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by erin thursby
scopes1925@msn.com
What: Epcot Food and Wine Festival
When: September 29-November 12
Where: Epcot in Disney
Hungry for a taste of international cuisine? Longing for a way to have a voyage in food and wine? Look no further than the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, an event that’s become a destination for Florida foodies and guests from all over the world. Various booths representing different countries are scattered throughout the world showcase, each with their own samples of popular food from those countries.
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The samples range in price from about $1.50-$4, so it’s an affordable way to try something different without committing to a full meal. The menu selections are also paired with a sample of wine, beer or other beverage for about the same cost. It’s a great way to experiment and find a new, exotic wine you might enjoy. You can take note of what you liked most and take home a bottle by visiting their wine cellar located in the lower level of the Festival Welcome Center. They carry most of the wines featured in the fest. We took home a bottle of the Kurpiowski Honey Wine (which we sampled at the Poland booth) and Ireland’s light-on-the tongue Bunratty Meade Honey Wine. There’s something for every palate, whether it be for a New Zealand Merlot, Japanese Ozeki Dry Sake or Australian beer.
Free exhibitions and events are offered throughout the day, like cooking demos from Peru and Turkey as well as a walk through the Twinings Tea Garden, which was so deliciously fragrant that my nose noticed it long before my eyes did. The tea walk and seminar was so in demand that folks lined up for it well in advance since there was limited space. Complimentary seminars on the history of beer, Australian wines and chocolate tastings are just a few of the free events you can attend. Some of the events, like the cooking demos, are easy to experience and you can just gather to watch if you happen by. A tilted mirror at these booths makes it easy to see what the chef is doing, even if there’s a large crowd and you, like me, are short. After the chef demos, you’ll get a printed recipe of the meal that the chef prepared.
For the ultimate experience in fine dining and food education, you can book one of Epcot’s Exclusive Wine and Culinary Programs. Cooking seminars, various food and wine tastings are offered for the adventurous diner who wants to learn more and taste it all. Prices for these workshops, cooking demos and wine tastings range from a mere $40 to $150, depending on how in depth the session is.
Festival Dining Experiences, like the Exquisite Evenings at Epcot, are pricy at about $145-$300 but you will be extensively pampered and have your meal prepared by top chefs from around the world. Different night feature cuisine from different countries or different Disney Resorts. The most talked about meal event had to be The Party For The Senses, hosted by Vanity Fair. After an Eat to the Beat concert featuring Little Richard, Three Dog Night or other entertainers (check the schedule to see who will be playing), the World ShowPlace is transformed for an incredible evening featuring the food of more than twenty top chefs. A selection of more than seventy beers and wines will be on hand as you watch the performers from Cirque du Soleil. Call (407) 939-3378 to reserve your seat, because they sell out frequently.
Not all of the fun at the fest is geared toward adults. If you’ve kids in tow, there are some booths that are geared towards children. The Nuts about Peanuts booth drew kids and adults who wanted to learn about how peanuts grow and are used in food. A peanut starter kit and a bag of peanuts are the giveaways at this booth. The kids seemed to be fascinated by the planter of live, growing peanut plants. At The Buzz About Honey booth a beekeeper spoke to the kids as he showed them a glass enclosed mini-hive, complete with a queen bee. You’ll also want to take your kids to the Land Pavilion, where you can take a boat ride through a tropical greenhouse.
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