It’s my favorite time of the year again! Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is running Sept 25 – Nov 16 this year. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary! There are 30 unique marketplaces filled with food and beverage pairings to heighten your foodie palate. New kiosks to this year’s festival: Dominican Republic, Sustainable Chew, Chew Labs and Cheese & Wine Studios.  I like the idea for new tastings as well as our favorites that return year after year. This is a video I did a couple of years ago that still has some of the dishes that they still serve now.   We were there this past opening weekend and it was very hot and also very crowded. Later this week I will have a report on some of the fabulous new dishes we got to taste. Let us know what dishes you are excited to try! Don’t forget to grab your passport at the Festival Center and Bon Appetit!   Here is the complete list…

Africa

          To eat:

• Berbere-style beef tenderloin tips with onions, jalapeños, tomato and pap*
• Buttered chicken with micro cilantro and naan bread

To drink:

• Indaba Chenin Blanc
• DeMorgenzon DMZ Cabernet Róse
• Fairview Pinotage*
• Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz

Cheese Studio   -NEW

      To eat:

• Trio of artisan cheese
• Karst cave-aged cheese served with honey
• La Bonne Vie goat cheese served with Craisin® bread
• Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese with berry port compote
• Sweet goat cheese panna cotta with guava gellé
• Cheese fondue with sourdough bread

To drink:

• Robert Mondavi FuméBlanc
• Still River Winery Apfel Eis (apple ice wine)
• Sterling Vintner’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Studio -NEW

        To eat:

• Trio of artisan cheese
• Karst cave-aged cheese served with honey
• La Bonne Vie goat cheese served with Craisin® bread
• Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese with berry port compote

To drink:

• Avviato Pinot Grigio, Oregon
• 14 Hands Chardonnay, Washington
• Franciscan Equilibrium White Wine, California
• Acacia Pinot Noir, California
• Dry Creek Zinfandel, California
• Spellbound Petite Sirah, California
• Clayhouse Malbec, California
• Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon, California

Australia

To eat:

• Grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple, peppers, onions, and snap peas
• Grilled lamb chop with mint pesto and potato crunchies*
• Lamington: Yellow cake dipped in chocolate and shredded coconut

To drink:

• Coopers Brewery Extra Strong Vintage Ale
• Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Dry Riesling
• Bulletin Place Unoaked Chardonnay
• Yangarra Estate Vineyard Shiraz*

 

Belgium

To eat:

• Potato and leek waffle with beer-braised beef and smoked gouda cream*
• Belgium waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream
• Belgium waffle with berry compote and whipped cream

To drink:

• Hoegaarden®
• Leffe® Blonde*
• Palm Spéciale Belge Ale
• Stella Artois® Cidre
• Chilled coffee featuring Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
• Beer flight: Hoegaarden®, Palm Amber Ale, Leffe® Blonde and Stella Artois® Cidre

 

Brazil

 

        To eat:

• Escondidinho de carne, “Little Hidden One”: layered meat pie with mashed yucca
• Crispy pork belly with black beans and tomato*
• Pão de queijo: Brazilian cheese bread
• Cocada: Brazilian coconut candy

To drink:

• Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black Beer*
• Carnaval Moscato Sparkling White Wine
• Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça

 

Brewer’s Collection

• Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered)
• Norbertus Special Hefeweizen
• BraufactuM Progusta IPA
• Shöfferhofer Zitrone Weizen-Mix
• Bier Flight
• Radeberger Zwickel Pilsner (Unfiltered)
• Norbertus Special Hefeweizen
• BraufactuM Progusta IPA
• Shöfferhofer Zitrone Weizen-Mix

 

Canada

To eat:

• Canadian cheddar cheese soup
• Chicken sausage with creamy polenta and Minus 8 onion jam
• “Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce*

To drink:

• Moosehead® Lager
• Neige Premiere Apple Ice Wine
• Inniskillin Vidal Icewine
• Tawse Vineyard Cabernet Franc*

 

China

To eat:

