VIP Champagne Dessert Party and Grand Tasting Event Now Part of the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

While the International Food & Wine Festival over at Epcot seems to be slipping deeper and deeper into "Bar Food and Swaggy IPA" territory... the folks over at the Swan and Dolphin have (at least in their marketing copy) planned up something a little more foodie focused.

The "later than usual" Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is taking place on November 11th and 12th this year, and for the first time since the great pandemic, they've brought back their "Seminar Series" of events (that take place on the same day as the Classic… just a little bit earlier in the day).

Adding to that list of events are a couple of new additions for 2022 ... a Grand Tasting experience and a VIP Champagne & Dessert Party — both, on Saturday, November 12th, 2022.

Now, I tend to think of myself as being in good shape and fairly rational — but I'm not sure you're meant to do all of these things on the same day. Still though, it is timed out so you could do "The Grand Tasting", learn about Wine Blending at a Seminar, hit the Causeway for a full Food and Wine Classic, and then go to the VIP Champagne & Dessert Party… all on Saturday, November 12th. It'll set you back $785 per person, plus tax, plus service fees — and you'll probably be a hot, inebriated, mess by the end of the night — but still.

I'm getting ahead of myself though. Here's what they've published about The Grand Tasting event…

The Grand Tasting

The Grand Tasting is a Master Sommelier led experience including a Champagne reception, 3 flights of elite wines, and Chef’s Table menu pairings from our Executive Chef Dan Herman. (Personally, I was hoping for a little more descriptive copy, but I digress.)

• Saturday, November 12th, 2022
• 2:00PM – 2:45PM Welcome Reception & Registration
• 2:45PM – 5:00PM The Grand Tasting

The cost is $395 per person…. but with the "service fee" it's actually $415.74 per person… and then add in tax it's actually $441.42 per person. If you're not staying at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, you'll also have to figure in $30 (or more) for general parking… (there's no free parking at the Swan and Dolphin).

The Master Sommelier for the event is John Blazon (who's currently the VP of Sales for the Spire Collection) and the Executive Chef is Dan Herman.

Next up the VIP Champagne & Dessert Party, also taking place on November 12th, 2022…

VIP Champagne & Dessert Party

Join us at our NEW resort, The Swan Reserve, for a VIP Champagne & Dessert Party pairing reception. Our Executive Pastry Chef has teamed up with our Certified Sommeliers to pair some incredible Champagnes & sparkling wines with our award winning desserts. Keep the night going from The Vue, our 15th floor ballroom with spectacular views, during this VIP after-party experience. (Again, hoping for a little more here, like a dessert menu, at some point. I'll update this page if I get anything more.)

• Saturday, November 12th, 2022
• 8:30PM – 10:00PM

The cost for the VIP Champagne & Dessert Party is $150 per person… $158.49 with the service fee… and add in the tax it's actually $168.24 per person.

Are they worth it? Well, if you're asking yourself that question, then the answer is probably no. These are high dollar mix and mingles that only a select few people will go to.

The good news is… there are enough guests in the Central Florida area on any given weekend to plausibly make this happen. A diverse economy is a good economy… and all that. Salud!!!

Here's a direct link the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic's Event page for the
VIP Champagne & Dessert Party and The Grand Tasting. On that page, you'll also find links to buy tickets directly from "Brown Paper Tickets" — the Swan and Dolphin's ticket and reservation partner.