Food & Wine is officially here… now what?

Linds Dickerson
Sep 6, 2018 · 4 min read

The gremlins have returned to their classrooms and daycares, and Epcot has the good (new!) stuff flowing. These are the 5 top things you need to do once you get past those turnstiles.

Bonus fact, this top 5 list totals out to be $25, so if you want a taste of the best of world, but on a budget, you’re welcome.

Photo Credit: Disney

I’m pretty sure every food blog related to Food & Wine will tell you Canada’s cheese soup is a blessing sent from God. It is a lie. If you find yourself standing in the Soarin’-esque line at the Canada booth, do yourself a favor make your way to the thatched roof a little further away. Totally worth it. What you’ll find is the glorious (and overlooked) Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread. #Bomb.

Conveniently, #4 on this list is also located at the Ireland booth AND is a new addition to this year’s Food and Wine. Brace yourselves (if you’re of legal drinking age. If not, sorry, but you’re missing out big time)…

Guinness Baileys Shake.

That is all. No explanation needed. Buy your tickets and book your trip now, because this single drink made going on the first (and most crowded) day of the Festival totally worth it.

You also get to keep the glass so, win.

After drinking that shake, you’ll probably think “wow, nothing can top that beautiful concoction.”

Wrong.

The newly added Spain book makes #3 on this list with their version of a Charcuterie board (it comes in a cone, y’all!). Because who doesn’t love meats and cheeses? This addition was welcomed on a probationary run in 2017, when the F&W regulars started shrugging at the stagnant menus. Now it looks like it’s staying around (praise the Lord), and getting a serious menu.

The Charcuterie in a Cone is the perfect handheld snack to tide you over in between the serious plates coming up on the World Showcase. Despite the angle of this photo, this thing is actually pretty big. Two people can easily snack off of it. The contents though, oh the meats, cheeses and olives. This booth really is a must-do if you wind up at Epcot in the next few months.

Another new addition to the Festival is the Flavors by Fire booth located near Innoventions. Last year’s menu was deemed a little too wild for guests, who complained about the heat from the spices used in the food. It looks like Disney listened to their loyal subjects, and tweaked the menu and overall direction of this booth to better suit everyone’s tastebuds.

The Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue featuring BelGioioso Romano and America Grana Cheeses is a welcomed break from this specific location of the festival, which focuses more on fish, vegitarian, or vegan options (we’re not here for that).

If you add beer fondue to anything, it’ll make a top 5 list.

‘Merica is #1.

No, literally.

Hops & Barley never fails at this festival, and remains — one again — my favorite location to grab a plate that is both cost effective and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Their Smoked Beef Brisket and Pimento Cheese served on Griddled Garlic Toast plate single-handedly gets me excited for Food & Wine. Why they don’t add that masterpiece to the menu at the Liberty Inn baffles me. If you can only pick one item to eat at this festival, this is your only option. No excuses.

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