2016 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Gluten Free & Special Diets Food Offerings

*This information comes from the Garden Passports handed out at the festival and was made available online at WDW's website prior to the festival opening (and may be subject to change). As always, guests should consult each booth for ingredients or for other special dietary needs. Because of the booth space, cross contamination is of higher risk for guests consuming gluten free ingredients.Updated March 30, 2016View my video walk-throughs of the Flower & Garden Festival on YouTube:

• Walkthrough Video Part 1
• Walkthrough Video Part 2

Listen to Episode 30 of the Podcast on the Flower & Garden Festival HERE or on iTunes!This year's Flower & Garden Festival is set to take place March 2 - May 3rd this year, and there are bound to be some good eats throughout the festival. Disney released their Marketplace Passports early and online (for the first time!) this year.As the festival gets underway, this list will be updated and modified for any dishes that are gluten free & dairy free and/or can be modified easily to accommodate. Some dishes, like the Beijing-style Candied Strawberries have not been marked gluten free (and they weren't last year either) but the booth confirmed that they were, in fact, gluten free and dairy free at 2015's festival. Stay tuned to see if they still are this year.Be aware that Marketplace kiosks are smaller and increased risk of cross-contamination is possible. Please use judgement before consuming any items marked gluten free at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival.Here’s a list of all of the items that are considered “gluten free” by Disney:Urban Farm Eats:

• Watermelon salad with pickled onion, B&W Gourmet Farms baby arugula, feta and balsamic reduction – Vegetarian, Gluten Free (can be made dairy free by removing feta cheese) - $3.75

La Isla Fresca (new booth for 2016):

• Jerk-spice grouper or chicken with mango salsa, chayote and green papaya slaw with lime-cilantro vinaigrette – Gluten Free, Dairy Free (confirmed dairy free by Sarah on March 2, 2016) - $5.25

Read my review of the La Isla Fresca Booth HERELotus House:

• Beijing-style candied strawberries – Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Dairy Free (*Note: This is not marked gluten free on the marketplace passport; however, the manager at the Lotus House advised me that these are still gluten free and dairy free, like they were in previous years) - $4.95

Read my review of the Lotus House Booth HEREBauernmarkt: Farmer's Market (new booth for 2016): 

• Currywurst with paprika chips - roasted bratwurst with curry ketchup and paprika-spiced chips – Gluten Free, Dairy Free (confirmed dairy free by Sarah on March 2, 2016) - $5.00

Read my review of the Bauernmarkt booth HEREFlorida Fresh:

• Kale salad with dried cherries, almonds, goat cheese and white balsamic vinaigrette – Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Lactose Free (confirmed lactose free and can be made dairy free by removing cheese by Sarah on March 2, 2016) - $3.75
• Shrimp and stone ground grits with andouille sausage, sweet corn, tomatoes, and cilantro – Gluten Free - $6.25

Read my review of the Florida Fresh booth HEREPrimavera Kitchen:

• Cremoso al Pistacchio - pistacchio cream, strawberries and mascarpone cream – Gluten Free - $5.00

Read Gluten Free in Orlando's Review of this booth HEREThe Smokehouse:

• Smoked pork ribs with roasted corn salad – Gluten Free, Dairy Free (confirmed dairy free by Sarah on March 5, 2016) - $6.50

Recipe for the roasted corn salad from the Disney Parks Blog HEREWatch my video review of the booth HEREHanami 

• Frushi: Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon Rolled with Raspberry Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream on the side - Gluten Free (can be made dairy free by removing the Whipped Cream, confirmed by Sarah on March 5, 2016) - $5.25

Watch my video review of the booth HEREFleur de Lys:

• Cassoulet au Confit de Canard - pulled duck confit with braised flageolet beans – Gluten Free (Not available dairy free, confirmed by Sarah on March 5, 2016) - $5.75
• Macaron Chocolat Framboise: Large Raspberry Macaron with Chocolate Fudge and Raspberry Jam - Gluten Free (This information comes from L'Artisan des Glaces on Twitter. They did warn possible cross contamination as they are baked in a non-dedicated bakery. I recommend checking with culinary team at the booth for more information) - $4.75

Cider House (new booth for 2016):

• Land-harvested field greens with apples, dried blueberries, stilton cheese and apple cider vinaigrette – Vegetarian, Gluten Free - $3.75
• Freshly baked lemon scone with creme fraiche and mixed berries (Made using Cup4Cup Flour confirmed by Sarah on March 5, 2016 and cannot be made dairy free) – Gluten Free - $3.75

Watch my video review of the booth HERE

---

 Remember to pick up your passports when you go to the booths and always check with the cast members on ingredients and cross contamination procedures, as well as other additional special dietary needs. These offerings are not marked on the menus outside of each booth, so the passport your best bet for a comprehensive listing.Stay tuned to reviews from both myself and Alexis over at Gluten Free in Orlando for the latest updates from the festival!What do you think about the listing of gluten free & vegetarian items on the passport? Will you go and try any of the items at the booths this year?

