2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival-the What, When, and Who-

The 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be held September 14 to November 14, 2016. This Disney celebration has become one of America’s top food festivals and features more than 30 marketplaces with seminars, merchandise, tips and tricks from the pros, book and bottle signings, samples of exquisite tastings of food and drink, and premium block parties. Top celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations and as always the wonderful dining experiences make this a must do for one and all.

Iron Chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Masaharu Morimoto, “Chopped” judge Maneet Chauhan and other celebrated chefs including Elliott Farmer and Graham Elliot will host their very first festival special events. Other chef icons like Robert Irvine, Cat Cora, Norman Van Aken, Elizabeth Falkner, Buddy Valastro and Jamie Deen will return at premium events that include Party for the Senses grand tastings.. Just some of the new flavors include: hard soda floats at Desserts & Champagne, savory vegan “nachos”. Everyone will enjoy the wines, beers, cocktails and ciders as they meander around Epoct while taking in the sights and sounds of the festival.

First-time festival resort experiences include Brunch with a Twist at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef for a hands-on chef’s table experience in a professional working kitchen; The Secret of Flavor three-course lunch that gives guests a “sensory-food connection” at Yachtsman Steakhouse; and a tropical “Zombie” encounter during Behind the Scenes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. New “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!” hands-on workshops at the Festival Center will offer guests a chance to learn a variety of culinary skills from chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros. For a second year, global marketplaces will extend into Future World to offer a wider range of taste sensations. New this year in Future World are: The Chew Collective, the Wine & Dine Studio, Chocolate Studio and Greenhouse Guru; plus Islands of the Caribbean marketplace debuts in World Showcase.

Eat to the Beat Dining Packages give music fans a chance to guarantee seats at an Eat to the Beat concert and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at one of many popular Epcot restaurants, including Chefs de France, Le Cellier and Spice Road Table. Wang Chung will open the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 14-15. Eight new acts in the concert series lineup — including Wang Chung, Plain White T’s, Delta Rae and Toad The Wet Sprocket – will rock their chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Boyz II Men and Jeffrey Osbourne, will return to the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.

Celebrities ranging from Rock Harper to master sommelier Andrea Robinson will share their food and beverage know-how during culinary demos, beverage seminars and a variety of other events during the festival. Chef Remy of “Ratatouille” returns with his fun-for-the-family culinary scavenger hunt that features six brand-new collectible pins this year.

Chase debit and credit card members can rest and recharge at the Chase Lounge with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, a charging station and air conditioned seating at the Chase Lounge in The American Adventure pavilion.

Each Epcot regular admission ticket will include the following: Back to Basics series, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and all attractions and park entertainment. The Party for the Senses and Rockin’ Burger Block Party, grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission.

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