Epcot is a great place to eat at any time. Food is available in almost every country in World Showcase, with the choice ranging from á la carte restaurants to fast food outlets. However, when the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is in town you really can eat, and drink, your way round the world.
For the duration of the Festival not only do visitors get the chance to try new selections of food and wine from the usual Epcot host countries, but they can also sample typical dishes and drinks from a whole host of countries not normally represented in Epcot. The year we visited ‘extra’ exhibitors included such countries as Chile, Ireland, India, Australia and Poland. In all there were 27 specially erected outlets, dispensing a mouth-watering array of food and drink. Perhaps start with Cheddar Crab Cakes with Cranberry Relish in USA, travel over to Australia for Lamb with Caramelized Onions and for dessert, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Irish Whiskey Sauce in Ireland, all washed down with Bunratty Honey Meade or Guinness! Or if you are vegetarian try; Spanakopitta (a spinach, chess and filo pastry pie) in Greece, something from the selection of tapas in Spain and Pistachio Baclava in Morocco (or even Chocolate covered Cannoli in Italy!) before sampling the wares of the Champagne stand or the Hops & Barley Market. There truly is something for everybody and enough food to keep you coming back for days!
In addition there are also plenty of educational and informative exhibits to attend. Every day there are a variety of complimentary wine seminars and culinary demonstrations to tempt the senses. At the Festival Welcome Centre you could learn to “Understand New World Reds” or have “French vs California Chardonnays” explained. Or perhaps be “Introduced to Ports” or “Bunratty Meade”. Over at The Chef’s Showplace meanwhile enjoy culinary demonstrations by experts such as Scott Kandzer of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, Jacques Torres of NY on Chocolate or Alain Roby; Corporate Pastry Chef from the Hyatt Hotel. In addition to chefs from many of the Disney Resort Restaurants there are a whole host of experts from USA and around the world eagerly awaiting the chance to pass on some of their knowledge and skills. While pre-registration for these events is not required, it is recommended that you arrive at these venues 30 minutes before the start in order to secure a seat!
For those holidaymakers with slightly deeper pockets there were a variety of “Signature Dinners” ranging from $125 to $185 per person. Here Disney Signature Restaurant Chefs prepare a five-course dinner which is accompanied by wines specially selected to complement the meal.
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is, to quote from the festival Guide, a “Party for the Senses”. Long may it continue!
For the duration of the Festival not only do visitors get the chance to try new selections of food and wine from the usual Epcot host countries, but they can also sample typical dishes and drinks from a whole host of countries not normally represented in Epcot. The year we visited ‘extra’ exhibitors included such countries as Chile, Ireland, India, Australia and Poland. In all there were 27 specially erected outlets, dispensing a mouth-watering array of food and drink. Perhaps start with Cheddar Crab Cakes with Cranberry Relish in USA, travel over to Australia for Lamb with Caramelized Onions and for dessert, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Irish Whiskey Sauce in Ireland, all washed down with Bunratty Honey Meade or Guinness! Or if you are vegetarian try; Spanakopitta (a spinach, chess and filo pastry pie) in Greece, something from the selection of tapas in Spain and Pistachio Baclava in Morocco (or even Chocolate covered Cannoli in Italy!) before sampling the wares of the Champagne stand or the Hops & Barley Market. There truly is something for everybody and enough food to keep you coming back for days!
In addition there are also plenty of educational and informative exhibits to attend. Every day there are a variety of complimentary wine seminars and culinary demonstrations to tempt the senses. At the Festival Welcome Centre you could learn to “Understand New World Reds” or have “French vs California Chardonnays” explained. Or perhaps be “Introduced to Ports” or “Bunratty Meade”. Over at The Chef’s Showplace meanwhile enjoy culinary demonstrations by experts such as Scott Kandzer of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, Jacques Torres of NY on Chocolate or Alain Roby; Corporate Pastry Chef from the Hyatt Hotel. In addition to chefs from many of the Disney Resort Restaurants there are a whole host of experts from USA and around the world eagerly awaiting the chance to pass on some of their knowledge and skills. While pre-registration for these events is not required, it is recommended that you arrive at these venues 30 minutes before the start in order to secure a seat!
For those holidaymakers with slightly deeper pockets there were a variety of “Signature Dinners” ranging from $125 to $185 per person. Here Disney Signature Restaurant Chefs prepare a five-course dinner which is accompanied by wines specially selected to complement the meal.
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is, to quote from the festival Guide, a “Party for the Senses”. Long may it continue!