Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2017

22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Celebrates 35 years of Epcot

75-Day Festival Runs Aug. 31-Nov. 13, 2017

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida– A record number of global food and wine marketplaces – 35 in all –will sizzle with new edible delights to celebrate 35 years of Epcot during the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Aug. 31-Nov. 13, 2017. The annual Walt Disney World Resort culinary tour of flavors will expand in 2017 for a longer-than-ever 75-day run. Growing in scope as one of America’s top food festivals each year since 1996, the Epcot event will run for 13 additional days of inspired sips and bites throughout the park’s World Showcase and Future World. Park guests can mix and mingle with celebrity chefs, experience hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations and get their gourmet groove on at nightly Eat to the Beat concerts. They also can book special tasting experiences at Epcot and at Disney resort restaurants. Family fun will be in the mix with kid- friendly dishes geared toward young palates and a Ratatouille-inspired culinary scavenger hunt. 

Travelscore Magazine sent its team, for the very first time, to test and review this International Festival and we assigned a rank score for all the 21 represented countries. There wasn't an absolute winner but several ex-aequo in the first three final positions. This is due to the multiple examiners involved in the judgment.  The scores are the result of an average calculation  made with single votes on a predetermined index.  The parameters are also based on the traditions of those countries. Indeed we avoided to test all those not original recipes, oriented just to satisfy the local American palate and we rather rewarded the effort to be authentic. So here we are with the final verdict.

First Position Ex-Aequo:

Ireland 28 points with “Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread"

Greece 28 points with “Bougatsa"

Japan 28  points with “Wasabi Shumai Steamed Pork Dumplings"

Thailand 28  points with “Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice”

Ireland (Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread)

Japan (Wasabi Shumai Steamed Pork Dumplings)

Thailand (Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice)

Second Position Ex-Aequo:

Australia 26 points  with “Grilled Lamb T-Bone with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunches”

Spain 26 points with “Charcuterie in a Cone”

Belgium 26 points with “Belgian Waffle and Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream”

Morocco 26 points with “Chocolate Baklava”

Australia (Grilled Lamb T-Bone with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunches)

Belgium (Belgian Waffle and Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream”)

Morocco (Chocolate Baklava)

Third Position Ex-Aequo:

France 21 points with “Croissant aux Escargots”

Mexico 21 points with “Cajeta Mousse”

Canada 21 points with “Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup”

Mexico (Cajeta Mousse)

Canada (Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup)

The rest of the countries had these points by the jury team:

Germany 19 points 

Patagonia 18 points 

New Zealand 17 points 

Hawaii 16 points

Africa 16 points 

India 14 points

Italy 14 points

Scotland 13 points 

Brazil 12 points 

China 9 points

India (Korma Chiken)

Africa (Spinach and Paneer Cheese Pocket)

Brazil (Crispy Pork Belly)

highlight by Luca Centoni

pics by Michela Caroti

Rainier Valley Inn the Peaceful Place on the Mountains

There is a place in Washington State that is just like paradise, indeed this is also the name of a location close to the top of Mt.Rainier.  Here we are in Ashford, just below the beautiful volcano mountain, at the "Rainier Valley Inn" where you can rent a typic cozy cabin for one or multiple days. Of course they have also regular rooms, but we loved this simple authentic cabin which remembered us one of those books of Jack London in the great North West of America.

In the previous article of July 2017 we introduced a unique world class climber who has collected relevant record about Mt. Everest and other peaks. This time we continue to explore the surroundings of this amazing area of this state. We have done hiking all around but every night we came back here at our cabin, so called "Rustic Homestead".

They have also a true Mountain restaurant "The Overland" which serves a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have been eating there every single day of our press trip week, because everything was genuine. It was conveniently located in front of our rustic cabin.

Inside our cabin there where also some Himalayan prayer flags, and even if we are not in Nepal, there are several people here in Ashford, WA, who are related to that world's region. A prayer flag is a colorful rectangular cloth, often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes.