Mylan & Allergen-Free Culinary Demos Come to Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

I'm super excited to be posting this information about the upcoming 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. This year's Food & Wine Festival will feature a series of all new culinary demonstrations and educational seminars for guests who want to learn more about cooking with food allergies -- all free of the top 8 common allergens. The series is in partnership with Mylan, the company that brings you EpiPen®, who signed a multi-year alliance with the Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts last year. The partnership previously included access to EpiPen® in the theme parks, which included an EpiPen® Auto-Injector symbol on park maps and new signage at all of the First Aid stations. As a part of the alliance, Mylan has been planning a variety of educational resources designed to increase awareness of and preparedness for severe allergic reactions. That includes this year's festivities at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. The EpiPen® on Location website reports that Chef Amanda Freitag and other chefs will prepare delectable dishes free of the top eight allergens. Auggie Maturo, actor from the TV show "Girl Meets World," and his family will also be on hand to share tips and tricks for navigating playdates and school parties for kids with severe allergies. Both Chef Amanda and Auggie will be at the Festival Welcome Center during select times between Oct. 2 – 4, 2015. How cool is that? I've been visiting the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for years gluten free and dairy free, and the culinary demonstrations have always been a challenge with a special diet. I've some amazing experiences with Chef Kevin Dundon from Raglan Road Irish Pub (where I got to go on stage!), Chef Tony Marotta from Disney's Port Orleans Resort, and Chef Suvir Saran of Top Chef fame. But, I've also had some struggles getting safe options and enjoying the culinary demonstrations as fully as other non-special diets guests. So, I'm thrilled to see culinary demos that are top 8 free!Even more exciting is that Mylan is giving away several trips to Disney World for lucky winners that include: 

• A three-night/four-day vacation for four to visit the 2015 Epcot® International Food Wine Festival 

• Opportunity for meet-and-greets with Amanda Freitag and Auggie Maturo and tickets to a culinary demonstration between Oct. 2 – 4

• A vacation travel kit prepared by Nina Garcia

• A resort stay

• Theme park tickets

• And much more!

For all the details on how to enter to win, check out the EpiPen® on Location website! 

Are you as excited as I am about the upcoming Epcot Food & Wine Festival now that Mylan is offering these allergy-friendly culinary demonstrations? 

Gluten Free Options Noted for 2014 Food & Wine Festival and Other Festival News

*This information has been posted on various websites including the Disney Food Blog and is subject to change and/or modification.Exciting news has been announced via several websites and through social media. The 2014 International Food & Wine Festival will have Marketplace Passports that note gluten free offerings. This is another great step from Disney in acknowledging gluten free visitors to the Food & Wine Festival.The Marketplace Passports will have a symbol that indicates which items are free of gluten containing ingredients; however, do note that there is always a risk of potential cross contamination due to the small kiosk/booths in which these foods are served and/or prepared.If you were a visitor to this year's Flower & Garden Festival, you'll recognize these gluten free notations, as the Flower & Garden Marketplace Passports also carried them. You can see photographs and examples of these in my post from this past spring.In addition to the gluten free notations on the Marketplace Passports, the festival will also have a few other special diets features, including the Terra Booth (vegan booth) back for its third year at the festival. While the booth does feature a lot of Gardein products (which are not currently gluten free), hopefully, there will be a few gluten free and vegan offerings this year. So far, the only menu items publicly listed contain Gardien. The booth does carry vegan wine.If you're vegetarian, you'll have plenty of options throughout the festival and some new items sound intriguing for vegetarian diners, including the Vegetarian Moussaka at the Greece Booth.Fans of the Dole Whip will be excited to hear that the pineapple Dole Whip is making a comeback too!If you're like me, you may also want to participate in some of the culinary demos and special events. These officially go on sale to the general public on July 31, 2014 at 7 a.m. EST. You can call 407-WDW-FEST to book. You can also book many of these online too! If you are a Tables in Wonderland, Annual Passholder, DVC Member, or Golden Oak resident, you can begin booking at 9 a.m. EST on July 25, 2014. Advance purchase for TIW, AP, DVC, and GO also comes with a $2 discount for those demos and sessions that take place Monday through Thursday.Whenever I book culinary demonstrations or special experiences, I also contact Special Diets to make the notation and arrive at the event early. You can read about a few of my demo experiences from last year, including Chef Kevin Dundon from Raglan Road and Erin McKenna from Babycakes NYC. You can also read Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando's review of last year's festival and demo experiences with Chef Tony Marotta from Port Orleans Resort.And of course, non food related, the Chase Lounge is making a comeback this year. This is a welcome retreat if have a Disney Visa. Sometimes you need a break from the festival action and a place to cool down, and this location does the trick! If you like Coca-Cola products, they usually have a Coke Freestyle machine set-up with complimentary cool drinks (including water).What do you think about the new gluten free notations on the Marketplace Passports this year? Are you as excited as I am for the upcoming Food & Wine Festival?

