The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic brings bites, beverages, and plenty of culinary fun to Walt Disney World. Here’s what you need to know before you visit.

Every November, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s picturesque causeway transforms into a culinary haven for foodies and wine enthusiasts alike. The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is an eagerly awaited event that brings together an impressive array of world-class chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists, offering guests a tantalizing taste of global flavors. 

Along with its signature food and drink offerings, the event is an ever-evolving, always-expanding experience that includes featured entertainment, new and returning savory dishes, jaw-dropping new dessert innovations, and an extensive selection of over 170 beverages available throughout the event!

Pair Your Favorite Bites with Wines, Beers, and More!

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic has been delighting guests for 15 years, and each year it offers up something new for guests to indulge in. Guests can expect to find all-you-care-to-enjoy, gourmet bites from more than 25 food stations stationed throughout the causeway. These stations feature dishes that encompass a variety of cuisines, all curated by the talented chefs and pastry chefs that work in The Swan and Dolphins’s award-winning kitchens, year-round.

A sample of the bites available at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic. Photo by Maria Salerno

Chef Dan, the Executive Chef at The Swan and Dolphin, let us in on some of the behind-the-scenes trial and error that goes into the creation of the new dishes that are presented each year at the Classic. “Every dish starts with an idea. And before we let anyone try it, we try it. So, many of these dishes, you are looking at fourth, fifth, and sixth incarnations. It’s a lengthy process at times, but sometimes it comes together pretty easily.” 

Unlimited Wine, Beer, and Cocktail Tastings

In addition to the new and returning food dishes, another standout of this event is its impressive collection of wine offerings. With over 170 different wines, craft beers, and cocktails available for sampling, the Food and Wine Classic continues to add more beverage tasting options to their menu each year. 

These wines, beers, and cocktails have been carefully selected to complement the wide range of foods on offer. Guests will receive a ‘Food and Wine Classic’-branded wine glass at the start of the event, which they will take from booth to booth to be refilled with the wine selections of their choosing as the night progresses.

Attendees are encouraged to pair their food offerings with wines of their choice as they meander along the causeway. Knowledgeable wine enthusiasts are on hand at each booth to guide guests through the selections and provide insight into the nuances of each tasting, and are always eager to recommend something that might become your new favorite!

All-New Desserts

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is also known for showcasing an ever-evolving menu of desserts, and this year’s event promises to include more dessert options than ever before! Pastry chefs from the resort’s celebrated kitchens have created confections that pack the maximum amount of flavor into beautiful, bite-sized packages.

One of the sweet treats available at the Food and Wine Classic. Photo by Maria Salerno

Among the new offerings are a flamed-to-order Caramel Banana Creme Brulee, a miniature Mandarin Cream Beignet, and a chocolate lovers’ paradise: Nougat Rum Dark Chocolate Mousse. Guests with a discernible sweet tooth will be wow’d by the attention to flavor and creativity behind each decadent bite.

A Selection of Seminars

While the food and beverages are the main attractions, the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic also offers a fantastic array of seminars.

The Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic features interactive experiences such as the Beer Here!, Salud! A Journey Through Spain, and the fan-favorite Craft Cocktails seminar. Whether you’re interested in learning how to pair wine with food or want to learn how to make classic cocktails at home, these sessions provide a unique way to engage with the craft of beer pairing, cocktail-making, and most importantly, how to enjoy them!

Tickets for these seminars are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are very popular! Like the food and beverage offerings at the Classic, the seminar offerings change from year-to-year, so if you’ve attended in the past and are looking for something new, a seminar is the perfect way to add variety to your night. If you’re hoping to purchase tickets to a seminar during The Food and Wine Classic, act early as they fill up quickly! 

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Is a Can’t-Miss Event for Foodies

If great food, fine wine, and unforgettable entertainment experiences sound like the makings of the perfect evening, The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is the marquee food and beverage experience for you. With its diverse culinary offerings, over 170 beverage selections, new and creative desserts, and top-notch entertainment, it’s an event that truly has it all.

Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier and foodie, or are looking to taste some of the Swan and Dolphin’s most highly-curated and incredibly unique bites, the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic promises something for everyone.