All-new culinary and wine offerings, plus big-name concert acts take over the Williamsburg theme park

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WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia (April 24, 2018) – A tasty adventure awaits culinary explorers during Busch Gardens® Food & Wine Festival May 25 – July 1. Individual tasting portions from around the world make exploring all that the Food & Wine Festival has to offer an easy task. The hardest decision for visitors will be deciding what to eat first.
The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival offers park guests the opportunity to sample a variety of food and beverages not normally served in the park. Visitors can enjoy authentic tastes from around the world at 16 themed kiosks while strolling through the world's most beautiful theme park. Throughout the event, festivalgoers also will have the opportunity to get up close and personal as chefs lead interactive and informative cooking demonstrations.
“This annual festival is quickly establishing Busch Gardens Williamsburg as a leading culinary destination in the region,” said culinary operations Vice President Franz Kitenko. “We can’t wait to share the delicious creations our team has cooked up.”
In 2018, the festival grows its international offerings by debuting all-new flavors from around the world. Special foods, wines, beers and tequila tastings take the Food & Wine Festival to a whole new level.
- Cuba – roasted pork Cuban sandwich, fried plantains, flan and a Cuba Libre cocktail.
- Japan – lettuce wraps, chicken dumplings, sushi and green tea ice cream.
- Brazil – grilled beef, pineapple, Brazilian sausage and a rum cocktail.
- South Korea – grilled marinated beef, spicy barbecue ribs and kimchi
- Enthusiasts can sample beer flights and pork schnitzel sliders in the Brauhaus
The park will add an exciting musical twist to the Food & Wine Festival this year. Exciting musical performances are on tap at the Royal Palace Theatre starting with country artist Scotty McCreery on June 9. The 2011 American Idol winner recently earned his first top-charting song, “Five More Minutes.”
Hunter Hayes is scheduled to perform on June 16. The Grammy-nominated country singer has hit No. 1 on the charts with “Somebody’s Heartbreak” and “Wanted.”
Closing out the festival’s concert series is pop artist Andy Grammer on June 30. His infectious smash hit, “Honey, I’m Good,” was one of the best-selling songs of 2015.
It all begins May 25 and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, through July 1, including Memorial Day Monday. Spend part of your Memorial Day weekend watching fireworks Saturday evening, May 26 at Busch Gardens. The Food & Wine Festival is included with park admission.
Individual sampling portions and wine tastings are available for purchase inside the park. For more information, including complete kiosk menus, visit https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/food-festival/. “Like” Busch Gardens on Facebook, and follow @BuschGardensVA on Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 31,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
The company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States. The company's theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.