The All in WDW 2013 Epcot International Food & Wine Pre-Festival Top 25! – Part I

If you learned anything during our odyssey through Food & Wine pre-festival planning, it is the fact that carving five dozen food options down to a meager list of two dozen is next to impossible. At the very least, it’s excruciating.

So, in that spirit, in introducing the official All in WDW 2013 Food & Wine Pre-Festival Top 25, let me start with, in no particular order, The Honorable Mentions!

  • Grilled Beef Skewer – Argentina
  • Roast Pork Lettuce Wrap – South Korea
  • Venison Sausage – New Zealand
  • Shrimp Ceviche – Florida
  • Taste of Greece – Greece

No, I am not cheating, and these are not items 26 to 30. They are just the dishes that couldn’t find a way to make the last and final cut. In actual fact, we may try one or two, if time permits, but they don’t make it into my Top 25.

One of the things I tried to do this year was mix popularity with handing out “second chances”.  Items leading the queue in that category would be Argentina’s Beef Empanada and Grilled Beef Skewer as well as Ireland’s Fisherman’s Pie.

I didn’t like any of these in 2011, so I left them off my 2012 menu. They are VERY popular items, however.  Very popular.  As you saw within the Honorable Mentions, the skewer missed the cut. The others, however, clock in at the bottom of the list.

25. Fisherman’s Pie – Ireland

24. Beef Empanada – Argentina

You have to earn your way out of the cellar, guys. Prove my 2011 ratings wrong, and hit it ‘out of the park’ this year!

Of course, this is also a year of “punitive action” on my part. For example, not to spoil the unveiling of this list, but, Germany, I told you to step it up!  You brought your same old “game” to this year’s party? You’re OUT!  But, I digress.

23. Griddled Greek Cheese – Greece

More of an appetizer, really. It’s outstanding, but how can I rate it higher than all of the more entree-like options?

2012's Griddled Greek Cheese

2012’s Griddled Greek Cheese

22. Lemongrass Chicken Curry – Singapore

Did you read my article on Kingdom Magic vacations’ Blog, Singapore?  No.  You didn’t. I said, BUTTER chicken!

21. Chicken Gyro – Greece

I’m looking forward to Greece’s new offering. I’m just skeptical of their tzatziki sauce. Used in past years on their Chicken Souvlaki, I just found it to be a bit much.

20. Garlic Shrimp – Australia

I’m so glad they ‘raised the bar’ a bit and left their Shrimp-on-the-Barbie behind. Of course, I’m going to make a prediction. This year’s version of shrimp won’t be as popular as hoped, and the Barbie will be back in 2014. You heard it here first.

2013's Garlic Shrimp

2013’s Garlic Shrimp

19. Seared Scallop – Brazil

I like scallops more than I like shrimp. Hence, it slots in one spot higher on the menu. The only criticism I have of a scallop dish is that you only get one scallop. Not that I want a full-size entree, but it is kind of a small serving.

18. Grilled Lamb Chop – Australia

This is one of Mrs. All in WDW’s ‘hands down’ favorites. In fact, when we approach this marketplace, her hand will be up …and asking for more.  For me, I have been very open about not being a big fan of lamb. Oh, I’ll eat it, but it isn’t at the top end of my wish list.

17. Lamb Meatball – New Zealand

When it does come to lamb, however, I prefer the ground variety. This item was quite tasty in 2012.  My only complaint was that there was a bit too much “bread” and a bit too little meatball.

16. Grass-Fed Beef Sliders – Florida

I had really high hopes for this one going into the Tables in Wonderland Food & Wine preview event in late July.  It was quite good, but I have to admit …it was also pretty ordinary. I mean, according to my taste buds, it was beaten by a …

2013's Grass-Fed Beef Sliders

2013’s Grass-Fed Beef Sliders

15. Kimchi Dog – South Korea

Of all things, I liked the Kimchi Dog. I don’t like kimchi. Or, I didn’t like kimchi.  And, yes, I had tried kimchi prior to the Tables event.  I would have never guessed that this combination would be so good.

2013's Kimchi Dogs

2013’s Kimchi Dogs

14. Crispy Pork Belly – Brazil

The best bite of the Tables in Wonderland dinner was Brazil’s pork belly. The symphony of tastes you’ll find when you combine a bit of the pork with the dish’s black beans, onions, avocado, and cilantro are hard to beat. This is another serving, however, that’s on the small side.

2013's Crispy Pork Belly

2013’s Crispy Pork Belly

There. We’re halfway to the top! Stop back tomorrow to see the rest of the list unveiled! In the meantime, it’s time for Mrs. All in WDW and I to ‘motor’ on down to Orlando. Wish us a Bon voyage!

REMEMBER!  Anytime I publish a post in WordPress, it will automatically appear on my Twitter account and in the All in WDW Facebook group.  If you want to see my Food & Wine pics in “real time” later this week, Follow me on Twitter or join the group on Facebook!

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