The annual Disney celebration, Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, has been running since September 14th, but you do not need to worry! You still have time to enjoy one of the America’s top food festivals as it will be at Epcot until November 14th. Yes, you heard me right: 62 days of pure sips and bites from around the world.
The Food & Wine Festival is included with your admission ticket to Epcot. However, each of the items available of the 30 marketplaces will cost some extra money. They are served in small portions, which gives you the possibility to sample all kinds of different food.
And that is exactly what I like, because I was able to try one of the most wonderful sandwiches of the entire Walt Disney Resort. I love when they mix sweet and savor. The Kalua Pork Slider hit the spot when they blended the shredded pork meat with the pineapple chutney. Another dish that made me desire to go to Epcot again and again was the loaded nachos. You are probably thinking it is a Mexican dish, but it is actually a Greek one. And let me tell you: I am a fan of Feta Cheese. I can eat it pure and simple!
The lobster sandwich was also amazing. Coming from Northeast Brazil, specifically living 10 minutes away from the beach, I recognize fresh seafood from afar. By the way, I had to try the Brazil kiosk option, “Escondidinho de Carne”. It was good, but I must tell you a secret: the meat they use is not the same as ours, which give it a different taste. Also Brazilians use a creamier cheese then the cream cheese they use here, so basically you can understand why it was not one of my favorite. However, you should give it a try!
After the fourth plate I was ready for dessert. The best one ever is the Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel. You will also be mesmerized by the way the cast members prepare it. Lots of “smoke” and cracked chocolate on top. Absolutely wonderful, because the texture is like mousse and ice cream all at once.
Now, I invite you all to take a look at the other options you will have. I am sure there is something for each and every one of you to like. Oh! Bring the family. This way you can try a little bit of each member’s choice. Bon Appetit!
Marketplaces
Around the World Showcase you will find around 30 separate booths from different countries or culinary style with distinct dishes and drinks items.
2016 Food & Wine booths and the 2016 Food & Wine Festival Menus:
Africa
Berbere Beef Tenderloin Tips
served with Onions, Jalapenos. Tomato, and Pap $5.00
Buttered Chicken
with Micro Cilantro and Naan Bread $5.00
Australia
Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp
with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion, and Snap Peas $5.00
Grilled Lamb Chop
with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies $7.25
Belgium
Beer-braised Beef
served with Smoked Gouda Masked Potatoes $4.75
Brazil
Escondidinho de Carne
“Little Hidden One”: Layered Meat Pie with Mashed Yucca $5.00
Crispy Pork Belly
with Black Beans and Tomato $5.50
Pao de Queijo
Brazillian Cheese Bread $3.75
Brewer’s Collection
Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner $4.00
Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse $4.00
Schofferhofer Zitrone Weizen-Mix $4.00
Canada
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Served with a Pretzel Roll $4.75
“Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce $7.75
The Chew Collective
Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli
served with Rustic Tomato Sauce $4.75
Grilled Beef Skewer
with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree $5.00
China
Beijing Roasted Duck
in a steamed bun with Hoisin Sauce $6.50
Sichuan Spicy Chicken $5.75
Black Pepper Shrimp
with Garlic Noodles $5.50
Chicken Potstickers $4.00
Chocolate Studio
Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle
served with Warm Whiskey Caramel Sauce $4.50
Craft Beers
Orlando Brewing Orlando Weiss
Orlando, Fl $4.00
Florida Beer Company Passport 20 Belgian-Style Tripel Ale
Cape Canaveral, FL $3.75
Two Henrys Blueberry Vanilla American Wheat Ale
Plant City, FL $4.00
Concrete Beach Stiltsville Pilsner
Miami $4.00
3 Daughters Bimini Twist IPA
St. Petersburg, Fl $4.00
Shipyard Midnight Snack Milk Stout
Clearwater $9.00
Beer Flight 1
Orlando Weiss, Passport 20, Two Henrys $9.00
Beer Flight 2
Stiltsville Pilsner, Bimini Twist, Midnight Snack $9.00
Desserts and Champagne
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin “Yellow Label” $12.00
Dom Perignon Brut $32.00
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose $12.50
Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial $15.00
Farm Fresh
Loaded Mac’n’ Cheese
with Nueske’s Pepper Bacon, Cheddar, Peppers, and Green Onions $4.50
Chicken and Dumplings
Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms and Spinach $4.75
Pickled Beet Salad
