia Painter | Sheryl
Please be sure to check your email, so we can send you your prize!
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I would love to go to this event!
I ant to go now.
I’d love to have a change at visiting Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, in Florida.
Sounds like something I would really enjoy doing, so next time we plan a trip to Disney World we’ll have to make sure it’s during the time of Epcot Food & Wine Festival.
Love it! I went to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival for the first time last year, and I plan to go again. My favorite food was the trout served in Canada – ◾Seared Rainbow Trout with Bacon, Frisee and Maple Minus 8 Vinaigrette . My family would love a Mr. Food version of that! Favorite veggies were, BY FAR, Scotland’s ◾Vegetarian haggis with neeps and tatties. We stood in line twice for it. Again, would love a recipe 🙂
Now, I really like wine and don’t particularly enjoy beer. So imagine my surprise that my absolute favorite beverage was… a beer! ◾Schöfferhofer Grapefruit , it is beer mixed with grapefruit juice. Sounds gross, tastes light and refreshing. I recall being too full to try any desserts – a mistake I won’t make again. Can’t wait to go say “Hi!” to Mickey and all his pals real soon
Makes me want to go with you and get a couple of the Mr Food meals
I would love to win a Disney gift card. Maybe we’d get to go!
Now I have to go. Lots of Food +My Favorite Place = Heaven. Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us and the pictures made me drool. 🙂
Wow. It sounds like you and your husband had a great time. Time away with one of your favorite people is always great but time away with great food and wine/beer is even better. Its been years since I’ve had the chance to visit the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot and after reading your review, I’m hungry to go again. I don’t know if we’d like the same things, but I’m willing to explore all the great foods you tried and then some. Glad you had a good time. Thanks for the awesome review.
EFW is a great time and a $50 gift card would be awesome
That’s it. I have to go now. Tons of delicious food + my favorite place = heaven.
All your pictures just made me drool. Thanks for sharing you experience with us all.
We enjoyed Epcot a few years ago, but it was not during the food festival. Still, any food we tasted was delicious and we learned a lot about each country.
Looks fabulous! Great post, thank you!
I am a HUGE Mickey fan and a true foodie at heart. This trip would definitely be a must-do for me!
It would be a dream come true to go! Thanks for the wonderful contest!
Winning this would be great..Love Disney
I would love to win. Thank you.
I have been a part of the Food and wine festival since its beginning. I can definitely relate to Amy. Many good compliments to the wines in Italy, the tacos in Mexico. We usually go around the lake twice to make sure we don’t miss out on anything. Loved the feedback. I encourage everyone to enjoy it.
This would be such a great event to attend – definitely going on my bucket list!
I love the Food and Wine Festival… it is fun and exciting and delicious trying different foods from all over the world. A must do every year!
Great post! We love Food and Wine festival and it just keeps getting better every year!
I need a vacation in the worst way, The Disney trip would be a dream come true
Amy, thanks for sharing your experience. I love the Epcot Food and Wine Festival too. Its the best of both worlds you eat and travel the world in one day. What more can you ask for! My favorite is Mexico and Argentina. Looking forward on trying that filet mignon in Canada.
Thank you for the tips, especially the one about the filet medallions in Canada – because we sure love a good filet in this house! We’re fans of Epcot – their food choices were superb.
This is so neat, I would love to win. Thanks for the chance!
I doubt I’ll ever get to go, but it would be fun.
This would be a dream getaway for me! Though Florida is an awfully long way away, maybe someday…
I would love to do an event like this. Sounds awesome.
Would love to go –sounds awesome!
Oh Disney! Loved it during the holidays. Wish we could take the kids. Bad last few years but ill always hold a special, magical place in our hearts.
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Great contest, I’d love to win! My husband and I went to Disney for a day during our honeymoon in May and we loved this one Japanese restaurant in Epcot. The sake was awesome. Ahh I miss that day!!
Wow! I wish more food festivals thought of offering those type of souvenir plates. They would make walking to the next place and standing in line much easier.
