4/18: A taste of Disney's California Food and Wine Festival 2008 +more.
The 2008 Disney's California Food and Wine Festival is now underway and its bigger and better than ever! So let's take a look at this year's festivities, shall we?
Alright, that should do it this week. Thanks as always for reading. See you next week!
- Andy
WELCOME TO DISNEYLAND!
Park maps sport new cover photos as well as updated inside flaps.
Park maps sport new cover photos as well as updated inside flaps.
The DCA map now features an official opening date for Toy Story (Midway) Mania!, June 17. The attraction's fancy new facade also now appears on the park map. 
DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA
FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL 2008!
If you plan on visiting Disney's California Adventure to enjoy some of the great events taking place during this year's Food and Wine Festival the first thing you should do is stop by the Festival Welcome Center, a large booth set up in Sunshine Plaza.
FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL 2008!
If you plan on visiting Disney's California Adventure to enjoy some of the great events taking place during this year's Food and Wine Festival the first thing you should do is stop by the Festival Welcome Center, a large booth set up in Sunshine Plaza.
At this booth you should pick up a Festival Guide. Because this year's event is greatly expanded from last year's events, the guide has also expanded - into a 27-page booklet with almost all the information you could want for the entire duration of the Festival.
Signs, like these are placed throughout the park at Festival event locations. Take advantage of these signs and the Festival Guide booklet, they'll help you out a lot!
The signs feature park maps with designated event locations. The Festival Guide booklet also features a very handy fold-out park map like this.
The Complimentary Events are a great opportunity to learn how to make something easy and delicious once you get home. And arguably the best part of these events is that they don't just show you the good stuff -- you also get to taste what the chef prepares.
Guests of the complimentary cooking demonstrations get a placemat, a notepad, a napkin, and a bottle of water.
Celebrity Chef Jamie Gwen will be hosting cooking demonstrations and the Jr. Chef classes throughout the Festival.
At the class I attended Chef Jamie made fried pizzas. Delicious.
Iron Chef Cat Cora made an appearance last weekend as well, hosting several cooking demonstrations and a book signing. As the Festival Guide states "Cat Cora made television history in 2005 on the Food Network's Iron Chef America as the first and only female Iron Chef."
Chefs from various Resort restaurants also come out to lead classes.
Disneyland Chef Chris Jenesen demonstrated how to make some "perfect pasta."
Disneyland Chef Chris Jenesen demonstrated how to make some "perfect pasta."
Blue Bayou sous chef Martha Sigola taught her class how to make the amazing New Orleans gumbo.
CALIFORNIA MARKETPLACE
AND FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE
Another highlight of the Festival is the California Marketplace. Utilizing the former Lucky Fortune Cookery located on DCA's Pacific Wharf, the California Marketplace offers a selection of appetizer-sized portions of delicious special creations made specifically for the Festival. This isn't your typical theme park fare - this is really great stuff.
AND FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE
Another highlight of the Festival is the California Marketplace. Utilizing the former Lucky Fortune Cookery located on DCA's Pacific Wharf, the California Marketplace offers a selection of appetizer-sized portions of delicious special creations made specifically for the Festival. This isn't your typical theme park fare - this is really great stuff.
Lobster Lollipop - $5.25Lobster tail breaded with panko bread crumbs, served with roasted bell pepper remoulade.California Skewers - $5.25Grilled beef and chicken skewers with vegetables and a chipotle glazePepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin Slider - $5.00Served on a brioche roll topped with crispy onions and citrus mojo criollo sauce.Wild Mushroom Risotto - $3.75Shiitake and crimini risotto with asparagus tips finished with creamy mascarpone, Italian parsley, fresh grated grana padano and crostinis.White Cheddar Soup - $4.00Featuring Karl Strauss Pale Ale with smokey bacon served in a Boudin's sourdough mini-boule.Hummus with Pita Chips - $3.75Traditional hummus topped with diced red bell peppers, carrots, and cucumbers. Served with pita chips.Festival Cheese Plate - $5.00Grana padano, huntsman cheddar bleu and wine derby cheeses with elderberry, accompanied by lavendar honey, grapes, and lavosh crisp.Seasonal Berry Trifle - $4.00Served in a martini layered with fresh strawberries, lemon pound cake, vanilla custard, and whipped cream.Ghirardelli Chocolate Marquise - $4.00Luscious Ghirardelli chocolate mousse on a bed of dark chocolate praline, hazelnut and almond crunch.
White Cheddar Soup
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Hummus with Pita Chips
Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin Slider
Nearby the California Marketplace is the Festival Shop, which is a small cart packed full of cookbooks and Festival logo merch.
Aprin - $28
Aprin - $28
Women's Tee - $22
Tote
Cap
Men's polo
Wine glasses
Beer mugs
Shot glasses
Cookbook selection
And new this year at most of DCA's major dining locations are Food and Wine Festival-inspired options, only available during Food and Wine 2008. All of these offerings have also been paired with wine and beer offerings that are available at an additional charge.