2014 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Gluten Free & Special Diets Food Offerings

*This information comes from the Garden Passports handed out at the festival and was obtained March 8, 2014. As always, guests should consult each booth for ingredients or for other special dietary needs. Because of the booth space, cross contamination is of higher risk for guests consuming gluten free ingredients.*There is one item marked on the gluten free list that is a misprint. The cornbread served with the Smoked beef brisket with collard greens at the Smokehouse: Barbecue & Brews booth is not gluten free.Updated March 14, 2014This year's Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot has officially started, and I have to admit, it's one of my favorite times of year in the park. I adore all of the amazing plants, flowers, and topiaries on display throughout Epcot. Last year marked the first year of the outdoor kitchens in the World Showcase, and like the International Food & Wine Festival, many guests look forward to trying their food offerings.As a gluten free & dairy free diner it can be a challenge - between cross contamination risks, lack of ingredients information and communication - it seemed next to impossible sometimes. Two years ago, Disney released a Food & Wine Festival map that noted gluten free offerings but were told that they would not be putting them on any festival maps again because of liability. Well, apparently they changed their minds.This year's Flower & Garden Festival now has passports which you can get at all of the Outdoor Kitchens kiosks that actually list the items that are vegetarian and are gluten free (meaning they have no gluten containing ingredients). How exciting!Here's a list of all of the items that are considered "gluten free" by Disney:Urban Farm Eats (new booth this year):Read Sarah's review from 3/8/14

• Pickled beet salad with goat cheese cream, mizuna and pistachios - Gluten free and vegetarian (not dairy free)
• Land-grown eggplant “scallop” with romesco sauce and spaghetti squash - Gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian (Sarah confirmed this with a chef on 3/8/14)
• Ghost pepper-dusted tilapia with crisp winter melon slaw and mint oil featuring The Original Sauce Man’s Kick It Up Rub - Gluten free and dairy free (Sarah confirmed this with a chef on 3/8/14)
• Redbridge Gluten Free Beer - Gluten free and Dairy free

Florida Fresh:

• Watermelon salad with pickled onions, BW Farm baby arugula, feta cheese and balsamic reduction - Gluten free and vegetarian (not dairy free)
• Shrimp and stone ground grits with andouille sausage, sweet corn, tomatoes and cilantro - Gluten free

The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews:

• Smoked beef brisket with collard greens and jalapeño corn bread - Gluten free *Cornbread is NOT gluten free. Beef brisket and collard greens are but there may be potential cross contamination.
• Smoked turkey “rib” - Gluten free (and possibly dairy free)

Hanami:

• Frushi – Fresh pineapple, strawberries and melon, rolled with coconut rice, topped with raspberry sauce, sprinkled with toasted coconut and served with whipped cream on the side - Gluten free and vegetarian (not dairy free)

Fleur de Lys:

• Confit de canard, pommes de terre Sarladaise – Pulled duck confit with garlic and parsley potatoes - Gluten free
• Macaron à la fleur d’ Oranger – Orange blossom macaron with white chocolate ganache - Gluten free and vegetarian (not dairy free)

Primavera Kitchen:

• Caprese – Fior di latte mozzarella, roasted peppers and olio verde - Gluten free and vegetarian (not dairy free)

Lotus House:

• Beijing-style candied strawberries - Gluten free and vegetarian (possibly dairy free)

Jardin de Fiestas:Read Sarah's review from 3/8/14

• Tacos al Pastor - corn tortilla filled with achiote marinated pork garnished with grilled diced pineapple, onions, and cilantro - Gluten free and dairy free (Sarah confirmed this with a chef on 3/8/14)

I'm curious about the Pineapple Promenade booth because the items are not listed as Dole Whips or gluten free. Very interesting indeed.Remember to pick up your passports when you go to the booths and always check with the cast members on ingredients and cross contamination procedures, as well as other additional special dietary needs. These offerings are not marked on the menus outside of each booth, so the passport your best bet for a comprehensive listing.Stay tuned to reviews from both myself and Alexis over at Gluten Free in Orlando for the latest updates from the festival!What do you think about the listing of gluten free & vegetarian items on the passport? Will you go and try any of the items at the booths this year?

