If you're hungry for some fun then you're in luck, because this week the cast of ABC's "THE CHEW" returns to Walt Disney World with episodes from inside the 22nd Annual Food and Wine Festival.
Starting today through October 13th you’ll be able watch all the fun and the food from a true foodie paradise. For a whole solid week the cast and crew took over the Walt Disney World resort, taping segments around the parks and setting up their main stage right in the heart of Epcot.
It was a rainy day when I attended the taping of The Chew but you'd never know it with all the high energy from the cast and crew.
Last week I was invited to participate in the audience for the show airing on Wednesday, October 10. If you watched my live stories on Instagram, you knew it was a raining, but the weather didn't put a damper on any of the fun. The experience was great and it brought a new layer of energy and excitement around the park. With my background, this is nothing new - I've been in the TV/Film industry for 16 years, but for the regular day guest visiting the Walt Disney World resort AND being able to be a part of a TV audience - this could absolutely become the memory of a lifetime. It's not everyday you get to join the stage with Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, and Michael Symon.
It's a powerful experience and the audience had an absolute blast. The cast was phenomenal with their chemistry and connected with us every chance they had. There was impromptu dancing with audience members, dozens of selfies initiated by Mario and countless hugs and handshakes from the entire cast. They made you feel as if you were family. You can tell why this is an Emmy winning show, and that the stars of the show have an absolute blast with each other and everyone who filled their seats.
While I won't give away what happened during my taping, I can tell you that there were a few surprises and a special guest who joined the show. Chris Colfer from "The Land of Stories" teamed up with Mario for a side by side cooking experience and a few lucky members of the audience had the chance to play along in The Chew's Food Pyramid game. And when you tune in on Wednesday you'll get some pretty sweet views of the new land at Disney's Animal Kingdom; Pandora - World of Avatar.
Here's Mario and Carla rocking some Na'vi headwear from Pandora - World of Avatar
Michael and Clinton having some fun while recording the promo spots for Wednesdays episode.
Epcot's Food & Wine Festival runs for 75-days this year, until November 13, 2017, and you'll be able to watch some segments during the show that highlight a few of the exclusive dishes that can be found around the festival as well as some of the offerings outside of Epcot in the other Disney parks. You'll also find recipes shared and though I wasn't able to taste any of the dishes, believe me, they smelled better than I could have imagined. I've added a new line on my bucket list, and it's having a seat at the tasting table next year.
Be sure to tune in this week, the show airs nationally during weekdays on ABC at 1pm. to learn more about the show, be sure to visit www.TheChew.com