ThemeGo
  • Disney
  • Planning
  • Quizzes
  • International Parks
2K Likes
2K Followers
2K Followers
Subscribe
ThemeGo
ThemeGo
  • Busch Gardens
  • Events
  • Opinion Pieces
  • Theme Parks

Busch Gardens Food&Wine Festival 2017

  • April 4, 2017
  • Yariv Padva
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Busch Gardens Tampa is an amazing park. There is a lot to do here: from world-class roller coasters to Safari, shows and more. The Food&Wine Festival is just the perfect time to visit the park as you can enjoy everything it has to offer and for the same price of admission, also experience this wonderful festival which any foodie would love, gaze in awe at the event’s topiaries and see a rockin’ concert. This was my first visit to the Food&Wine Festival and I was pleasantly surprised to see how much there is to see, taste and do here:

Food, wine & beer tasting

Living Topiaries!
5 item sampler
Gourmet lodge
Smoked beef brisket
Griddled cheesecake sandwitch
Duck Taco with sweet chili sauce
Baked brie with strawberry Fanta syrup
Bison slider on brioche roll

The #1 tip is to get one of the Food&Wine Festival samplers. They are absolutely worth it and will save you a lot of money. I got the 5 item sampler which costs $30, but there are additional samplers for 8 items ($38) and 12 ($55). For me, the 5 item sampler was enough as I don’t usually drink wine/beer. The culinary options are awesome and everything I tried was very tasty:

Smoked Beef Brisket on a Spiced Corn Waffle with Amber Bock BBQ at Gourmet Lodge (no.10) – if you can only try one thing – this should be it! It was SO GOOD! the beef with the sauce and waffle all merged together perfectly. It’s a surprising combination as well. Simply delicious!

Griddled Cheesecake Sandwich at Gourmet Lodge (no.10) – this is the vegetarian equivalent of the Smoked Beef Brisket. Simply awesome! It’s crispy on the outside and tender inside. Sweet, but not too sweet. I loved it!

Duck Taco with Sweet Chili Sauce at Tasty Taqueria (no. 15) – A good, tasty taco. It’s nice if you’re into Tacos.

Baked Brie with Strawberry Fanta Syrup at Cooking with Coke Pavilion (no. 22) – The Baked Brie was a bit of a surprise for me as I didn’t know what to expect from the Coke Pavilion. It was actually pretty nice! I loved how the freshness and juiciness of the Strawberries with the Fanta syrup and sauce worked together with the baked brie. It really made this dish a success.

Bison Slider on Brioche Roll with Spicy Sriracha Ketchup at Southern Station (no. 6) – this is sophisticated a delectable hamburger.

Topiaries 

When it comes to topiaries- what Busch Gardens lacks in quantity, they make up for in quality. Hugely impressed by the sheer size of some of the topiaries – namely The Spirit of Spring and the Octopus Garden (made from 65,000 individual plants!). They are incredible and indeed larger-than-life. They also have a small stand next to each other with some fun facts about each topiary, which I thought was a nice touch. The Topiarazzi at the park’s entrance was so funny! How often do you see a topiary that takes pictures of YOU ?! Haha

The living topiaries are an additional unique element. They create arches, change forms and make great photo opportunities!

Gifts & Games

The Food&Wine Festival has a nice selection of carnival-type games and gifts that are themed appropriately around wine and food.  The highlight for me was the Delightfully Delicious candles by Sarah Wood. These candles not only had a wonderful aroma, but also looked like real mouth watering treats, pies and cakes!

Entertainment

Art of Food – At the time of my visit – I had the opportunity to see Dean Murray creating his awe-inspiring icy works of art in front of my very own eyes. Murray was very friendly as he explained about the process and how these can be achieved. Even with the explanations, I’m sorry – this is still true magic! 🙂

Ted Yodder – I’ve never heard or seen a dulcimer until that day and was completely mesmerized by the enchanting sound and music of Ted Yodder. Came to the Garden Gate Cafe to hear one or two songs and stayed for the whole show! That’s how good Yodder is.

Living Fountain – The show is about a beautiful statuesque fountain coming to life. It was unbelievable, together with the matching soundtrack. The performer was moving very gracefully and was keeping her playful spirit at the same time, interacting with the water – which the kids laughed and had fun with.

Medley of Musicians

There’s no better way to end your visit to Food&Wine Festival, than a cool concert! For the month of April, these are the concerts –  Hunter Hayes (4/8), Days & Matt Nathanson (4/9), The Band Perry (4/15), Newsboys (4/16), Gilberto Santa Rosa (4/22), Lynyrd Skynyrd (4/23), Bachata Heightz, Justin Quiles & Milly Quezada (4/29), Tribute Bands performing the best of Jimmy Buffett, Queen, Bon Jovi & Prince (4/30).