Flower & Garden Festival Announces Menus for Outdoor Kitchens

Last year Disney launched a marketplace area in the World Showcase (similar to the Food & Wine Festival) during the Flower & Garden Festival. Like the Food & Wine Festival, the marketplace booths didn't have many gluten free & dairy free friendly offerings. They did, however, carry one of my favorite gluten free beers -- New Planet's Raspberry Ale. Alas, New Planet won't be there this year but there are some vegan wines making an appearance at the booths, called the Outdoor Kitchens.Here is a list of the current offerings as released by Disney for the Outdoor Kitchens (*Note: At this time, no items have been confirmed gluten free or even special diets friendly. As always, these booths carry a higher risk of cross contamination)Stay tuned as I find out if any of these items will be suitable for special dietary needs. My guess is the Urban Farms Eats will be the most special diets friendly booth out of the bunch; hopefully, we can more information soon!Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico Pavilion) – this booth offers tapas that are spring light and cooked just right.

• Tacos al pastor – Corn tortilla filled with achiote-marinated pork, garnished with grilled diced pineapple, onions and cilantro
• Quesadilla de hongos con queso – Flour tortilla filled with mushrooms and cheese
• Flan de chocolate Abuelita – Mexican chocolate custard
• Tecate draft beer
• White Mexican sangria
• Franbuesa (raspberry) margarita on the rocks
• Tequila flight – blanco, reposado and añejo
• Dasani bottled water

Lotus House (China Pavilion) – try a garden-fresh take on spring-influenced flavors.

• Beijing-style candied strawberries
• Spring pancake with grilled chicken and green apple
• Vegetable spring rolls
• Popping bubble tea
• Kung Fu Punch – Vodka and triple sec with mango and orange juice
• South Sea Storm – Guava juice with light and dark rum
• Plum wine
• Tsing-Tao beer
• Lychee aerated water

Florida Fresh (Germany Pavilion) – Savor fresh Florida ingredients that are grown and produced locally

• Watermelon salad with pickled onions, BW Farm baby arugula, feta cheese and balsamic reduction
• Shrimp and stone ground grits with andouille sausage, sweet corn, tomatoes and cilantro
• Florida kumquat pie
• Watermelon passion fruit slush featuring Simply Lemonade®
• Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria featuring Simply Lemonade, Florida Orange Groves
• Garda Italian Wine Blend, Quantum Leap Winery
• Rogue Valley Pinot Noir, Quantum Leap Winery
• Blonde Ale, Orlando Brewing Company
• Cotton Mouth Belgian Style Witbier, Swamp Head Brewery
• Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale, Florida Beer Company
• Florida Avenue Blueberry, Cold Storage Craft Brewery
• Beer Flight – Blonde Ale, Cotton Mouth Belgian Style Witbier, Feast of Flowers Farmhouse Ale and Florida Avenue Blueberry
• Simply Orange

Primavera Kitchen (Italy Pavilion) - Sample some of this country’s many flavors.

• Caprese – Fior di latte mozzarella, roasted peppers and olio verde
• Three cheese manicotti – Egg pasta stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce and béchamel
• Torta di ricotta – Lemon cheesecake with limoncello-marinated strawberries
• Placido Pinot Grigio
• Placido Chianti
• Bosco del Merlo Prosecco
• White peach bellini – Prosecco and white peach puree
• Strawberry rossini – Prosecco and marinated strawberries
• Frozen Italian primavera – Assorted fruit slushy with limoncello and vodka
• Moretti Lager
• Moretti La Rossa

The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews (American Adventure Pavilion) – Celebrate the truly American tradition of barbeque, paired with craft brews from across the country.

• Pulled pig slider with cole slaw
• Smoked beef brisket with collard greens and jalapeño corn bread
• Smoked turkey “rib”
• “Piggylicous” bacon cupcake with maple frosting and pretzel crunch featuring Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon
• Magic Hat #9, Magic Hat Brewing
• Maduro, Cigar City Brewing
• Fat Tire, New Belgium Brewing Company
• Billy’s Chilies, Twisted Pine Brewing Company
• Beer Flight – Magic Hat #9, Maduro, Fat Tire and Billy’s Chilies
• The Original Rib Shack Red Wine

Hanami (Japan Pavilion) – enjoying delicate bites and refreshing beverages.

