My Belly Fits The World… What’s Your Specialty?

Today was the day I tested the extreme limits of my stomach… more specifically, my stomachs stretch-ability to fit abnormal amounts of food into it. Before exiting my apartment this morning, I had a one-on-one chat with my tummy informing it that it had to be on its best behaviour today when un-human-like portions of food would be sent over for acidic break-down. My belly seemed to obey these orders and for this, I am extremely grateful and proud. More so grateful that I was able to make it back to my apartment at the end of the day without getting sick from the over-consumption of delectable delicacies.

What on earth am I talking about? I hear you ask. Well, today, Countess ChiChi and myself headed to the 2009 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival to eat the world one last time before it comes to a sad and untimely ending on November 8.  Today was indeed a magical culinary adventure which involved myself, my mouth and my stomach… Oh, and how could I forget, the wonderful Countess ChiChi.

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 2009

I’d reveal Countess ChiChi’s identity but I have been threatened by the Countess herself, that if, and I quote… “post that picture of me looking like a disheveled mess in that red Fez then it’s on like Donkey Kong. Not a threat that would hold up in a court of law, just saying ;)”.  As eager as you all are to have me reveal the Countess’ identity, I’d rather survive and continue blogging for you all. Apoligies go out to my thousands of adoring fans, I can undestand your disappointment with me right now.

Beef Empanada from Rio de Janeiro

First stop Argentina. Beaunos Aires to be precise. I ordered the Beef Empanada with Tomato Salsa. Under normal circumstances (ie. Back in Australia), I would never even consider sampling this sort of culinary treat, but having encountered the amazingness that is an Empanada at Bongo’s Cafe (Downtown Disney – Westside) previously, I knew that my tastebuds were in for a celebration. Tastebud party in my mouth, everyone’s invited! Mmmm delicious. At this moment, my stomach felt like it was at one of those coin-operated window strip shows; it was only just getting teased… I had yet to pay more for the deliciousness to continue.

Next up; Ni hao Zhong Guo… “Lynda, dude, what the hell, it’s like you’re speaking a completely different language!?!” It’s because I am, fool! Hello, China! Shanghai, if I recall correctly. Again, not extremely big on Chinese food and I’m not one to sample foods I am not familiar with, but when Countess ChiChi informed me that the Pork Pot Stickers at the Shanghai kiosk were similar to that of dim sims, I was all over those babies like a fat kid on cake.

Pork Pot Stickers from Shanghai, China

Considering I am pretty much one of the fussiest people ever to grace the planet Earth, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed my Pork Pot Sticker. I’d never consumed one before so I really had nothing to compare these too, but they were delicious none the less. Note: The chop sticks were strategically placed there by Countess ChiChi to enhance the quality of the image. I used my fingers to eat. So lady like, I know.

Grilled Lamb Chop, Red Wine Sauce & Murray River Sea Salt from Melbourne

Now, I know I’ve blogged about this bloody lamp chop at least two times before, but I can’t help but spread the word on how amazing it is, seriously, do yourself a favour and head to the Melbourne, Australia kiosk! Lamb is rare here in the USA, so to be able to visit EPCOT and easily purchase something I love so dearly and have come to appreciate so much more now that it’s so hard for me to find is a nice privilege. I’ve said it once and I will say it again, the Grilled Lamb Chop with Red Wine Sauce and Murrary River Sea Salt goes down a treat and is absolutely delectable. It gets the two thumbs up from me, mate!

By this point, my belly was starting to feel quite the bit full, but it remembered that deal we made prior to departing for EPCOT. It was going to be true to its word. Good belly. With this being said, off we went to England to sample some English cuisine. Walking towards England I couldn’t help but dart my eyes toward the “Traditional Fish & Chips” sign hanging by the English Pub. I had been craving Aussie style fish and chips for some time now, and knew the Brits did fish and chips pretty similar to how we do it Downunder, so the Countess and I stopped and shared a serving of Traditional Fish and Chips.

Traditional Fish & Chips in England

Now, the fish was no Aussie flake, but it was rather tasty, the best I’ve sampled so far in the USA. The chips, well, the chips were AMAZING. They were actual thick cut chips, none of this french fries crap. Hot, salty, thick cut chips. Can you please pass me a napkin so I can mop up my drool. Thank you. Scrumptious and rather filling. My belly was feeling quite content at this point in time. You’d think by now that I’d maybe be full, well, yes, I was semi-full, but was I about to stop eating? Hell no! The world is my oyster. Om nom nom nom.

