I love summer in Florida because of the sunshine, not because of the heat. My second favorite season in Florida is the Fall. It gets a tad bit cooler (sometimes, sometimes it's 85 degrees still) and because of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Have you been before? If not, you need to go.
I can't believe a couple of years ago was just my first time. The food, the entertainment and getting to hang out with friends enjoying the great food, it's truly fun and magical. I have great memories sharing food with friends during the Food & Wine Festival. The food is world-class and the dishes are amazing, a lot of care and attention and detail goes into developing the recipes and the inspiration from around the world makes the event it this foodlover's dream come true!
This year, I was invited to the press preview (along with Julius) and I attended myself with my friend, Suzanne, and we had a blast! I finally became an annual passholder too! We love Walt Disney World and go all the time, it just was a given…I'm surprised we hadn't become passholders before! (You can blame my friend Lou and his new book on how to save for Disney on me becoming an annual passholder acutally, they have great deals for Florida residents and with the parking included, it's a great deal!).
Best way to attend the Food & Wine Festival: is with friends in a small to medium sized group, buy a few items from each Marketplace and share! 🙂
Soooo here are my top 5 items you need to get at the Festival this year, including a bonus item…in no particular order.
1. Frozen S'mores featuring Monin Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
I had this last year and loved it. I need to try to wrangle the recipe out of the Disney Chefs. 🙂 It's just as the title says, frozen s'mores in drink form!
Get it at the Desserts & Champagne Marketplace in Epcot and with the Dessert Trio, you'll thank me!
2. Potato and Leek Waffle with Beer Braised Beef
I almost didn't share this one. The photo…eh, right? It looks not so appetizing. BUT looks can be deceiving. Savory waffles and the beef, so tender and amazing! I want to make this one at home now!
Get it at Belgium Marketplace in Epcot.
3. Baked Lobster Alfredo
Just like a lobster mac & cheese but with alfredo sauce. Seriously, I dream about this dish. I keep saying this but I'm definitely making this at home and looking forward to having this again at Epcot.
Get it at the Hops & Barley Marketplace in Epcot.
4. Griddled “Yard Bird” with braised Greens and House-made Habanero Sauce at .
Loved this chicken dish, the crispy skin is awesome and they removed the bones for us. The greens are amazing too. You can't miss with this dish!
Get it at the Farm Fresh in Epcot.
5. Creme Brulee Caramel fleur de sel – Sea Salt Caramel Creme Brulee topped with Caramelized Sugar
Seriously, nothing I can say about this that wouldn't seem like I'm gushing. I love creme brulee and salted caramel even more so this is was a perfect marriage.
Get it at the France Marketplace in Epcot…and get it with the bonus item below!
Bonus: Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich at Epcot's L'Artisan des Glaces
Yes, that's a bricohe bun with ice cream (we chose white chocolate coconut) and their chocolate sauce.
Get it, it's amazingly genius and of course tastes amazing. You get to choose your ice cream and whether you want the chocolate sauce or not. I received a tour of the kitchen and love love that they make the ice cream from scratch on the premises. Every time I go to Epcot, I have to go to the French bakery or the ice cream, every. single. time.
Get it in the France pavilion in Epcot.
Disclosure: I was invited by Walt Disney World to attend a press preview for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. I also attended the Festival on my own dime as I'm an annual passholder. This post is a mix of both the press event and me attending on my own. I would only share with you with brands that I love and only share with you my own opinions. There's an affiliate link in this post.
Aggie says
Crazy because I ate at a lot of the countries…but none of these!! I really wanted to try that savory waffle but we didn’t get to it. So fun! The kids loved getting a passport and having it stamped too.
Amanda says
This looks like so much fun!
@Travelpanties says
I’m so sad, I was supposed to be there for F&W this year and ended up having to postpone my trip. This all looked delicious! I was there last year and it was such fun!
Emily @ Life on Food says
We go to Disney about once a year but never during the Food and Wine festival. I knew it would be good but after this I think it will be amazing!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
I did not even know that this food and wine festival existed! I adore Epcot. We visited Disney a few years ago, and Epcot was definitely my favorite park. 🙂 The food at the festival looks absolutely amazing. I am definitely going to have to look up when next year’s festival is! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
leslie says
I have no clue how I have never been to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Seems liked silly since I only live an hour away!!!! Maybe next year. Looks amazing and delicious.
Jennifer says
Drool! I would be one happy girl with that frozen s’smores and lobster alfredo. Who knew some of my favorite things were combined in to a festival? I think I need to attend the Disney Food and Wine Festival!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I’ve been wanting to go to Disney’s Food and Wine Festival for years and still haven’t made it there. Everything looks incredible! I will be thinking about that Baked Lobster Alfredo all day!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
This looks like such a fun event!! And I want to eat EVERYTHING! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Andi says
I was in Orlando at the exact same time at a social media conference and only heard about this event after I got there, I would have loved to go and I will keep my eye open for it NEXT year!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I have always wanted to go to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!! How fun!! I would be in love with that Frozen S’more and the Baked Lobster Alfredo!!!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
OMG, I am so on that brioche with ice cream treat!! Then I’ll have the creme brûlée, followed by the Baked Lobster Alfredo! Wait, maybe I should do that in reverse? Looks delish!!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
That festival looks amazing and that food…oh my gosh…it looks to die for!
LyndaS says
I wish I could have gone. It looks so wonderful. The waffle is especially intriguing.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
I think I need to put this event on my WDW Bucket List, too. We already love all the food and drink at Epcot, I can’t imagine what this event is like!
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
Holy moly! Everything you shared just made me want to go to Epcot right at this second. Hope I can join the fun next year.
Chris says
I’ve never been to Walt Disney World – how can that be?! Will need to add the Food & Wine Festival to my bucket list! If I go, you must come with 🙂
Joanne @ Fifteen Spatulas says
Sometimes I want to fly down to Disney World just so I can go the food festival, haha. The food you had looks amazing!!! And the French bakery in Epcot is always a must for me too 😉 I need to visit you again soon, and we’re including Disney this time lol.