By Magic Maker® Laura Thatcher

This year is the 20th anniversary of Epcot’s® International Flower and Garden Festival . In addition to the banners of blooms that guests have come to expect, the festival has expanded to offer limited time menus at kiosks around World Showcase.

There are 12 different booths offering special food and beverage selections. Guests will find everything from the exotic (FRUSHI – fruit sushi wrapped in coconut ‘rice’) to the All American (Smoked Beef Brisket with Collard Greens). A sampling of this year’s food includes:

Tarte a la ratatouille et fromage de chevre – A new take on an old-favorite, ratatouille and cheese is served on top of pastry dough.

Pulled Pig  Slider with Cole Slaw –  This all-American sandwich is served on a large roll and topped with crisp cole slaw and can be customized with either sweet or spicy BBQ sauce.

Tostada de Jaiba – Crab Tostada served with Chipotle Mayo and Valentina Sauce. A crispy tostada topped with chilled crab salad.

Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro – Three large, fresh Florida shrimp are served atop warm grits and bite sized pieces of sausage.

Dole Whip with Siesta Key Spiced Rum – A twist on the classic Disney snack, a Dole Whip served with a generous pour of rum for a tropical treat for the grownups.

There are numerous other choices for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in each country. The festival also features a Fruits by the Glass stand with choices like Blueberry Wine, Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktails and non-alcoholic Wild Berry Slush.

[SlideDeck2 id=9695]

Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival Passports are free and are a fun way to track the countries that you visit. Visit Festival Center between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to obtain your passport before crossing the bridge into World Showcase to start your culinary tour. After purchasing an item at the country’s kiosk, ask for a stamp in your passport. Each stand has a unique design and the passport will make a special souvenir to take home!

For another look at these delectable ‘tastes of Spring’ then our post, Tastes of Spring at Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival, is a must read.

The festival runs through May 19th.  Bring your appetite and your sense of adventure and try something new at the Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival!