Busch Gardens Food & Wine 2018

It’s that time of the year again when Busch Gardens gets more delicious for the 6th annual Food & Wine Festival. Food and Wine began in 2013 and has become a popular event, especially for foodies and anyone who appreciates the talents of the culinary team at the park. If you have been to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Virginia, then you know the park is themed in the style of Europe, so you are already in a virtual paradise, now with more food. The landscape however is very beautiful this time of year, with flowers blooming.

You can enjoy the festival from May 25-July 1st. Every year there are typically 2 new kiosks to replace lesser performing ones. This year there wasn't necessarily a "lesser performing" kiosk, but there are simply so many types of food to try there will be 3 (and a half) new kiosks. The half, is a revamp of Asia. There will also be a few changes to some of the other kiosks.

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is meant to have a food and wine event since the food here is a much higher caliber than you will find at the majority of theme parks. It has grown into a decent sized event to celebrate food, drink and culture. You can learn little tid bits about the countries represented.  As far as the food, the majority is made in house, all of their desserts and sauces are made on the premises, they smoke all of their own meats and sometimes special chefs join the team for Food & Wine (this year it was a sushi cook for the Japan kiosk!). Fish is always sustainable and the fruits and much of the vegetables are locally sourced.

I would consider the event a walking tour of Europe and the tastes of culinary dishes from around the world without the high price tag. It’s a beautiful escape for those who want to travel, but really can’t go too far. We have attended 4 of the past 5 years and the quality and product is consistent.

New Menu Items

Above is the brand new mac-N-cheese from Hawaii which of course has ham and pineapple in it, and is topped with a macademia nut crust. The drink is the wheat puff shake from Cuba. called Batido de Trigo. Just like sugar smack milk.

What's New in 2018

New Kiosks

•  Brazil replacing Canada (in same location) 3 items 1 cocktail, 1 specialty. The food items: Brazilian Sausage, Beef Chimichurri, and grilled pineapple with coconut caramel sauce.
• Cuba replacing France (in same location) 3 items, 1 dessert, 1 cocktail, 1 specialty; Food: Cuban Sandwich, Shredded beef over rice and beans, Fried plantains, Flan
• South Korea- In Fiesta near train station and Elephant Run- 3 items, 1 cocktail, 1 specialty. Food: Beef on a stick, Ribs, Kimchi Sampler.
• Revamped Kiosk- Japan replacing Asia- still has 2 of the items, with 3 brand new items. Green Tea ice cream, Sushi, Lettuce wrap, chicken dumplings and Soba noodle bowl.

 Vegan dishes are noted with a green leaf on the kiosk menus. This year there are 6 vegan options (American Southwest : Ghost Chili Guacamole; India : Samosas, Japan : Lettuce Wrap; Mediterranean : Falafel; South Korea :  Kimchi Sampler; Spain:  Gazpacho. There are also 38 vegetarian options (including vegan, and does include desserts, but does not include drinks)

The Gazpacho went vegan this year by omitting the shrimp

 As far as drinks, or the "wine part" of Food & Wine, there are Tequila tastings by the Fest Haus (where Argentina Wine was in 2017)

In Fest Haus you will find a Beer flight, plus the famous Pork Schnitzel slider (schnitzelwich) which has a lemon caper sauce.

There are  5 Wine tastings - French Wine tastings, Niagara Region, German,  Italian,  Ireland. And for those who don't prefer wine a Scotch tasting in Scotland.

Previous years have had different entertainment in the form of Chef demos, this is also set up for 2018. This year they will be making some of the food from the festival in kiosks about every hour to hour and half. You will also get to try bite size samples for free.

This year there will also be 3 concerts. Scott McCreery on June 9.  Hunter Hayes on June 16, and Andy Grammer on June 30.

QUICK FACTS

• No additional Ticket, part of your admission. Buy what you want
• All normal attractions are running
• Food kiosks open at 11am and serve all day, or until they run out of food. In the case of lightening they do temporarily close
• Tastings range from $2-$4 for desserts and about $4-$6 for entrées, a few are more.
• To make your day a bit easier, you can purchase cashless wristbands.
• Wristbands are available in several areas of the park, 2 different spots before you even get to food (Booth before the turnstiles and guest relations after you enter), plus several other locations in the park.
• You can prepay with cash or link to a credit card for the cashless wristband. Then you just scan at the locations. This is a great choice when your hands are full and you need your stomach to be. If you don’t spend all of your cash, stop at Guest Relations in England when exiting and they will refund you any money not spent.
• You can eat and drink your way around the park, and even take a short cruise down the Rhine River, while delighting in some jazz music and savoring some fancy cheese and chocolate. 
• The Kombucha being sold at the Japan Kiosk is kept in a kegerator and does not contain alcohol, its by Coca Cola.
• The Kimchi is also not fermented so no fish used for those with an allergy and is vegan
• Sampler Cards cost $50 for 10 items, or $65 for 15 items.

