It’s high time for more 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival fun!

Once again, we’re going beyond the Marketplace Booths for a Special Event that is new to the Festival this year: Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshops. Similar to the Festival’s Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars, this new offering takes place daily in the Festival Center. However, the Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! sessions offer an interactive element unique to this Special Event where participants can take tips directly from leaders in the culinary industry.

The choice of topics is extensive, ranging from forming sushi rolls to pasta making and vodka tasting to pumpkin decorating (and beyond — check out the full list of options here). We attended The Art of Pastry Making with Erin McKenna.

You might be familiar with Erin McKenna as the founder of Babycakes or the owner of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Disney Springs (or even her shops in New York and Los Angeles). If so, then you know that her focus is on creating tasty vegan and gluten-free goods. Since baking gluten-free items is not something I have previously attempted, I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn something new!

So join me in the Chef’s Showcase at the Festival Center to check out this new Special Event!

Long tables are set up in front of the stage so there’s plenty of room for lots of would-be pastry-makers! [Read more…]