What’s New for the 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

This just in: the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival was named by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s top food and wine festivals. Chefs are cooking up fantastic new experiences for this year’s fest, which open September 28 and runs for a record 46 days through November 12.

There’s no better setting for noshing, sipping and wandering than Epcot’s World Showcase, with a one-of-a-kind backdrop of architectural icons from around the globe.

Fresh for 2012:

• Two new festival marketplaces: TERRA Marketplace offers vegan menu items, including Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese. The FLORIDA Marketplace introduces fresh twists on regional flavors. There are more than 25 ethnic and regional marketplaces in all.
• Feel like a VIP with Marketplace Chef Tours. Each Wednesday, festival chefs host a walking-and-tasting tour around World Showcase with stops at several international marketplaces. You get to taste five marketplace dishes and five beverage items, like beer, wine and cocktails – and learn a few culinary secrets.


• More kid-friendly tastes. Kids of all ages can try inventive new sips during the family’s marketplace dine-around. Pair with yummy bites like beef empanadas and cheese fondue (new this year).
• Don’t miss (free) Eat to the Beat! Check out pop acts like Smash Mouth (October 11-12) and Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice” (October 13-14). With 18 different bands, look for Blues Traveler (November 5-6) and Dennis DeYoung, original member of STYX (November 7-8). Night Ranger kicks off the concert series September 28-30, and other returning fan favorites include Boyz II Men, The Pointer Sisters, Sister Hazel and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
• Back for an encore: look for HGTV designers, celeb chefs, culinary demos and wine seminars, and special culinary programs – more than 270 chefs are showing off for the festival. And, yes, the fab Party for the Senses returns October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3.

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information; August 14 is the date you can start booking. Festival details are available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.

Celebrating Culinary Adventures from October 1, 2010 — November 14, 2010

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is an autumn special event that transforms Epcot Theme Park into a food and wine lover's paradise with specialty food items, culinary events, sophisticated parties and live musical entertainment.

Epcot always features a remarkable collection of international dining opportunities and tempting spirits, but during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival there is even more to sample, sip and love.

Try delicious cuisine from around the world at special food booths set up along World Showcase Promenade. Explore specialty marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe at spectacular culinary events.

Plus, there is more to do than just enjoying great food and beverage. Enjoy the Eat to the Beat concert series and unwind with a stellar lineup of celebrated musical acts.

When you arrive at Epcot, visit the Festival Welcome Center to plan your day. You'll also find the Festival Wine Shop and the Wonders Bar—where you can purchase champagne and wine or attend official book signings with celebrity chefs and authors. The Stockpot shop offers marvelous merchandise, including the collectable marketplace cookbook.

Epcot Theme Park admission is required. Some Epcot International Food & Wine Festival events require ticket fees in addition to admission to Epcot. Availability is limited for some events. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Activities Details

To book any and all activities and events, reservations open on August 11 at 7:00AM. Call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Theme park admission is usually required, along with a reservation and extra payment for the event.
Check out the Disney Food and Wine Festival Page for info and more updates.
Culinary Adventures — Signature Dining Experiences
Celebrity chefs pair up with Walt Disney World restaurant big cheeses to develop a 5-course meal. Schedule and celebrity chefs include:

Eat to the Beat Concert Series - 2009

As with all Disney events, themed entertainment is part of the festivities. Visitors to the Food and Wine Festival can “Eat to the Beat!”

The following line-up of performers is scheduled for the 2009"Eat to the Beat" Concert Series:

09/25 - 09/27 - Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy
09/28 - 09/29 - Richard Marx
09/30 - 10/03 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas 10/04 - 10/06 - En Vogue
10/07-  10/08 - Better Than Ezra
10/09 - 10/11 - Sister Hazel
10/12 - 10/13 - Kool & The Gang
10/14 - 10/16 - Spyro Gyra
10/17 - 10/18 - Jon Secada
10/19 - 10/20 - Sister Sledge
10/21 - 10/22 - Vanessa Carlton
10/23 - 10/25 - Taylor Dayne
10/26 - 10/28 - Boyz II Men
10/29 - 10/31 - John Waite
11/01 - 11/02 - Taylor Hicks
11/03 - 11/05 - Billy Ocean
11/06 - 11/08 - Los Lobos

Performances are at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 at the America Gardens Theater.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series - 2008

As with all Disney events, themed entertainment is part of the festivities. Visitors to the Food and Wine Festival can “Eat to the Beat!”

The following line-up of performers is scheduled for the 2008"Eat to the Beat" Concert Series:

-09/26 - 09/27 - Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy
-09/28 - 09/30 - Sheena Easton
-10/01 - 10/04 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas
-10/05 - 10/07 - En Vogue
-10/08 - 10/09 - Johnny Lang
-10/10 - 10/12 - Peabo Bryson
-10/13 - 10/14 - Sister Hazel
-10/15 - 10/16 - David Sanborn
-10/17 - 10/18 - Jon Secada
-10/19 - 10/21 - Spyro Gyra
-10/22 - 10/23 - Otis Day & The Knights
-10/24 - 10/26 - Exposé
-10/27 - 10/28 - Kool & The Gang
-10/29 - 10/30 - Boyz II Men
-10/31 - 11/02 - Atlanta Rhythm Section
-11/03 - 11/05 - David Cassidy
-11/06 - 11/07 - Night Ranger
-11/08 - 11/09 - Los Lobos

Performances are at 5:45, 7:15 and 8:30 at the American Gardens Theater.

13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

September 26, 2008 – November 9, 2008

Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines, and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Savor the sizzling sounds of the Eat to the Beat concert series, presenting a stellar line-up of popular musical acts.

For more information, visit the hub at the Festival Welcome Center, where you'll also find the Festival Wine Shop, the Wonders Bar for champagne and wine, and the official book-signing location for celebrity chefs and authors. Venture inside the Stockpot shop and check out its marvelous merchandise, including the marketplace cookbook and a special festival edition of the Disney Gift Card, which provides a handy way to pay for so much fun at the Festival!

There are marketplaces featuring food, wine and beer The appetizer sized portions usually range in price from 2.00 - $5.00 and provide the perfect opportunity to try the traditional cuisine from around the world.