10th
Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Runs Sept. 30-Nov. 13
Walt
Disney World Resort Celebrates Great Food, Wine and Beer with Flair
LAKE
BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World guests can immerse themselves
in cultural experiences from around the globe or sip to learn at a wine
seminar. They can expand their culinary repertoire at one of many cooking
demonstrations or drop by the Specialty Beer Garden. The opportunities
are many when Future World and World Showcase overflow with first-rate
food, wine and beer experiences during the six-week-long Epcot International
Food and Wine Festival Sept. 30 through Nov. 13.
Each
year, the festival features at least 20 international tasting marketplaces
and a lineup of winemakers and guest chefs, elegant dinners, wine schools,
tastings and pairings.
In
recent years, the festival around World Showcase Lagoon has grown dramatically,
attracting a diverse audience of more than one million each year --
from wine connoisseurs and epicures to droves of wine neophytes eager
to boost their wine IQs. In addition, the fest's nightly Eat to the
Beat! concert series will feature an even more varied lineup this year,
including classic rock, oldies and country performers.
"The
festival is our opportunity to showcase not only all the culinary and
wine-related talent at Walt Disney World Resort, but also to introduce
great celebrity chefs and wine connoisseurs in the industry," said
Nora Carey, festival manager. "We strive to provide various levels
of experiences that reflect the diverse interests of our guests, from
simple marketplace tastings and seminars to extravagant dinners."
More
than 100 wineries offer tastings, and guests can sample the marketplace
cuisine in tasting portions ranging from $1 to $4.50. Other highlights
include:
* The Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Sparkling Wine Bar,
commemorative posters and other festival keepsakes.
* Some 250 Disney chefs and guest chefs conducting culinary demonstrations
and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events (past guest chefs have
included Allen Susser, Dominique Macquet, John Ash, Diego Lozano, Michael
Ginor and many others).
* Up to 1,200 wine and beer seminars providing complimentary samplings.
* Elegant dinners, the weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting and
other by-reservation-only events.
Along
with the music, dance, acrobatics and avant-garde entertainment showcased
at Epcot pavilions, festival guests can enjoy Eat to the Beat! concerts
performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre.
Entrance
to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, plus wine and beer
seminars and cooking demonstrations, is included with regular Epcot
admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information or
reservations for special events and programs. By summer, festival details
will be posted on the Web site: disneyworld.com.
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