food IS a theme park
We still don’t have a lot of details about this year’s EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, but one thing we do know: We expect it to be VERY different this year.
2023 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
For starters, Disney has moved the first date of the festival back to August 29th, which was around the time the festival started BEFORE 2020. However, we think this year’s festival is going to bring three BIG changes and we want to prepare you for those ahead of time because they will matter.
Have you ever spent hundreds of hours planning your Disney World trip only to get there and realize that you made more mistakes in the planning process than you can count on two hands?
Disney Springs
We get it, it’s easy! You can end up hating the Disney hotel that you booked (and paid thousands of dollars to stay at), having to console your kiddos after taking them on a ride that you thought was well-suited for children, or end up walking around the parks with a hangry family after you come to find that the next mobile order window isn’t for another three hours. But, all these mistakes are avoidable and we’re going to let you in on all our little tips and secrets that will ensure you enjoy your visit to Disney Springs!
Can you believe it’s almost time for the 2021 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival? We are so ready to visit all the food booths, participate in some fun activities, and see some great entertainment this year!
The Food & Wine Festival Will be Starting Soon!
Last year’s event was modified due to health and safety measures, but as we’ve seen recently at Disney World, many of the health and safety guidelines at the parks have changed and things are starting to get back to pre-closure “normal”.
Several of our favorite Disney talents have been sharing incredible music, stories, artistic tutorials, and more via live streams over the past few weeks, delivering Disney magic right into our homes. Here at the DFB, some of our favorite live streams include those which have been presented by Disney mixologists and chefs for some at-home culinary fun. And one that we are especially excited to include in the mix is…
Chef Art Smith at Homecomin’
… the weekly virtual cooking class by Chef Art Smith who, of course, heads up Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs! [Read more…]
Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless — host of “Mexico – One Plate at a Time” — is known around the world for his passion for Mexican cuisine. And Disney World visitors may also be familiar with his location in Disney Springs, Frontera Cocina.
Chef Rick Bayless at Frontera Cocina
Frontera Cocina serves up creatively crafted cocktails and seriously tasty Mexican dishes (and we always enjoy checking out the seasonally featured menus at the restaurant). And now the man behind Frontera Cocina is inviting us all to hang out with him in his kitchen TODAY via his Facebook page! [Read more…]
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival
begins August 29 and runs until November 23. That’s 87 days of food booths, demos, Eat to the Beat Concerts, and more! With a Festival of this size (we’re expecting 30+ booths this year!), it’s impossible to see and do it all. So here are a few hidden secrets about the Food and Wine Festival as you start your planning.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth
Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival attracts celebrated chefs from all over the country, and they bring their expertise, personal stories, and great food to Festival fans. [Read more…]
Cat Cora Fans
, it looks like you’ll have a reason to rejoice for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
You’ll also want to keep a close eye on DFB and plan to be up extra early the morning that booking opens for 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events!
Chef Cat Cora has listed on her website that she will appear at the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival twice for “cooking demos and meet and greets.”
We think that points squarely to the fact that Cora will be featured as part of the popular “What’s Cooking With” series.
“What’s Cooking With” events include cooking demos by chefs and other celebrities. After the demonstration is complete, the chef sits down with a host and shares a little about his or her story and the demonstrated dishes.
The audience has the opportunity to try a menu of dishes that the chef has prepared, along with beverage pairings. We’ve had the chance to enjoy several similar events, including demos by Chef Norman Van Aken and Chef Rick Bayless.
Currently, the dates to watch for Chef Cora are Friday, October 20, and Friday, October 27, from 9:45AM to 11:45AM. These are subject to change.
In the past, Chef Cora has also participated in the daily low cost cooking demonstration line up, so we’ll be anxious to see if she returns for a few of those as well. We hope so! (Check out a review of one of her cooking demos from a previous Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!)
Chef Cat Cora at an Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demonstration
And don’t forget — you don’t have to attend any of the events that chefs are appearing at for a chance to get in on a meet and greet.
Chef Cat Cora Book Signing at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
Just visit the Festival Center on the day that your favorite appears (the earlier the better!) to request a wristband, and line up for your chance to chat with your favorites and get their autographs.
News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!!
This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever.
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun!
Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST!
Here’s what we know so far…
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations
2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon
2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic
Food and Wine Festival 101
2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS
2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items
To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting TBD. Join the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to find out as soon as we do about details and booking dates! Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone.
Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents may be eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. These members will be able to book seminars and demos TBD. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details.
Chase Disney Visa Cardholders can book select special events, demos, and seminars on TBD as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date.
Are you excited to see Chef Cat Cora return once again to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Leave a comment and let us know if you’ll be attending one of her cooking demos!
For those keeping a running tally 😉 , here’s one more dining possibility for the soon-to-be Disney Springs!
You may know Chef Art Smith as a previous judge on BBQ Pitmasters, or as a founder of such restaurants as Art and Soul in Washington, D.C. or Table Fifty-Two in Chicago. You may even know him as Oprah Winfrey’s former chef, or as the author of Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort or Kitchen Life, with an emphasis on healthier takes on comfort food classics.
Chef Art Smith
Well, he may have one more accomplishment to add to that list soon if the rumors are true… . Recently, the Chef posted a message on his Facebook page. And while it’s important to note that [Read more…]
Today, we are excited to share details for the Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars that will take place during the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
With not a moment to spare (whew!) we now have details on the low-cost demos and seminars that are one of the hallmarks of the Festival. Everyone is anxious to see what’s available, and to book their favorites (starting July 31st for general public; July 25th for Annual Passholders, DVC members, Golden Oak Residents, and Tables in Wonderland Members; and July 29th for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers)!
Not only do the demos and seminars represent good value; they also offer some of the most interesting educational and cultural options that guests enjoy during the Festival.
Click through to our Culinary and Beverage Seminars and Demonstrations page to see links to the Culinary, Beverage, and Mixology events.
All seminars and demos are $15 this year, and feature a mix of talent from the culinary world. You’ll find celebrity chefs as well as standout talent from throughout the Walt Disney World company — and beyond. And representatives from wineries and other beverage companies make learning about wine and spirits a hands-on experience with tastings.
Presenter During a Mixology Seminar
There will be many familiar names returning in 2014, so check the details to find out when guest favorites like Gale Gand, Robert Irvine, and Carla Hall take the stage! With demos and seminars taking place daily during the Festival, you’re bound to find options that tempt your palate!
As always, stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com, the DFB Newsletter, and our DFB Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page for all the details as soon as they happen!
You can book most of the events on [Read more…]
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