served with Herbed Goat Cheese, Minus 8 Vinaigrette, and Toasted Wanuts $3.75
France
Soupe a l’Oignon au Gruyere et Cognac
Gruyere and Cognac Onion Soup (cantains alcohol) $4.25
Croissant aux Escargots
Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley $5.75
Boeuf Bourguignon
Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet Sauvignon with Mashed Potatoes $6.25
Germany
Schinkennudeln
Pasta Gratin with Ham and Cheese $3.75
Roast Bratwurst
Served in a Hard Roll $5.00
Greece
Loaded Greek Nachos
Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, Vegan Tzatziki $4.50
Chicken Gyro
With Tzatziki Sauce $4.50
Spanakopita $4.25
Greenhouse Guru
Heirloom Tomato Salad
served with Goat Cheese, Aged Balsamic Vinegar, and Micro Basil $4.00
Duck Confit
served with Creamy Polenta and Fire-roasted Salsa $5.25
Chilled Tomato Gazpacho
served with Lump Crab Meat $4.50
Mini Sna Marzano Tomatoes $4.75
Hawai’i
Kalua Pork Slider
With Sweet-and-Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise $4.25
Spicy Tuna Poke
With Seaweed Salad and Nori Strings $4.75
Hops & Barley
New England Lobster Roll $7.75
Smoked Beef Brisk $5.25
Served with Pimento Cheese on Griddle Garlic Toast
Ireland
Seafood Fisherman’s Pie $6.50
Irish Cheese Selection Plate
Irish Cheddar, Dubliner, and Irish Porter $4.25
Islands of the Caribbean
Jamaican Beef Patty $4.75
Mojo Pork
served with Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, and Pickled Red Onions $4.25
Pescado con Coco
Seared Grouper, Pigeon Peas, and Rice with Coconut Sauce $4.75
Italy
Pennete alla Parmigiana
Baked Ziti and Chicken Parmigiana, Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, and Parmesan $6.25
Spezzatino all Toscana con Polenta
Tuscan-style Stew with Carrots, Mushrooms, and Crispy Polenta $6.25
Japan
Spicy Sushi Roll
Tuna & Salmon with Kazan Volcano Sauce $5.75
Garlic Shrimp
Marinated Shrimp sauteed with Garlic and Butter, served over Rice $6.95
Grilled Spicy Edamame
Tossed with Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce, and Chili Powder $4.75
Jardin de Fiestas (Mexico)
Chilaquiles de Pollo
Layers of Fried Corn Tortilla, Seasoned Chicken, Green Tomatillo Sauce, topped with Queso Fresco, Onions, and Sour Cream $5.86
Pork Belly Taco
with Salsa Verde and Crispy Onions $6.13
Mexico
Tacos de Camaron (Shrimp Taco)
Battered Shrimp, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Onions, and Chipotle Mayonnaise $5.75
Barbacoa Enchilada
Corn Tortilla filled with Beef Barbacoa and covered in Oaxaca Mole $5.50
Morocco
Kefta Pocket
Seasoned Ground Beef in Pita Pocket $5.00
Spicy Hummus Fries
Served with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce $5.00
New Zealand
Steamed Green Lip Mussels
With Garlic Butter and Toasted Breadcrumbs $4.00
Lamb Meatball
With Spicy Tomato Chutney $5.25
Seared Venison Loin
With Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce and Kamara Dumpling $6.25
Patagonia
Beef Empanada $4.75
Grilled Beef Skewer
with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree $5.75
Roasted Verlasso Salmon
with Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri $5.50
Poland
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogie
with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream $5.50
Golabki
Pork-stuffed Cabbage in Tomato Sauce $5.50
Scotland
Fresh Potato Pancake
with Scottish Smoked Salmon and Herb Sour Cream $5.00
Traditional Scottish Lamb Stew
Served with Neeps and Tatties $4.75
South Korea
Korean-style BBQ Beef
with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi $5.25
Roasted Pork Lettuce Wrap
with Kimchi Slaw $4.00
Vegan Korean Barbecue
with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi, featuring Gardein Beefless Tips $4.75
Wine and Dine Studio
Seared Scallop
served with Truffled Celery Root Puree, Brussels Sprouts, and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce $5.50
Pork Tenderloin
served with Cannellini Bean Ragout and Zinfandel Reduction $5.00
Trio of Artisan Cheese
Karst Vave-aged Cheese with Honey, La Bonne Vie Goat Cheese with Dried Cranberry Bread Bread, Statesboro Blue Cheese with Spiced Candied Walnuts $5.00
Food & Wine in Future World
Food and Wine Festival’s expansion into Future World continues in 2016. You will find the new Wine & Dine Studio at the walkway toward Future World West. Another new Future World booth for 2016 is Chocolate Studio which sells the Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel. I must add that the nitro chocolate is the hit there, because this kiosk is packed all the time.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
Needless to say Disney always thinks of everything that can fulfill our senses completely. With that said give your tummy a break and put your ears to enjoy concerts of popular bands at the Eat to the Beat. Shows are at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM and all concerts are subject to last minute changes.
