Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Every year the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival just seems to get better and better. The Festival starts around the first of October and runs through the middle of November (2012 - September 28 through November 11). It features food and wine (imagine that), and some good old rock and roll music.

Sample cuisine created by renowned chefs and winemakers from around the world are available at booths set up all around the World Showcase.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot

Photo by Express Monorail

The Food and Wine

Top chefs (no Mrs. Mom, I'm not talking about the TV show again) and winemakers from cites around the world create interesting creations that highlight the city they represent. You can sample food and wine from 27 different stations situated all around Epcot's World Showcase. Some of the towns represented this year are Santiago Chile, Bologan Italy, and Shanghai China. Each booth has a selection of food items and also local wines.

Booths are located all around the lagoon, including several booths on the Future World side of the lagoon. Each of the International pavilions have at least one booth with offerings from that country. 23 different areas are represented with extra booths that serve specialities like desserts and champagne.

The Demonstrations

Culinary demonstration/Wine presentation

Every day there are 3 demonstrations where feature chefs and wine presenters give tips on how to produce great tasting dishes and pair with some great wines. Demonstration times are 1:00, 2:45 and 4:30. Each session costs $8.00.

Wine/Beverage Seminars

There are 4 daily seminars where a featured beverage expert or featured wine principal gives tips and samples of wines and/or beverages. Times are 12:00, 2:00, 3:45 and 5:30. There is an $8.00 charge for each session.

You can make reservations for either seminar at Disney's International Food and Wine Festival page.

Signings

During the International Food and WIne Festival, authors, winemakers and celebrities will be on hand to sign books, bottles or other merchandise purchased at the Festival. Check the daily schedule to see who is available on the day you visit.

Weekend Extras

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays well known authors speak about popular topics and taste seminars celebrate the history of select ingredients. (No extra charge necessary.)

The Music

The "Eat to the Beat" concert series brings "food music" to the American Gardens Theater. Several big name groups play 3 shows a day. Most of the acts are returning from past years. Here's a list of some of the acts were featured in 2011 -