9/2/18 9/2/18

The Almond Orchard Booth at 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free modifications.

For Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free marketplace booth options, be sure to click over to the marketplace booth page for more info.

The Almond Orchard booth hosted by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze is a relatively new booth to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival debuting in 2017. It’s returned this year for the festival. And, it is one booth that did not list any gluten friendly items but seemed like a booth that should have them due to the use of Blue Diamond products that are gluten free. With this in mind, we decided to stop by the booth to find out some more information about the dishes served there.Disney notes on their official Food & Wine Festival site that guests can speak to a chef or special diets trained cast member at any time about ingredients and dishes served at the Festival. When I stopped by, I asked to speak to a chef. Unfortunately, the chef was not able to come over to the booth. But, they were able to have a radio discussion with the chef to go over the ingredients.The chef told us via radio that the Banana Almond Soft Serve Sundae served with Fresh Berries and Chocolate Almond Streusel was gluten friendly with no modifications. The same was true for the Almond Breeze Strawberry Smoothie.The chef also told us that the Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Pulled Chicken, Toasted Blue Diamond Almonds and Parmesan Cheese served with Nut Thins® Crackers and the Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus topped with Blue Diamond Lightly Salted Roasted Almonds and served with Blue Diamond Artisan Nut Thins® Multi-seeds Crackers were also gluten friendly. But, he did state that anything made in their catering kitchen (as most dishes at the festival are) had an increased chance of cross-contamination.With that in mind, we noted that every single item on the Almond Orchard menu was technically gluten friendly but not listed on the festival menu as such. It always seems like there are one or two booths where this happens every year. But, it's was surprising to learn that every single item was gluten friendly. And, the chef seemed to feel strongly that the Banana Almond Soft Serve Sundae and Almond Breeze Strawberry Smoothie were both gluten friendly with no major concerns about cross contamination.That being said, no matter what booth you go to at the Festival there is always an increased risk of cross-contamination. Use your own judgement when consuming items that are not in dedicated gluten free booths or booths that contain almost all gluten friendly dishes -- or in this case, where the items are not marked gluten friendly.I felt pretty comfortable ordering the Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Chocolate Almond Streusel. It is currently $4.50 per serving and is a snack eligible credit on the Disney Dining Plan. The chef via radio told us that this dish is gluten friendly. Our friends at Vegan Disney World confirmed that it can be made vegan by omitting the Chocolate Almond Streusel. (see follow-up to my review below with some notes about the Streusel)Well, I have to say that so far, this may be my favorite dessert that I've had at the Food & Wine Festival in years. It was so good! If you like bananas, then you will enjoy this dessert. It does have a fairly strong banana flavor, as we learned the soft serve is just bananas and almond milk. Combined with the fresh berries and a nice crunch of the streusel on top, and you have a real winner. Our friends at Vegan Disney World were able to thinly sliced plain almonds on their vegan version of this sundae for some added crunch too. So, you don't have to miss out if you're dairy free or vegan.We visited the Almond Orchard Booth again on another night to get the Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Chocolate Almond Streusel and try the Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Pulled Chicken, Toasted Blue Diamond Almonds and Parmesan Cheese served with Nut Thins® Crackers.One of the first things I noticed as they were preparing other sundaes for guests was that the Streusel looked completely different. It actually looked like it contained chocolate (the last time, it did not) and also oats. I do not eat any oats at Disney because Disney often marks non-certified gluten free oats as safe for guests. And, the only gluten free oats I have encountered at Disney has been Bob's Red Mill gluten free oats which are mechanically sorted and may have issues with cross-contamination. I stick to purity protocol oats only, as those are the safest oats for celiacs to consume. Next time I visit, I will be asking some additional questions about the Chocolate Streusel ingredients too!I did ask if they had sliced almonds, as recommended by Vegan Disney World, to add to my sundae. But, they said they did not. So, I just ordered it without any topping. I have to say that the sundae itself was still quite delicious. I think they gave me extra berry sauce this time to make up for the lack of topping. One thing I did notice was that the topping served on the Spinach and Artichoke Dip that we ordered had the same topping that was on my sundae the last time. So, I would ask for that on my next visit or continue to enjoy it minus any topping. I do think the crunch adds a lot to the dish though!Next up, we tried the Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Pulled Chicken, Toasted Blue Diamond Almonds and Parmesan Cheese served with Nut Thins® Crackers. It is currently $5.00 per serving and is a snack eligible credit on the Disney Dining Plan. The chef via radio told us that this dish is gluten friendly. It does contain dairy both in the dip and crackers and cannot be modified to be dairy free.Since I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet, I knew this would be a must try at the Almond Orchard booth. I have to say this was a real winner for me. I liked the creamy dip and the combination of flavors. The toasted almonds on top also added a really nice crunch to what could be considered a very mushy dip. It worked well with the crackers too, though I wish we would have been given more crackers because there was a lot of dip for the serving. This is one I would most definitely get again. Brandon, on the other hand, was not a fan of this at all.The Almond Orchard is now a festival favorite for me. I will definitely be going back to the booth for repeat visits throughout the festival. I hope to try the hummus and the smoothie offered there too. It's also nice to know that this booth is gluten friendly despite the lack of labels this year. I do hope that Disney will work to improve labeling and gluten friendly offerings -- especially with this year's Festival including a record low number of marked options. We'll be updating this review with more info as we get it, especially if we can get the ingredients lists.Would you be interested in the options at the Almond Orchard booth? What would you order if you went there?

9/2/18 9/2/18

Brazil Booth at 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.

For Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free marketplace booth options, be sure to click over to the marketplace booth page for more info.

Brazil has been a long time booth at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival debuting in 1996. So, it's fair to say that it's pretty popular. As a gluten free guest, Brazil has always been one of my top booths for gluten friendly options. In fact, there have been several years, like 2016, where every single dish served at the booth has been marked gluten friendly. So, it's a good go-to for any GF guest.This year, Brazil has two gluten friendly options. Unfortunately, the Seafood Stew is not marked GF, and I suspect it's due to potential cross-contamination with an ingredient (i.e. being unable to confirm the sourcing) rather than gluten in the dish. But, I haven't checked yet this festival season to confirm this.With that in mind, because this booth is NOT 100% gluten free, there is always an increased risk of cross-contamination. Use your own judgement when consuming items that are not in dedicated gluten free booths or booths that contain almost all gluten friendly dishes.The Brazil booth has two of my favorite festival staples. The first is the Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions. This dish is marked gluten friendly and is also dairy free. It is currently marked as $5.75 per serving and is a snack eligible item on the Disney Dining Plan.Although there have been some complaints about the consistency of the way that the pork belly has been cooked over the years, I have never found it to be a major issue. In fact, when I ordered it this time, it was perfectly crispy and well cooked. Add in the flavorful black beans and a fresh salsa on top for an outstanding dish. I admit, I kind of miss the touch of avocado on top. But, it's still one of my favorite gluten friendly dishes of the festival.The second dish marked gluten friendly at the Brazil booth is Pão de Queijo, also known as Brazilian Cheese Bread. This dish is marked gluten friendly but does contain dairy and cannot be modified to be dairy free. It is currently marked as $4.25 and is a snack eligible item on the Disney Dining Plan.If you can have dairy, you can never go wrong with Brazilian Cheese Bread. This has been a very consistently tasty dish throughout the years at the festival and one that frequently sells out or runs out on any given day. It's that popular.Overall, both of the gluten friendly options available at the Brazil booth are some of my favorites of the festival and a must do on any festival visit.Have you been to the Brazil booth in festivals from years past? What are your favorite dishes served at this booth?

9/2/18 9/2/18

Active Eats Booth at 2018 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free modifications.

For Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free marketplace booth options, be sure to click over to the marketplace booth page for more info.