We have taken some pictures about dishes served in the "Rainier Valley Inn" restaurant. One of the most impressive is the "Sasquatch Burger, a super big size patty worthy of "Bigfoot" (the legendary hairy upright-walking, ape-like being who reportedly dwells in the wilderness and leaves behind large footprints)

They serve various rich dishes, that are just perfect to nourish you for the long hiking of the numerous mountain paths.

Among these a special mention are their wonderful cakes always served warm and with a big ice cream ball.

As warm is the familiar table service offered by mother and daughter, who really make you feel at home. If you like they will recommend the special of the day and they will really do good talks.

You will find real people here, having time to talk and knowing more about the excursions you intend to do along you day in the mountains.

Concluding this short highlight, this place is an amazing base for those who really like hiking in some of the most beautiful mountains and parks of the United States of America. indeed it's only less then five minutes from the entrance of the Mt. Rainier National Park.

31811 S.R. 706 East, Ashford, WA 98304

360-569-0851   rvrestaurantandinn@gmail.com

Highlight by Luca Centoni

Pictures by L.Centoni and M.Caroti

Video by Luca Centoni

Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa World Fastest Climber of Mt.Everest

This time it's really a very different and special article with a video interview, because this guy, Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, is the world's record holder for "Fastest Ascent of Mount Everest", indeed he made it in only 10 hours 56 minutes and 46 seconds, on May 26 2003. Lhakpa Gelu climbed it for other fifteen times, including other famous high peaks in the whole planet. Yes he is a professional climber but he runs also a restaurant at the foot of Mt. Rainier in Washington State, USA.  The "Wild Berry" is an Himalayan restaurant located in the small village of Ashford,WA and it has an amazing and authentic menu.

He and his wife Fulamu, and their family recreated a pure Himalayan atmosphere and ambiance in this quiet and beautiful corner of the north west of USA. Every single dish and even the Lassi drink are made freshly in the morning. It's also very popular among the regular tourists and of course, the climbers. In the winter time they close it to run the other restaurant that they own in KhariKhola, Nepal.

Sherpa housewives ensure that their husbands are well fed and nourished before they leave for their strenuous work at the mountains. Indeed the staple foods of Himalayan Sherpas are loaded with healthy nutrients that provide satiety for their long day. Therefore also the Mt. Rainier climbers find in this place the perfect meal for their  excursions and hikers too. Let's have a close look to the "Himalayan Special" menu offered here at the "Wild Berry". Of course they offer also the regular American classics but we wanted absolutely try the authentic food of Nepal.

The dish you see above is called "Thali" and it takes its name from a whole meal in one traditional Nepali plate which is served with a choice of curry, jasmine rice, Nepali bread, mixed pickle, mixed veggies and a bowl of lentils soup. 

The "Momo" is another delicious dish which consists of two different versions (vegetarian or with pork) steamed dumplings filled with minced carrots, cabbage, tofu, green peas, onions, garlic and Himalayan spices. Meanwhile the other version is with pork, garlic, ginger, cilantro, onion and Himalayan spices. Both versions have the stuffing wrapped in a rolled dough using a special technique.

The mango "Lassi" is the delicious drink paired with this kind of food. But it's amazing also as simple drink. It's a traditional yogurt and mango based beverage. They also have Himalayan tea, regular sodas and shakes. A particular mention of their "Blueberry Pie" served with vanilla ice cream which

is also very special and a must to try.

A little shop for hikers and tourists to protect them from the cold completes the restaurant offer including the memorabilia hanged on the wall illustrating "Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa" records.

Journalist Luca Centoni with Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa

I interviewed Lhakpa Gelu and in video he explains us what exactly are his activities at this time, including his past achievements.

In Summer Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa takes people to climb the Mt. Rainier and it's something you shouldn't really miss! It takes some few days and everybody can do it.

37718 WA-706,Ashford, WA 98304,USA

PHONE NUMBER

360-569-2277

article, pictures and interview by Luca Centoni