• Frushi – Fresh pineapple, strawberries and melon, rolled with coconut rice, topped with raspberry sauce, sprinkled with toasted coconut and served with whipped cream on the side
• Temaki hand roll – Sliced Panko fried chicken, curry sauce, rice and pickled julienne carrots wrapped with Nori
• Hanami sushi – A flavorful combination of salmon, scallop and beef-topped rice balls served atop a shiso violet sauce
• Japanese puffed rice cakes with green tea whipped cream and azuki
• Kirin draft beer
• Pinepple Paradise with Yuzu Slushie – Frozen blend of sweet sake, pineapple juice and crème, flavored with a hint of Yuzu citrus juice
• Orange Mango Slushie – Frozen blend of Nigori sake, mango and orange juice

Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco Pavilion) – Discover the tastes on North African spices.

• Lamb brewat roll with prunes and sesame
• Harissa chicken kebab with couscous salad
• Baghrir – Moroccan pancake with honey, almonds and argan oil
• Mint iced tea
• White sangria
• Guerrouane red
• Casa Beer
• Desert Rose – Sparkling wine with pomegranate liqueur

Fleur de Lys (France Pavilion) – Indulge your senses in France’s most magnificent culinary masterpieces.

• Gnocchi Parisien à la Provençal – Parisian-style dumplings with vegetables and mushrooms
• Confit de canard, pommes de terre Sarladaise – Pulled duck confit with garlic and parsley potatoes
• Macaron à la fleur d’ Oranger – Orange blossom macaron with white chocolate ganache
• La Vie en Rose frozen slush – Vodka, Grey Goose Orange, St. Germain Liquor, and white and red cranberry juice
• Kir Imperial – Sparkling wine, Chambord and black raspberry liquor
• Rosé pamplemousse cocktail – Rosé wine mixed with natural grapefruit syrup
• Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 – Fruity white beer with citrus notes

Buttercup Cottage (United Kingdom Pavilion) – Delight in afternoon tea offerings and fresh garden flavors.

• Freshly baked potato and cheddar cheese biscuit with smoked salmon tartare
• Field greens with Plant City strawberries, toasted almonds and Farmstead stilton
• Pork and apple sausage roll with house-made piccalilli
• Freshly baked lemon scones with berry preserves and crème fraÎche
• Chilled rose blush lemonade featuring Simply Lemonade with Raspberry (nonalcoholic)
• Twinings® Cold Brewed English Classic with lemon grass syrup
• Berry tea cocktail – Twinings Cold Brewed Mixed Berry Tea with Florida Cane vodka and Plant City strawberry, flavored with raspberry and açaí syrup
• Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee
• Deloach Pinot Noir

Pineapple Promenade (Canada Pavilion) – Enjoy all kinds of treats featuring juicy pineapples.

• Pineapple soft serve
• Pineapple soft serve with Myers’s dark rum
• Pineapple soft serve with Parrot Bay coconut rum
• Sweet potato cinnamon waffle with pineapple soft serve
• Frozen desert violet lemonade featuring Simply Lemonade (nonalcoholic)
• Tropical Mango Pale Ale, St. John Brewers
• Once Upon a Vine’s The Lost Slipper Sauvignon Blanc

Urban Farm Eats – Taste treats from this booth’s all natural menu, with dishes that have been cultivated entirely from the soil.

• Pickled beet salad with goat cheese cream, mizuna and pistachios
• Land-grown eggplant “scallop” with romesco sauce and spaghetti squash
• Ghost pepper-dusted tilapia with crisp winter melon slaw and mint oil featuring The Original Sauce Man’s Kick It Up Rub
• Cucumber lemon spa water, finished with a sprig of fresh mint
• The Vegan Vine Chardonnay
• The Vegan Vine Cabernet Sauvignon
• Redbridge Gluten-Free Sorghum Beer

Intermissions Cafe (Festival Center) – Pop inside to find all kinds of fine food and beverages.

• Grapes
• Fruit & cheese plate
• Vegan trio
• Southwest chicken wrap
• Tuna salad with pita
• Side salad
• Asian tuna salad with noodles
• Caprese Push-Pop – Tomato, mozzarella and balsamic
• Hurricane Class 5 White Sangria, Florida Orange Groves
• Garda Italian Wine Blend, Quantum Leap Winery
• Rogue Valley Pinot Noir, Quantum Leap Winery
• Martini Prosecco
• Strongbow Cider, Bulmers Cider Company
• SweetWater Blue, SweetWater Brewing Company

What are your thoughts on these offerings? Do you think there will be any items safe for special diets diners?