Let’s give a warm welcome to JoAnn Chiaravalle. She stops by to share a review of dining at a Food and Wine Pairing seminar, complete with great tips about how to prepare when you have a food allergy!

On August 16 at 7:00 am sharp, I called Disney to book the Italy Food and Wine Pairing set for Saturday, November 12, during the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Within twenty minutes my booking was complete!

I was so excited to get the events booked on the first day in a short amount of time that I forgot to mention I had a seafood allergy. I called back at a later date and spoke to Melissa to have my reservation modified to show the allergy. She was most helpful and answered all of my questions.

Fast forward to November 12. The event began at 2:00 and I took my seat with notebook in hand. Although I was excited to attend this event, I was crushed when I saw the menu with seafood. I told the waitress who was pouring water about my seafood allergy and she told me not to worry as it was noted in the reservation.

Eats

Along with the menu we were each provided with cards detailing each of the wines.

The manager of the restaurant and the representative from Banfi Winery welcomed us, and the festivities began. The first course was Capesante e Cannellini (scallops with cannellini beans and pancetta ham) with San Angelo Pinot Grigio.

Because of my seafood allergy I was served [Read more…]