Special events at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival require a significant extra cost and advance tickets. See this year’s events below!

Booking Information

Events Will Be Available For Booking on August 14th at 7am EST. Tickets can be purchased via 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Some events will be bookable online.

2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events

Below is a list of this year’s special events!

Chef-led VIP Access Tours <– New for 2012!

It’s your chance to tour the festival like a VIP! On this chef-led walking tour, you’ll stop at select marketplace booths in a small group of about 10 people to learn about the dishes and even enjoy some “storytelling”. While learning a few culinary secrets, enjoy tasting five dishes and five beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails! <– All dates are SOLD OUT!

When: Wednesdays from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Festival Center, then select marketplaces around World Showcase.
Pricing: $90 (plus tax and park admission)

The Discovery of Chocolate

Learn (and taste!) more about chocolate from the professionals! Enjoy samplings, savory chocolate, and dessert with beverages and/or paired wines! SEE A 2011 REVIEW HERE!

When: Sunday Afternoons, 2:45-4:15PM
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $75/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required.

October 14: Sarah Kosikowski hosted by Valrhona – New York, NY <– SOLD OUT!
October 28: Lauren Deitsch hosted by Lake Champlain Chocolates – Burlington, VT
November 4: Julian Rose, Moonstruck Chocolates, hosted by Barry Callebaut
November 11: Julian Rose, Moonstruck Chocolates, hosted by Barry Callebaut

3D Delicious Dessert Discovery

This event, introduced in 2010, is back again for the 2012 Festival! Featuring desserts, more alcohol than you can drink, and special 3D viewing of IllumiNations, it’s a fun night without having to unload too much cash!

This year, BabyCakes NYC will provide vegan and gluten-free desserts in addition to the regular fare!

Check out our guest review of a 3D Delicious Dessert Discovery event in 2010! Plus we have a 2011 3D Delicious Dessert review here!

When: October 5, October 12, October 26 and November 2 from 8:00-9:30PM
Note: October 5 and 12th have changed times from 7-8:30pm to the later time.
Where: World Showplace
Pricing: $55/person
Sweet Seats: VIP “Sweet Seats” are available for an additional $30. This includes a private table, entry into event 15 minutes early, specialty beverage and dessert, and more. <– All Sweet Seats are SOLD OUT!

Party for the Senses

PftS returns in 2012! Live entertainment will be presented by Cirque du Soleil for another memorable Festival evening. This event is pricey and offered only on Saturdays, so plan accordingly. To see what this event is like, check out our Guest Review of Party for the Senses from 2010! And a 2011 Party for the Senses review here!

The party will have three separate ticketing tiers: regular entry, reserved seating, and Wine View Lounge. That second one is a new option, where guests will pay a slightly higher amount for reserved seats, but have no access to the Wine View Lounge. <– All dates for Wine View Lounge and Reserved Seating are SOLD OUT!

When: October 6, 13, 20, 27, and November 3, 2012 from 7:30 – 10:00 pm
Where: World ShowPlace Events Pavilion
Pricing: $145 plus tax = general admission, $170 plus tax = reserved table on main floor (includes specialty cocktail and early admission at 7:15pm), $270 plus tax = Wine View Lounge, (including private tables, entrance 15 minutes early, premium bar, artisanal cheese station, and more.) Gratuity included.

Discovery of Grand Marnier

This seminar showcases the talents of a Grand Marnier cocktail master. Included:
* Indulge in a glass of Champagne
* Sample several Grand Marnier tastings
* Savor two specialty desserts
* Mixology lesson
Read the details on the 2010 Grand Marnier Tasting here.

When: Sundays, September 30, October 7 & 21 from 2:45-4:15PM
Where: Festival Center
Pricing: $65, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot admission required

The Magic of Healthy Living Dinner

Chefs Andrew Zimmern and Bryan Voltaggio are back with this popular event highlighting healthy dining for families! See Chefs in their roles as Dads while learning cooking techniques featuring kid-friendly and healthy foods that can be used for fun, family activities. Look for non-alcoholic mixed drinks and a 4-course meal.

When: Friday, October 19; 6:30PM
Where: World Showplace
Pricing: $110/person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission required.

Food and Wine Pairings

Learn about particular wine growing regions while sampling three wines and three tasting-sized portions of menu items from Epcot’s ethnic restaurants. These food and wine pairing dinners are popular events and often sell out quickly. Read about our experience at the Morocco Food and Wine Pairing Dinner in 2009.