Active Eats is a relatively new booth at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival debuting in 2017. It's returned this year for the festival and has one gluten friendly option available. Thankfully, it's a play on one of my favorite festival dishes from the past several years -- the Verlasso Salmon -- so I knew I had to check it out.Because this booth is NOT 100% gluten free, there is always an increased risk of cross-contamination. Use your own judgement when consuming items that are not in dedicated gluten free booths or booths that contain almost all gluten friendly dishes.The Active Eats menu lists the Spice-crusted Verlasso® Salmon with Warm Lentil Power Salad, Crushed Avocado and Sherry Vinegar as gluten friendly. It is $5.75 per serving and is a Disney Dining Plan Snack Eligible item.We also inquired about the dairy free status of this dish. After the cast members radioed a chef, it was confirmed that the avocado contains dairy in some way. But, the dish can be easily be modified to be dairy free by omitting the avocado.Overall, we liked the festival's take on the Verlasso Salmon this year. But, it wasn't our favorite version. That's mostly due to the warm lentil salad that acts as the base for this dish. The flavors to this salad were a bit bland. And, it was under-seasoned. That being said, we thought the salmon was extremely flavorful, well seasoned, and perfectly cooked. Epcot definitely has cooking the salmon dishes at festivals down to an art. And, we've found them to be consistently good throughout the years.If you're dairy free, you won't miss out too much by omitting the avocado. We enjoyed it, but it wasn't a make or break component to the dish.I'm not sure this would be a repeat dish every time we visit. But, I'm sure we'll order it at least one more time before the festival ends. It's a solid dish and filling for the price. That being said, we miss the version from the last few years with quinoa and chimichurri and hope they bring it back next year.What do you think about the updated Verlasso Salmon dish? Would you order it when you visit?

9/2/17 9/2/17

2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Vegetarian and Vegan Offerings

It’s that time of year when Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival takes place. Held on August 31, 2017 through November 13, 2017, this year’s Festival is even longer than it was last year.Here is a listing of the current vegetarian and vegan menu items with prices and Disney Dining Plan Snack eligibility based on information from my personal visits to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival along with info from the Disney Food Blog and AllEars.net.Please note this is NOT the Gluten Free (and other special dietary needs) List. Please check the blog’s Gluten Free Food & Wine Festival Offerings page for more info on those dishes.

Make sure to click on the individual pages for each booth to see food photos and find out more information.

*Note: Menus are subject to change, as is any information regarding ingredients, cross-contamination, and other special dietary needs ingredients. Always consult with the Disney culinary team for more information before consuming. Use caution when consuming any food from marketplace booths, as there is an increased risk of cross-contamination. Marketplace booths do not adhere to Disney’s traditional special dietary needs accommodations, particularly for allergies and/or celiac disease.

Active Eats

Sweet Avocado Crema with Strawberries, Yellow Cake and Tortilla Streusel – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Africa

Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew with Vegan Yogurt and Quinoa – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian, Vegan
Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket with Mint Raita — $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

The Almond Orchard Hosted by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze

Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus topped with Blue Diamond Salt & Vinegar Almonds and served with Blue Diamond Nut Thins^®- $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Crunchy Chocolate Oats – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian (*Can be made Vegan by omitting the chocolate oats)

Australia

Lamington: Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut $3.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Belgium

Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Brazil

Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian

The Cheese Studio

Savory Caramelized Onion Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Tart with Cold Arugula Salad and Aged Balsamic – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Chocolate Studio

Sweet Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Dust – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Craft Beer

L’Orange Cotton Candy: A mixture of Lime and Orange Cotton Candy – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Earth Eats, Inspired by The Chew

Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Farm Fresh

Roasted Beet Salad with Green Beans, Feta Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette and Toasted Walnuts – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian

France

Moelleux au Fromage de Chèvre et Épinards: Warm Goat Cheese Pudding with Spinach – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Crème Brûlée à la Confiture de Framboises: Crème Brûlée with Housemade Rasberry Jam – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Germany

Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Greece

Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian, Vegan
Spanakopita – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Bougatsa: Warm Phyllo Dough Strudel with Sweet Vanilla Custard, Lemon Honey Syrup and Cinnamon – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Hops & Barley

Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

India

Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa and Coriander Pesto Dips – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas and Basmati Rice – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan
Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake with Chocolate Coconut Mousse – $3.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Intermissions Cafe

