So we know we have said it over and over and over again – but the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is all that and a Mickey pretzel…and that’s saying something! Imagine traveling the world in your matching shirts tasting and sipping your way to happiness. That, right there, is the best way to describe the festival.
Now, let’s talk about “all the…small things…” – the demonstrations! Demonstrations, experiences and shows are possibly the best parts to the festival. You can fine-tune your kitchen skills at different cooking demonstrations, wine and beverage, mixology and cheese seminars, and food and wine pairings. Many of these events require reservations and some are an additional fee, but no worries – they are all totally worth it! You know they must be worth it if we broke out the “totally”.
Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!
Cost: $45 per person (plus tax)
Availability: Select Mondays & Thursdays at 12:00pm
About: Work side-by-side with chefs, beverage experts and other kitchen experts as you roll up your sleeves for a hands-on lesson dedicated to teaching you some fabulous culinary and beverage skills. Each lesson is a 75-minute guided and interactive that offers a multi-sensory experience—from sweet treats and savory sensations to exploring cocktails, spirits and wines. Each experience is different, so be sure to check out their offerings before signing up.
Food & Beverage Pairings
Cost: $29 per person (plus tax)
Availability: Select Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 2:30pm
About: Not ready to roll up your sleeves and cook, but would love to enjoy the experience of working with a professional? Then the food and beverage pairings are perfect for you. Join a featured chef and beverage presenter to learn how to pair a match made in culinary heaven. This 45-minute demonstration allows you to sample the dish and beverage of focus! Remember, each experience is different, so be sure to check out their offerings before signing up.
Sunday Brunch with the Chef
Cost: $139 per person (plus tax)
Availability: Select Sundays at 11:30pm & 1:30pm
About: Brunch is everyone’s “thing” are we right or are we right? Imagine a breakfast buffet mixed with a gourmet guest of honor topped off with a wine toast and you have Sunday Brunch with the Chef. During your meal a celebrity guest will offer their favorite tips and tricks on how to prepare particular dishes and drinks. Make sure you take a peek at the available dates along with the corresponding guests of honor for the 2019 festival below:
September 29: Robert Irvine
October 6: Buddy Valastro
October 13: David Burtka
October 20: Andrew Zimmern
October 27: Cat Cora
November 10: Graham Elliot
November 17: Aarti Sequeria
Wine & Cheese Seminars
Cost: $95 per person (plus tax)
Availability: Select Saturdays from 9:45am – 11:15am
About: If you are like Remy and feel like you are a self-proclaimed cheese connoisseur, you’ll have to attend of these seminars during your visit! A cheese expert will explain the aromas, textures and flavors of popular cheeses around the world. Guests will be able to sample the cheese selections with complementary wine or craft beer selections. Here are the available sessions remaining this festival season.
September 28: Mediterranean Cheeses and Wines hosted by Tonda Corrente
October 5: Great British Cheeses and Ales hosted by Max McCalman
October 12: Italian Cheeses and Wines hosted by Erin Hedley
October 19: French Cheeses and Wines hosted by Max McCalman
October 26: The Great Cheeses and Wines of the Western United States hosted by Max McCalman
November 9: Season’s Best Cheeses and Wines hosted by Max McCalman
Beverage Seminars and Culinary Demonstrations
Cost: $19 per person (plus tax)
Availability: Select Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 4:30pm
About: You probably would like to sharpen your cooking skills or improve your winemaking or brewing expertise right? Well do we have the perfect demonstration for you! During these 45-minute demonstrations, the experts will share their knowledge and all you to sample whatever it is they whip up. Each experience is different, so be sure to check out their offerings before signing up.
Tailgate Tasting hosted by ESPN’s Monday Night Football
Cost: $19 per person (plus tax)
Availability: Every Sunday at 6:30pm
About: Calling all football fans! Come celebrate your love of football with different tailgate tasters. This 45 minute session will pair food and a beverage tastings inspired by the cities of pro teams playing each Monday night. You’ll learn how to prepare these dishes so you can cook them for your own tailgate party. Be sure to check out which teams will be focused on before booking.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2019 Premium Events
Oh boy, Epcot International Food and Wine Festival holds premium events that offer guests the chance to explore even more fabulous cuisine. From specialty dining pairings that will take you through an entire meal, to the annual and ever popular Party for the Senses, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2019 is already a force to be reckoned with.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Activities for ALL Ages
Drinkers, tasters and fun makers – Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is for ALL ages. There is literally something to do for everyone, and to be honest, the activities geared towards “younger” ones, are right up our ally!
Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt
What: Embark on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt around the park. Be on the lookout for statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase. You can purchase the map and stickers from select merchandise locations, including Pin Central, Port of Entry or World Traveler at International Gateway. Once you finish, turn in your map and get a prize. Remember when you “find him”, say it to your family, not to the entire park.
Candy Sushi
What: Learn how to roll their own sweet sushi treats with a Disney Chef in The Land pavilion at, 3:30pm and 5:30pm daily. It costs $10 per guest (of all ages). Advance reservations will be best to insure entrance.
Disney du Jour Dance Party
What: The Disney du Jour Dance Party in Future World will take place every day! A live DJ will spin some tunes, while on Fridays and Saturdays, stars from Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country artists will perform live!
Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2019 Eat to the Beat Concert Series
This is probably our FAVORITE thing to do at the festival. EVERY evening of the festival, a classic American band or artist will take the stage at the America Gardens Theater. The lineup will feature a large variety of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing and Latin artists. See the remaining schedule below!
September 25 to 26: Blue October
September 27 to 29: Mark Wills
September 30 to October 2: Sugar Ray
October 3 to 4: Taylor Dayne
October 5 to 6: NEW! India
October 7 to 9: 98°
October 10 to 11: NEW! Boyce Avenue
October 12 to 13: NEW! Southern Avenue
October 14 to 15: Kenny G
October 16 to 17: 38 Special
October 18 to 20: Baha Men
October 21 to 22: Billy Ocean
October 23 to 25: Sheila E
October 26 to 27: High Valley
October 28 to 30: Hanson
October 31 to November 1: Sheena Easton
November 2 to 3: NEW! Kris Allen
November 4 to 6: Boyz II Men
November 7 to 8: The Hooters
November 9 to 11: Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy
November 12 to 14: NEW! Joey Fatone and Friends, featuring Chris Kirkpatrick and Ryan Cabrera
November 15 to 16: NEW! BBMak
November 17 to 18: NEW! Spanish Harlem Orchestra
November 19: NEW! D’Capella
Okay, so there you have it – Epcot International Food and Wine Festival has the most amazing seminars, workshops and special experiences. There is so much more to do than stroll, eat and sip. Enjoy a seminar. Relax at a brunch hosted by a celebrity chef. Maybe you would prefer to work off your snacks by dancing to the Eat to the Beat concert series. Whatever your reason – Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is calling your inner foodie to come out and play. We cannot wait to plan some filling magic for you!
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Contact us today! durfee@themouseexperts.com