Food and Wine Festival

[kellpooh]

I have been reading some negative reviews of this year's Food and Wine Festival..and I had a thought. What if Disney got together with the Food Network to do F&W? They have a lot of great chefs and could do cool special events. I'd love to see a Throw Down with Bobby Flay...they could do ones with Disney Chefs and maybe even local people.

[lobaugo]

as someone that only watches the Food Network - that would be awesome. Bobby Flay, Duff, Paula Dean...they would draw such a huge crowd. I think it would be a great idea!

[GIOny]

The Food Network did a Food and Wine Festival last month in NYC, they did a good job

[BamaJenn]

Food Network is always at Disney. I've seen at least 3 or 4 shows they filmed there. Caught a fun Dinner Impossible the other day I hadn't seen before. It seems they already have that relationship between the two companies so it could certainly be done. How much fun would like a taping of the Food Network stars' shows be? Like go to Epcot and sit in the audience of Paula's Party or (drooool) Guy Off the Hook. Ohhh yeah I'd so be there for that.

[MandaBella]

They've had Food Network Chefs there in the past. I believe Cat Cora was there one year. What are the bad reviews you are reading this year saying?

[mini-V]

I was curious as to the negative reviews as well. We've been several times this year, and certainly didn't find that much that we found unappealing.

[MJMcb]

They've had Food Network Chefs there in the past. I believe Cat Cora was there one year. What are the bad reviews you are reading this year saying?

I Believe she was there last year

[pigletfan]

I have been twice this year and I am going again tomorrow. I think it is great this year! I love how they have themed the booths to look like the country that they represent. I am not a wine drinker, and I think people are not happy about some of the wine events maybe? But as far as the food booths go, it is awsome! And the new gift card that you can buy and wear around your wrist to pay for the food is really convenient.

[kellpooh]

I've seen some people saying they would like to see different, more imaginative things. Like from Italy..why always Ziti? I mean I understand you go with ziti because it sells since lots of people eat it. But being 50% Italian myself, there is far more to our food than that. And some reviews were saying the food quality seems to have gone down a tiny bit. Also read they want more entertaining activities. Let the Food Network Chefs both the famous ones and the ones behind the scenes take over the menus and help with the cooking.

Like me, I love Throw Down With Bobby Flay, there are enough restaurants in WDW alone for him to do a different show every day..LOL. I too would love to see Paula Deen and Duff do shows..and Down Home with the Neelys...LOVE THEM!

[kellpooh]

Well some of the reviews have said they want to see more creative food items offered. Such as in Italy, why always Ziti? I'm sure cause its popular, but being 50% Italian myself I know there's more to offer than that. Other reviews have said food was so-so. I was just wondering if they let the F.N. Chefs (both the famous and behind the scenes) take over the menus and cooking what would happen. Think about it..how cool would it be to wander over to Italy to sample their booth and see Giada cooking away one day?

Like with Throwdown With Bobby Flay..there are more than enough great chefs in WDW, he could do a different show every day. Or Paula's Party live from WDW. Down Home With the Neelys and Road Tasted with the Neelys in WDW. Duff and Charm City Cakes could make cool WDW Themed Cakes. I will never be able to afford to hire CCC and Duff so I'd love a chance to taste one of their creations though.

[mini-V]

I'm a big fan of the ziti. I've had it twice. It's very filling. I would assume that part of the reason that the food may need to be simple is because they are serving from temporary "kitchens". It's not like they are actually making the food at each station.

I don't watch the food network, so it would mean very little to have a TV chef behind the counter. (I have the same reaction to soap opera stars for the same reason.) I would become annoyed if the lines got longer and slower because people in the know wanted autographs.

The real variety in food offerings can be found at Party for the Senses, a hard ticket event during F&W.