Vegetable Wrap — $7.99 – Vegetarian
Hummus with Carrots and Celery — $4.49, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Fruit and Cheese Plate — $6.69, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Grapes — $3.79, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Key Lime Pie — $4.49, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Brownie — $3.39, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Ireland

Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread – $.475, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Islands of the Caribbean

Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Italy

Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Morocco

Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Refreshment Port

Croissant Doughnut with Cinnamon and Sugar — $4.99, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian
Pineapple Dole Whip Soft-Serve Ice Cream — $4.49, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian, Vegan (*Not listed on menu, but also Gluten Free)

Scotland

The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked Cake with Lemon Cream and Toasted Oats – $3.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Wine and Dine Studio

Trio of Artisan Cheese – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Vegetarian

Stay tuned here on Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW for the latest 2017 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival news!What are you most looking forward to this year at Food & Wine Festival?

11/10/16 11/10/16

Chef Kevin Dundon Culinary Demonstration — 2016 Food & Wine Festival

*This culinary demonstration took place on October 18, 2016. This does not reflect a typical culinary demo experience at Food & Wine as I was able to connect with the Raglan Road staff ahead of time. Guests attending culinary demonstrations with a special diet should contact WDW’s Special Diets Department in advance.I'm a huge fan of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival culinary demonstration series. Offering a small taste of a dish and a glass of wine, these culinary demos feature chefs from the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as celebrity chefs, whipping up their favorite dishes -- all at a reasonable cost (typically, $15 a person).I try to go to at least a few demos each year, and I specifically look forward to the ones featuring Chef Kevin Dundon from Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs. Chef Kevin brings such fun and excitement to his demos, and even better, because I'm a repeat guest each year, I'm lucky enough to be able to connect with Chef Kevin and the team at Raglan Road about gluten free options.This year, Chef Kevin went above and beyond, making me a gluten free version of his lamb pie. How cool is that? My dish was brought to me separately by one of the Disney cast members, and I checked in about one hour prior to connect with them and to figure out the easiest spot for me to sit for them to identify me when it came time to serve the food.Here are some video highlights of Chef Kevin Dundon's culinary demo that we went to.As you can see from the demo, Chef Kevin is passionate about fresh, simple ingredients. He's also a huge adovcate for celiac disease and those with gluten sensitivity. I'm always impressed with how knowledgeable he is and how he incorporates accommodating special dietary needs into his restaurants.My lamb pie was presented to me with a mint pea puree and some fresh greens. Made with a gluten free puff pastry dough (which I wish I could find easily in stores!), the lamb pie was full of rich flavor.Inside there was plenty of lamb and vegetables like celery root, carrots, and celery. The flavors were rich, but not overpowering, and total comfort food. In fact, I loved it so much that I told Chef Kevin I'd love to see it on their menu as an option for gluten free guests. It was that good!Brandon had the gluten-filled version and also said it was really good.The neat part about this demo is that because Chef Kevin knew I was there, he demonstrated how to make both the gluten-filled version and gluten free version on stage. He even had gluten free puff pastry on hand.Afterwards, I got a chance to chat with Chef Kevin, and of course, take a photo. I can't thank Chef Kevin Dundon enough for all that he does to make amazing gluten free food at his restaurants (thank goodness for gluten free fish & chips at Raglan Road!), and for giving me a special culinary demo experience at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.His demos are always fun, and he always has surprises up his sleeve (like the time he brought me up on stage back in 2013!). If you're every curious about these demos and have special dietary needs, I recommend contacting Disney's Special Diets Department prior to your visit for questions and concerns.A special thanks to Chef Kevin, the Raglan Road team, and the cast members who made my visit extra special.

9/26/16 9/26/16

Best of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival: Top 10 Favorite Gluten Free Dishes

With the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival under way, I thought it might be nice to rank my “Best of” dishes from this year’s festival. Of course, food preferences and “best of” lists are subjective. These are my personal favorites. Not all dishes listed are gluten free and dairy free, but I will list when they are.So, prepare to be hungry by the time you finish reading this list. Here are my Top 10 gluten free dishes from the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

For all Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free marketplace booth options, be sure to click over to the marketplace booth page for more info.