When: Tokyo Dining on Wednesdays; Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco) on Tuesdays, 3:30-5PM
Where: Tokyo Dining in Japan, and Marrakesh in Morocco
Pricing: Morocco and Japan: $55/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required.

Italian Food and Beer Pairings

Head to Italy in Epcot’s World Showcase for a pairing of food and beer at Via Napoli. SEE EPCOT FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL PIZZA AND BEER TASTING 2011 REVIEW HERE.

When: Tuesdays, 1:30-4PM
Where: Via Napoli, Epcot
Pricing: $55/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required

Italian Food and Wine Pairings

An executive chef will be creating southern Italian specialties paired with Italian wines. Here’s a review of the 2011 Italian Dessert and Wine Pairing event. This year the event moves from Tutto Italia to Via Napoli.

When: Thursdays, 1:30-4PM <– All dates are SOLD OUT!
Where: Via Napoli
Pricing: $65/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required.

Italian White Truffle Lunch

Five course luncheon incorporating white truffles imported directly from Alba, Italy. Wines were paired with the lunch.

When: November 4, 12-3PM
Where: Tutto Italia Ristorante, Epcot
Pricing: $210/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required.

Mexico Tequila Pairing Luncheon

The Tequila Pairing Luncheon debuted in 2011 and returns in 2012, adding Fridays to the schedule. It will be held at Epcot’s La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant. Check out a 2011 Mexico Tequila Lunch quest review here! And our new 2012 Mexico Tequila Pairing Lunch review here!

When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 12-1:30PM <– SOLD OUT – September 29 and 30!
Where: La Hacienda de San Angel, Epcot
Pricing: $70/person, plus tax. Epcot Admission Required.

Cheese Seminars

Seminars about CHEESE! Who could resist? Check out cheeses from different locales and savor info from the experts. Cheese will be paired with wines and beers.

When: Saturdays, 10:30-11:45AM
Where: Festival Center
Pricing: $80 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot Admission required.

September 29: Max Calman, Cheese from the United States
October 6: Erin Hedley, Cheese from Spain
October 13: Max McCalman, Cheese from Italy <– SOLD OUT!
October 20: Max McCalman, Cheese from France
October 27: Max McCalman, Old World Mountain cheeses
November 3: David Gremmels, Cheese from the United States
November 10: Max McCalman, Old World Maritime Cheeses

Read our 2012 Cheese Seminar Review!

Italian Regional Food and Wine Lunches <– New for 2012!

In place of the French Regional lunches this year, the Italy pavilion is hosting Italian Regional Food and Wine luncheons in the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. Over a leisurely lunch, you’ll enjoy casual, authentic dishes paired with wines.

When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, Noon-2pm <– Italian Regional Lunches Have Added More Seats: As of 9/30, the popular Italian Regional Lunches taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the festival have added more seats to their previously sold-out rosters. Be sure to call 407-WDW-DINE to see if there’s availability on your dates!

Where: Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Pricing: $75 (plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required)

Wine Schools

A wine authority leads guests through the event, showcasing the flavors and traditions of distinctive wine cultures. Tasting lessons are offered. Guests will receive a certificate of completion at a reception following the event.

When: Select Sundays from 1-3PM, Light Reception 3-4PM
Where: East Hall, World Showplace
Pricing: $135 per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot admission required.

September 30: Andrea Robinson <– SOLD OUT!
October 7: Jim Bernau, Founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards
November 4: Sharron McCarthy, BANFI

Sweet Sundays

Your Sunday will be extra sweet when you experience this event. An expert pastry chef will create three signature desserts before your eyes. Enjoy snacking on a wonderful brunch and sipping champagne!
When: Sundays from 10AM-12PM
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $95/person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Epcot admission required

September 30: Jacques Torres, Jacques Torres Chocolates
October 7: Hollis Wilder, Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly
October 14: Matt Lewis, Baked <– SOLD OUT!
October 21: Erika Davis, Simply Erika <– SOLD OUT!
October 28: Gale Gand, TRU
November 4: Geraldine Randlesome, Creative Cutters
November 11: Warren Brown, Cake Love

Kitchen Memories

This fun event will return to the 2012 Festival and feature celeb chefs! Check out a 2011 Kitchen Memories review from AllEars.

When: Fridays, 10am-12pm
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $110-160/person, plus tax. Epcot admission required.

