By Tom Crosby

For six weeks this fall, a single visit to Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center offers a chance to sample cuisine and culture from more than 25 international marketplaces.

From Sept. 28 through Nov. 11, guests to the Orlando resort will have the chance to sample tapas-sized portions of regional specialties from countries ranging from Chile to Scandinavia in what might be the world’s largest and longest International Food and Wine Festival. New countries this year include Argentina, Turkey, India and Thailand.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see and experience cultures without having to travel outside the U.S.,” said Nora Carey, 48, who has worked more than a quarter of a century for Disney and managed the festival for the past three years. “No other festival of this scope and caliber exists in the world.”

Oenophiles, beer aficionados and epicures can attend daily seminars or a series of special culinary programs featuring renowned winemakers and guest chefs participating in elegant dinners, wine schools, cooking schools and pairings. More than 120 wineries will offer complimentary tastings.

Artwork inspired by food and wine from China, France, Italy and other countries has been collected to serve as an appropriate backdrop to tastings.

Emphasizing the Arts
Each evening three concerts known as Eat to the Beat! will be performed at the America Gardens Theatre, with guest artists including Little Richard, Survivor, Three Dog Night, David Sanborn, Jon Secada, and Chubby Checker & the Wildcats.

“Our festival theme, ‘Tastefully Inspired,’ is an opportunity to emphasize the relationship between two expressions of art—the canvas and the table,” said Carey. “It’s an ideal backdrop for the exceptional culinary and wine-related talent of Walt Disney World Resort and the great celebrity chefs and wine connoisseurs who join us each year.”

Now in its 12th year, the festival attracts more than a million visitors, including many families.

“We have lots of family activities, including some for children while the parents attend the festival,” said Carey.

Festival Highlights
• Some 250 Disney chefs and guest chefs will be on hand, including Jeff Henderson, Keegan Gerhard, Colette Peters, Warren Brown and Robert Tracy Griffith.

• Best selling food author Mireille Guilano will sign books and participate in special culinary programs during opening weekend.

• Up to 1,200 wine and beer seminars will provide complimentary tastings.

• Music, dance, acrobatics and “improv” acts will be featured at Epcot pavilions.

• A weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting will feature entertainment by Cirque de Soleil.

Wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary exhibits and all attractions and park entertainment are included with Epcot admission. (AAA members receive discounts on Disney packages and tickets.)

Separate admission is required for the Party for the Senses grand tasting, food and wine pairings at Epcot restaurants, cooking and wine schools, Lunch and Learn sessions and Exquisite Evenings at Epcot dinners. Food sample prices generally range from $1.50–$4.50.