LP Lotion: Disney�s Food and Wine Festival Returns to Disneyland Resort
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Disney’s Food and Wine Festival has returned to Disney’s California Adventure for its fourth year. Running daily from April 24 through June 7, the festival is bigger and better than ever. Among additions for this year are a world celebration, advanced wine courses, Behind the Scenes conversations, Festival Wine Walks, and Sweet Sundays. Returning favorites include complimentary food demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, the sold out Napa Rose Cooking School, winemaker dinners, and the signature Taste event (now held for two nights).

In terms of sheer size, the 2009 festival is quite impressive. In its first year, there were four weekends offering a total of 72 different events. This year, the first day featured 30 events alone. Just last year was the first in which some venues offered midweek activities; this year for 45 days straight every venue will offer events every day.

Daily offerings include Culinary Demonstrations, Wine, Beer and Spirit Seminars, The Lounge at the Golden Vine Winery, Festival Wine and Beer Walks, the Wine Shop and Bistro, and the Gift Shop. Wednesday evenings the World Celebration Dinners are offered. On four Thursdays throughout the festival Behind the Scenes With… is offered. Winemaker Dinners are offered on Fridays. Nestles presents Junior Chefs on Friday and Saturdays. Fridays and Saturdays also offer Festival Wine Receptions. The Napa Rose Cooking School takes place on Saturdays. And Sunday mornings feature Sweet Sundays.

The 2009 Food and Wine Festival is heralded by special banners and signage placed throughout Disney’s California Adventure. The Welcome Center features kiosks where guests may register for signature events. Returning are the Festival Wine Shop and Bistro, as well as the Festival Gift Shop. Also making an appearance this year are decorated areas promoting the new ABC TV series Brothers and Sisters.

A stellar array of winemakers is participating in the complimentary Wine Seminars, presented on the lower patio of the Golden Vine Winery. Arrowood, Quintessa, David Arthur, the Lasseter Family Winery, Duckhorn, Remick Ridge, MacMurray Ranch, Bien Nacido, Kendall-Jackson, Hill Family Estate, Edna Valley Vineyards, and Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolate are just a few of the participants. Among the complimentary Beer and Spirit Seminars, offered at the Pacific Wharf Beer and Spirits Tent, may be found Karl Strauss Brewing Company, along with Whiskies Around the World, Single Malt Scotch, World Beer Styles, Discover Tequila, and Discover Sake.

The Chef’s Showcase Stage, front and center in Sunshine Plaza, has a busy schedule of complimentary events. Among scheduled participants are Chef Jamie Gwen, Guy Fieri, Kerry Simon, Keegan Gerhard, Cat Cora, Peter Greenberg, Robert Irvine (Dinner Impossible), Terry Letson of Fume Bistro in Napa Valley, Nancy Silverton of La Brea Bakery, Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, MILK Café, Green Leaf Gourmet Chop Shop, Cake Monkey Bakery, Ghirardelli Chocolatier, US Navy and US Military Culinary Competition winners, as well as celebrations of France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Turkey, Venezuela, Thailand, Austria, South Africa, the Bahamas, Scotland, Brazil, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Egypt, Ireland, India, Greece, China, Japan, Canada, Chile, the Caribbean, the Pacific Rim and regions of the USA, ranging from Chicago to Texas Barbecue. Several of the Culinary Demonstrations with celebrity chefs are followed by an autograph session.

In addition to the Junior Chefs, offered by Nestles, the Bountiful Valley Farm Stage offers Kitchen Converstions with Melissa’s Produce, Driscoll’s Berries, and others.

Festival inspired dining is offered throughout the regular food venues of Disney’s California Adventure. The Wine Country Trattoria, Cove Bar, Pizza Oom Mow Mow, Pacific Wharf Café, Farmer’s Market, Award Wieners, Ariel’s Grotto Cove Bar, Cocina Cucamonga, and Taste Pilot’s Grill feature new dishes, as well as some returning favorites.

There are three locations for the Festival Wine Walks. Wines of the World is located in the Bountiful Valley Farm, across from the Golden Vine Winery. California Classics may be found between Mission Tortilla and the Boudin Bakery on Pacific Wharf. And International Brews are on the Pacific Wharf across from the foot of the bridge. Each offers a tasting tour of wine and ales for a set price.

This years’ signature events lead off with the Napa Rose Cooking School with Chef Andrew Sutton. The sold-out event offers hands on sessions in the show kitchen of the Napa Rose restaurant, located in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. “Chefs-in-training” create a themed meal, and take home their chef’s coat and cook book as a memento.

Introduction to Wine Tasting and Advanced Wine are taught by Master Sommelier Michael Jordan. Offered in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, this year’s advanced classes will make it possible for guests to carry their wine education to the next level, as well as offer a glimpse into the training that the Sommeliers of the Disneyland Resort receive.

The popular Winemaker Dinners have returned, with wine and meal pairings at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel on Friday evenings. Participating Vineyards for this year are Arrowood (April 24), MacMurray Ranch (May 1), Flora Springs (May 8), Rudd Family (May 15), Wiliams Selyem (May 22), and Kenwood (May 29). New for this year are World Celebration Dinners, Wednesday evenings at the Vineyard Room of the Golden Vine Winery in Disney’s California Adventure. The six evenings kicked off with Lafitte Wines from Around the World (April 29), and will include Spain (May 6), Japan (May 13), France (May 20), Italy (May 27), and Korea (June 3).

Selling out quickly are the new Sweet Sundays, offered at 10:30am in the Lower Patio of the Golden Vine Winery. Participants will enjoy a light buffet, followed by a session with a famed pastry chef, baker or chocolatier who will demonstrate three signature desserts, which will be sampled throughout the session. Participants for this year are Sweet Cheeks Baking Company, Cake Monkey, MILK, Baked, Artisan Chocolatier, and Food Network Challenge host Keegan Geerhard of d bar desserts. Still available are the returning Festival Wine Receptions, offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Another new signature event for this year is Behind the Scenes with… hosted by Chef Jamie Gwen. The first, presented April 30 in the Animation Courtyard of Hollywood Pictures Backlot, featured John and Nancy Lasseter with winemaker Julia Iantosca of the Lasseter Family Winery. The informal evening included an appetizer buffet, wine and conversation in a relaxed, intimate setting. Questions and answers followed the food, wine, and conversation. Upcoming events include Tommy Lasorda of Lasorda Italian Wines (May 21), Chef Guy Fieri of the Food Network (May 31), and Chef Keegan Geerhard of Food Network Challenge (June 4). Dates for Behind the Scenes with… are selling out quickly.

Winding up the month and a half of festivities is Taste, an immersive party for all the senses. This year, Taste will be offered over two nights, June 5 and 6. This year, Stage 17 of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot is transformed into a World celebration, featuring food, wines, and beers from around the world, along with live entertainment.

For a complete daily schedule, log on to:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=FoodWineLandingPage

Schedule and pricing for all Signature Events may be found at :
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/specialEvents/detail?name=FoodWineSignatureEventsPage

You must be at least 21 years of age to consume alcoholic beverages and attend certain wine, beer and spirits seminars and events. Valid ID is required. No one under the required age will be admitted to certain events, including infants or children accompanied by an adult. Advance reservations are required for certain events. All events are subject to availability, restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.

Videos

Welcome to Disney�s California Food and Wine Festival
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