Australia Marketplace Booth

This repeat dish from the Australia Marketplace Booth is a great gluten free and dairy free option. A little sweet and a little spicy, I especially like the grilled shrimp and pineapple in this dish. A word of caution, this dish is spicier than it might seem, so having a bottle of water handy is a good idea. It’s also a bit messy, so make sure to have some napkins on hand too. But, no matter how messy you get, this dish will definitely make you want to say, “Put another shrimp on the barbie!”9. Warm chocolate pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible –Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ireland Marketplace Booth

This chocolate dessert featured in the Ireland Marketplace Booth is a classic Irish dessert all the way. More of a flourless chocolate cake than what we as Americans would call “pudding,” it’s rich and decadent. And, it’s made even better with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard, which adds a perfect touch to the full chocolate full in the pudding. Do note that this dish is served in a booth where everything else contains gluten, so always check with a cast member before consuming.8. Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth

New to the festival this year is the Islands of the Caribbean Marketplace Booth, and they have one gluten free and dairy free dish – the Mojo Pork. I love all things pork, so you know that I had to try it. While I prefer the pork dish at the Brazil Marketplace Booth, I found the Mojo Pork a substantial portion with full, bright flavors. The black beans featured here have more of a vinegar punch to them, and combined with the pickled red onions, the flavors really pop. Perfect with a frozen mojito!7. Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free

The Chocolate Studio Marketplace Booth

Looking for a dessert that’s ooey goey and totally unique? You have to get this dessert from the Chocolate Studio Marketplace Booth. It’s a showstopper, as it’s frozen in liquid nitrogen and served immediately. With such a unique presentation, you can see why this dish is a repeat offering from last year’s festival. There’s almost an ice cream-like texture to the truffle, and the warm whiskey caramel makes it a decadent and rich dessert. Order the booth’s featured sparkling wine for the perfect pairing.6. Roasted Verlasso salmon with quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Patagonia Marketplace Booth

It’s salmon and chimichurri. What’s not to love? The combination of flavors in this gluten free and dairy free dish at the Patagonia Marketplace Booth are outstanding. The salmon pairs perfectly with the quinoa, corn, and peppers, and the chimichurri really makes the dish. If you like bright, herby, clean flavors, you’ll be wowed by this salmon dish. It’s been a festival favorite for me for the past several years and a dish I get multiple times throughout the festival.5. Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, and Tomato – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Brazil Marketplace Booth

People either seem to love or hate pork belly, but I’m totally of the mind that pork belly rules. This festival favorite has been at the Brazil Marketplace Booth for several years and continues to wow guests. Though people often report inconsistency on pork belly texture, I've had really good experiences. When it's perfectly crispy pork belly, the combination of flavors and textures between the pork, the black beans, and tomatoes are incredible. Get it with the Brazilian Cheese Bread, another gluten free festival favorite at this booth.4. Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and boniato purée – $5.75, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free

Patagonia Marketplace Booth

Like the salmon with chimichurri, you just can't go wrong with anything covered in this herby sauce. If you're more of a beef person, the grilled beef skewer at the Patagonia Marketplace Booth is the way to go. Tender and delicious and topped with Chimichurri and finished with a side of boniato puree, it's a meat and potatoes lover's dream. As Brandon put it, he could have eaten one or four of these servings -- it's that good!3. Red Wine Chocolate Truffle – $2.25, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Vegetarian

The Chocolate Studio Marketplace Booth

There's chocolate and then, there's Red Wine Chocolate Truffles, which take chocolate to a whole new level. The Chocolate Studio offers this red wine infused truffle, which is rich and decadent and pairs really well with a nice cabernet sauvignon, which is exactly how I enjoyed it when I got it. Some might find the red wine a bit overpowering, or the dish to be just boring, but I don't think you can go wrong with this classic pairing.2. Chilled Tomato Gazpacho with Lump Crab Meat – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth

If you're visiting the Epcot Food & Wine Festival on a hot day, you simply have to get the tomato gazpacho with crab at the Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth. It's gluten free and dairy fee, but you'd swear there was dairy in it with all the rich flavors. The tomato flavor is present but not the only taste you get. The added crab on top absolutely makes this dish. Even better, it comes a booth that only serves items that are naturally gluten free!1. Duck Confit with Creamy Polenta and Fire-roasted Salsa – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible –Gluten Free

GREENHOUSE GURU MARKETPLACE BOOTH

Hands down, the best dish I've had at the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is the Duck Confit at the Greenhouse Guru Marketplace Booth. What a surprise this was! I'm not usually a duck fan, but I found this duck to be tender, mild flavored and rich. The combination of duck, creamy polenta, and fire roasted salsa was delicious. It's a dish that I definitely will get again and again this festival.What dishes are you looking forward to trying at the festival? Did I miss your favorite dish?

9/13/16 9/13/16

2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Vegetarian and Vegan Offerings

With the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival beginning September 14, 2016 and going through November 14, 2016, vegetarian and vegan diners have the chance to enjoy a variety of dishes for a full 2 months.Here is a listing of the current vegetarian and vegan menu items with prices and Disney Dining Plan Snack eligibility based on information from my personal visits to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival along with info from the Disney Food Blog and AllEars.net.Please note this is NOT the Gluten Free (and other special dietary needs) List. Please check the blog's Gluten Free Food & Wine Festival Offerings page for more info on those dishes.

Make sure to click on the individual pages for each booth to see food photos and find out more information.

Lamington: Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut – $3.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Belgium

Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Brazil

Pao de Queijo – Brazilian cheese bread - $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (also Gluten Free)

The Chew Collective

Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Chocolate Studio

Red Wine Chocolate Truffle – $2.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (also Gluten Free)
Ghirardelli® Chocolate Raspberry Torte – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Craft Beers

Pimento Cheese Dip with Pretzel Crisps – $3.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Farm Fresh

Pickled Beet Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette and Toasted Walnuts – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (also Gluten Free)

France

Crème Brûlée Caramel Chocolat: Caramel and Chocolate Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (also Gltuen Free)

Germany

Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Greece

Vegan Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian, Vegan
Oikos Greek Yogurt Vanilla Cake Soaked in Ouzo with Yogurt Whipped Cream and Pistachios – $3.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Spanakopita – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Greenhouse Guru hosted by Village Farms

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese, Aged Balsamic Vinegar, and Micro-Basil – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (also Gluten Free)
Mini San Marzano Tomatoes — a 5-ounce bag – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian, Vegan (also Gluten Free)

Hops & Barley

Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Intermissions Cafe

Caprese Salad: BelGioioso® Fresh Mozzarella Cheese & Tomatoes with Basil Pesto – $5.49, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Side Salad – $4.49, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Fruit and Cheese Plate – $6.69, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Grapes – $3.79, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Brownie – $2.99, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Key Lime Pie – $4.19, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Ireland

Irish Cheese Selection Plate: Irish Cheddar, Dubliner and Irish Porter – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (also Gluten Free)

Islands of the Caribbean

Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Italy

Cannoli al Cioccolato: Chocolate-covered Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Japan

Grilled Spicy Edamame tossed with Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce and Chili Powder – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian, Vegan (*On the Go in MCO shared this information via Twitter)

Morocco

Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce – $3.95, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Refreshment Port

Pineapple Dole Whip Soft-Serve Ice Cream – $4.19, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (*Note: Dole Whips are also gluten free, dairy free, vegan and free of the top 8 common allergens but is not listed as such on the passport)
Croissant Doughnut with Cinnamon and Sugar – $4.99, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

Scotland

The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked Cake with Lemon Cream and Toasted Oats – $3.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian

South Korea

Vegan Korean BBQ with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi featuring Gardein™ Beefless Tips – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian, Vegan

Wine and Dine Studio

Trio of Artisan Cheese – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian
- La Bonne Vie Goat Cheese served with toasted Craisin Bread
- Karst Cave-aged Cheddar Cheese served with Fig Compote
- Statesboro Blue Cheese served with Spiced Candied Walnuts

Stay tuned to sources like the Disney Food Blog and here on Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW for the latest 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival news!What are you most looking forward to this year at Food & Wine Festival?

