Royal Tea Garden Tour
First up is a Royal Tea Garden Tour that’s part of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, starting March 1 and running through May 29. You check in at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Rose and Crown Dining Room in the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, then head to the tea garden for a 45-minute experience that includes scones with Earl Grey butter, clotted cream and jam, and, of course, tea. You’ll hear about the famous Twinings family (selling tea since 1706) and learn all about the diversity of tea.
Part of the fun is being in World Showcase before the park opens – you can take your tea and scones to the beautiful garden and enjoy until the park opens at 11 a.m. $15 plus Epcot admission; 9:45 a.m.; 407-WDW-TOUR
Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience
At Disneyland Resort, reservations open online March 14 for the Napa Rose Food and Wine Pairing Experience, a one-hour seminar that will be held each Saturday and Sunday at Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The first seminar is at 2 p.m. April 8.
The experience will include three cheeses, two charcuterie-style tastes and five wines. Cost is $95 per person. To book, call 714-781-3463.
Dinner at the Farm with Disney Chefs
Head out to a local farm with the Disney chefs on March 25 for the 4th annual Field to Feast dinner at Long & Scott Farms in Mt. Dora., Fla. It’s a chance to be close up with the chefs as they cook outdoors, and, best of all, all proceeds benefit Second Harvest Kids Café, an after-school program through the YMCA.
The fun starts at 4:30 p.m. and includes creative local cuisine from seven of Disney’s best chefs: Chef Daniel Sicilia, Jiko—The Cooking Place; Chef Michael Gonsalves, Artist Point; Chef David Njoroge, Tiffins; Chef Dom Filoni, Cítricos; Chef Dennis Thompson, California Grill; Executive Chef Michael Deardorff, Epcot; Chef Leonard Thomson, Park Event Operations and Premium Events, Pastry Chef Michael Craig, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Bakery; and Chef Chocolatier Amanda Lauder, The Ganachery.
Master Sommelier George Miliotes, from the soon-to-open Bar George at Disney Springs, is pairing beverages with each dish. There’s also live music and tours of the farm on the back of a truck.
Tickets are $175 at edibleorlando.com.
Brunch With a Twist
Brunch With a Twist, the popular new series at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that debuted as part of the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, returns on May 6. Again hosted by Cítricos, the five-course brunch features the award-winning chefs at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
You’ll taste the creations of Executive Chef Scott Hunnel, Chef Dominique Filoni, Chef Noah Estabrook, Chef Nick Mussara, Chef Lawrence Searl and Executive Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek. The chefs represent Victoria & Albert’s, Cítricos, Narcoossee’s, Grand Floridian Cafe and the Grand Floridian Bakery.
The on-stage kitchen at Cítricos is ideal for the chefs to share cooking techniques, and guests can ask questions while watching the courses being prepared. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with Champagne for the ultimate dining experience.
Cost is $169 plus tax (gratuity and valet parking included). For reservations, call 407-939-3463.