My son and his family are going to Disney World next week. Their first time and my grandson’s are so excited.
We’ll probably never get to go to Disney but we sure do love the Disney stores! 🙂
With 5 kids, my hubby and I need a short getaway. This sounds like something we would definitely enjoy. We could SO use this!
I’ve never been to a food and wine festival, but it sounds like fun.
It sounds like fun–wish I didn’t have to work so I could go! Thank you for the giveaway!
Wow, that all looks delicious!!! I may or may not be drooling right now. 😉
As an annual passholder local to the area, I go frequently during this event. The crowds can be daunting, yet the lines move quickly. Here are the highlights, & lowlights, between France and Singapore (right outside of the Germany mini pavillion):
France: Ahhhhh! Finally updated and reinvented Escargot! Plump, not rubbery, in a spinach cream sauce served within a garlic tart. For those that adore mushrooms, the gruyere and mushroom dish is almost a a mac n cheese. The carmel creme brulee is good but more like a butterscotch pudding with a brulee.
Morocco: Do NOT–don’t even waste the $5 bucks– on the “Spicy Shrimp Roll”! Frozen egg roll without shrimp, just shrimp flavored sauce, and a touch of medium spiced red sauce. They should be embarrassed to sell this! By pass and go into the quick serve and ask for Hummus with the pita chips ($3), Marinated Olives with the pita chips ($3) and/or the Tabbolueh ($3). I don’t care for cold, sweet Couscous yet theirs is excellent…and only $3 for the side!
Brazil: The Pork Belly was a stand out. Not overly found of the beans, but made it more Brazilian tasting. The fish was only okay.
Japan: With the prevalence of Sushi, not worth going if you have locally good places. Go over to the hut with the snowcones and get the Krian Beer with a lime slush floater. Amazing and I don’t drink much beer!
USA: Avoid the Lobster Alfredo. Nice concept, thin sauce and rubbery lobster (same feedback over the course of many visits when asking those around eating it). Slider was okay, not worth the price (Go to the Odyssey for their Pimento Cheese spread–much tastier!).
Italy: If you like sweet wine, try the Sparkling Rosa Regal–truly a present for your taste buds. I am Italian descent and lived there, so I don’t usually eat things I can get at home. However, the cannoli is a standout. Perfect few bites of sweetness. The rest is good, but what you can get in any good Italian joint, so don’t waste your money.
Germany: The schneckenknudle is a GREAT mac n cheese with ham! Yummy crust from the gruy and not gloppy.
Singapore: The Coconut Curry Chicken was quite good but the rice was undercooked, so I took it back just for the chicken with sauce. I’m a huge fan of Southeast Asian and this didn’t disappoint. I didn’t think it was spicy but those with a sensitivity to that hot red pepper beware. The fish was okay–nothing special.
Enjoy your tasting around the world!
Wow! Thank you for all the extra tips, Tina!
Looks like a blast.
We would love to go have a relaxing weekend in Disney!
I have been to the Food and Wine Festival, and yes you do need to bring your stretchy pants. This is a really fun event and not just for grownups.
I have never been to this festival, or heard of it for that matter. I’d definitely be interested in checking it out.
I don’t think that I will go, but it sounds fun.
Love to shop at the Disney store. Great giveaway. Never been to three festivals
We went to Epcot for the first time about a year ago. We had such a wonderful time and made many memories. Disney really knows how to do it right. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
I have never been to a Disney Park, but love all things Disney! The plan is to take my 3 year old when I finally finish my college degree! Now I know to make sure I visit Epcot for the yummy foods!
GREAT GIVEAWAY. HOPE TO WIN!!!
I haven’t been to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival before, but I’d love to go sometime. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a ton of fun! Thank you for the chance!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am ready to go to the Festival. Wish I was going.
Epcot is my favorite part of Disney World!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I would use this giveaway towards some really great food at Disney. Epcot has so much good food from all the foreign lands and the festival. The smells and exciting time at Disney especially the Food and Wine Festival would make for great memories.
Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
love disney
Nice prizes in this sweepstakes.
Sounds like there is a lot of variety of food and wine at this event. Would love to go!
This would be awesome
I would love to win, thank you for a great giveaway!!
Thanks for the Giveaway!
Love Food and Wine festival, try to go every year!
Disney and Wine…sign me up. Sounds like a great time.
Sounds like an exciting time.
We would love to go to Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
I have never been to the festival before but I would love to.
I love disney!!!! I really want to go to the Epcot Festival!!!
The Japanese Sake sounds really interesting. My husband and I love sweeter wines too!
what is more fun than disney and getting to buy stuff nothing! thank you
I would like to try the Apricot Filled Doughnuts.
Sounds like a fun event, I would love to attend
i would love to go.
I’ve never been, but I love food and attending something like this sounds like so much fun
would love to take my adorable little granddaughter lacey lou
Sounds like a lot of fun!
I’ve never been but it really sounds like fun!
i really wish i was going to or lived closer to florida since it looks like a pretty sweet time over at the epcot with this food festival going on. i would be in for sure since epcot has always been my favorite park i would say i like it even like it more than the magic kingdom….at least when i was a kid
Would love to win! Thanks! Love everything about Disney
This is something that my husband and I would so enjoy doing together.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
I have never been but I love trying foods from different countries so this sounds like something I would love to go to.
Now that we are living back in Florida, I would love a chance to attend the festival. Disney is always a good time … and I love to eat!
I love trying new foods and I LOVE EPCOT . This event would have been perfect for me!
i love Disney and would love to have an extra fifty to buy drinks.
I have been to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. What a great time!
I’d love to visit the Epcot Center.
I am mesmerized by the mignonette medallions with mushrooms and truffle butter. It looks so delicious!
Food is always a plus! Yup I like animal kingdom when I was in FL
Would love to go, this sounds amazing!
I haven’t been there for this event before but I’d like to go
What a fun event.
One day I hope to visit Epcot during the festival. Until then I will live through your blog reviews.
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival sounds awesome. We would like to go to it on our vacation.
We love Epcot. They have great food.
I live in South Florida and visit the Orlando area quite frequently since it is three hours away. I have been to Epcot a few times, but have yet to experience the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. If I go, I would love to try the Ravioli alla caprese (Cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and basil) from the Italy area of Epcot.
Probably can’t make it to this but would love the gift card for stores I can go to.
Thank you for sharing your story. I would love a Disney card to do some Christmas shopping.
We’re heading there soon–could use the gift card for my son!
2 years ago I was lucky enough to attend the Food and Wine festival. It was totally by accident. It just happen to be going on when I took my kids down there for a trip to Disney. And it was amazing! I would love to be able to attend it again someday.
Marking my calendar for next year. Thank you!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I loved your review, I’ve been to Epcot many times and Disney World as well. Being an only child and only grandchild who’s grandparents lived 3 hours from Disney World will earn you lots of visits. But I have to say its been the visits I took as an adult that meant the most to me perhaps. I really need to start planning our next trip there and a gc would certainly help!
I have never been to this event, but would love to go.
i practically live at disney in california. this would be amazing to win! so many things i want to buy!!!
Epcot seems like fun
Epcot and Disney are great places! Hope to go back again soon!
Look so fun!
Thanks for the great giveaway! I like buying kids presents from Disney.
All the food looks so good! Especially the vegetarian dish!
I went to this a few years ago and would love to return.
would love this
We love to take weekend trips to Disney and would love to celebrate my husband’s birthday during the Epcot Food and WIne Festival!
I would love to go to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival…I love Epcot!
Would like to go back to Epcot. The Food and Wine Festival sounds like a great time!
The food looks yummy! Thanks for the giveaway!
Love the food and wine festival, so many great foods!
I always enjoy visiting Epcot, it’s one of my favorites. Thank you!
How nice! I’d love this.
