The History of EPCOT’s Defunct Kitchen Kabaret, Food Rocks

The Food Rocks Experience

Only two months after the closure of Kitchen Kabaret, Food Rocks opened in The Land Pavilion on March 26, 1994.

The fully redesigned show welcomed guests in with a colorful lobby decorated with obscure food facts and small interactive displays. Classic rock music played over the speakers to set the tone. The holding area just outside the theater had billboard art displaying the show’s different acts. The walls had been darkened with oversized stars scattered around.

Guests entered the theater under its illuminated marquee. Once the show was underway, vibrant lights swarmed the stage. According to the show’s creators, the excessive lighting effects in the show were a result of a lighting mishap while programming; the creators of the show ended up liking the accidental glitzy effect and decided to replicate it.

As the curtains opened, an announcer introduced the first act: the U-Tensils. The energy kicked in right away as the band of utensils played a parody of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, driving home the lyrics, “We’ll make it count in the kitchen.” Fake cheering pumped through the sound system for the high-energy number, as it would throughout the show.

The U-Tensils lowered into the steaming stove. The announcer introduced the host of Food Rocks: Fūd Wrapper, voiced by actual rapper Tone Lok. This was around the time the FDA started to regulate nutritional labels on food packaging. The sunglasses-wearing wrapper set up the next act: The Peach Boys.

Good Nutrition

The Peach Boys were a clear spoof of The Beach Boys, singing their food-themed hit, Good Nutrition. Standing center stage, a band of fruits belted out vintage surf tones with a healthful message. As Fūd Wrapper put it, they were the pick of the crop.

Just as Fūd Wrapper was ready to introduce the next number, the show was interrupted by a nasty metal band, Excess. The grungy group were the bad guys of the show, promoting junk food. Fūd Wrapper shooed them off just in time for the next hit.

Every Bite You Take

Coming from the fridge, a band called The Refrigerator Police performed their cool ballad, Every Bite You Take, mimicking Sting and his band. Their message was to make wise decisions with food, particularly dairy. They closed out their number singing, “We’ll be part of you.”

High Fiber

Fūd Wrapper with his raspy voice transitioned into the next song, High Fiber by Pita Gabriel, set to the melody of Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. With a sledgehammer in hand, Pita Gabriel sang his ‘80s bop from the cupboard.

Always Read the Wrapper

The junk food band, Excess, wasted no time after the final chord of High Fiber. They intruded once again, but Fūd Wrapper handled them. It was his time to shine.

Fūd Wrapper broke into a rap, parodying the actual voice actor’s song, Funky Cold Medina. His verse stressed the importance of reading the label before eating.

Just Keep It Lean

Fūd Wrapper got a break from the action while the announcer introduced the next musician: The Sole of Rock n’ Roll. A fishy caricature of Cher came down from the ceiling to sing a protein-themed version of The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss).

Tutti Frutti

After an intro from Fūd Wrapper, a piano-playing pineapple named Richard played Tutti Frutti with new nutritional lyrics. Little Richard himself sang on the track, accentuating the lyrics, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-mop-I’m-good-for-you.”

Vegetables are Good for You

Another piano-playing piece of fruit started up a new song, Vegetables are Good for You, to the tune of Breaking Up is Hard to Do. The eggplant named Neil Moussaka was voiced by the original songwriter and doo-wop star, Neil Sedaka.

Let’s Exercise

Fūd Wrapper briefly introduced the next star, Chubby Chedder. The dancing silhouette of cheese was projected on the window and voiced by the real-life singer he parodied: Chubby Checker. He bellowed his song, Let’s Exercise, taking the melody of The Twist.

We Love Junk

The greasy band Excess returned—this time, to play a song. They chugged their way through a metal song, We Love Junk. This was the only fully original song in the show, as the group shouted how much they love junk food. “We love junk. Give us sugar and fat…You got a problem with that?”

Fūd Wrapper cut their act short by pulling the power cord.

Just a Little Bit

Next up for a sweet treat were The Get-the-Point Sisters. This trio of candy bars was played by The Pointer Sisters, singing a parody of Aretha Franklin’s cover of Respect. They sang about eating in moderation when it comes to treats, punctuating the, “Just a little bit,” lyrics.

Before You Chew (Finale)

Fūd Wrapper preached one more time about eating well as most the animatronic cast came back for one final song: Choose Before You Chew, a take on Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

The anthemic finale ended with power, and the curtains closed on Food Rocks.