9/13/16 9/13/16

2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free Offerings

It's that time of year when Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival takes place. Held on September 14, 2016 through November 14, 2016, this year's Festival is even longer than it was last year.Here is a listing of the current gluten free menu items with prices and Disney Dining Plan Snack eligibility based on information from my personal visits to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival along with info from the Disney Food Blog and AllEars.net.

Make sure to click on the individual pages for each booth to see food photos and find out more information.

I've indicated known special dietary needs (at this time). This list will change as more information is gathered.*Note: Menus are subject to change, as is any information regarding ingredients, cross-contamination, and other special dietary needs ingredients. Always consult with the Disney culinary team for more information before consuming. Use caution when consuming any food from marketplace booths, as there is an increased risk of cross-contamination. Marketplace booths do not adhere to Disney's traditional special dietary needs accommodations, particularly for allergies and/or celiac disease. Africa

Berbere-style beef tenderloin tips with onions, jalapeños, tomato, and pap – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten-Free

Australia

Grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple, peppers, onions, and snap peas – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies – $7.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten-Free

Brazil

Escondidinho de Carne “Little Hidden One”: Layered Meat Pie with Mash Yucca – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free
Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, and Tomato – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Pao de Queijo – Brazilian cheese bread – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Canada

“Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce – $7.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free

The CHEW Collective

Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle – $3.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Chocolate Studio

Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free
Red Wine Chocolate Truffle – $2.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Farm Fresh

Pickled Beet Salad with Herbed Goat Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette and Toasted Walnuts – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Vegetarian

France

Creme Brulee Caramel Chocolat: Caramel and Chocolate Creme Brulee topped with Caramelized Sugar - Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Greenhouse Guru hosted by Village Farms

Duck Confit with Creamy Polenta and Fire-roasted Salsa – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese, Aged Balsamic Vinegar, and Micro-Basil – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Lactose Free (contains non-cow's milk cheese), Vegetarian
Chilled Tomato Gazpacho with Lump Crab Meat – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Mini San Marzano Tomatoes — a 5-ounce bag – $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian, Vegan

Ireland

Warm chocolate pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – $3.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Islands of the Caribbean

Mojo Pork with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Patagonia

Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and boniato purée – $5.75, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free
Roasted Verlasso salmon with quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible - Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Refreshment Port

Pineapple Dole Whip Soft-Serve Ice Cream – $4.19, DDP Snack Eligible - Vegetarian (*Note: Dole Whips are also gluten free, dairy free, vegan and free of the top 8 common allergens but is not listed as such on the passport. Please consult with a Disney cast member to ensure this is safe for your special dietary need.)

9/29/15 9/29/15

2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Gluten Free Menu Offerings

This year's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing! It's one of my favorite times of year at Disney, and I just love that for the past several years Disney has really been working to note gluten free friendly items on the Marketplace Passports.Here is a full listing of the current gluten free menu items based on the Marketplace Passport which I got in person at Epcot during the 2015 Food & Wine Festival. I have noted any items that I currently know to be dairy free or easily modified to be dairy free. Please note that any additional dietary needs outside of gluten free will be updated in this list, as I know them.*Note: Menus are subject to change, as is any information regarding ingredients, cross-contamination, and other special dietary needs ingredients. Always consult with the Disney culinary team for more information before consuming.Sustainable Chew

Pork Spareribs with Red Wine, Fennel, and Cheesy Mascarpone Grits sustainably presented on VerTerra Dinnerware – Gluten Free
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Fresh Figs and Pistachio Brittle – Gluten Free

Chew Lab

Olive Oil Poached Salmon with Fresh Corn, Bacon, and Pepper Jam – Gluten Free, Can be made dairy free by removing the fresh corn puree
New York Strip with Parsnip Silk, Balsamic Glaze, and Arugula Foam – Gluten Free, Can be made dairy free by removing the Parsnip Silk
Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel – Gluten Free

Dominican Republic

Lechon Asado: Roasted Pork with Mangu, Pickled Red Onions, and Avocado – Gluten Free

