The La Isla Fresca Outdoor Kitchen offered several new menu items this year at the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2025. We went to try the Jamaican Jerk Chicken.

The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival runs daily until June 2, 2025. This year’s event features over 20 Outdoor Kitchens where guests can purchase samples of seasonal food offerings. The Outdoor Kitchen between France and Morocco in Epcot’s World Showcase, La Isla Fresca, offered three new menu items for this year’s festival. So, we decided to try one of them.

The La Isla Fresca Outdoor Kitchen has three food options this year. Guests can purchase:

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Pigeon Pea Rice, Roasted Sweet Plantains, and Cinnamon Butter
• Seafood Ceviche: Shrimp, Scallops, and Fish with Citrus, Radish, and Chulpe
• Coconut-Chocolate Flancocho: Chocolate Cake, Coconut Custard, and Passion Fruit Caramel (Plant-based and a part of the Garden Graze)

Jamaican Jerk Chicken – $6.50

On the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival’s opening day, we ordered the Jamaican Jerk Chicken. A proper jerk chicken must contain specific components. Those two primary components are Scotch bonnet peppers and Allspice berries. The peppers provide the expected “spicy heat” with this preparation style. Allspice berries provide an aromatic nature to the marinade for jerk chicken. Jerk chicken involves a thorough marination process in the spice blend. Chefs also want the flavors to become entrenched within the chicken (or other meats) for maximum effect wth this item.

With this festival item, guests receive a chicken leg marinated, some plantains, and rice. The presentation of the dish qualifies as well done.

When taking a bite of the chicken, the jerk-style preparation of the chicken becomes obvious. We would have liked a better flavor and aroma, but this is a reasonable theme park version of jerk chicken. Also, the skin holds all the spicy taste, so guests should prepare for that when ordering this. Still, the plantains and rice serve to balance out the more robust jerk chicken flavor. The cinnamon butter with the plantains creates a decent spice and sweet combo. Nevertheless, those averse to “spicy” food should probably avoid this Flower & Garden Festival item.

On a positive note, at least on opening day, the chicken easily could be cut off the bone with a plastic knife. We found it well prepared and not dry.

Still, our chicken leg did not have as much meat on it as we expected. Also, we were hungry when we ate this, so the smaller-than-expected portion size was an issue. In fairness, when combined with the rice and plantains, this makes a solid value.

Final Thoughts on this Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Item

Despite our concerns, this makes a reasonable dish for those looking to try jerk chicken. Once again, those reluctant to attempt more than normal “Theme park level spice” should skip this one and try the Seafood Ceviche here instead. Those who have experienced good Jamaican cuisine should skip the festival food item since they will be underwhelmed. However, those unfamiliar with Jamaican cuisine will find this a good introduction.

For more theme park-related news and information, please visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!

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