Now, it’s my turn!  Let’s start with the five items that you chose for your Top 15 that I did not.

• Smoked Turkey “Rib”

Yes, we are passing on the “rib”.  Why?  Well, and hang on to your socks, folks.  I’m letting loose a big All in WDW family secret, here.  We don’t like smoked turkey.  Uh, yes.  That also means we don’t fancy Disney’s smoked turkey legs.  Oh, the horror!  Fearful of a similar taste, we’re going to pass.

• Caprese

I love mozzarella.  I like roasted peppers and olive oil.  The Caprese simply is a bit too mundane for me.  As a result, I decided that there are just too many other good dishes to taste!

• Parisian-style Dumplings

Likewise, I love dumplings.  Did you notice that this one comes with mushrooms, though?  Rejected!

• Sweet Potato Cinnamon Waffle

I had a hard time deciding whether or not this one was a dessert.  It tempted me, but, in the end, it couldn’t make the cut.

• Watermelon Salad

Yes.  I know that this dish is very popular.  It is tremendously refreshing, but I have already had it twice … once at last year’s “Food” & Garden and once at last July’s Tables in Wonderland Food & Wine Preview.  Time to give other delights a chance.

Which leads me to #15.  What is #15 on the All in WDW 2014 “Food” & Garden Pre-Festival Top 15?

15.  Lamb Brewat Roll - Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco)

Honestly, I would have preferred a repeat of New Zealand’s Food & Wine Lamb Slider or Lamb Meatball from years-past.  Having said that, doesn’t a menu need to include lamb?

14.  Land-grown Eggplant “Scallop” - Urban Farm Eats

Mrs. All in WDW loves eggplant.  Meanwhile, I have never tried it.  Now, it’s time!

13.  Temaki Hand Roll - Hanami (Japan)

I am hungering for some sushi.  Any kind of sushi!  To be truthful, sliced panko-fried chicken and curry sauce intrigues me, so I’m giving this one a shot.

12.  Pulled Duck Confit - Fleur de Lys (France)

I have only had the opportunity to have duck once or twice in my life.  I couldn’t pass up another chance.

11.  Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit - The Buttercup Cottage (United Kingdom)

This one was a “mixed bag” in 2013.  First, it was salty.  Then, it was much, much better.  In the end, it was certainly good enough to merit another serving based on the deliciousness of the biscuit itself.

10.  Hanami Sushi - Hanami (Japan)

More sushi!  And, this one’s description says, “… beef-topped rice balls”.  Rice balls.  Salmon.  Scallop.  Beef.  I’m in!

9.  Harissa Chicken Kebab - Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco)

Have you noticed that Japan and Morocco have shown up on this list quite a bit this year?  Have my tastes wandered to the more adventurous?  Maybe.  But, who can deny a healthy helping of chicken-on-a-stick?

8.  Corn Tortilla Pork Taco - Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)

OK.  Now, it gets interesting.  I have to admit.  This taco would be higher on the list if I knew how they were going to present the corn tortilla.  I recently tried to engineer a dish with corn tortillas, and I failed miserably.  Certainly Epcot’s chefs will do a much better job than this amateur.  Yes?

7.  Pork and Apple Sausage Roll - The Buttercup Cottage (United Kingdom)

This is another one for which I’m anxious to see the actual recipe and presentation.  Is it going to be a sausage on a roll?  Is it going to be a sausage roll?  Also, how sweet will the apple make the dish?  Hopefully it’s more on the savory-side.  We’ll see!

6.  Ghost Pepper-dusted Tilapia - Urban Farm Eats

The infamous ghost pepper.  Nice to meet you.  I have heard a lot about you.  Well, my friend, I have two words for you … BRING IT!

5.  Three-Cheese Manicotti - Primavera Kitchen (Italy)

If you have been following me for a while, you know how much I love Food & Wine’s Ravioli.  If this is anywhere near close, it’ll be a contender for the top spot on our final list.  Well.  It’ll have a tough time beating the BBQ, but we’ll see.

4.  Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits - Florida Fresh

The only gripe I had with this one was that it was “do-it-yourself” when it came to the tails on the shrimp.  Otherwise, quoting myself from 2013, “You might remember that I also said I’m not a big grits fan. Well, frankly, this tasted fantastic!

The combination of well-seasoned shrimp, spicy andouille sausage, and fresh corn made the grits an inconsequential ingredient to this dish. In fact, sub some rice for the grits, call it a jambalaya, and give me a heaping bowlful. Yum!”

And, you know what?  In the last few months I have discovered that I … wait for it … love cheesy grits!  Gimme’ the shrimp ‘n grits, Epcot!

3. Spring Pancake - Lotus House (China)

I told you it’d be at the top of my list. Like I said, I’ll explain why in a later post, but China’s marquee entree is really, really good.  The ingredients meld together well.  It introduced me to sriracha sauce.  What more could you want?

2. Smoked Beef Brisket - The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews (American Adventure)

It’s possible that I’d love this one for the jalapeño cornbread.  Moist.  With a great zing.  If only the brisket had been a little bit more consistent from serving-to-serving last year, it would have beat …

1. Pulled Pig Slider - The Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews (American Adventure)

As always, to be the champ, you gotta beat the champ.  It didn’t matter if I tried this one with BBQ or without.  With the accompanying cole slaw on the sandwich or not.  It was fantastic!  And, it is the defending champ!

There you go, my friends.  It is the All in WDW 2014 “Food” & Garden Pre-Festival Top 15!

Next?  LATER TODAY!  Food pictures!!!

Keep coming back to All in WDW all day today and tomorrow!  Don’t miss a meal!  We’re going to be eating, and we want you to enjoy it with us!