Busch Gardens Williamsburg Food & Wine Preview

Well, this is something that I do over on my own site, but I figured that this year's Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens Williamsburg was deserving of one as well! Not only does this year's event feature a couple of new areas of the world to sample food from, but the folks at Busch Gardens have decided to make it last a couple of weekends longer too. This year's event starts May 23rd and runs every Friday-Sunday through June 29th. That's a win for everyone right there.

The event features some amazing food and drinks from around the world, but also things like the Art of Food, Wine on the Rhine cruises and other special events throughout the run that make it truly something that nearly everyone that enjoys food can have fun with. If you can't, then there's probably something wrong with you. There's even insider tours that take you behind the scenes to show off how it's all put together and even more intimate wine tasting sessions as well.

Now, last year we attended the first annual Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens and have to say that we were extremely surprised and loved everything that we got a chance to try over the course of a weekend. Check out our review from last year if you want some suggestions for this year too, but the fact that they've added even more for this year is really great to see and definitely hoping this one sticks around for a long time.

So, without further ado, here's the list of everything that's new and everything that's coming for 2014. First up? Let's see what the new areas have in store for everyone.


American Southwest

The first new area for this year is the American Southwest. While not something that you'd expect to find within a park that's mostly dedicated to foreign cultures, it's addition is definitely welcome as the region features an extreme wide and diverse culinary background. So, it's not as big of a stretch, though I could think of a few more areas that would be welcome for the event, so here's to hoping they add them in the future!

So, what's on the menu? Glad ya asked!

Food Options:

• Chicken Mole Adobo
  Southwestern marinated chicken with chili chocolate sauce
• Fish Taco
  Chili-spiced tilapia with red cabbage slaw & sweet pepper salsa
• Sonoran Spice Pork
  Chili-spiced, rubbed pork tenderloin with jicama-chayote slaw, sweet pepper, cilantro & lime salsa
• Chocolate Lava Cake
  Fudge brownie cake with molten Ancho-spiced chocolate filling

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Harpoon UFO Big Squeeze Shandy
  Shiner Bock®
  Sweet Josie Brown Ale
• Wine
  Bloom Riesling
  Rockbridge Pinot Noir 

 Next, we'll head to the other new region that's being featured this year, the Carribbean!

The Caribbean

Another region of the world that has seen countless infusions from other countries, the Caribbean is a mix of many flavors, tastes and cultures. One that definitely suits the summer and some really awesome food.

This one, I personally approve of as there are so many great dishes that can be found in the islands and from the looks of the menu that's been put together? They haven't forgotten that fact either!

Food Options:

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken
  Jerk-marinated chicken drumsticks with guava barbecue & grilled pineapple salsa
• Gamba Fritters
  Caribbean fried shrimp dumpling with pickapeppa dip
• Heart of Palm Salad
  Palm hearts with black beans, shrimp & citrus cilantro vinaigrette
• Tres Leche con Mermelada de Piña
  Sweet cream cake with pineapple marmalade

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Red Stripe®
• Cocktails
  Frozen Bushwacker
  Frozen Caribbean Sunset 

Now for the returning favorites, of which there are definitely many to be had. First up though, one that I notice has had a big change from the offerings that were there last year. 

Coffee & Crepes (France)

Last year, the Coffee & Crepes stand (located in France) offered a much more desert/brunch kind of menu. It was very sweet, but also extremely delicious.

I'm not entirely sure why they've changed the formula for this year, but it's definitely an intriguing set of items that they've come up. While many of them don't sound as appealing as last year's, only time will tell on just how well they're received.

Food Options:

• Asperges et Fromage de Chèvre Crêpe
  Asparagus & goat cheese crêpe with balsamic glaze
• Brie et Marmelade d’Orange Crêpe
  Brie cheese & orange marmalade crêpe with whipped cream
• Champignons et épinards Crêpe
  Roasted mushroom & spinach crêpe with feta cheese & balsamic glaze
• Chocolat de Noisette et de Banane Crêpe
  Crêpe stuffed with hazelnut-chocolate spread & bananas
• Poulet Cordon Bleu Crêpe
  Braised chicken & ham crêpe with Swiss cheese & dijonnaise sauce

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Kronenbourg 1664®
  Stella Artois®
• Wine
  Casteggio Moscato
  Georges duBoeuf Beaujolais-Villages
  Louis Bernard Côtes de Rhône
• Cocktails
  Frangelico® 

 Belgium

Next up on the list, Belgium. Known by beer afficiandos the world over for having some of the very best, it's no wonder that's the main feature for this area once again.

While it is home to some very heavy beers, you may want to keep the temperatures in mind when you visit. Heavy beer+hot don't always mix well and could leave you sidelined for a while to get back to normal!

However, there's a couple desert items here that sound awesome too!

