Snacking Around the World!
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is here!
This festival is one of my favorite times of year at the park! There are so many new snacks and sips to try, and as an avid foodie, it’s always a great time.
This year, I was able to attend with my colleagues, Emma M, Kevin, and Jenny. We made 6 food stops around the Food & Wine festival, and here’s what we thought!
First Stop: Hawaii
Here, I (Elyse) ordered the Slow-roasted Pork Slider with Sweet-and-Sour Chutney, featuring DOLE Pineapple, and Spicy Mayonnaise. Kevin and Emma grabbed the Pineapple Cheesecake with Passion Fruit Curd and Macadamia Nuts – one of which was gluten-free!
Elyse: The slider was my first Food & Wine pick this year, and it was a bit of a disappointing start. The bun was sticking to the container it came in, and fell apart very easily. Despite this, it was very tasty. There was a good sauce-to-ingredient ratio, and there was a little bit of a kick to it. It would definitely be a decent choice for a quick bite if you love sliders, but it could also be a bit better.
Emma: I got the gluten-free Pineapple Cheesecake, and it was very delicious from the first bite. The flavor was not overpowering, and it was very light and fluffy. It was nice that the chefs offered a gluten-free option, and I would definitely come back and get this again if I were looking for a sweet treat.
Kevin: I also got the Pineapple Cheesecake, and this was a pretty okay option! The passion fruit curd was nice and had a slight tartness to it, but I think the macadamia nuts could’ve been toasted a little bit more to really give this an edge. It had a good consistency and structure, and it also held up well during the hot, hot day we had in Epcot. I do think it’s a good bite and worth trying.
Second Stop: Germany
Here, Jenny tried the Bratwurst on a Pretzel Roll with Mustard and the Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce.
Jenny: I LOVED the Bratwurst – the pretzel bun is so good, and the mustard with the dish was more like a honey-mustard. It blended well with the flavor of the sausage. Although small, this was a very tasty treat if you’re looking for something more savory, and I would definitely get this again.
Elyse: Awesome! Now, tell us what you thought of the Apple Strudel! Visually, it looked so delicious!
Jenny: The Strudel was fantastic. The flaky pastry was so nice and light, and the apples in the strudel were perfectly seasoned. The vanilla sauce that came with it was also very yummy and a great pairing, adding that extra bit of sweetness to the dish. Just like the Bratwurst, I would definitely get this again.
Third Stop: Italy
Here, I (Elyse) got the Chocolate Spuma, which is chocolate mousse with caramel Sauce, espresso whipped cream, and puffed rice.
Elyse: I have a big ol’ sweet tooth, so a chocolate mousse is definitely a good treat in my book. Visually, this is a very cute little dessert! It is a small portion, so it’s a sweet treat that you can enjoy in a couple of bites, versus a larger portion of dessert served at some of the other festival booths. Overall, I really enjoyed this dish. The espresso flavor in the whipped cream was not too overpowering, the chocolate mousse was delightful and light, and the flavors blended well. My only critique is the puffed rice – I wish it were a bit crispier. I think that a little bit of crunch would make this dish so much better, as the soft texture of the puffed rice wasn’t quite right for me.
Fourth Stop: Greece
Here, Emma got the Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey.
Emma: I was super glad that the chefs were able to make the Griddled Cheese gluten-free for me. The Food & Wine booths don’t necessarily offer as many gluten-free or allergy-friendly options, so this was a nice surprise. This was a yummy snack – it’s cheese, so you can’t really go wrong! The pistachios also paired nicely with the cheese. I must say, I’m not sure if I would get this snack every time, as it is quite indulgent, but it hit the spot and was a nice mix of flavors.
Fifth Stop: Brazil
Here, Kevin stopped and got the Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread.
Kevin: I was very intrigued to try these, as you cannot go wrong with cheese and bread! Upon first bite, they had a good crunchy exterior, and were soft and fluffy on the inside.
Elyse: They reminded me of the Prospector’s Homemade Cheddar Biscuits from Rodeo Roundup BBQ in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios!
Kevin: You’re right! They have a subtle cheese flavor; not too sharp, just a nice, soft cheesy flavor throughout the bun. I will say they seemed a bit drier this year, but they were still spongy because of the cheese factor. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get them again, but they were a pretty OK offering for all things considered.
Sixth Stop: France
Here, Kevin, Emma, and I all got the new Crème Brûlée Vanille, Confiture Myrtilles et Citron Vert, which is vanilla crème brûlée with blueberry-lime compote. I (Elyse) also got the new Boeuf Bourguignon, Purée de Pommes de Terre: Red Wine-braised Short Ribs with Potato Purée.
Elyse: One of my favorite meals is a good pot roast, so I started with the Boeuf Bourguignon. You really cannot go wrong with beef and potatoes, and this was definitely a yummy offering! The meat was cooked just perfectly, and practically melted in your mouth. The potatoes were also great, but I thought they did overdo it just a bit on the sauce. Nevertheless, this was a delightful, savory pick, and I would definitely get it again.
Kevin: Now, onto the Crème Brûlée!
Emma: I really liked the blueberry compote in the crème brûlée, and thought it was a delicious little treat to end the evening. It was very enjoyable, and the texture was nice and creamy. I would definitely try it again, but I don’t think I would consider it a staple just yet. It is new this year, so maybe they’ll bring it back for next year so we can all try it again!
Kevin: I would definitely eat this again, but I agree with Emma – I wouldn’t go out of my way to get it. The blueberry compote was a nice palate cleanser, but the lime flavor was very subtle.
Elyse: I disagree! I ADORED this snack, and would absolutely make it a must-get dish if it returns for Food & Wine again in the future. I thought it was so delicious, and the blueberry compote was a nice twist that added some tartness to the sweet dish. I do agree that the lime flavor is very subtle, though. To be honest, I couldn’t really taste it as the blueberry was a very dominant flavor, and I think maybe if the lime was a bit more prominent, this would make it a perfect 10 out of 10 for me.
We had a great time sampling some of the new and returning dishes at this year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. We loved trying a mix of savory and sweet dishes and hope we can tackle more delightful dishes to share during next year’s event!
~Elyse
