This time last year, the Food and Wine Festival at DCA was reborn. It had been years since we had seen any kind of festival like this, while Walt Disney World was enjoying this fun and tasty festival for years. The Festival was born anew…again…for Festival of the Holidays, and was an improvement on the opening act. Today, Disney has taken this Springs event to the next level.

Last Springs Food and Wine festival showcased foods of California. There were 8 kiosks if I recall, and an array of cooking exhibits at the Hollywood backlot. This year, we have 12 kiosks, the cooking exhibits at the Hollywood backlot PLUS an updated menu at Paradise Garden Grill and live music and shows throughout the park all day! This report will cover just our first visit to the festival, but we sampled plenty of food just the same!

We hit just one kiosk the first day. The consensus first pick was the “Nuts About Cheese” stand right at the entrance. Sara chose the Brie Toast and Fig and Mint ($5.00), while I opted for the Baked Ham and Swiss Cheese Croque Monsier Roll ($7.00). Meanwhile, Liz slid over to the “Uncork California” kiosk next door fora $14.00 Mimosa. Both the Brie Toast and the Ham and Swiss roll were great of course. In fact, these are two great examples of why I love the Food and Wine festival. I’m not the most adventurous or creative of cooks, and it’s great being able to discover new flavor and texture combinations. An adventure in every bite!

As mentioned, there is a TON of entertainment being offered this year. Live music includes bands like Tomasina and Quattrosound, while a variety of musical acts perform at the Pardise Garden Bandstand. There’s also the Jr. Chef show, hosted by Chef Mickey, at Paradise Pier. Today, we caught the Jammin Chefs, a musical act similar to the Green Army Men or Phineas and Ferb shows. This show is co-hosted by Chip and Dale.

Our last stop of the day was at Paradise Garden Grill for lunch. We stopped by there only because Ian had stated earlier that they had changed the menu (as of last week it was still the Lunar New Year menu). Changed it indeed! The choices looked so good, we decided to stop immediately for lunch!







Between the five of us, we were able to sample all but the pierogies. Those will have to wait until next week. Sara chose the Beer-Battered Cod, Ian the Beer-Braised Pork Tacos with apple slaw, I HAD to have the Sausage Trio Platter, while Liz got that ENORMOUS pretzel.

I personally tasted everything, and have to say I was impressed with it all. The sausages were seasoned and tasty, as were the potatoes. The cod was flaky, light and clean. The pork tacos were great as usual, but Ian and I both agreed that the apple slaw was an…interesting choice. I think I would prefer something a little more traditional there. The pretzel was perfectly paired with my meal, especially with the Beer-Mustard dipping sauce. FANTASTIC!!

Yes, our first day at Spring 2016 Food and Wine festival was a great success. Can’t wait for more. Further, I feel like going forward, Disney is positioning DCA as THE place to be for around the clock festival fun in the future. I’m expecting the Food and Wine festival to continue, and I have a feeling the live band offerings, like Tomasina et al, will be hanging around the pier all year. Not to mention the new Marvel events to come. They’re creating a new identity at DCA, and I think I love it.

By the way, if y’all are interested in more of these kinds of reports on the website (in addition to the regular videos of course), please let me know. I’ve always loved photo tours myself. Leave me a comment below, or share with others to show Fresh Baked some love. See you next time guys!

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