Along with Howl-O-Scream, the Food & Wine Festival is one event I never miss at Busch Gardens. It’s a great way to try new food and beverage items not typically found at the park. I discovered a new favorite and went back to some of my stand-bys.
Mexico, Jamaica and the Philipines were new this year. There were also several new beverage bars … sangria, craft beer and herbal infusions. Returning kiosks included several of my favorites: Brazil, Cuba and the French Quarter, among others.
I’m just going to go over the new kiosks and a couple of my all-time favorites. For more on the other Food and Wine countries from past years, click right here.
My favorite …
Philippines Kiosk at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2019
The siopao is a steamed pork bun with sweet soy glaze. I had never had this before and loved it.
Philippines Menu Items
- Chicken Adobo – Chicken braised in a soy and vinegar marinade with sinangag garlic rice
- Siopao – Steamed pork bun with sweet soy glaze
- Mamon – Butter sponge cake topped with shredded cheese and raspberry sauce
Jamaica Kiosk at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2019
Jamaica’s pineapple rum upside-down cake did not last very long in our hands. It had a sweet and citrus flavor to it. And a definite rum aftertaste.
Jamaica Menu Items
- Jerk Chicken Slider – Pulled jerk chicken on a sweet bun with mango salsa and cilantro lime slaw
- Gamba Fritters – Fried shrimp dumpling with Pickapeppa dip
- Pineapple Rum Upside-Down Cake – Sweet pineapple rum sauce
Brazil Kiosk at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2019
The tried the abacaxi (grilled pineapple) at last year’s event and just had to have it again. Grilled pineapple is one of my favorites and I don’t make it often enough. Thanks, Busch Gardens for this treat. It has a coconut caramel sauce and just the right amount of smoky grilled flavor.
Hawaii Kiosk at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2019
Hawaii is another one of our favorites. From left, this is the tuna poke, hibiscus lemonade and Hawaiian mac and cheese.
Hawaii Menu Items
- Hawaiian Mac and Cheese – Ham and pinapple mac and cheese with macadamia nut crust
- Huli Huli Chicken – Sweet pineapple and soy BBQ chicken with orange and purple sweet potato salad
- Tuna Poke – Soy and sesame sushi tuna in a wonton flower with wasabi aioli and wakame seaweed salad
- Pineapple Coconut Mousse – Sweet pineapple and toasted coconut mousse
- Blue Hawaiian Frozen Cocktail
- Hibiscus Lemonade
French Quarter Kiosk at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2019
I’m in love the beignets. Who isn’t? This is the shrimp etouffee and beignets. Both were really good. The etouffee was creamy with just a bit of spice. I could have eaten beignets all day. Be sure to grab a bunch of napkins.
Japan Kiosk at Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2019
I’m not a big fan of matcha, but the teen loves it, so we had to try the matcha ice cream at the Japan kiosk. It’s made with green tea ice cream with a sweet soy glaze and a sesame cookie on the side.
By this time, we were too stuffed to make it to the Mexico kiosk. Oh well. There’s always next year.
One of my favorite aspects of the Food & Wine Festival is the elaborate decorations and themed kiosk displays. Here are a few scenes for your viewing pleasure …
Tip #1: I highly recommend purchasing a Food & Beverage Sampler Card. You can mix and match 10 entrees, beverages (including 8oz beer, 3oz wine and 10oz non-alcoholic specialty drinks) or desserts. Shots, cocktails and frozen beverages are not included. All you have to is hand the card to the cashier, eliminating the need to constantly dig around in your bag, wallet or backpack.
Tip #2: Have fun!
Want to know more about Busch Gardens 2019 Food & Wine Festival? Click right here.
For more information on Busch Gardens’ events, including my other favorite Howl-O-Scream, please visit Buschgardens.com.
Disclosure: I received complimentary admission to the park as part of the park’s Ambassador Blogger Program. All opinions are strictly my own.