Food Options:

• Belgian Beer Pairing Sampler
  Belgian-style chocolate with orange essence, coriander toasted hazelnuts & Edam Cheese
• Huis van Lum Chocolate Wafel
  House of Lum’s rich, chocolate walnut brownie waffle with berry compote
• Wafel met Waterzooi
  Belgian yeast waffles, topped with chicken stew

Drink Options:

• Beer Flight:
  Leffe® Blonde
  Hoegaarden®
  Stella Artois®
  Wittekerke  

Canada

Canada, one might not think of great culinary wonders, but the offerings here are really great. That doesn't even get into the fact that the Perry (pear cider) that they have goes great with the venison sausage.

Either way, I'm glad to see this one coming back and it just won't be the same if it wasn't located right outside of Trappers! It's also great to see that some new additions have been made to this location as well.

Food Options:

• Cheddar & Lager Chowder
  Sharp cheddar & Canadian lager chowder with smoked paprika oil
• Macaroni & Cheese with Peameal Bacon
  Creamy mac & cheese with cornmeal-crusted Canadian bacon
• Venison Sausage & Corn Porridge
  Wood-fired venison sausage & creamy polenta with apple cider & caramelized onions
• Pumpkin Caramel Mousse
  Crème brûlée-style custard, flavored with pumpkin & caramel

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Buckshot Amber Ale
  Moosehead®
  Wyder’s® Dry Pear Cider
• Wine
  Château Lagrange Red Bordeaux
  Ice Wine
  Louis Laurent Vouvray 

France

Considered by many as one of the greatest food countries in the world, this area is no exception. While I'm not personally a huge fan of French food, a few of these sound pretty good actually.

Last year we only tried one of their frozen champagne cocktails here, but maybe one of us will get a little more adventurous this time around. Either way, this spot located right next to the Griffon gift shop, is definitely a popular one with folks!

Food Options:

• Coq au Vin
  Red wine-braised chicken stew with rosemary roasted potatoes
• Moules à la Crème et à l’estragon
  Mussels, simmered in tarragon cream with a toasted baguette
• Steak au Poivre
  Peppercorn-crusted beef sirloin with brandy cream sauce
• Tomates Farcies à la Ratatouille
  Tomato stuffed with roasted vegetables & topped with parmesan bread crumbs with extra virgin olive oil
• Tartelette au Citron
  Lemon tartlet

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Kronenbourg
• Wine
  Georges duBoeuf Beaujolais-Villages
  Louis Bernard Côtes de Rhône
• Cocktails
  Sparkling Raspberry 

Germany

Germany is home to not one, but two different locations. One of them featuring some awesome food and deserts, the other the beer. I mean come one, you can't think Germany and not think beer, right?

This was easily one of our favorite stops last year and by the looks of it, it probably will be up there again this year. Offering both comfort foods and a couple of lessor known things, it's got something for everyone!

Food Options:

• Currywurst
  Knockwurst with curry-spiced tomato ketchup & roasted potatoes
• Schinken Nudel
  German-style noodle bake with cured ham & cheese
• Schnitzelwich
  Pork schnitzel slider with sliced lemon & caper sauce
• Linzer Torte
  Traditional Austrian pastry of spiced cookie crust with ground nuts, lemon zest & raspberry filling

Drink Options:

• Beer
  König Pilsener
  Paulaner
• Wine
  Affentaler Pinot Noir Spátburgunder Rosé
  White Hall Gewürztraminer 

But, as mentioned, that's not all! There's a whole other kiosk that's just for the beer, so on with the hops and barley!

Even more Drink Options!:

• Beer Flight Option 1
  Beck’s
  Bitburger
  Köstritzer
  Spaten Optimator
•  Beer Flight Option 2
  Finch’s Beer Company's Secret Stache Stout
  Heritage Brewing Company's Kings Mountain
  Devils Backbone Brewing Company's Schwartz Bier
  Wild Wolf Brewing Company's Blonde Hunny

Greece

Now for Greece! Tons of good stuff here and located right across from Escape from Pompeii, it helps to break the area up a little and make sure that you don't have to go too far between kiosks too.

Definitely have to recommend the baklava and kabobs here, they were both awesome last year and I'm sure that hasn't changed for this year at all either. If you're feeling frisky, wash it down with some Ouzo too!

Food Options:

• Greek Dip Trio- Served with pita chips
  Roasted garlic hummus
  Pasta elias- kalamata olive puree
  Tirokafteri- feta dip
• Halloumi
  Griddled Greek cheese with clover honey & crushed pistachios
• Souvlaki Tzatziki
  Marinated roasted pork & sweet pepper skewer with cucumber, dill & yogurt sauce
• Salata
  Traditional Greek salad with lemon oregano vinaigrette & crispy pita chip
• Baklava
  Sweet pastry with nuts & honey between thin crispy filo pastry layers

Drink Options:

• Wine
  Elios Mediterranean Red
  Elios Mediterranean White
• Cocktails
  Ouzo

Ireland

Ah, Ireland...okay, so it's not really known for it's great culinary history or anything like that, but it does have some awesome beer and some pretty darn good cheeses at that.

