September 3, 2013 - On the Go in MCO

New Seminars & Innovative Dishes Highlight

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Food & Wine Classic

Celebrated culinary event will feature celebrity chef Todd English and live entertainment

The culinary team at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is gearing up for the annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, October 18 – 19, 2013.

Back for its fourth year, the event presents the perfect opportunity for everyone – from novices to enthusiasts – to savor the flavor of culinary innovation at this two-night outdoor evening festival hosted along the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel’s lush causeway.

Guests can enjoy the delights of numerous food and wine stations; immerse themselves in food and wine education seminars; meet the masters behind the culinary magic and take in some live entertainment at the same time.

From a short rib Oscar, marrying beef, Maryland blue crab, asparagus and hollandaise; to Chinese-inspired vegetarian bao; to a handcrafted convergence of bacon, black-eyed pea puree and maple, the food options are as innovative as they are enticing. Finishing touches like raspberry s’mores and a milk chocolate mousse dome with a center of caramel cream and hazelnut dacquoise sponge cake, provide even more intrigue.

In addition to sampling all things savory and sweet, guests will be able to purchase featured wines on site and other event merchandise.

New to the educational lineup is a pasta-making seminar hosted by hotel executive chef Robert Ciborowski. Guests will learn to make pasta dough from scratch and assist with the creation of specialty pastas. The wine education tract will feature a new Italian wine class, where guests will learn the history of Italian wine and its influence on culture and cuisine. Returning beverage seminars include modern mixology, sake, beer, wine-blending, champagne, Riesling and Spanish wines. The seminars are led by the hotel’s certified culinary and beverage experts.

While enjoying live entertainment and enticing food and wine samples, guests also can get a meet and greet with celebrity chef Todd English. English is a world-renowned restaurateur who has gained national acclaim through his line of restaurants and cookbooks, and his countless other food-related enterprises. His concept, Todd English’s bluezoo, is a AAA four-diamond restaurant and one of the signature restaurants of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. Other noted chefs, including Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef – and the world’s only two-time World Pastry Chef – will also be on-site throughout the weekend.

With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel boasts more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages. The hotel’s restaurants are annual winners of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence including Shula’s Steak House, a three-time recipient of the exclusive Best of Award of Excellence.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

Fourth Annual Swan and Dolphin

Food & Wine Classic Info At-A-Glance

The Fourth Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel returns Oct. 18-19, showcasing some of the top food, wine and beers in the world, along with informative seminars conducted by members of the hotel’s award-winning food and beverage team. Highlighting the event will be the appearance of celebrity chef Todd English.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic consists of nine food and beverage seminars, live entertainment and more than 40 food and beverage stations featuring appetizing selections from restaurants, including Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Todd English’s bluezoo as well as wines, beers and cocktails from around the world.

When: Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (seminars start at 4:30pm) .

Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel (1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830)

Ticket Information:

One and two-night packages including tickets to the outdoor festival for two and overnight accommodations are available, starting at $300 per night
Advance purchase event-only tickets are available for $85 including taxes and include unlimited food and beverage samples on the causeway
Beverage seminars are $45 per person, per class including taxes
Pasta seminar is $60 per person including taxes
For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and the Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks offers additional time for guests to enjoy select attractions. (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required). The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500,www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/swananddolphin.

Disclaimer: Two bike rentals were given free of charge. No compensation was given.

I’ve talked about it before, but one of my favorite things to do outside is ride my bike in Celebration.

I get that not everyone owns a bike, and if you’re visiting from out of town, a bike will probably not be making the trip to Florida with you. Those baggage fees are enough in itself, I don’t even want to think about flying a bike here!

I mean, heck, my parents fall into both categories (and they only drive 1.5 hours to see us!)

A couple of weeks ago while they were in town, we wanted to show them around Celebration on our new favorite mode of transportation.

After a quick talk with the owner of Celebration Surrey Company, she let my parents borrow a couple of their bikes! I was SO thrilled!

When we got to their location (in the parking lot behind the Bohemian Hotel), we quickly rented the bikes from them, my parents signed a piece of paper (everyone has to do this) saying that they would return the bikes, etc and we were on the way.

Incase you didn’t see it on the rates picture above, when you rent with them you can get a map of the Celebration trails and also some water.

They have so many different kinds of bikes to rent.

Mountain bikes, cruiser bikes, trailers, three wheel bikes, tandem, surrey bikes, kids bikes.

My mom saw the purple one and had to have it – I tried to get her to try a cruiser since that’s what Jeff and I have, but she was sold on the purple mountain bike.

Dad picked out a cruiser.

They really liked their bikes and riding around Celebration. They both kept saying, “We know why you guys like this so much.”

If you’re around Celebration and looking for something active to do, I would highly recommend taking a bike out for a spin around town and I believe your best bet for a rental is Celebration Surrey Company!

Their hours are 10-5, but if for some reason you want to rent the bike a little later in the day and would be returning after 5, give them a call (407-791-2822) and they’ll work with you on the times. Both of the employees I talked to were super helpful and friendly and were more than happy to work with us on the times, which is not something I’ve found with any other company.