Gourmet Portabella "Philly" - $6.79Award Wieners, Hollywood Pictures BacklotGrilled Portabella mushrooms featuring Karl Strauss Amber Lager reduction of sauteed onions and bell peppers topped with pepper jack cheese. Served with your choice of apple slices or chips.California Wrap - $7.99Bountiful Valley Farmers Market, Bountiful Valley Farm/A Bug's LandMarinated grilled chicken, Mandarin oranges, apricots, sliced Red Flame grapes, cilantro, baby spinach, lightly tossed in a dressing of non-fat yogurt laced with amber honey, wrapped in a spinach tortilla. Served with your choice of apple slices or French fries.Chinese Chicken SaladPacific Wharf Cafe, Pacific WharfJulienne chicken, greens, fried wontons, almonds, carrots, sesame seeds, scallions, with a cilantro and soy ginger dressing.Bunuelo Fritters - $3.29Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Pacific WharfTraditional Spanish dessert, airy dough with berries, lightly fried and tossed in cinnamon sugar and dusted with powdered sugar.Grilled Shrimp Pasta Salad - $9.29Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Paradise PierAngel hair pasta tossed with shrimp, fresh basil, tomato concasse in a light pesto vinaigrette.Gourmet Cheese Corn Dog - $5.79Corn Dog Castle, Paradise PierDelicious corn dog infused with chili and cheddar cheese. Served with your choice of apple slices or chips.
VISITING FOOD & WINE
There are far more events available during Food and Wine - For complete daily schedules of event festivities, classes, demonstrations, and special ticket events, visit www.Disneyland.com/FoodandWine
There are far more events available during Food and Wine - For complete daily schedules of event festivities, classes, demonstrations, and special ticket events, visit www.Disneyland.com/FoodandWine
If you haven't gone to the previous Food and Wine festivals at the Resort and you're thinking of going this year - do it. The complimentary events alone are worth spending a day in DCA, and I've heard that the special-ticket events are also excellent experiences.
THIS & THAT
And finally, a quick update of other goings-on around the Resort.
And finally, a quick update of other goings-on around the Resort.
The new structures along Paradise Pier are progressing nicely.
Roof tiles
These structures will feature more of Paradise Pier's popcorn lighting
The Hollywood Pictures Backlot arch could use some TLC.
Construction walls have appeared near Award Wieners and have completely surrounded the never-used Muppet*Vision 3D queue switchbacks.
And a unique look at the Grand Californian Hotel expansion. Thanks to Fishbulb for these shots!
Alright, that should do it this week. Thanks as always for reading. See you next week!
- Andy
Total Comments 14
Comments
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Great update, as always! I certainly hope that the food and wine festival sticks around long enough for me to enjoy it.
Did anyone happen to copy down the recipe for the New Orleans gumbo? If so I would greatly appreciate a copy.Posted 04-18-2008 at 02:42 AM by aquata
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Amazing update Andy!!! Keep it coming with the food and wine festival pictures!! The pictures of the food are amazing!!!
Posted 04-18-2008 at 08:36 AM by peoplemover1 - does anyone else think its interesting that those t-shirts say Disneys California and not Disneys california Adventure food and wine festival... Preview of a future name???Posted 04-18-2008 at 08:47 AM by lighttragic
- Looks great, if the food is so great, I hope they get a clue and start offering some of them permanently.Posted 04-18-2008 at 09:27 AM by Disneykin Kid
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That food looks delicious, and that new park map is awesome! Great update, Andy!Posted 04-18-2008 at 09:57 AM by trippyhop -
As always your update rocks Andy! ThanksPosted 04-18-2008 at 01:33 PM by dsnylndmom -
I think you're reading a little too far into that one, LightTragic.Posted 04-18-2008 at 08:22 PM by TifaOnACloud -
AWESOME REPORT!!!
BUT ---- Please change the link! It is misspelled and takes you to a fraudulent website!Posted 04-18-2008 at 08:43 PM by Beatle_johnny - The link has been changedPosted 04-18-2008 at 09:25 PM by dsnylndmom
- WHOO WHOO --- Yeah...ummm... ME!
LOL --- thanks for the changePosted 04-18-2008 at 10:03 PM by Beatle_johnny -
Thanks for another great Dateline Disneyland update MG!!!
It was called the same exact thing last year too. I searched for Andy's photo thread from a year ago to confirm it.Quote:does anyone else think its interesting that those t-shirts say Disneys California and not Disneys california Adventure food and wine festival... Preview of a future name???Posted 04-19-2008 at 12:17 AM by Armadillo4 -
The event has always been called "Disney's California Food and Wine" -- I'm guessing because it is not completely isolated to Disney's California Adventure Park --- it also extends to the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort via special-ticket events, etc.Quote:Originally Posted by lighttragicdoes anyone else think its interesting that those t-shirts say Disneys California and not Disneys california Adventure food and wine festival... Preview of a future name???Posted 04-19-2008 at 11:55 AM by MasterGracey 
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Great update! You rock Andy!!Posted 04-19-2008 at 06:16 PM by Grumpy4 -
Another great update!!Posted 04-21-2008 at 10:18 AM by xalesa