·         The park goes all out for this event with additional decorations, country flags, lights and informational boards giving interesting tid bits from the countries represented. Truly a feast for the eyes as well. (no calories for that).

We visited on May 25, opening day

Kiosks of the Countries & regions represented

• ·        American Southwest (moved to Scotland near Loch Ness Monster)
• ·         Asia – Japan (NEW) -located in Italy walkway near big tree- between Pompeii and other rides in Italy at walkway to Fiesta
• ·         Brazil (NEW) - in New France, replaced Canada
• ·         Caribbean- Germany on the way to Oktoberfest.
• ·         Coffee & Crêpes (part of France all year, but with different options for F&W)
• ·         Cuba (NEW) - France-replaced France Kiosk near icecream and outside of Griffon
• ·         French Quarter- France
• ·         Germany - Oktoberfest near swings
• ·         Greece/ Mediterranean- in pizza cone/donut bite location by Pompeii
• ·         Hawaii- Ireland- in Wildlife reserve across from back of Abbystone theater-New Mac-N-Cheese
• ·         India (new in 2017)- Germany
• ·         Ireland- Ireland- near entrance after exiting bridge
• ·         Italy- Italy, usual location  all desserts- NEW Mini Cannoli Trio
• ·         Island Freeze Drinks (NEW in 2017) Back of Oktoberfest near Verbolten
• ·         Spain- Italy walkway passed stores and Marco Polo, before rides
• ·         South Korea (NEW) Fiesta near train station and Elephant Run
• ·         Virginia- Scotland in Scotland pigs in a kilt.

Our Favorites

Best Dish- Hawaii- Tuna Poke. So good, I could eat a dozen I am sure. The seaweed salad is delicious also. Both are very light and fresh.

Easiest to Eat while walking in the Park- Virginia- Bacon Hushpuppies and honey butter. I wish they would make this all year.

Best Dessert- America South West- Chocolate lava Cake. So gooey, and a very nice size. Its almost impossible to pick a best dessert, not only is this chocolate its the best value being the size of a cupcake.

Runner up -Cannoli Trio in Italy. You get 3 mini's but they are very close in size to the full sized in all three varieties the park sells in Marco Polo Italy. Ricotta, Strawberry and Nutella

Best  Speciality non-alcoholic Drink, Hawaii, Hibiscus Lemonade. 
RUNNER UP the Brazilian lemonade which is a frozen shake made with limes and sweetened condensed milk. Tastes like sherbet! Delicious and about the same size as this..

Best Soup, Virginia, She-Crab Soup. Very good, lots of crab.

Best New item from 2017 Mediterranean - Lamb Slider. Meaty, delicious not gamy

Best New item for 2018 TBA

Best Value- Virginia- Ham sampler; For $4 you get 3 kinds of Ham,- Country Ham, Carved Ham, and Ham pate, Plus as garnish- apple butter, honey mustard and whole grain mustard with a nice sized honey biscuit.

Carnivore’s Delight- Brazil- Sausage with grilled mushrooms, peppers and onions. perfect crisp sausage. delicious and a good portion.

Vegetarian Delight- Caribbean- Mojo Shrimp on Hearts of Palm Salad- Citrus marinated shrimp on bed of hearts of palm, black beans, corn relish, cilantro lime. Nice portion of shrimp! 

Sweet Tooth Lovers- Virginia- Pecan Bacon Chocolate bars.

Vegan Delight  - Lettuce Wrap - Japan. Marinated Tofu, veggies in chili sauce wrapped in butter lettuce. 

Food and Wine is fun overall. And if you have never been to the park, it may be a good time to check it out. Busch Gardens is more than just a theme park, it's not known for an excessive amount of thrill rides, but has thrilling rides. It is much more. You go here for a full experience, a nice day out in the fresh and sun, time with your loved ones and some delicious eats.

Don't miss this wonderful event!