We made a quick stop by Mexico to pick up a Churro, which, let me tell you, is like sex on a stick. Absolutely scrumptious in every way possible. Crispy, sugary and cinnamony on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside; heaven. From Italy I picked myself up a Primavera. I’ve blogged about this slushy drink before, but to refresh your memory, it is an ice mix of strawberry, banana and peach. It is so full of flavour and extremely refreshing in the Florida heat. I gulped that baby down like it was going out of fashion! Ahhh, brain freeze!

Chocolate dipped strawberries from Goofy's Candy Company

It was time to give my poor, helpless belly a deserving yet short break. The Countess and I had successfully eaten our way around the world at EPCOT so we decided to depart and hit up Downtown Disney. ChiChi had never been to Downtown Disney before so I was excited to show her around and let her indulge in my 40% merchandise discount which she was quick to accept and take advantage of. After a short stint of shopping, we treated our taste buds to chocolate dipped strawberries from Goofy’s Candy Company and a wonderfully pleasant dinner at Portobello Restaurant at Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island.

I’m retiring my tummy for the day, it deserves it.

Disney’s Cast Member Sneak Peak…

of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival was on yesterday, Thursday, September 24; one day before opening to the public for its six week run. Although all the seminars were not available, we had access to all the International food kiosks which consisted of: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Barcelona, Spain; Krakow, Poland; Shanghai, China;  New Delhi, India; Cape Town, South Africa; Bangkok, Thailand; Melbourne, Australia; Munich, Germany; Bologna, Italy; Vienna, Austria; New Orleans, U.S.A.; Tokyo, Japan; Marrakesh, Morocco; Paris, France; Cork, Ireland; Wellington, New Zealand; Montreal, Canada; Athens, Greece; Santiago, Chile and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Walt Disney's 2009 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

It was much to my delight that one of the feature International kiosks was from my home town of Melbourne, Australia ♥ A bunch of Aussie’s went down together and we were all super pumped for Lamp Chops and Lamingtons, but first, we had to represent, Aussie style!

Melbourne, Australia kiosk @ EPCOT

I took it upon myself to indecently touch the Melbourne sign. You totally know that sign loved every minute of me holding that pose… I know I did 😉 Enough touching, more eating! Off we went to place our orders…

I ordered a Grilled Lamb Chop With Red Wine Sauce and Murray River Sea Salt. The single chop alone set me back $5.50 US, but boy, was it worth it; it was bloody delicious! This country seems to lack lamb so I have missed it dearly so the $5.50 price tag was little in comparison to what wonders it would do for my taste buds! It was like there was a party in my mouth and everybody was invited; that’s how good it was! Next up was the Lamington. I had been looking so forward to this, but, in all honesty, it was a major FAIL. I guess those who sample it and aren’t from Australia aren’t going to know any better, but for us Aussie’s, it was nothing like the real thing. The Lamington slice cost $3 US… I would have much prefered picking up an entire packet of Lamingtons from Woolies for $2.50!

Lamp Chop & Lamington from the Melbourne, Australia kiosk

Another major FAIL was the fact that they had absolutely no Australian cast members working the Aussie kiosk! What the heck is that? Oh, and that one of the dudes behind the counter, an American bloke, said “Good day” to me… Ummm, mate, I’m pretty sure it’s G’day. Ugh. Get some Aussie’s behind there already! This was seriously a major disappointment for me as most of the other International kiosks seemed to have cast members representing their respectful countries, plus, it’s always fun having a chat to a random fellow Aussie!

Primavera from Bologna, Italy

So after I’d successfully ate Australia, I felt the need to frolic over and drink Italy (over at the Bologna, Italy kiosk). It took a whole three minutes to get there; crazy, I know! I coughed up the $3 US to purchase a Primavera ♥ This is a strawberry, banana and peach style slushi drink which, let me tell you, was absolutely bloody AMAZING! It was soooo full of flavour and its iciness was so refreshing and welcoming in the 90 degree heat. I downed this baby within minutes. Could this be the best $3 I’ve ever spent? Quite possibly…

We checked out all the other International kiosks and found many things that tickled our taste buds (Mental note: Must head back to Athens, Greece for Chicken Souvlaki and Baklava!), however, we had dinner plans so decided to save the other samplings for another day. After all, there is still six weeks left of the Food & Wine Festival and we can visit EPCOT for free when ever our heart desires! Ah, the joys of being a Disney Cast Member ♥

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