Foodie Archives - On the Go in MCO

Ocean Spray Returns to Epcot For The18th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Ocean Spray Bog is back with tips on how to incorporate cranberries into everyday living

At the 18th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival park guests have the opportunity to learn about how cranberries are grown and how every part of this versatile fruit is used at the cranberry bog near the Fountain of Nations.

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I had the chance to take a dip in the bog, to talk to a few of the Ocean Spray growers, and to try several dishes from around the world that were created with cranberries and Craisins to kick of the Festival!

This was my second year strapping on waders and heading into the bog, and it is was just as much fun as it was the first time around. The floating berries, chatting with people as they are walking by, and talking to Ocean Spray growers and hearing their family stories is a great way to spend an evening.

Ocean Spray Bog — Our menu of international dishes featuring Craisins

The international dishes we were able to sample were absolutely amazing! I would have never thought of some of these cranberry flavor combinations, but they were delightful!

My favorites were the Craisin glazed Pork Belly with white cheddar maple grits with cranberry and sea salt cured wild salmon with maple sugar crystals from Canada, the Craisin infused five spice char Kobe beef with Sriracha with Craisin vegetable fried rice from Japan, and the mole shrimp quesadilla with cranberry salsa from Mexico. The artisan cheese stuffed mini Craisin Brioche from France was also delicious!

Also until November 11th, chefs at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will showcase the delicious versatility of Craisins Dried Cranberries through select chef demonstrations and private events, at certain restaurants, and at the Hops & Barley Marketplace.

“The beauty of the cranberry isn’t just what you see on the outside, it’s how it makes you feel on the inside,” said Ken Romanzi, COO, Ocean Spray Global. “Through our sponsorship at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, we can illustrate the many ways cranberries can be incorporated into snacks and meals every day, and educate guests about the healthy origins of the fruit.”

The cranberry bog at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is filled with more than 1,000 lbs. of floating cranberries, and is manned with Ocean Spray farmers all to happy to share their heritage, passion for growing cranberries, and spread the word about the healt benefits from these tasty fruits!

If you are passing through Epcot during the Festival, make sure you stop by the bog for a bit to talk to one of Ocean Spray Bog farmers and I am sure you will be surprised at how versatile the cranberry really is and also make sure you try one of the many tasty Craisin dishes!

Can’t make it to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival? Visit www.oceanspray.com for delicious everyday ideas and seasonal inspirations from around the world. Cranberry lovers eager to share their stories and recipes are encouraged to tweet @OceanSprayInc or post on Ocean Spray’s Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram pages.

This year the Food and Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel returns for the second year on October 7^th and 8^th expanding their food, wine, festival offerings and Celebrity Chef Experiences.

Once again, the event will include an outdoor festival featuring culinary selections from the Orlando hotel’s award-winning restaurants and lounges, as well as a series of beverage seminars taught by the hotel’s certified experts.

This year there are going to be additional educational experiences that will be offered during the outdoor festival, an expanded variety of food and drink options and an opportunity to meet celebrity chef Todd English.

In the outdoor festival, you will be able to find more than 30 stations that will offer attendees plenty of opportunity to indulge in the best of both food and drink that the Swan and Dolphin Restaurants have to offer. The restaurants included in this year’s appetizing selections are Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Todd English’s bluezoo.

A closer look at the Food and Wine Classic Food Booth offerings can be found here.

Beverage stations will also provide educational experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake, beer and cocktails created using liquid nitrogen. Wines from various regions from around the world will be offered including France, Italy, California and Australia.

To finish, guests can delight in a selection of desserts from the only two-time World Pastry Champion, Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef.

If that isn’t enough, during the festival there will be live musical performances from The Groove Masters, Four Divo, The Current, and The Beu Sisters.

Those looking for a more in-depth experience can choose from a variety of hour-long beverage seminars taught by certified wine sommeliers and beer and cocktail specialists from the hotel’steam. Attendees will learn drink origins, pairing tips and enjoy an informative tasting experience.

Seminars will be offered both evenings and include Wine Blending; Modern Mixology; Riesling Rendezvous; Base to Bubbles; Beer, Please! and All Things Sake. A new seminar offering, Spanish Wines, will teach guests about Spanish wine regions and creative Spanish wine blends.

Throughout the evening, attendees will have additional opportunities to learn about beverage through a Cocktail 101 recurring class that will take place during the outdoor festival.

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 features more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages.

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 by calling 1-800-227-1500.