Our First Visit to 2012 EPCOT Food & Wine Fest

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Since Walt Disney World is basically our backyard, Bill and I LOVE when the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival arrives each fall. We go almost once or twice a week to eat and see the Eat to the Beat Concerts that feature some of the rock and roll bands that we both love so much.

Last Saturday, we made our first 15 minute trek from our door to EPCOT's entrance to eat our way around the world. We managed to get about 1/4 away around EPCOT's World Showcase.

We started off in Hawaii with with Kahlua Pork Sliders with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise and a Kona Brewing Company Big Wave Golden Ale... man was that delicious, just the right amount of sweet and spice. Next was Greece where we each had a Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatsiki (and finished our Kona beer)... another great marriage of spice and sweet. Then as we headed over toward the American Garden's Theater for the concert, we stopped at Italy for Ravioli di Formaggio all'Emiliana (Beef Bolognese Sauce, Parmesan, and Mozzarella) with water and iced tea. Plus I had a Chocolate Covered Cannoli - YUMMY!!

The thing that totally made me laugh was that with all the food from countries all over the world, this line happened:

 

 

This is a McDonalds... these people chose to eat McDonalds food instead of the delicious food from all the booths from countries all over the world. I just don't get some people. =\

 

 

 

Then onto the show..... We saw Starship staring Mickey Thomas. They were awesome, as they have been the last 9 times we have seen them. It was sad not seeing Mark Abrahamian after watching him play such awesome lead guitar for all those years (I have photos of him on my FB page), but Jeff Tamelier did a great job and is a fabulous showman. So here are my photos of Lead Vocalist, Mickey Thomas; Additional vocals, Stephanie Calvert (you should hear her do White Rabbit - I get chills); Guitar, Jeff Tamelier; Bass, Back-up vocals, Jeff Adams; Drums, Darrell Verdusco; Keyboards, Back-up vocals, Phil Bennett:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had such a great time and cannot wait to go back for more food - some I am looking forward to are Germany, Poland, and a new one this year, a Florida Local Booth. Of course there is an Ireland booth that has a Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey's Ganache... I'll be getting that more than once!

 

Stay tuned for the continuing saga as Bill and I eat our way around the world.  =)

 

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16th Annual EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

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I'm so excited to let you all know about the 16th annual EPCOT Food and Wine Festival being held at Walt Disney World. This is the event that Bill and I look forward to all year long. There is so much to see and do and EAT!!

This year's event is being held from September 30, 2011 to November 13, 2011, so if you are in the central Florida area during that time, you have to make time to visit EPCOT... All events are included in your admission ticket price (food is extra, ranging in price from $3.00 - $7.00) including the amazing "Eat to the Beat" Concerts at the American Gardens Theater. Bill and I love taking an afternoon and evening going to EPCOT to eat and see these concerts ranging from "Hanson" to "The Pointer Sisters" to our absolute favorite, "Starship, staring Mickey Thomas" - we've seen them six times already. To see the complete list of performers head on over to the Disney World Website.

There are so many other things to do: seminars, beer and wine tastings, Party for the Senses, Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining - it really is absolutely amazing. (Some are included with your admission ticket, others are an additional fee.) Check out the Welcome Center and the Festival Brochure to see all the activities and along with a map showing all the countries and the delicious foods that will be there for you to indulge in.

Bill and I like to walk around (technically he pushes me around in my wheelchair) the circle that is the World Showcase and eat at each country (sharing most stuff) until we have WWIII in our tummies, then go see one of the concerts and then head home to digest - and usually fall asleep.  Then in a few days, we do it all again, starting where we left off the previous visit... =)

Seriously, if you are here in central Florida during Sept. 30th - Nov. 13th, try and make it to EPCOT for this MOST fabulous event ~ you will NOT be disappointed ~ we never are!!

Bon Apetit!
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