• Beijing roasted duck in steamed bun with hoisin sauce
• Gaoli beef slider*
• Black pepper shrimp with Sichuan noodles
• Chicken pot stickers

To drink:

• TSINGTAO Beer
• Francis Ford Coppola Su Yuen Riesling*
• Ritzy Lychee with cognac and vodka
• Happy Peach with peach liqueur and dark rum
• Kung Fu Punch with vodka and triple sec
• Mango jasmine tea with popping bubbles

Craft Beers

          To drink:

• Brew Hub Keybilly Island Ale, Lakeland, FL
• Two Henrys Blueberry Vanilla American Wheat Ale, Plant City, FL
• Orlando Brewing Grateful Pumpkin, Orlando, FL
• Swamp Head Wild Night® Honey Cream Ale, Gainsville, FL
• 3 Daughters St. Pete Beach Blonde Ale, St. Petersburg, FL
• Florida Beer Company Passport 20 Belgian-Style Tripel Ale, Cape Canaveral, FL
• Funky Buddha Vanilla Espresso Porter, Oakland Park, FL
• Shipyard Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Clearwater, FL
• Flight #1: Florida Harvest
• Brew Hub Keybilly Island Ale, Lakeland, FL
• Two Henrys Blueberry Vanilla American Wheat Ale, Plant City, FL
• Orlando Brewing Grateful Pumpkin, Orlando, FL
• Swamp Head Wild Night® Honey Cream Ale, Gainsville, FL
• Flight #2: Craft Beer Lovers
• 3 Daughters St. Pete Beach Blonde Ale, St. Petersburg, FL
• Florida Beer Company Passport 20 Belgian-Style Tripel Ale, Cape Canaveral, FL
• Funky Buddha Vanilla Espresso Porter, Oakland Park, FL
• Shipyard Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Clearwater, FL

To eat:

• Craft beer snack mix: sweet and savory blend of nuts, fruits, and crackers
• Charcuterie plate: Country pâté, cured meats, and crostini
• Pimento cheese dip with pretzel crisps
• Bloody Mary shrimp cocktail

 

Desserts & Champagne

To eat:

• Chocolate cherry explosion
• Strawberry-basil champagne “toast”
• Guylian® Belgian chocolate seashell truffles

To drink:

•  Nicholas Feuillatte Blanc de Blancs
• Möet & Chandon Impérial
• Veuve Clicquot® Ponsardin “Yellow Label”
• Dom Pérignon
• Möet & Chandon Nectar Impérial
• Orange Blossom Brewery Toasted Coconut Porter float with caramel ice cream
• Cream soda float with caramel ice cream
• Frozen S’mores featuring Monin® Toasted Marshmallow Syrup

Dominican Republic  -NEW

      To eat:

• Lechón asado: Roasted pork with mangú, pickled red onion and avocado*
• Soufflé de yuca: Yuca soufflé topped with griddled cheese
• Pescado con coco: Seared grouper, pigeon peas and rice with coconut sauce
• Caramel flan with rum-roasted pineapple

To drink:

• Presidente Pilsner Beer*
• Frozen Dominican piña colada featuring Ron Barceló Blanco Rum
• Frozen sugar cane cocktail featuring Ron Barceló Blanco Rum

 

Farm Fresh

      To eat:

• Loaded mac n’ cheese with Nueske’s® pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, peppers and green onions
• Griddled “yard bird” with braised greens*

To drink:

• Woodchuck Raspberry Hard Cider
• Wyder’s® Dry Pear Hard Cider
• Two Henrys Elderberry Hard Cider
• ACE Hard Pumpkin Cider
• Florida Orange Groves, Key Limen Wine
• Tom Gore Chardonnay*
• Tom Gore Cabernet Sauvignon
• Hard cider flight:
• Woodchuck Raspberry Hard Cider
• Wyder’s® Dry Pear Hard Cider
• Two Henrys Elderberry Hard Cider
• ACE Hard Pumpkin Cider

 

