PHOTOS - The 22nd Epcot International Food and Wine Festival begins today

Aug 31, 2017 in "Epcot International Food and Wine Festival"

2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival main entrance display
Posted: Thursday August 31, 2017 7:31am EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

A record number of global food and wine marketplaces - 35 in all - celebrate 35 years of Epcot during the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Click the gallery for a look around the main entrance display for this year's Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

It all starts today, and continues through to November 13 2017 in a record 75 day run.

Five new global marketplaces will join the popular kiosks around World Showcase and Future World:

  • At Active Eats, the Sweet Avocado Crema with strawberries, yellow cake and tortilla streusel is happy-heart food.
  • The Almond Orchard hosted by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze features a nutrient-packed Cauliflower Risotto with pulled chicken, artichokes, spinach and parmesan cheese.
  • Coastal Eats includes tastes from the sea include Lump Crab Cake with Napa cabbage slaw and avocado lemongrass cream and Seared Scallops with roasted corn and butterbean succotash with chili-chipotle butter sauce.
  • At Flavors from Fire, Disney chefs are serving Smoked Corned Beef with warm crispy potatoes, pickled onions and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue.
  • The Light Lab includes spirited concoctions like the Bleu Spectrum with Blanc de Bleu Cuvee Mousseux with Boba Pearls.
  • Returning for an encore are India (2009) and Spain (2010) marketplaces. Offerings include the Madras Red Curry vegetarian dish and Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake. At the Spain marketplace, Charcuterie in a cone can be yours.
  • View the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Marketplace kiosk menus
  • Three times nightly Eat to the Beat concerts – 225 concerts in all on the America Gardens Theatre stage — with new musical acts and returning festival favorites spanning a broad range of eras and genres such as rock, pop and rhythm and blues. Check the lineup at Eat to the Beat.
  • “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops, which debuted in 2016 at the Festival Center, will return with fresh opportunities for guests to interact with visiting chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros.
  • Popular TV chefs and other culinary icons will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at Festival Center demonstrations and events and during Party for the Senses grand tastings with new concepts and themes. Just a few of many stars on tap: Shaun O’Neale, Buddy Valastro, Cat Cora, Carla Hall, Alex Guarnaschelli and more.
  • Throughout the festival’s 75-day run, park guests can pair wines, beers and cocktails with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade using their complimentary festival passports as a guide.

As guests explore, they’ll find something for everyone in the family:

  • The complimentary Back to Basics Festival Center weekend series will share epicurean tips and tricks from the pros. Book and bottle signings by some of the world’s top vintners will be scheduled, and The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, hosted by Ghirardelli, will offer guest samples.
  • Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars will offer daily learning and tasting opportunities at the Festival Center. 

Special dining experiences can be booked ahead:

  • Party for the Senses grand tasting events will showcase creative bites and palate-pleasing sips from eminent chefs and beverage experts plus exciting new live entertainment and a nod to 35 years of Epcot. Seating is guaranteed for all event guests.
  • Resort premium events will include a Secrets of Flavor epicurean experience and Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef.
  • Specialty Dining and Pairing events will be on tap at a number of World Showcase participating restaurants.

Included with Epcot Admission:

  • Back to Basics series, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

  • The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can book some events at epcotfoodfestival.com and call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for all others.

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Jax_bluebirdNov 08, 2017

Wow I had no idea that was happening!! Hopefully next year.

ChrisMOct 16, 2017

It was surprisingly good with a nice dose of spice. And is also a great base for the forthcoming drinks.

rocketraccoonOct 15, 2017

The L'Orange cotton candy is kinda disappointing. It just tastes like regular cotton candy with a vague citrus aftertaste. Maybe the batch mine came from didn't have enough flavoring, I dunno. Still a lot of cotton candy though. The loaded mac n cheese is killer and pretty filling.

Tony the TiggerOct 05, 2017

I'm hopeful they will! I'd expect mostly more creative drinks to fit the theme.

michmousefanOct 05, 2017

For place where glowing illuminated things was the draw, it actually wasn't dark enough... there's a better way to pull that off, but I'm not quite sure what it is... they needed it to be more intimate and romantic, not just a room with some displays and a bar. For the amount of space they had, it should have been a place where you wanted to hang out and enjoy your drink... of course, also having better food and drink options would have helped. BUT, it's the first year for this... perhaps they can make improvements for next year.

Tony the TiggerOct 05, 2017

It wasn’t necessarily a bad idea, just not well executed.

RSoxNo1Oct 05, 2017

Light lab was a total waste of space.

CakeOct 04, 2017

I was underwhelmed by the LightLab. Food at all the kiosks was excellent. Wine selections were so so. We found better beer choices, which is okay if I’m going to a beer festival. We were able to eat/drink at 8 kiosks. We go back on the last day and I have a few more kiosks I definitely want to try.

disneygeek90Sep 25, 2017

Do you know when the taping is/was?

disneygeek90Sep 25, 2017

I went last night and had the same thoughts. No idea what it's for.

MarkTwainSep 25, 2017

Anyone have an idea what the giant stage set up at the entrance to World Showcase this weekend was for? It was pretty unsightly, I'll be glad to see it gone...

Tony the TiggerSep 24, 2017

Or it was a Saturday night, so...

Bob HarlemSep 24, 2017

We went last night, the amount of drunks there this go around was quite noticeable, whoever said it wasn't a problem isn't really looking hard.