I have not been to Epcot in 25 years.I only live a few hours away and would love to go on a kid free weekend to check this event out.
I have not had the opportunity to attend this event but would like to. The Belgium Waffles with Berry Cream Sauce look yummy. Thank you for the chance to win
Good luck to all
the Epcot Food & Wine Festival sounds good but I won’t be able to go
Going to the Epcot Food & Wine Fest and visit Disney during the Christmas Holiday are on my Disney Bucket List.
What an awesome event. Thanks for the giveaway.
cant wait to go to the festival now!!! Love all your suggestions! Definitely saving those recipes!!!
I went years ago! but haven’t gone since we did our military move to WA
Oh. yes. its such fun! would love to go with a little extra cash!
Wow, I would love to go to this! How awesome and tasty 🙂
I would love to go to this festival.
I would love love LOVE to go to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Disney + food = Best Vacation Ever!!!!
This is my first time hearing of it actually. I would love to go though, this is the best time of year to visit Epcot. I’m looking forward to trying anything that is new to me! Thank you for hosting.
Love Disney!
I LOVE the food and wine festival!!!
We have been to the festival for the past three years and love the lettuce wraps from South Korea.
I understand that there is a drink kiosk representing the flavors of Haiti, which I would love to check out! This is cool.
Going to Disney in Feb. would love a gift card.
would love this win
wow, would LOVE to go to an event like this- have never been. In fact I haven’t been to florida in several years and I think I’m long overdue to visit and I’ll have to time it now for this event! lol
KC
I can usually count on an employee friend inviting me to the preview, but not this year. I was bummed I missed out on the sake. Sounds amazing, as does just about everything else you listed. Next year!
I have really been hoping to go to the epcot food and wine festival for a few years! Must be great! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
I would love to win a Disney gift card. It would be great for Christmas.
i love to eat. this look like a great festival for me to go to.
We live by the parks. So, this would be convenient for us to use.
Disney is my favorite place in the whole world!!
How lucky are you that you got to attend! I’d love to go one year!
Thanks so much for this giveaway! We are huge Disney fans!!
OMG…thank you for the chance.
We haven’t been before but I love the fact that they have a Farm Fresh stand. Who would have ever put the combination of jalapenos and hollandaise sauce together? Sounds weirdly delicious!
The last time I went to Epcot was with my father, Which he passed on 09/07/2014. That was a great experience, Thanks to My Father! Great Times make Great Memories!
I would love to win a Disney gift card.
I would love to check out the food like the Belgium waffles I love Disney
I love everything Disney!!!
The food looks yummy i would love to go someday like right now never been to Disney!
We have never been but it sounds so exciting!
I love Disney!! Would be so thankful to win this 🙂
This sounds like so much fun!
THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE. MY KIDS WOULD LOVE THIS AS I WOULD USE IT FOR CHRISTMAS!!!
I love taking the kiddos to events/places like this where they can taste all different kinds of food!
I can’t imagine all of the wonderful taste sensations! Food Gasm!
After reading this I am ready to eat dinner! So many different foods!
What an awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance!
Yay This is an amazing giveaway thank you!
I love your quick and easy to prepare recipes and ideas and of course looooove Epcot specially at this time of year!!!
I have never been to the food and wine festival but would love to go. Maybe I can convince my girlfriends to go next year.
Never been there and the food would make it extra special.
Visiting the Epcot Food & Wine Festival would be so much fun, I love so many different types of food.
Our countdown for Disney is starting soon as we are starting to plan out our first trip now and should be heading down in about 6 months! So excited!!
I would love to visit all of these places. Going to each ethnic spot in one location! What an exciting adventure. Thank you for posting these ideas.
I’ve never been to the Epcot festival or Disney World. My husband and I have been talking about a trip to a Disney resort and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival sounds like a great escape.
I didn’t know they had this event. My husband and I love trying out new food. This looks like a perfect thing to add to our bucket list. Thank you for all the helpful tips!