France

To eat:

• Croissant aux escargots with garlic and parsley
• Boeuf bourguignon: Braised short ribs in cabernet with mashed potatoes*
• Crème brûlée vanille chocolat: Vanilla & chocolate crème brûlée topped with caramelized sugar

To drink:

• Beer, Kronenbourg Blanc 1664
• Chardonnay, Macon-Villages, Vielles Vignes Mommessin
• Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Château Bonnet*
• Sparkling Pomegranate Kir
• Ice Pop Pomme: Apple juice, vodka, and St. Germain liqueur
• La Passion Martini Slush: vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, cranberry and passion fruit juice

 

Germany

To eat:

• Schinkennudeln: Pasta gratin with ham and cheese*
• Roast bratwurst in a pretzel roll
• Apple strudel with vanilla sauce

To drink:

• J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett*
• Selbach-Oster Mosel Riesling Spätlese
• J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Auslese
• Kallstadter Kobnert Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) Spätlese Dry
• German Riesling flight:
• J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Kabinett
• Selbach-Oster Mosel Riesling Spätlese
• J&H Selbach Bernkasteler Kurfürstlay Riesling Auslese

 

Greece

To eat:

• Vegetarian moussaka with Gardein™ sausage crumbles*
• Greek salad in a cone
• Chicken gyro with tzatziki sauce
• Spanakopita

To drink:

• Domaine Skouras Moscofilero*
• Domaine Siglas Assyrtiko/Athiri
• Alpha Estate Axia Syrah Xinomavro
• Tzatziki martini featuring Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka and BOLS® Natural Yoghurt Liqueur

 

Hawai’i

To eat:

• Kālua pork slider with sweet and sour Dole® Pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise*
• Tuna poke with seaweed salad and lotus root chips

To drink:

• Kona Brewing Company, Big Wave® Golden Ale*
• Kona Brewing Company, Pipeline Porter
• Maui Splash Sweet Pineapple Wine
• Mai Tai featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum

 

Hops & Barley

To eat:

• New England Lobster Roll*
• Florida grass fed beef slider with pimento cheese
• Fresh baked carrot cake with Craisins® and cream cheese icing

To drink:

• SweetWater Take Two Pils
• Goose Island® Honkers Ale
• Samuel Adams® Rebel IPA
• Dogfish Head Sixty-One IPA
• La Crema® Chardonnay*
• Cambria Estate Winery Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir
• Beer Flight (Includes 4, 4 oz. servings)
• SweetWater Take Two Pils
• Goose Island® Honkers Ale
• Samuel Adams® Rebel IPA
• Dogfish Head Sixty-One IPA

 

Ireland

To eat:

• Lobster and seafood fisherman’s pie
• Kerrygold® cheese selection: Reserve cheddar, Dubliner with Irish Stout and Skellig
• Warm chocolate pudding with Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur Custard*

To drink:

• Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
• Bunratty Meade Honey Wine
• Chilled Irish Coffee featuring Bunratty Potcheen*
• Kerrygold® Irish Cream Liqueur

 

Italy

To eat:

• Ravioli alla caprese: Cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and basil
• Filetto di pollo, con funghi al marsala: Chicken tenderloin, cremini mushrooms, marsala sauce and ciabatta bread*
• Cannoli al cioccolato: Chocolate-covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit

To drink:

• Moretti Lager Beer
• Moretti La Rossa Beer
• Pinot Grigio, Placido
• Corbinello, Montegrande
• Chianti Classico, Placido*
• Moscato Fior d’Arancio, Montegrande
• Prosecco, Bosco del Merlo
• Frozen margarita with limoncello and tequila

 

Japan

To eat:

• Spicy hand roll: Tuna and salmon with Kazan Volcano sauce
• Teriyaki gyoza bun: Steamed bun filled with chicken, vegetables and sweet teriyaki sauce
• Miso Udon: steamed shrimp, vegetables, and noodles in a spicy broth

To drink:

