We mentioned in August the exciting news that Food & Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek would be returning in 2012 for the second year in a row!

Today? We’ve got a little more info for ya!

Billed as “the perfect complement to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival“, Orlando Food & Wine Weekends will be held over all six weekends during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek aim to “fill the gaps” around the Festival by offering visitors to Walt Disney World a delicious “home base” as they take in all the fun at Epcot!

And with its location within the Disney World gates, luxury and convenience go hand in hand. Event highlights include:

A Taste of Waldorf Astoria®

Exclusive tasting menus and wine pairings from the master chefs of many of the most renowned hotels in the Waldorf Astoria brand. Guests will enjoy a degustation menu comprised of some of the most celebrated dishes from Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world, paired with exquisite wines.

Where: Bull & Bear, Waldorf Astoria Orlando
When: Friday and Saturday evenings, 6pm-11pm
September 28 & 29 – featuring chef Massimo Falsini of Waldorf Astoria Orlando, whose menu will feature debut dishes and perennial favorites
October 5 & 6 – featuring menu from Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
October 12 & 13 – featuring menu from Trianon Palace Versailles, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
October 19 & 20 – featuring menu from Waldorf Astoria Berlin
October 26 & 27 – showcasing Chef Stefan Kauth, executive chef of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, who will be visiting the kitchens of Bull & Bear to personally prepare an exclusive tasting menu.
November 2 & 3 – featuring menu from London Syon Park, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The full menus for each of these dinners are available at www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/food-wine.

Il Cibo Della Vita

From the kitchen of La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, each weekend from October 5 through November 3, a new tasting menu and wine pairing will be unveiled. These will feature Chef Scala’s newest recipes – many being presented for the first time.

As a special treat for our guests, Chef Scala will be on-site October 12 – 13, personally attending to the preparation of her special menu. This series of culinary experiences is certain to be the talk of the town!

Where: La Luce by Donna Scala, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
When: Friday & Saturday evenings, 5pm – 11pm

Waldorf Orlando Pastries and Chocolates at Bar du Chocolat

Bar du Chocolat and Champagne Tasting

The beautiful Peacock Alley will be transformed into a chocolate lover’s dream, offering a cocoa-infused evening of self-indulgence paired with a selection of fine Champagnes from Perrier-Jouët.

Guests can choose from a signature selection of chocolate treats from the Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s world-class pastry team using recipes from the most romantic points of the globe. And as if this were not decadent enough…all of the hand-made chocolates are made with products from the world renowned chocolatier, Amedei of Tuscany.

There will also be live entertainment nightly at Peacock Alley.

When: Friday and Saturday evenings, 6pm – 10pm
Where: Peacock Alley, Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Noche Latina

For those guests looking for a Latin flare, Aquamarine Outdoor Poolside Bar and Grille will offer an interactive caipirinha and mojito bar, cigar roller, flamenco dancers, tapas, and new world Spanish wines. This promises to be the perfect ending to a day filled with incredible culinary experiences!

Where: Poolside at Aquamarine, Waldorf Astoria Orlando
When: Saturday evenings, 7:30pm – 9:30pm

For the Kids

And for guests with little ones, the WA Kids Club will offer Astoria After Dark, a terrific evening of children’s programming that includes dinner and lots of age-appropriate fun activities. After all, why should the grown ups have all the fun? Children will be well tended to while parents enjoy a little “adult time” at the Orlando Food & Wine Weekend activities.

When: Nightly, 6pm-10pm

Rate Codes and How To Book

If this sounds too good to pass up (and as a huge fan of both the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, I totally think it does!), then you’ll want to call them soon to book your weekend getaway! Both hotels are offering special package rates. Here are the details:

The popular Best of Waldorf Astoria package includes deluxe accommodations, a $50 daily dining/resort credit, and complimentary scheduled transportation to Epcot® (and other Disney theme parks). Rates begin at $244 per night. For more information or reservations, please visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/food-wine, or call 1 888-353-2009, and reference promotion code PBBWW1.

At Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, the Bonnet Creek Fall Retreat package includes deluxe accommodations, a $50 daily dining/resort credit, daily parking and internet, and complimentary scheduled transportation to Disney theme parks. Rates begin from $179 per night. For more information or reservations, please visit www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com/food-wine, or call 1 888-353-2009, and reference promotion code BCFT.

I hope you’ll be able to sample some of the amazing food and accommodations these hotels have to offer! A fun food and Disney weekend is a great way to get away from it all and truly pamper yourself!