2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival 20 Must Sees

I was invited to attend a special preview of the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. All tasty opinions are my own

2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival | 20 Must Sees

Did you know that Epcot is celebrating the 20th year of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival? What started as a 30 day run in 1996 has now grown into a 53 day event filled with demos, seminars, chefs and oh the food and wine. Mouth salivating yet? In honor of the 20th year, I’ve got 20 Must Sees of the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival including what guest favorites are back and what new eats you’ll need to try. Grab a napkin to catch your drool over these photos 🙂 Ready to wine and dine? Let’s do this, Disney style!

I was so excited to be invited to a special preview of the 2015 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival on Thursday. Filled with lights, music, candles and crowds of people, Disney sure knows how to throw a party. But the star of the party…the eats, of course. Endless, delicious samples of the food and beverages, pairings and live demos (hello, liquid nitrogen!) made this an unforgettable night of fun. So what’s on tap for this year’s celebration? It’s go BIG for the 20th Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Disney’s pulling out all of the stops.

5 ABC The Chew Show Tapings

Disney was so excited to announce the partnership with the ABC The Chew for this year’s festival. Included with this year’s festival are 5 tapings of the popular show in front of hundreds of live guest audiences. Will you be there to see Clinton Kelly? 🙂

NEW Sustainable Chew Marketplace

Not one but three new marketplaces will be offered for the 20th year. Inspired by The Chew, the Sustainable Chew Marketplace will offer eco-friendly and sustainable food options to include: Savory Pork Spareribs with Red Wine and Fennel and Cheesy Mascarpone Grits and the all new Chew-tini.

NEW Chew Lab Marketplace

Love to check out the latest in culinary science techniques? This is the booth for you! Located right on the edge of Future World and adjacent with the Sustainable Chew Marketplace is the Chew Lab. The all-new Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel is NOT to miss, just to watch this dish being prepared was a treat! A cross between chocolate ice cream and chocolate candy, the mousse is flash frozen on the spot for a sweet and cold treat!

NEW Artistry of Wine & Cheese Marketplace

If you’re a lover of wine and cheese pairings, the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese Marketplace is for you. Promising premium wine and cheese pairings served on an artist’s palette, your senses will enjoy these exquisite marketplace studios.

32 New Dishes

Can you eat them all? 32 new dishes are introduced at the 2015 Food and Wine Festival. The Taste Around the World is definitely stepping up the food game!

New Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Festival Scavenger Hunt

Your kids are going to LOVE this new scavenger hunt! Scour the countries for the 12 Remy Statuettes as you gather the ingredients to make Ratatouille! Collect all 12 stickers at the 11 countries and African outpost to redeem for one of six exclusive limited edition pins at the Port of Entry!

75 New Beverages

75 NEW liquid refreshment choices are to be offered at this year’s festival. From cocktails to beers, wines to ciders, there’s definitely a drink for your palette. The ACE Hard Pumpkin Cider is the perfect fall flavor offering at the Farm Fresh Marketplace! And even though I’m not a “red” wine drinker, the Dreaming Tree Red Blend was a wonderful sipping option for the night. Don’t forget the Fesitval Exclusives including the Napa Valley Festival Chardonnay and Paso Robles Festival Cabernet Sauvignon.

Party for the Senses

5 Party of the Sense Grand Tastings will take place at this year’s Food & Wine Festival. This also includes a Special Helloween Masquerade on October 31st, where guests will be given masks to wear to the black and yellow themed party! How fun is that? 50 tasting stations and entertainment by the Cirque du Soleil are included in your experience.

New Rockin’ Burger Block Parties

You had me at Burger! For 3 nights only the new Rockin’ Burger Block Parties are sure to offer an amazing experience for guests. Creating all new and tasty burger dishes, chefs will go head to head in a competition with a burger trophy at stake! Guests will choose the winner. Would you eat the Chef Judi Truck Burger I ate the preview? Topped with a fried egg, bacon grease fries and Nacho Cheese Sauce served with a side of corn chips!

About 400 Culinary Seminars & Demos

Want to further your culinary expertise? Well, Disney sure knows how to offer unique experiences for the cook in you! In fact, this year Disney will offer about 400 seminars, demonstrations and boot camps for foodies and non-foodies alike!

250+ Chefs

Talk about diversity! From praised Disney chefs to world renown, there is an amazing selection of chefs joining the largest food and wine event in the world. 26 states and 6 countries are to be represented with chefs at this year’s festival.

Celebrity Sightings and Signings

Want to see your culinary star up close? There’s so many great celebrity sightings and signings of books, wine bottles and more! Check the daily schedule for updates, but folks to include: Andrew Zimmerman, Bryan Voltaggio, Cat Cora, Jamie Deen and more!

Dominican Republic is Back!

It’s been 8 years, but we are BACK! Missed since 2007, the Dominican Republic Marketplace returns with lots of new delectable options for guests including the pictured Pescado con Coco – seared grouper, pigeon peas with rice and coconut sauce, and the Yuca Souffle with Griddled Cheese (it was yummy!).

159 Eat to the Beat Concerts – 4 new acts!

Love the Eat to the Beat Concert Series? Well it’s back and better than ever! 4 new acts to include Everclear, Tiffany, Maxi Priest and Chaka Khan. But don’t worry, returning favorites also to include Sugar Ray, Boyz II Men and more. With genres ranging from rock to soul and sing-a-long favorites, it’s a party every day at the Food and Wine Festival!

Premium Offerings

As always, Disney has a way of setting the bar even higher. The Food and Wine Festival is no exception, with premium dinner packages, events and more to expand your wining and dining experience. Highlight packages include: Epcot Food & Wine Premium Package, Eat to the Beat Dinner Package, Food & Wine Festival Tasting Sampler, Signature Dining at Walt Disney World Resorts and Restaurants, Festival Dining, and the popular Sparkling Illuminations Dessert Party.

100,000 Desserts

Let’s talk about my favorite part of the festival. Dessert. 100,000 desserts…just, wow. If you can eat all of them in the 53 days, you’re my hero.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog

Now in it’s 4th year this family-favorite stop is back at Future World with over 900 pounds of sweet and tart cranberries.

Free Marketplace Discovery Passport

Fun for kids and adults, the FREE Marketplace Discovery Passport has expanded! This year will include all 30 festival marketplaces for a fun and one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Save the date for this one-of-a-kind half marathon! Race along the 3 Disney parks at nighttime November 6th-7th and cheer on your runners. Kids races, 5Ks and the famous After Party makes this half marathon a must see (and do)!

Illuminations Fireworks

No Food & Wine Festival is the same without closing the night with the beloved Illuminations Fireworks. Grab your glass and toast the day with your family for an unforgettable evening.

Are you hungry to visit Epcot yet? The 2015 Epcot International Foot & Wine Festival commences September 25, 2015 through November 16, 2015. Filled with events, foods, drinks and FUN, the 20th festival is sure to be a huge Disney crowd pleaser! Find more information at www.epcotfoodfestival.com and stay in the tasty action with hashtag #EpcotFoodFestival

Will you be attending the 20th Epcot Food & Wine Festival?

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