That said, it's not surprising that this is one of the lighter food option areas within the park during the event. I mean, what exactly are you going to serve? Well, thankfully the chefs at Busch Gardens have managed to come up with a few things that aren't just Guinness!

Food Options:

• Bangers with Colcannon
  Irish sausage with potato cabbage casserole & Guinness® brown sugar gravy
• Irish Cheese Sampling vegetarian_logo
  Sage Derby, Blarney Castle Cheese, & Dubliner Cheese with apple-raisin chutney & cream crackers

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Guinness®
  Magner’s
  Smithwick’s™ 

Italy

Not only is Italy awesome for the Lemoncello that they import, but it's not like the Italians are known for bad food or anything either. Staying true to things, this was another of our favorites last year and it has nothing to do with Alex being Italian herself!

Either way, it looks like this year's line up for this kiosk is just as good as last year's and should be popular once again. Definitely give the Lemoncello a spin and the cannoli's are awesome as well!


Food Options:

• Caprese Salad
  Fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes & spring mix, tossed with Italian vinaigrette
• Italian Cheese Sampling
  Asiago, fontina, gorganzola, & caprino fresco
• Italian Bites
  Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, tomato basil bruschetta, goat cheese-stuffed dried plum
• Tiramisu
  Italian parfait with sweetened mascarpone cheese, layered with espresso-soaked lady fingers
• Cannoli
  Crispy pastry shell, filled with sweetened ricotta cheese & chocolate chips
• Panna Cotta
  Vanilla cream pudding, served with strawberries

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Peroni Nastro Azzurro®
• Wine
  Enza Prosecco
  Octave Vinho Verde
• Cocktails
  Limoncello

Scandanavia

This one was definitely odd to see even last year, but while the Krumkake was awesome and the Dirty Shirley is a really great drink, not too much on the list that we really wanted to try. That said, it was pretty popular when we passed by it in Ireland.

Not much has changed with this one from last year either, but it's hard to mess about with what people enjoy and glad to see they haven't strayed too far.

Food Options:

• Gravad Lax Rarakor
  Cured salmon on a potato pancake with sweet mustard & dill sauce
• Kӧttbullar
  Swedish meatballs braised in cream sauce with Lingonberry jam
• Smørrebrød
  Open-faced roast beef sandwich on dark rye bread with horseradish & pickled red onions
• Krumkake
  Norwegian waffle cone cookie, served with hazelnut cream & tart berry pudding

Drink Options:

• Wine
  Ingleside Cabernet Merlot
  Ingleside Chardonnay
• Cocktails
  Frozen Dirty Shirley

Scotland

Say what you will about Ginger Beer, but it's seriously awesome stuff on a hot day. That and Scotch Eggs. You really can't go wrong with the combo at all here in Scotland and while there's no haggis to be found, at least there's some old favorites here.

Last year I missed out on the Scotch Egg, and the Ginger Beer sold out insanely fast too, so if you want to get 'em, go early! You won't be disappointed!

Food Options:

• Neeps & Tatties
  Roasted turnip & potato casserole, topped with cheddar cheese
• Scottish Egg
  Breaded, sausage-wrapped hard-boiled egg with sweet & spicy mustard sauce
• Shepherd’s Pie
  Lamb, stewed with Port wine & rosemary, topped with a mashed potato crust
• Scottish Toffee
  Fudge-like toffee with almonds & chocolate

Drink Options:

• Beer
  Angry Scotsman
  Crabbie’s® Ginger Beer 

Spain

Last, but definitely not least we come to Spain. We didn't try a whole lot from this one due to time and all last time around, but we heard from a few folks that it was quite good.

Either way, this year they've jazzed things up a little bit and have a few new things. So while the Sangria is awesome as it is, there's definitely something here for everyone as well. Though, I'm still not sure why hazlenut is so popular these days!

Food Options:

• Chorizo Empanada
  Spicy pork sausage pastry pocket with cilantro lime cream
• Gazpacho con Ceviche
  Chilled tomato cucumber soup with citrus marinated shrimp, scallop, ham & cucumber salad
• Tapas (Small Bites Sampling)
  Paprika-roasted Marcona almonds
  Marinated olive medley
  Manchego cheese with Membrillo – quince paste
• Venera con Jamón
  Scallop, wrapped in cured ham with saffron rice & romesco sauce
• Hazelnut Custard
  Spanish flan custard with ground hazelnuts

Drink Options:

• Cocktails
  Pancho Sangria

And there ya have it. Congrats if you've made it this far and if you're going to the park this weekend for the opening the Food & Wine Festival, definitely have a good time and try as much as you can! There's usually something for everyone at every kiosk and we hope to bring our coverage of the event to everyone in a couple of weeks when we visit the park!