• Kirin Draft Beer
• Pineapple Fuzed Sake
• Sake – Komatsu Tateaki Samurai
• Sake – Suigei Drunken Whale*

 

Mexico

To eat:

• Tacos de camarón: Battered shrimp, pico de gallo, pickled onions, and chipotle mayonnaise
• Chilaquiles de pollo: Corn chips layered with seasoned chicken, queso fresco, sour cream and cilantro
• Pastel de elote con queso: sweet corn cheesecake

To drink:

• Dos Equis Lager Beer with Floater*
• Mexican sangria
• Tequila Flight
• Guava margarita

 

Morocco

To eat:

• Kefta pocket: Ground seasoned beef in a pita pocket
• Harissa chicken roll
• Baklava

To drink:

• Casa Beer*
• Guerouane White*
• Sangria
• Mimosa Royale

 

New Zealand

To eat:

• Steamed green lip mussels with garlic butter and toasted bread crumbs
• Seared venison loin with wild mushroom marsala sauce and kumara dumpling*
• Lamb meatball with spicy tomato chutney

To drink:

• Kim Crawford Pinot Gris
• Brancott Estate® Flight Song™ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
• Kim Crawford Chardonnay
• Nobilo Icon Pinot Noir*

 

Patagonia

        To eat:

• Beef empanada
• Grilled beef skewer with chimichurri sauce and boniato purée*
• Roasted Verlasso salmon with quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri

To drink:

• Undurraga Sparkling Wine Brut
• Calle Ocho Chardonnay
• Kaiken Torrontés
• Terrazas Reserva Malbec

Poland

To eat:

• Kielbasa and potato pierogi with caramelized onions and sour cream
• Sauerkraut pierogi with pork goulash*

To drink:

• Okocim Brewery, Okocim O.K. Beer
• Donausonne® Blaufränkisch Hungarian Wine*
• Frozen Szarlotka Apple Pie featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka

 

Scotland

        To eat:

• Haggis with neeps and tatties: Traditional Haggis with rutabaga and mashed potatoes
• Fresh potato pancake with Scottish smoked salmon and herb sour cream *
• Seared sea scallop with spinach-cheddar gratin and crispy bacon
• The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked cake with lemon cream and toasted oats

To drink:

• Innis & Gunn® CASK OAK Aged Beer*
• Brew Dog Punk Ale
• Citrus Thistle featuring Hendrick’s Gin
• Glenfiddich® Single Malt 12-Year Scotch
• Glenfiddich® Single Malt 15-Year Scotch
• Glenfiddich® Single Malt 18-Year Scotch
• Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch flight (12-, 15- and 18-year)

 

South Korea

To eat:

• Korean Barbecue Short Rib with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi*
• Roasted pork lettuce wrap with kimchi slaw

To drink:

• iCing Grapefruit Sparkling Rice Brew
• Myungjak Bokbunja Raspberry Wine*
• Soju Banana Milkshake featuring The Ginger People® Ginger Soother®

 

Sustainable Chew  -NEW

      To eat:

• Pork Spareribs with red wine, fennel, and cheesy mascarpone grits
• Ricotta & zucchini ravioli with tomato sauce
• Vanilla panna cotta with fresh figs and pistachio brittle

To drink:

• Founders Spectra Trifecta (Chamomile Kolsch)
• Frozen Chew-tini
• Beso Del Sol White Sangria*

 

Chew Labs  -NEW

      To eat:

• Olive oil poached salmon with fresh corn, bacon and pepper jam
• New York strip, parsnip silk, balsamic glaze and arugula foam*
• Liquid nitro chocolate almond truffle with warm whiskey caramel

To drink:

• Festival Chardonnay, Napa Valley
• Festival Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles*
• Smoking Hibiscus featuring Montelobos® Mezcal Joven

    Admission to Epcot is required. Food and beverage samples from individual marketplaces require a separate purchase. Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older. Availability for some marketplace offerings may be limited. Marketplaces subject to closure at any time. All menu items are subject to change without notice.