Two new Outdoor Kitchens join the line-up for this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, upping the deliciousness at the 23rd annual fest that will span a record 90 days from March 2-May. 30.
La Isla Fresca and Cider House are the two new Outdoor Kitchens, and we got a sneak peek of dishes from each at a recent tasting with the Epcot culinary team. La Isla Fresca takes guests to the Caribbean for authentic bites such as Jamaican braised beef with pigeon peas and rice; spicy jerk chicken or grouper with mango salsa and a Tres Leches cake with guava puree (the traditional meringue is replaced with whipped cream in this version). Pair either of the savories with a Red Stripe Jamaican-style lager, or frozen Simply Tropical juice drink (with or without rum).
The Cider House offers a spin on tastes from the United Kingdom, including a field greens salad with greens harvested from The Land Pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries; and a pear cider-brined shredded corned beef, braised cabbage and pears with Branston (a British food brand) dressing. The Cider House will offer four hard ciders, including a blueberry ciders made in Plant City, Fla., plus Cigar City Tampa-Style Lager.
The 11 other Outdoor Kitchens include Urban Farm Eats (new seared pork tenderloin), Pineapple Promenade , Fleur de Lys, Florida Fresh, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews (the pulled pig slider gets crispy onions on top), Primavera Kitchen, Lotus House, Bauernmarkt (German currywurst sausage is new this year) and Jardin de Fiestas. Such diversity of tastes!
You’ll be wowed by the colorful extravaganza put on by the Disney horticulture team – whimsical topiaries (yes, Elsa and Anna will be there), 220 “floating gardens” in the lagoon and a new edible flower garden next to The Land Pavilion. It’s all beautiful at night, with twinkling lights shining across the gardens.
Food lovers, mark your calendar for April 29-May 1, when Florida Fresh Weekend features the state’s edible bounty from Apalachicola to Zellwood.
For more information about the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). Watch for details at epcotinspring.com. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.
Comments
As annual pass holders we usually attend all the festivals. I will make sure I go this year to support my Jamaican heritage as it will be showcased this year in one of the new outdoor kitchens in La Isle Fresca.
During the 2015 Food & Wine Festival guests using the meal plan were able to use 1 meal credit toward 3 food items (if the items were all from the same outdoor kitchen). Will this policy carry over to the Flower & Garden Festival?
I’m also wondering where we can find those cute lady bug Minnie ears pictured in the photo?!
are they going to have a list anywhere about these seminars they are supposed to have so you can preregister for…or is it 1st come
So excited about our upcoming Spring trip to Disney!
We love the festival and are setting aside two full days just for Epcot!
I am interested in the cute lady bug Minnie ears!! My niece is a ladybug lover and a Minnie lover and her birthday is coming up. What could be more perfecct. Would love to buy her a pair when we visit.
Will there be a menu available for the food vendors and a map of their locations?
Thanks!!
So exciting! This will be my first festival! We will be going in April for my son’s 5th birthday! This will be his first trip to WDW. I cannot wait to visit Epcot and enjoy all the offerings! Question – the Minnie ears in the top photo, will they be available? Thank you again!
As a vegetarian its my favourite time at Epcot – there tends to be plenty for me to try. I’m hoping for the return of the Frushi – delicious!
I don’t see any mention of the Gardein “Terra” booth that you’ve had in the past.
Please tell me that they will be back. They were the only vegan booth, and though of course we’d like to be able to find vegan items at every booth, it was really nice to have this booth to rely on.
One of our favorite events of the year! Always happy to get updates and hear what’s new. Bring on the watermelon salad!
I am anxiously awaiting the announcement of the performers for the Garden Rocks concerts for May 13-15 and May 20-22 so I can book airfare. Any idea when they may be revealed?
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