2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events
Seminars Will Be Available For Booking on August 16th
At this time, Food and Wine Festival Special Events will be able to be booked on August 16th at 7am ET (call 407 WDW-FEST for details). Special events will be available through online booking again this year. Sweet Seats and Wine View Lounge tickets must be purchased by phone.
Kitchen Memories Healthy Dining Event <– New for 2011! Kitchen Memories is a new event for 2011 which will highlight healthy dining for families! Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern will be featured along with celebrity chefs, Bryan Voltaggio and Chris Cosentino and their kids. See these Chefs in their roles as Dads while learning cooking techniques that can be used for fun, family activities. Look for non-alcoholic mixed drinks as meal pairings!
When: October 29, 2011
Where: TBD
Pricing: TBD
Chocolate Discoveries Seminars <– New for 2011! Patterned after the popular Food and Wine Festival Cheese Seminars, Chocolate Discoveries allows guests to sample four different chocolates in their natural bar form while a presenter discusses the flavor variations.
Then, guests will have the opportunity to taste a savory dish made with chocolate, desserts made with chocolate, and even chocolate-inspired wine and cocktails!
When: October 9 and 16, and November 6. 2:45pm.
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $70
October 9: JeanPierre Wybauw, Chocolate & Sugar Confectionery Consultancy
October 16: Julian rose, Moonstruck Chocolates, Portland, OR
November 6: Jean-Rene Thiery, Le Cordon Bleu, Orlando, FL
First Bites Opening Reception Get a sneak peek of eats and experiences that will be represented in this year’s 2011 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.
When: September 29th, 2011, 6:30-9pm
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $175
Vertical Wine Tasting <– New for 2011! Taste 10 vintages from an exceptional vineyard — Freemark Abbey — which is celebrating 125 years of winemaking in the Napa Valley.
Wine Master Ted Edwards and John Blazon MS will present two of Napa’s legendary vineyards — Sycamore and Bosche — for a comparison.
When: November 5, 1-3pm
Where: California Grill, Contemporary Resort
Pricing: $225
Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining Eat your way through a phenomenal dinner while a Chef (sometimes a celebrity Chef!) walks you through every bite, explaining technique, menu choice, and wine pairings.
When: Select days throughout the festival, Dinner 6:30–9 p.m.
Pricing: $125-$495 per person
The Wave…of American Flavors: October 6 Frank Brough, 6:30PM, $155
The Dining Room – Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe: October 12 Chris Albano, 6:30PM, $140
California Grill: October 13 Brian Piasecki, 6:30PM, $250
Raglan Road Signature Dinner: October 18 Master Chef Kevin Dundon will host this Signature Dinner. Enjoy a phenomenal dinner while the Chef discusses each dish and describes the tantalizing flavors within. Reservations for this special evening can be booked directly with Raglan Road (407) 938 0300.
Paradiso 37: October 19 Jose L. Camey, 6:30PM, $125
Portobello Yacht Club: October 20 Tony Mantuano, 6:30PM, $150
Epcot Wonders Retreat: October 21 Jens Dahlmann and Chefs of Epcot, 6:30PM, $195
Victoria & Albert’s Signature Dinner: October 23 Chef Scott Hunnel, 6:30pm, Cost is $495 per person, plus tax/gratuities.
Kouzzina by Cat Cora: October 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 Cat Cora, 8:00PM, $155
Hollywood Brown Derby: October 27 Craig Schleider, 6:30PM, $155
Jiko Signature Dinner: October 27 Dennis Thompson (Chef) and Robin Back from Spice Route and Fairview Winery in the Paarl wine district of South Africa present a wine-pairing dinner in the beautiful Jiko Cape Town Wine Room. Dinner is seven courses. $195. 6:30pm. For reservations, email
[email protected].
Kouzzina Signature LUNCH: October 30 Cat Cora; 11am; $125
Citricos: November 1 Phillip Ponticelli, 6:30PM, $175
Fulton’s Crab House: November 2 Brent Sick, 6:30PM, $150
Flying Fish Cafe: November 3 Tim Keating, 6:30PM, $175
Radeberger Beer Dinner: November 3 Jens Dahlmann and Chefs of Epcot, 6:30PM, $155
Yachtsman Steakhouse LUNCH: November 9 Anthony R. De Luca, 12PM, $175
Bongos Cuban Cafe: November 10 Armando Abreu, 6:30PM, $125
3D Delicious Dessert Discovery This event, introduced in 2010, is back for the 2011 Festival! Featuring desserts, more alcohol than you can drink, and special viewing of Illuminations, it’s a fun night for not too much cash! To see what this event is like, check out our guest review of a 3D Delicious Dessert Discovery event in 2010!
