Epcot Festival of the Arts arrives with fabulous food, Broadway stars, interactive art

No one melds art and food quite like the creative wizards at Disney. 

And few events showcase all that is beautiful, harmonic and delicious better than the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The third annual festival runs Jan. 18 through Feb. 25, featuring Broadway performers, world-class artists and, of course, food that's so gorgeous, you won't want to bite in. But do. Flavor is art, too.

"There's something for everybody," Dave Kesting, general manager for festivals and food and beverage at Epcot, said during a recent festival preview.

"Some people will come for the food,” he said. “Some people will come to meet their favorite artist. Or they may have a son or daughter that's doing the Broadway show themselves at their local school and it's an inspiration for them as well."

The festival features 13 food studios, more than 50 visiting artists as well as Disney artists and performers ranging from acrobats to musical and variety acts.

Food festivals a delight for locals, tourists alike

The festival always includes performances by Disney's favorite Broadway stars. This year, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series expands to seven nights a week, with shows at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m.

"They can see for the whole Broadway series come right to their doorstep,” Kesting said.

Scheduled to appear are:

♦ Kerry Butler of "Beauty and the Beast" and Kevin Massey of "Tarzan"

♦ Meredith Inglesby of "The Little Mermaid" and Steve Blanchard of "Beauty and the Beast"

♦ Arielle Jacobs and Adam Jacobs of "Aladdin"

♦ Heidi Blickenstaff of "Freaky Friday" and Gavin Lee of "Mary Poppins"

♦ Ashley Brown of "Mary Poppins" and Josh Strickland of "Tarzan"

♦ Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White of "The Lion King"

Hungry festival-goers should look for deviled eggs with candied bacon served with chilled shrimp and a crispy truffled risotto ball at the Painter's Palate; or Epcot's take on a toaster pastry, Pop’t Art, a sugar cookie with strawberry filling at Pop Eats!

For more daring taste buds, there's a lovely stack of smoked salmon and cream gateau with egg yolk cream and paddlefish caviar at the Painter's Palate and a lemon-blood orange tart at Decadent Delights.

"We have a Beef Wellington that will be new in our Artist's Table this year," said Wade Camerer, chef for festival operations. "It's a wonderful piece of beef tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto ... baked into a puff pastry, finished with a Bordelaise sauce, a little bit of fennel cream and a beef gel."

When it comes to dessert, one of Camerer’s favorites is the vanilla, rosewater and pistachio panna cotta, a gorgeous, delicate treat being served at the Masterpiece Marketplace. 

"It's got a very light, floral flavor to it, and the nuts kind of ground it all together into more of a savory experience in the end," he said.

While tasting and listening are wonderful, it is the interaction that makes this festival come to life. 

Wenbo Zhang, a sugar artist, will wow onlookers once again with his intricate sugar painting as he dribbles caramelized sweetness into lacy, edible patterns. 

Artists like Trevor Carlton, who created a happy painting of festival mascot Figment during the preview, will make art live throughout Epcot's World Showcase during the event. Guests can watch and ask questions. 

Artists will teach workshops on how to draw favorite Disney characters. As in past years, guests can step "inside" famous artworks to take keepsake photos. 

The International Festival of the Arts is one of the big, annual festivals at Epcot.

"We have about 242 days when we're in festival mode," Kesting said.

The International Flower & Garden Festival runs March 6-June 3. The most popular event, the International Food & Wine Festival starts in late summer and runs through fall. Then comes the International Festival of the Holidays in winter.

"People really love the festivals," Kesting said.

When it comes to food, what do we want in 2019?

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

When: Jan. 18-Feb. 25

Where: Epcot World Showcase

Admission: Festival admission is included in park tickets, which begin at $109. There is an additional fee for some workshops and special events

Info: disneyworld.disney.go.com

Celebrating Mickey and Minnie

All the fun isn't at Epcot. Mickey Mouse, who turns 90 this year, showed up at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts preview event wearing his celebration suit.

"Starting Jan. 18, we have the Mickey and Minnie Surprise Celebration in Magic Kingdom," said Marilyn West, a Walt Disney World ambassador, noting that customers will be able to meet Mickey and Minnie together at Town Square Theater.

The celebration of all things Mickey and Minnie runs through Sept. 30. Features include the Move It! Shake It! MouskeDance It! Street Party, which invites guests to dance with their favorite Disney character.

Disney also will be rolling out food and merchandise featuring the mouse couple.

Email Leonard at sleonard@floridatoday.com

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