Local Resorts to Celebrate Third Annual Epicurean Event as Complement to

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

ORLANDO, Fla. – Culinary fans, wine enthusiasts and foodies will find a delicious “home base” at Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek as both hotels become host to the third annual Orlando Food & Wine Weekends, Sept. 27 – Nov. 9, 2013.   

As a complement to the wildly popular Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival held at the nearby Disney theme park, the resort and hotel will feature special programming and events for seven consecutive weekends.

“For the past 17 years, Disney has done an amazing job of building their Food & Wine Festival at Epcot,” said Peter Kacheris, managing director of the Bonnet Creek complex.  “As the festival has grown, so has the public’s appetite for additional culinary-focused experiences.  We’ve created our Orlando Food & Wine Weekends to highlight our own world-class culinary team while we celebrate the Epcot festival.”
 

Orlando Food & Wine Weekends events will be held at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, and at its sister resort, Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, which are conveniently located less than one mile from Epcot, and accessible inside the gates of Walt Disney World® Resort.

Event highlights include:

·        A Taste of Waldorf Astoria®: Exclusive tasting menus and wine pairings from the master chefs of many of the most renowned hotels in the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand.  Guests will enjoy a degustation menu comprised of some of the most celebrated dishes from Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world, paired with exquisite wines.  Offered Friday and Saturday evenings, 6pm – 11pm, Bull & Bear.

·        Il Cibo Della Vita: From the kitchen of La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, each weekend from Sept. 27 – Nov. 9, a new tasting menu and wine pairing will be unveiled, featuring chef Scala’s newest recipes – many being presented for the first time.  This series of culinary experiences is certain to be the talk of the town!  Friday & Saturday evenings, 5pm – 11pm, La Luce by Donna Scala.

·        28° North – An Alfresco Dining Experience with “Latitude”: 28º north is a circle of latitude that crosses Africa, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America and the Atlantic Ocean.  Through this connection, guests attending the resort’s Food & Wine Weekends will have the pleasure of sharing the sunset with Egypt, Algeria, India and China.  To celebrate this phenomenon, Waldorf Astoria Orlando brings together unique Asian flavors, opening a window to ancient culinary traditions enhanced with a modern flair.  The experience is enhanced with live entertainment.  Saturday evenings, 7:30pm – 9:30pm, poolside at Aquamarine at Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

·        Pea Ringu – The Art of Sushi Pairing

The culinary team of Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge will prepare this exciting epicurean journey exploring perfect pairings of sushi with beer, wine and sake.  Each weekend will feature a different beverage pairing.  Friday and Saturday evenings, Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

·        Bar du Chocolat and champagne tasting: Decadent, yes.  Sinful, perhaps.  Most certainly an experience for those with a sweet tooth.  Peacock Alley will be transformed into a chocolate-lovers’ dream, offering a cocoa-infused evening of self-indulgence paired with a selection of fine champagnes.  Guests can choose from a signature selection of chocolate treats from the Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s world-class pastry team using recipes from the most romantic points of the globe.  Friday and Saturday evenings, 6pm – 10pm, Peacock Alley at Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

·        Live Entertainment: Held nightly at Peacock Alley.

·        Royal Tea, A New Waldorf Astoria Orlando Tradition: Guests will treasure time together as they savor finely-prepared tea sandwiches and house-made pastries while sipping premium hot tea and listening to live piano music.  Sundays, 3pm – 5pm, Peacock Alley at Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

·        Astoria After Dark: Adults are not the only ones to have fun.  The WA Kids Club is offering a nightly children’s program including dinner and a non-stop roster of fun activities – providing parents some “adult time” in which to experience Orlando Food & Wine Weekends activities.  Fridays and Saturdays, 6pm – 10pm.

For a truly unforgettable weekend experience, both hotels are offering packages that include a $50 resort/dining credit.  The popular Best of Waldorf Astoria offer includes luxury accommodations, a $50 daily dining/resort credit and complimentary scheduled transportation to Epcot® (and other Disney theme parks).  Rates begin from $269 per night.  For more information or reservations, please visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/food-wine , or call +1 888-353-2009, and reference promotion code PBBWW1.
 

At Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, the Bonnet Creek Fall Retreat package includes deluxe accommodations, a $50 daily dining/resort credit and complimentary scheduled transportation to Disney theme parks.  Rates begin from $199 per night.  For more information or reservations, please visit www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com/food-wine, or call +1 888-353-2013, and reference promotion code BCFT.

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About Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Waldorf Astoria Orlando has put the destination on the map for luxury travelers. Nestled in a nature preserve and conveniently located near Walt Disney World®, the resort is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of neighboring theme parks. Cara Goldsbury, author of Luxury Guide to Disney World, calls it “stunningly impressive.” “Swank and sophisticated, Waldorf Astoria has redefined local luxury in Orlando,” she said. The hotel is part of a unique resort complex that also features the top-rated Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, the award-winning Waldorf Astoria® Spa and Waldorf Astoria® Golf Club, the championship golf course artfully designed by Rees Jones and named one of the most “playable” courses in the crowded Florida market by two national golf magazines.

About Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek offers the best of both worlds: a convenient “insider” location surrounded by Walt Disney World® Resort and the peaceful serenity of the surrounding 482-acre nature preserve. Resort amenities include elegantly appointed rooms and suites with family-friendly amenities, a three-acre lazy-river pool, a Rees Jones-designed championship golf course, a luxe spa, full fitness center, and nearly a dozen dining and lounge options, including the award-winning La Luce by Donna Scala.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 4,000 hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.