September 28: Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier
October 5: Duskie Estes and John Stewart, Zazu Restaurant Farm
October 12: Emily Ellyn
October 19: George Hirsch, George Hirsch Lifestyle
October 26: Robert Irvine, Robert Irvine’s EAT ($160/person) <– SOLD OUT!
November 2: Art Smith, Art and Soul <– SOLD OUT!
November 9: Buddy Valastro, Carlo’s Bake Shop ($160/person) <– SOLD OUT!

Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining

Savor your way through a phenomenal dinner while a Chef (sometimes a celebrity Chef!) takes you through every bite, explaining technique, menu choice, and wine pairings. More info about these events will be available soon.

When: Select days throughout the festival
Pricing: $100-$495 per person

Kouzzina by Cat Cora: September 27 $160

The Hollywood Brown Derby: October 1 $160 <– SOLD OUT!

Wolfgang Puck Dining Room: October 2 $100

Kouzzina by Cat Cora: October 2 $170 (Celebrity Chef Cat Cora)

Kouzzina by Cat Cora: October 4 $170 (Celebrity Chef Cat Cora)

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant: October 4 $120 <– SOLD OUT!

Fulton’s Crab House: October 9 $100

Portobello: October 11 $125

Jiko – The Cooking Place: October 12 $195 <– SOLD OUT!

California Grill: October 18 $250 <– SOLD OUT!

Citricos: October 19 $130 (Pixar fans! John Lasseter and his wife Nancy will present their California wines at this 12:30 lunch. Chef Philip Ponticelli will pair Lasseter wines with seasonal cuisine.) <– SOLD OUT!

The Hollywood Brown Derby: October 25 $160 <– SOLD OUT!

The Wave…of American Flavors: October 25 $160

Yachtsman Steakhouse: October 27 $160

Victoria & Albert’s: October 28 $495. <– SOLD OUT!

Flying Fish Cafe: November 1 $185 <– SOLD OUT!

Bongo’s Cuban Cafe: November 7 $100

California Grill: November 8 $250

Radeberger Beer Dinner: November 9 $125

Specialty Flying Fish Cafe Wine Dinners
2012 Flying Fish Cafe Signature Wine Dinners can be booked at 407-939-5102. Seating is limited to just 32 guests for each of these events! While these are not official Food and Wine Festival events, they fall during the same time period.

Flying Fish Cafe: October 4 “Mosel Gems”; Johannes Selbach–Owner/Wine Maker; Weingut Selbach-Oster, Zeltingen-Mosel, Germany; 6pm Reception – 6:30pm Dinner

Flying Fish Cafe: October 11 “Viva Italia”; Pierluigi Gaeta, Marketing Director-Vias Imports Ltd., NY; Featuring extraordinary selections from Italy’s Top Wine Producing Regions; 6pm Reception-6:30pm Dinner

Flying Fish Cafe: October 18 “Howell Mountain Treasures”; Master Sommelier Mr. John Blazon – The Spire Collection; Featuring Wines from California Wine Country’s Prestigious Howell Mountain; 6pm Reception – 6:30pm Dinner

Flying Fish Cafe Wine Dinnner: October 25 “Northern Santa Barbara County Focus”; Mrs. Jenny Dore–Marketing Director/Proprietor of Foxen Wines, Santa Maria, California; 6pm Reception – 6:30pm Dinner

Flying Fish Cafe: November 7 “An Exploration of Sweet Endings” <– New for 2012!
Walt Disney World’s very own Executive Pastry Chef Stefan Riemer; “Cheese as Dessert” along with Flights of Dessert Fantasies at 8pm! Joined by Distinguished Wine Guests: Master Sommelier Andrew McNamara & Wayne Raborn from Wilson & Daniels serving up some delicate Late Harvest Wine Pairings. 8pm Reception–8:30pm Dessert Party

Flying Fish Cafe: November 8 “A Sonoma County Legend”; David Munksgard – Wine Maker; Iron Horse Vineyards, Sebastopol, California; Featuring both Still & Sparkling Selections; 6pm Reception – 6:30pm Dinner

Flying Fish Cafe: November 15 NOTE: This takes place after the Festival ends on Nov. 12.
“Sake Sensations”; Ms. Carrie Basye-Becker, World Class Sake Aficionado; Enjoy Sake from all Corners of Japan’s Best Rice-growing Regions; 6pm Reception – 6:30pm Dinner

For more information about the Festival, see our 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page.