Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2012

In addition to the festival booths and experiences the Food and Wine festival also offers exclusive special events at an additional cost.

These events will be open for booking for the general public on August 14, 2012 (DVC Members, Tables in Wonderland card holders and Annual Passholders can begin booking for seminars and demos on August 10th).

• New for 2012-Chef-led VIP Access Tours: Tour the festival booths in a small group (about 10 people) with a chef as you learn about the dishes, taste five dishes and five beverages (including beer, wine and cocktails) and pick up on a few culinary secrets.
• Wednesdays from 10:30am to 1:00pm
• $90 per person, plus tax and park admission

• The Discovery of Chocolate: Learn about chocolate and sample chocolates and desserts with beverages and/or paired wines.
• Sunday afternoons 2:45pm-4:15pm
• $75 per person plus tax and park admission
• October 14: Sarah Kosikowski, hosted by Valrhona (New York, NY)
• 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 features desserts, alcohol and a special 3D viewing of IllumiNations. BabyCakes NYC will provide vegan and gluten-free desserts as well as the regular offerings.
• October 5th and 12th from 7-8:30pm 
• October 26th and November 2nd from 8:00pm-9:30pm
• $55 per person, plus tax and park admission
• VIP “Sweet Seats” are available for an additional $30 which includes a private table, entry into the event 15 minutes early, specialty beverages, dessert and more.

• Party for the Senses: A 2 1/2 hour event the features food, beverages and entertainment by Cirque du Soleil
• October 6, 13, 20, and 27th and November 3rd from 7:30pm to 10:00pm
• $145 plus tax for general admission (park admission not included)
• $170 plus tax for reserved table on the main floor (includes specialty cocktail and early admission at 7:15pm) 
• $270 plus tax for the Wine View Lounge (includes private tables, entrance 15 minutes early, premium bar, artisanal cheese stations and more, gratuity included

• Discovery of Grand Marnier: Showcases the talents of a Grand Marnier cocktail master and includes a glass of Champagne, samples of Grand Marnier, two specialty desserts and a mixology lesson
• Sundays, September 30th, October 7th and October 21st from 2:45pm-4:15pm
• $65 per person plus tax, gratuity included and park admission is required

• The Magic of Healthy Living Dinner-Hosted by Chefs Andrew Zimmern and Bryan Voltaggio, this event focuses on healthy dining for families. Learn to cook kid-friendly healthy foods, this event includes non-alcoholic mixed drinks and a 4-course meal
• Friday, October 19, 6:30pm
• $110 per person, plus tax, gratuity included and theme park mission is required

• Food and Wine Pairings-Sample three wines and three tasting size portions of menu items from Epcot’s ethnic restaurants. 
• Tokyo dining on Wednesday 3:30pm-5:00pm
• Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco) on Tuesday 3:30pm-5:00pm
• $55 per person, plus tax, park admission required
• Italian Food and Beer Pairings: Pairings of food and beer at Italy’s Via Napoli
• Tuesdays 1:30pm-4:00pm
• $55 per person plus tax, park admission is required

• Italian Food and Wine Pairings: Pairings of food and wine by Tutto Italia’s executive chef
• Thursdays 1:30pm-4pm
• $65 per person plus tax, park admission required

• Italian White Truffle lunch: Five course luncheon including white truffles imported from Alba, Italy. Wines will be paired with the lunch.
• November 4th 12:00-3pm
• $210 per person, plus tax, park admission is required

• Mexico Tequila Pairing Luncheon: Held at Epcot’s La Hacienda de San Angel
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 
• 12:00-1:30pm
• $70 per person, plus tax, park admission required

• Cheese Seminars
• Saturday, 10:30-11:45am
• $80 per person, plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required
• September 29th: Max Calman, cheese from the United States
• October 6: Erin Hedley, Cheese from Spain
• October 13: Max McCalman, Cheese from Italy
• 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

• Italian Regional Food and Wine Lunches (New for 2012): Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar and enjoy casual authentic dishes paired with wines
• Wednesdays and Saturdays 
• 12:00-2pm
• $75 plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required

• Wine Schools: Tasting lessons are offered as well lessons in the traditions and distinctions of wine cultures
• Select Sundays from 1pm-3pm Light reception 3pm-4pm
• $135 per person, plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required
• September 30: Andrea Robinson 
• October 7: Jim Bernau, Founder of Willamette Valley Vinyards
• November 4: Sharron McCarthy, BANFI

• Sweet Sunday: Executive pastry chefs create three signature desserts before your eyes while you enjoy Champagne
• Sundays from 10am-12pm
• $95 per person plus tax, gratuity included, park admission required
• September 30: Jacques Torres, Jacques Torres Chocolates
• October 7: Hollis Wilder, Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Molly
• October 14: Erika Davis, Simply Erika
• October 28: Gale Gand, TRU
• November 4: Geraldine Randlesome, Creative Cutters
• November 11: Warren Brown, Cake Love

• Kitchen Memories: Watch and learn as Chef’s prepare a three course lunch for you to partake in.
• Friday’s 10am-12pm
• $110-$160 per person, plus tax, park admission required
• September 28: Andrea Robinson, Master Sommerlier
• October 5: Duskie Estes and Jon Stewart, Zazu Restaurant Farm
• October 12: Emily Ellyn Hummel
• October 19: George Hirsch, George Hirsch Lifestyle 
• October 26: Robert Irvine, Robert Irvine’s EAT ($160 per person)
• September 2: Art Smith, Art and Soul
• September 9: Buddy Valastro, Carlo’s Bake Shop ($160 per person)

• Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining: Enjoy dinner as a Chef explains bite by bite the techniques used to prepare the food, menu choices and wine pairings.
• Select days throughout the festival 
• $100-$495 per person, park admission required where necessary
• Kouizzina by Cat Cora-September 27-$160
• The Hollywood Brown Derby-October 1-$160
• The Wave of American Flavors-October 2- $160
• Wolfgang Puck Dining Room-October 2-$100
• Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant-October 4-$120
• Flying Fish Cafe-October 4: “Mosel Gems”; Johannes Selbach-Owner/Wine Maker; Weingut Selbach-Oster, Zeltingern-Mosel, Germany; 6pm reception-6:30dinner
• Fulton’s Crab House-October 9-$100
• Portebello: October 11-$125
• 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
• Jiko – The Cooking Place: October 12 $195
• California Grill: October 18 $250
• 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
• The Hollywood Brown Derby: October 25 $160
• Flying Fish Cafe: October 25 “Northern Santa Barbara County Focus”; Mrs. Jenny Dore–Marketing Director/Proprietor of Foxen Wines, Santa Maria, California; 6pm Reception – 6:30pm Dinner
• Yachtsman Steakhouse: October 27 $160
• Victoria & Albert’s: October 28 $495. More info will follow. (Last year’s sold-out event with Chef Scott Hunnel was at 6:30pm with a cost of $495 per person, plus tax/gratuities.)
• Flying Fish Cafe: November 1 $185 
• Bongo’s Cuban Cafe: November 7 $100
• 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
• California Grill: November 8 $250
• Radeberger Beer Dinner: November 9 $125
• 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

I'm exhausted and hungry, just from looking over those special events...which don't even begin to cover all there is to experience at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! More information to follow so stay tuned for updates and more information!

If you're looking for a tasty deal, Pixie Vacations has exclusive rates for Food and Wine Festival for travel October 1st-October 8th.

• Resorts available: 
• All Star Sports
• Port Orleans Riverside
• Contemporary Resort
• Beach Club
• Polynesian Resort
• Contemporary Resort-theme park view

Contact me for your free quote or for more information!