Greece

Greek Salad in a Code – Gluten Free, Can be made dairy free by removing cheese

Desserts & Champagne

Chocolate Cherry Explosion – Gluten Free (*Note: Disney's Special Diets Department has confirmed this is gluten free, despite some information that it is not as of 10/14/15)

Scotland

Haggis with Neeps and Tatties: Traditional Haggis with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes – Gluten Free
Fresh Potato Pancake with Scottish Smoked Salmon and Herb Sour Cream – Gluten Free
Seared Sea Scallops with Spinach-Cheddar Gratin and Crispy Bacon – Gluten Free

Farm Fresh

Griddled “Yard Bird” with Braised Greens and House-made Habanero Sauce – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Patagonia

Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree – Gluten Free
Roasted Verlasso Salmon with Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri – Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Australia

Grilled Sweet and Sour Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion, and Snap Peas – Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies – Gluten Free

Mexico

Chilaquiles de Pollo: Corn Chips layered with seasoned chicken, queso fresco, sour cream, and cilantro – Gluten Free

Africa

Berbere-Style Beef Tenderloin Tips with Onions, Jalapenos, Tomato, and Pap – Gluten Free

Brazil

Escondidinho de Carne: “Little Hidden One” layered meat pie with Mashed Yucca – Gluten Free
Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans and Tomato – Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Pao de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread – Gluten Free

Ireland

Warm Chocolate Pudding with Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur Custard – Gluten Free

Canada

“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce – Gluten Free

Stay tuned to sources like the Disney Food Blog, Gluten Free in Orlando and here on Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW for the latest 2015 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival news!What are you most looking forward to this year at Food & Wine?

5/14/15 5/14/15

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?

10/2/14 10/2/14

Back to Basics Lecture Series -- 2014 Food & Wine Festival

New to the 2014 Food & Wine Festival is a new culinary lecture series called, Back to Basics. Billed as, turning "ho-hum into 'yum yum!'" this is a complimentary experience for guests attending Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. From culinary tips and tricks, you'll learn from the pros...the Disney chefs!The festival features these sessions at the Festival Welcome Center (aka the Wonders of Life Pavilion) on the Spotlight Stage which is across from the Intermission Cafe/food court area. It's a small little theatre but great for a lecture series. The sessions are held on Fridays through Sundays throughout Food & Wine Festival and are scheduled for 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. with a variety of different topics (each one throughout the day is different, though if you go multiple times in a weekend you might notice the same sessions held on different days).For one of the first weekends, I joined Alexis from Gluten Free in Orlando in attending two Back to Basics sessions led by Chef Tony Marotta from Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter. You'll recognize Chef Tony from my reviews of the famous gluten free and allergy friendly beignets and Boatwright's Dining Hall.He had two sessions on the day we attended that included two talks titled, "Kitchen Shortcuts, Tips, Tricks and Hacks" and "Taking the Dinner Party to the Next Level; Professional Tips for Impressing your Guests." As a guest, we learned first hand some great tips and tricks from Chef Tony. The sessions lasted about an hour and included a Q&A. If you ever wanted to ask a culinary expert about tips and tricks, these sessions are your chance!I had a great time attending these free sessions (I especially love the free aspect), and they are a great way to get tips and a unique Food & Wine Festival experience. Since there is no food sampled, it's also a great way for those of us with special diets to participate in special events without the worry of getting sick or not having anything to eat. (Of course, the sessions made me hungry but that's a different kind of problem!)I can highly recommend these sessions and hope that Disney keeps these next year as a part of the Food & Wine Festival. They were great additions!Here's a brief video I took of Chef Tony being introduced at one of his Back to Basics Sessions![embedplusvideo height="500" width="700" editlink="http://bit.ly/1vBXork" standard="http://www.youtube.com/v/mzkFW4--_JY?fs=1" vars="ytid=mzkFW4--_JY&width=700&height=500&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=" id="ep8041" /]As with any Food & Wine Festival events, admission to Epcot is required and not included in event price. Events are subject to change or cancellation without notice.