Good flavors all-around

Busch Gardens Food&Wine Festival never ceased to surprise me! The food was great, the larger-than-life topiaries were incredible. Definetly coming back next year!!

Busch Gardens offers a very convenient shuttle service from Orlando which makes it easier to get to the park at Tampa Bay. The concert, however, starts after the ride leaves, so if you’re planning on seeing one of the concerts you will need to go by car or stay at the area.

The Food&Wine Festival is open Saturdays & Sundays, until April 30. Concerts start at 7pm each Festival Day.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Busch Gardens
  • Busch Gardens Tampa
  • events
  • festival
  • Florida
  • food
  • food and wine festival
  • food&wine festival
  • tampa
  • tampa bay
  • Theme parks
  • wine
Yariv Padva

Theme park enthusiast, world traveler, film and animation buff

Previous Article
  • California's Great America
  • Events
  • Roller coasters

Patriot opens at California’s Great America

  • April 1, 2017
  • Yariv Padva
View Post
Next Article
  • Events
  • Opinion Pieces
  • SeaWorld
  • Theme Parks

Seven Seas Food Festival Celebrates Latin Beats & Eats at SeaWorld Orlando

  • May 1, 2017
  • Yariv Padva
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • California's Great America
  • christmas
  • Events
  • Opinion Pieces

Top 5 Experiences in WinterFest at California’s Great America

  • Yariv Padva
  • December 1, 2017
View Post
  • Attractions
  • Events
  • Opinion Pieces
  • Theme Parks

ThemeGo’s Top 5 Picks for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017

  • Yariv Padva
  • November 24, 2017
View Post
  • Disney
  • Disneyland
  • Events
  • Halloween
  • Theme Parks

Top 5 Halloween 2017 Experiences at Disneyland Resort

  • Yariv Padva
  • October 16, 2017
View Post
  • Events
  • LEGOLAND
  • LEGOLAND Florida
  • Opinion Pieces
  • Star Wars
  • Theme Parks
  • Travelling with Kids

Top 5 LEGO Star Wars Days experiences at LEGOLAND Florida

  • Yariv Padva
  • May 10, 2017
View Post
  • Events
  • Opinion Pieces
  • SeaWorld
  • Theme Parks

Seven Seas Food Festival Celebrates Latin Beats & Eats at SeaWorld Orlando

  • Yariv Padva
  • May 1, 2017
View Post
  • California's Great America
  • Events
  • Roller coasters

Patriot opens at California’s Great America

  • Yariv Padva
  • April 1, 2017
View Post
  • Events
  • Opinion Pieces
  • Theme Parks
  • Universal Studios

Adventures at Universal: Mardi Gras 2017

  • Yariv Padva
  • March 22, 2017
View Post
  • Disney
  • Events
  • Theme Parks

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2017

  • Yariv Padva
  • March 19, 2017

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts
  • Top 5 Experiences in WinterFest at California’s Great America
  • ThemeGo’s Top 5 Picks for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017
  • Top 5 Halloween 2017 Experiences at Disneyland Resort
  • Top 5 LEGO Star Wars Days experiences at LEGOLAND Florida
  • Seven Seas Food Festival Celebrates Latin Beats & Eats at SeaWorld Orlando
Recent Comments
  • Mr. pride and joy on Top 5 Extreme Rides in a Disney Park
  • Mr. pride and joy on New Star Wars add-on to Disneyland
  • Mr. pride and joy on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter around the World – Part I
  • Mr. pride and joy on Disney Rides on the Big Screen
Archives
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
Categories
  • Attractions
  • Busch Gardens
  • California's Great America
  • christmas
  • Disney
  • Disneyland
  • Entertainment Complexes
  • Events
  • Halloween
  • Harry Potter
  • Hotels & Condos
  • I-Drive 360
  • International Parks
  • Kennedy Space Center
  • LEGOLAND
  • LEGOLAND Florida
  • Movies
  • Opinion Pieces
  • Planning
  • Quizzes
  • Ripley Entertainment
  • Roller coasters
  • SeaWorld
  • Star Wars
  • Theme Parks
  • Travelling with Kids
  • Uncategorized
  • Universal Studios
Meta
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
ThemeGo
  • Disney
  • Planning
  • Quizzes
  • International Parks
The Happiest Theme Parks Reviews on Earth

Input your search keywords and press Enter.