EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival kicked off on Aug. 29 and concludes on November 23, 2024, with over 20 food booths featuring different items across six continents. I only had one day to try everything and with over 100 items on these menus, it was entirely impossible. Here are 11 items I tried, ranked from worst to best, what I thought about them and whether or not I would get it again. Be sure to read to the end to see my pick of ‘Best of the Fest!’

No. 11: Pan de elote: 1/10

Traditional Mexican Cornbread topped with Chocolate Sauce and Queso Fresco (New) – $6.00

When the menus for the 2024 Food and Wine Festival came out, I was excited to try this but was extremely disappointed when I ate it. I was expecting it to be a sweet cornbread with a hot-fudge-like chocolate sauce, but this was not the case. The cornbread itself was dry and didn’t taste like anything and the chocolate sauce was extremely thin.

Would I get it again? No, but I might try my own version with sweet cornbread and a hot-fudge-like chocolate sauce.

No. 10: Pickle milkshake: 4/10

(Non-alcoholic) – $6.00

This is a returning item from the 2023 Food and Wine Festival, but I didn’t have the chance to try it last year. I LOVE pickles but have heard mixed reviews on this item, so I figured I would try it. When I took the first few sips, I didn’t think it was bad – I thought it was pretty good, but as I kept drinking it, I started to like it less. 10 sips of this drink would probably be my maximum.

Would I get it again? No.

No. 9: Belgian waffle: 5/10

With berry compote and whipped cream – $5.50

This is also a returning item from the 2023 Food and Wine Festival and I did have it last year. I will say I thought last year’s Belgian waffle with berries was better. I would prefer if the berries were fresher rather than a compote and thought there was as much whipped cream as there was the waffle, which is way too much for me.

Would I get it again? Maybe if they replace the compote with fresh fruit.

No. 8 IMPOSSIBLE Montreal style burger slider: 6/10

With cheddar cheese and tomato jam on a sesame seed bun (Plant-based) (New) – $6.00

I was so upset when I saw one of my favorite items was not returning – the IMPOSSIBLE Burger Slider with wasabi cream and spicy slaw on a sesame seed bun, so I decided to try the closest thing to it. It did not live up to the previous IMPOSSIBLE burger, but it was not a bad alternative. I could have gone without the tomato jam and replaced it with the previous wasabi cream. I also think there could have been an element of crunch.

Would I get it again? Probably not.

No. 7 Red wine-braised beef short rib: 7/10

With goat cheese polenta, puttanesca sauce, shaved pecorino and petit herbs (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.50

I thought this item was delicious, but I was not a fan of the polenta. The polenta with the puttanesca sauce added on top made it a very soupy dish, so I would have been better off with a spoon rather than a fork. The short rib itself was extremely tender and the herbs added a nice kick.

Would I get it again? If it was served on top of rice instead of polenta, definitely, but I would not get it again as it comes.

No. 6 Lemon poppy seed cake: 8/10

With lemon icing (New) – $4.50

As a lemon-lover, I was so excited to try this and was definitely one of the items on the top of my list. I thought the cake was a little dry, but the lemon flavor was there and there was a perfect amount of icing on top – not too overwhelming, but not too much.

Would I get it again? Yes. Maybe I just got a dry piece, but I enjoyed the overall flavor.

No. 5 Cheesesteak macaroni and cheese: 8/10

With Shaved Beef, Peppers, Onions and Bread Crumbs (New) – $6.50

As a fan of cheesesteak sandwiches and macaroni and cheese separately, I knew this item was going to be a good one when put together. The peppers and onions added great flavor to the dish, but thought there was too much salt used. The portion was a good size for what you were paying, although it did not taste fresh. It was a tad cold when I received it.

Would I get it again? Most likely.

No. 4 Frozen s’mores: 9/10

Chocolate Milk Shake with Marshmallow Syrup topped with Mini Marshmallows and a Graham Cracker (Non-alcoholic) – $4.75

The shake itself was more of a milky consistency rather than a shake consistency, which I wasn’t expecting to like, but I surprisingly did. The consistency made it easier to drink and I enjoyed the mini marshmallows with each sip. The only reason I’m taking a point off is because I feel like the drink should be bigger for the price you’re paying. I also wish there was at least one more graham cracker piece in it because there was only one, but other than that, it was delicious.

Would I get it again? Definitely.

No. 3 Fried pickle spears: 9/10

With Dill Ranch – $5.75

Pickles are probably one of my favorite foods, along with cheesecake and I love fried pickles so this was the first item of the festival I went to and tried. The crisp was perfect on the fried part of the pickles and my only critique would be to put the dill ranch on the side to dip rather than on top because the pickles on the bottom of the boat barely had any ranch. I would love the dill ranch with every bite.

Would I get it again? Absolutely. Maybe I can ask for the dill ranch on the side.

No.2 Blood orange agua fresca: 10/10

(Non-alcoholic) – $4.75

This is one of the most refreshing beverages I’ve ever tasted. If I could purchase this in a gallon-sized bottle, I would drink the whole thing in 0.2 seconds – it’s THAT delicious. The only reason I’m not making it my ‘Best of the Fest’ is because it’s a drink. So in a sense, I’m making it my ‘Best of the Fest: Drink Edition.’

Would I get it again? Yes, yes, yes and yes.

No. 1 Tostada de Camarones 10/10

Tempura-Battered Shrimp atop a Fried Corn Tortilla with Guacamole, Cabbage, Chipotle Aïoli, Diced Mango and Chile-Lime Powder (New) – $7.75

Although it was the messiest item I ate at the festival, it was definitely the most delicious. The spiced shrimp along with the chipotle aioli added the perfect kick and the mango balanced out the flavor with its sweetness. The cabbage added the crunch it needed and was actually a pretty good portion size for the price you’re paying.

Would I get it again? Yes, and I have to bring some back for my dad next time because I know this would also be his ‘Best of the Fest.’

Remy’s Hide-and-Squeak Scavenger Hunt

For just $9.99 plus tax, guests can travel through World Showcase and try to find the famous rat from “Ratatouille” in different spots throughout the countries. Remy is hiding 14 different food items from Mexico to Canada. For completing the scavenger hunt you can take your map back to several different merchandise locations and receive your completer-item of a character-themed bowl. Guests have the choice of Remy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, or Figment.

So if you’re taking a trip down to Orlando, Florida before Nov. 23, definitely visit EPCOT for the International Food & Wine Festival and try some of my favorite items!