I love theme parks and I love to eat, so combining the two is almost always a winning combination. Now in its second year, Kings Dominion’s “Taste of Virginia” festival provided me an opportunity for a few things this weekend.
First, an opportunity to eat some delicious Virginia cuisine prepared by Kings Dominion’s culinary team. Second, an opportunity to cover an event that I’d never covered before, and third, an excuse to head north and take a ride on Twisted Timbers.
I was sold.
“Taste of Virginia” is easiest to access using a “Tasting Card,” which includes any 6 of the available tastes for $25 plus tax. (There is also a Wine Tasting Card, which is also available for $25. You can get both cards [Food+Wine] for $45 plus tax.). The tastes are also available a la carte. (For a full list of prices, be sure to check out our friends over at CP Food Blog!)
The festival takes place in the newly revitalized Candy Apple Grove.
There are eleven unique tastes at “Taste of Virginia” that are representative of six culinary regions in the Commonwealth. During my visit, I sampled eight of the eleven “tastes,” and I’ll detail what I ate below.
Colonial Region
Pork Belly with Fire Roasted Tomato Relish
I’m not the biggest fan of pork belly usually, but this serving had a pretty good flavor, and I really enjoyed the taste of the Tomato Relish. I didn’t eat the black eyed peas that were served with it.
Smithfield Ham & Cheese Empanadas
I really enjoyed the empanada, it had a fantastic combination of salty and sweet with the taste of the ham and cheese, blended with the honey mustard sauce.
Chesapeake Bay
Crab Mac-N-Cheese
One of my favorite items at “Taste of Virginia,” this white cheese Mac-N-Cheese was topped with a generous helping of Virginia crab. Another taste where the flavors blended well.
Cherry Crostada
Piedmont
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
This felt like one of the best values on the tasting card, as the a la carte price was around $7. Four bacon wrapped scallops with a honey mustard sauce. You can’t go wrong with bacon wrapped scallops.
Grilled Watermelon with Feta
There was a very unique combination of flavors with this taste. Watermelon is pretty versatile, but I’m not sure how well the Feta and the Syrupy sauce on top meshed together. Still tasty, though.
Blue Ridge
Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Drizzle
I’m not sure what it is with Cedar Fair food festivals and their bread puddings. This was amazing. Tasted almost exactly like hot apple pie.
Hog Wings with Smoky BBQ Sauce
Tidewater
s
Sweet Potato Tart
One of the best “sweet” tastes I had during “Taste of Virginia.” The sweet potato, whipped cream, pastry crust and caramel blended together very well!
Applewood Smoked Trout Mousse on Pumpernickel Toast
Hanover Region
Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese
The lone option at the Hanover Tent, this grilled cheese was fantastic. It had a great nostalgic feeling of Grilled Cheese and tomato, and had a great flavor.
Also At Taste of Virginia
If your tasting preferences skew more towards liquid than solid, Kings Dominion had you covered. There was a selection of craft beers, including Kings Dominion’s two park-specific Kings Brews (Lager and IPA), multiple wineries under the park’s arbor in the “Wine Garden,” and even a selection of craft cocktails (that could be ordered individually or in a sampling of their own.)
There was also live entertainment in the form of cover bands on the “Taste of Virginia” stage. Be sure to visit the “Taste of Virginia” website to see who is performing when you visit!
The Perfect 6-Taste Tasting Card (In My Opinion)
Based on my tastes, if I was limited to just six tastes at “Taste of Virginia,” I would split them up into four “Savory” tastes, and two “Sweet Tastes.” I think it’s a good mix, and you definitely won’t leave hungry.
- Savory
- Smithfield Ham & Cheese Empanada
- Crab Mac-n-Cheese
- Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese
- Sweet
- Apple Bread Pudding
- Sweet Potato Tart
There are just four days left to experience this year’s “Taste of Virginia” – May 13, and May 18-20. For more information, be sure to visit Kings Dominion’s website!
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