When: Fridays — October 7, 14, 21, 28. November 4, 11. 7-8:30pm on Oct 7, 14, 21. 8-9:30pm on Oct 28 and Nov 4, 11.
Where: World Showplace
Pricing: $55; VIP “Sweet Seats” will be available for $80 (include private table, entry into event 15 minutes early, specialty beverage and dessert, and more)
Kitchen Memories Formerly Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen, this fun event will return to the 2011 Festival and feature celeb chefs!
When: Fridays — September 30. October 7, 14, 21, 28. November 4, 11. 10am-12pm.
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $110-$150
September 30: Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s and Erich Herbitschek, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; $110
October 7: John Stewart & Duskie Estes, ZAZU Restaurant; $110
October 14: Alan Wong, Alan Wong’s Restaurants; $110
October 21: Robert Irvine, Robert Irvine’s Eat!; $150
October 28: Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora; $150
November 4: Art Smith, Table Fifty-Two; $110
November 11: Suvir Saran, Devi Restaurant; $110
Party for the Senses PftS returns in 2011! Live entertainment will be presented by Cirque du Soleil once again. 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!
When: Saturdays — October 8, 15, 22. November 5, 12. Time has changed from 2010: 7:30-10pm.
Where: World Showplace
Pricing: $145 = standard ticket, Wine View Lounge = $260 (includes private tables, entrance 15 minutes early, premium bar, artisanal cheese station, and more)
Grand Marnier Tastings This seminar, titled “Taste, Shake, and Indulge Like the French: Grand Marnier Tasting and Interactive Experience” showcases the talents of a Grand Marnier cocktail master. Tastings and sweet treats included! Read the details on the 2010 Grand Marnier Tasting here.
When: Saturdays — October 8, 15, 22, 29. November 5. 2:30-4pm
Where: Bistro de Paris, France Pavilion at Epcot
Pricing: $55.00
Sweet Sundays An expert pastry chef creates three signature desserts as guests look on. Snack on brunch and champagne!
When: October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. November 6, 13. 10am-12pm
Where: Festival Welcome Center
Pricing: $90
October 2: John Hui, The Lodge at Pebble Beach
October 9: Cake Boss Buddy Valestro, Carlo’s Bakery
October 16: Elizabeth Falkner, Citizen Cake and Orson
October 23: Gale Gand, TRU
October 30: Geraldine Randlesome, Geraldine’s Creative Cutters
November 6: David Guas, Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar and Eatery
November 13: Warren Brown and Mary Meyers, CakeLove and Love Cafe
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: Sundays — October 9, 16, 23, 30. November 5. 1-4pm
Where: Wonders Retreat
Pricing: $135
October 9: Evan Goldstein MS
October 16: Fred Dame MS & Brian Koziol MS
October 23: Sharron McCarthy CSW
October 30: Charl du Plesis, Winemaker
November 6: Andrew Robinson MS
Mexico Tequila Tastings A wonderful overview of the Tequila industry, with samples of blanco, reposado, and anejo Tequilas. In the past, guests have also enjoyed appetizer samplings from La Cava del Tequila’s menu. (Now that the apps have been taken off the menu, we wonder if they’ll still be at the tasting?) Read about our Tequila Tasting from 2009.
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 12-1pm
Where: La Cava del Tequila, Mexico Pavilion at Epcot
Pricing: $45
Mexico Tequila Tastings Plus Lunch <– New for 2011! With the great success of Mexico’s tequila tastings the past two years, they’re adding a new Tequila Tasting Plus Lunch this year! This will be held at Epcot’s new La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant.
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 1-2:30pm
Where: La Hacienda de San Angel, Epcot
Pricing: $65
Cheese Seminars Seminars about CHEESE! Who could resist? Check out cheeses from different locales and be taught by the experts. Cheese will be paired with wines and beers.
When: Saturdays — October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. November 5, 12. 10:30-11:45AM
Where: Festival Center
Pricing: $75
October 1: France, Eastern; Presenter Max McCalman
October 8: Italy; Presenter Erin Hedley
October 15: Old World Mountain; Presenter Max McCalman
October 22: Spain; Presenter Max McCalman
October 29: United States; Presenter David Gremmels
November 5: France, Western; Presenter Max McCalman
November 12: Old World Maritime; Presenter Max McCalman