Here are the ones you can still watch:
- Jeffrey Osbourne – October 12-13, 2016
- Tiffany – October 14-16, 2016
- Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx – October 17-19, 2016
- Christopher Cross – October 20-21, 2016
- Toad the Wet Sprocket – October 22-23, 2016
- Chaka Khan – October 24-25, 2016
- Billy Ocean – October 26-27, 2016
- Living Colour – October 28-29, 2016
- Hanson – October 30-November 1, 2016
- Soul Asylum – November 2-3, 2016
- Delta Rae – November 4-6, 2016
- Boyz II Men – November 7-9, 2016
- Sister Hazel – November 10-11, 2016
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – November 12-14, 2016
Celebrity Chef Demonstrations aka “What’s Cooking With…”
Another popular series that takes place during Food & Wine is the celebrity chef demonstrations, which is where culinary techniques are demonstrated by a celebrity chef. These events require separate tickets that cost $129 per person, plus tax (Epcot admission is also required).
Chefs in attendance for 2016:
- Emily Ellyn – October 14
- Andrew Zimmern – October 21
- Rock Harper – October 23
- Duff Goldman – October 28
- Geoffrey Zakarian – October 30
- Alex Guarnaschelli – November 4
- David Guas – November 6
- Sarah Fioroni – November 11
- Jehangir Mehta – November 13
Extra Events
If you still aren’t full of Food & Wine events, you can purchase seminars and exhibitions that happen to sell out very quickly. List for 2016:
- Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! – Daily – $49 – Hands-on experience where guests learn different culinary subjects.
- Rockin’ Burger Block Party – September 30, October 14, and November 11 – $99 – Enjoy specialty burgers and while a DJ spins music. Located in World ShowPlace.
- Grand Floridian Brunch with a Twist – October 6 – $169 – A 5-course meal prepared by the chefs at Citricos in Grand Floridian Resort.
- Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – September 21, 28 and October 5, 12 – $99 – Lunch and mixology session inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Polynesian Village Resort.
- The Secret of Flavor – September 22, October 20, and November 2 – $129 – 3-course “sensory-food connection” lunch at Yachtsman Steakhouse in Yacht Club Resort.
- Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef – October 7, 21 and November 3, 9 – $259 – A chef’s table at Contemporary Resort hosted by Chef Frank Brough.
- Cheese Seminars – September 17, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and November 5 – $89 – Cheese and wine experts teach you how to better enjoy… cheese and wine.
- Party for the Senses – October 1, 8, 15, 22, 28, and 29 – $169, $199, $329 – Chefs from around the world cook specialties at more than 50 tasting stations. A special, and extravagantly named, Yelloween Masquerade Party for the Senses takes place on October 29.
- Beverage Boot Camp Series – September 18, and October 30 – $129
- Parisian Breakfast – Select Saturdays during Food & Wine – $40 – This is the cheaper Food & Wine event. Guests enjoy mimosa, coffee, baguettes, brioches, and croissants inside Les Chefs de France at Epcot.
Anything Else?
Why yes, we’re glad you asked. In the Food & Wine Festival Welcome Center, which is found in the shell of a building between Ellen’s Energy Adventure and Mission: Space formerly known as the Wonders of Life Pavilion, you can find lots of goodies.
It starts with the Food & Wine merchandise to commemorate your visit and continues into culinary displays, wine seminars, mixology demos, and book signings with chef/authors. Several of these events carry extra costs in the $15 range, so be prepared to fork over a little dough in exchange for those tasty morsels of knowledge.
Crowd Information
As mentioned above, the Food & Wine Festival is immensely popular with both tourists and locals. What makes it an odd event from a crowd perspective is that the crowds gather primarily in World Showcase, near the Food & Wine booths. What that means is that attractions in Future World tend to have average to below average waiting times. So if you are just going to Epcot for the rides, spending time in Future World is still not a bad idea.
If I convinced you that sampling lots of delicious dishes, the best time to go is early. The kiosks open at 11 am and you find the shortest lines.
Weekdays are also better than weekends as Saturday tends to be out of this world. If you enjoy the crowd, then this is your best bet.
Either way I wish you a great time and please do not come home without trying the nitro chocolate dessert! I beg you!
Had fun at Epcot Food & Wine? Share your experience below:
http://www.themego.com/theme-parks/epcot/events/epcot-international-food-wine-festival
