Foodie's Favorite Festivals: EPCOT International Food & Wine Edition

It’s here! EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2021 presented by CORKCICLE is now happening until November 20. More than 20 festival-exclusive global marketplaces are open today and another 10 are coming this fall for Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary. 

Grab your fork and wine glass and let’s get started around the world trying new and old favorites.

What exactly is the International Food & Wine Festival?

Every year, this much-anticipated event happens during the fall months. This year, the event started early on July 15 and will go until November 20. This special festival hosts many different kiosks that include food and beverage selections for any age. If you're looking for that perfect pair of tasty bites and delicious drinks, you won't want to miss this occasion.

You can use the appetizer-sized plates as a starter to a larger meal or choose to fill up on these bites throughout the day. And drinking around the world has never been more fun. The festival has a wide range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to go along with your food items. They're the perfect size to try a few while sipping and tasting. 

You'll find these authentic dishes have been carefully crafted by festival chefs for ingredients, presentation, and even cooking techniques. The beer and wine selections have also been specially paired with the food to round out your experience. Whether you’re craving savory or sweet, vegetarian or gluten free, hot or cold, this festival has it all. Here are some of the spots we discovered and recommend as must-stop spots. 

Food & Wine

Earth Eats hosted by Impossible offers plant-based burgers and chili that pairs well with a pinot noir. 

The Noodle Exchange has incredible traditional spicy Vietnamese beef pho, shrimp and coconut curry rice noodles, and even more. The suggested beverage pairings are a pale ale and refreshing Riesling. 

Australia bites include a delicious grilled sweet and spicy bush berry shrimp with pineapple and a deconstructed pavlova with pastry cream, berries, and meringue. You can sip on a sauvignon blanc or chardonnay for light flavors or a cabernet sauvignon for a more robust taste. 

Tangierine Café is a new booth inside the Moroccan pavilion. You must try the grilled kebabs with couscous, stone-baked Moroccan bread with hummus, zaalouk, and zhoug dips, or the pistachio cake with cinnamon pastry cream and candied walnuts. Grab a cider flight to enjoy with these treats and you’ll have a great meal. 

The Donut Box is back with delicious donuts for any craving you have. The candy jar donut is fixed with M&M’s, SNICKERS, and TWIX and it’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you want something a bit more savory, try the crispy chicken on a sriracha-glazed donut. 

Mexico has new offerings at the booth including chilaquiles con chorizo and taco de ribeye. These bites wouldn’t be complete without the El Tigre margarita or the white passion fruit sangria. Olé! 

Italy has a great spot for authentic Italian cuisine. Try the Mezzelune Croccanti (half-moon mozzarella-filled ravioli) or the grilled chicken ravioli with alfredo sauce. Pair these delectable bites with an Italian Margarita with tequila and limoncello and you’ll have the perfect snack. 

Spain has its own booth opening on October 1 and you can grab a charcuterie cone, Spanish-style paella, or seafood salad. Try these with the new Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial lager or the perfect wine flight. 

More Adventures

Ratatouille is the face of the festival and rightfully so! There’s a new scavenger hunt throughout the park where Remy is placed around certain booths. How many times can you spot him for Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak? 

Over at the American pavilion, The America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare features local bands from Central Florida that play popular songs of yesterday and today. Live performances include Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, and the Jammin’ Chefs. 

Exclusive Merchandise

You’ll definitely remember all the delicious food and wine, but we'd still recommend taking something home to remember the good times around the world. Grab some official event merchandise to wear, display around your home, or enjoy with friends and family. 

And to think these are just a few of the plates offered at the festival this year. For more sips and plates, visit TasteEPCOT.com. Be sure to tag us with #MyKissimmee and #TasteEPCOT on Instagram and Facebook to show us what your favorite dishes are and stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter.