You can now sign up for the long list of special events available during the 15th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. By calling 407-WDW-Fest (939-3378) you can make reservations and secure your spot in some of these very popular events.

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Special Events
Each year the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is home to a number of special events that go above and beyond the normal activities.  These include special parties, themed meals by expert chefs, Wine Tastings, Wine and Food Pairings, Dining Experiences, and other events.

Here is a list of the Special Events for this year's Festival which opens on October 1st and runs through November 14th, 2010:

First Bites Opening Reception at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

An opening reception in the Festival Welcome Center featuring epicurean samplings from the International Marketplaces, Wine Seminars, Culinary Demonstrations, merchandise locations, celebrities and entertainment. This is truly a sneak peek of the Festival before it is officially open to the public.

Location: Festival Welcome Center
Date: Thursday, September 30th, 2010, from 6:30 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.
Price: $195.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

"3D" Disney's Dessert Discovery
Join us for a dessert lover's dream! During the Festival, select Thursday & Friday evenings become truly delicious with a variety of desserts and samplings of cordials certain to please any sweet tooth. Afterwards enjoy V.I.P. viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. World ShowPlace Pavilion

Dates: Select Thursdays & Fridays from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (10/8, 10/15, 10/21, 10/28, 11/5, 11/12)

Price: $45.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

Taste, Shake, and Indulge Like the French

The "No. 1" French liqueur, Grand Marnier, family owned and operated since 1827, offers the unique experience to taste its range of exceptional Cognac-based liqueurs. Following the tasting, become your own mixologist and learn how to muddle and shake like a pro, and later indulge in the famous Crepês Suzette and Soufflés Glacés au Grand Marnier made by the chefs of Bistro de Paris. Bistro de Paris, France Pavilion

Dates: Select Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30 )

Price: $45.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

Mexico Tequila Tastings

Come taste authentic Mexican tequila and learn about the history and traditions around its production from a true Tequila Master. This unique location offers appetizer samplings of ceviche and tostada as guests embark on their tequila flight. *Available dates are limited.

Location: La Cava del Tequila, Mexico Pavilion

Dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Price: $45.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

Food & Wine Pairings

These late afternoon sessions are great opportunities to discover a marriage of 3 regional wines with 3 tasting-size portions of cuisines from select Epcot restaurants. A wine representative will host each session and the themes will vary according to location. Featured wineries and menu selections change daily.

Dates:
Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Tutto Italia Ristorante
Mondays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Tokyo Dining
Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Restaurant Marrakesh

Price: $65.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

Cheese Seminars

Learn about cheese from expert "fromagers" from the Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City and other cheese industry professionals. The featured cheese will be paired with selected wines–introduced by a knowledgeable wine representative.

Dates:  Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m. in the Festival Welcome Center

10/2 — French — Max McCalman, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City

10/9 — Italian — Erin Hendley, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City

10/16 — American — Max McCalman, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City

10/23 — Spanish — Waldemar Albrecht-Luna, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City

10/30 — France — Max McCalman, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City

11/6 — American — David Gremmels, Rogue Creamery, Central Point, OR

11/13 — Italy — Max McCalman, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City

Price: $75.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

Epcot® Wine Schools

Enjoy this fabulous, comprehensive program facilitated by a prestigious wine authority. This afternoon session engages the flavors and traditions of distinctive wine cultures, teaches how to taste several regional wines, and concludes with a celebratory reception and certificate of completion.

Dates: Saturdays, 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m. Class; 3:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. Light Reception at Wonders Retreat.

10/2 — Jon Bolta, Winemaker for Conundrum Wines "Conundrum Building Seminar, Conundrum Wines California"

10/9 — Robin Back, Proprietor of Fairview Wines "Variety is in our Nature South Africa's Unique Terroir"

10/16 — Andrea Robinson, Master Sommelier "Explore the Alluring and Mysterious Great Pinot Noir Regions"

10/23 — Sharron McCarthy, President of the Society of Wine Educators "Under the Tuscan Sun Tantalizing Tuscany"

11/13 — Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier "Argentina 'en fuego'- Discover the Excitement Around this Amazing South American Jewel"


Price: $125.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.


Sweet Sundays — Hosted by MARTINI®

A highly-acclaimed pastry chef or baker demonstrates 3 signature desserts... and serves them! Each event includes a warm and intimate breakfast buffet complete with sparkling wines.

Dates: Sundays from 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. in the Festival Welcome Center

10/3 — Matt Lewis & Renato Poliafito, Baked, Brooklyn, NY

10/10 — Warren Brown & Mary Meyers, CakeLove, Washington, DC

10/17 — Stanton Ho, Executive Chef, Chocolates á la Carte

10/24 — Gale Gand, Tru, Chicago, Ill

10/31 — Geraldine Randlesome, Creative Cutters, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

11/7 — Emily Luchetti, Waterbar Restaurant and Farallon Restaurant, San Francisco, CA

11/14 — Richard Ruskell, Montage Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA


Price: $85.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.


French Regional Lunches

Discover the cuisine and wine that characterizes a different region in France on selected Fridays and Sundays. Lunch will be prepared by chefs from the Bistro de Paris at the France Pavilion at Epcot. Wines will also be presented by a visiting winery principle.

Dates: Select Fridays & Sundays, 12:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. at the Bistro de Paris, France Pavilion at Epcot


10/1— Champagne— Pascal Boye representing Nicolas Feuillatte

10/3— Bordeaux— Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Adrien Laurent

10/8— Maconnais & Beaujolais— Georges Duboeuf, Jorge Hernandez

10/10— Rhone Valley— Maison Vidal-Fleury, Jorge Hernandez

10/15— Alsace— Trimbach, Alexandra Marshall

10/17— Alsace— Trimbach, Alexandra Marshall

10/22— Bordeaux— Barton & Guestier, Alexandra Marshall

10/24— Bordeaux— Barton & Guestier, Alexandra Marshall

10/29— Champagne— Champagne Pommery, Frederic Goossens

10/31— Champagne— Champagne Pommery, Frederic Goossens

11/5— Cotes du Rhone— Jean-Luc Colombo, Lydia Tremble

11/7— Cotes du Rhone— Jean-Luc Colombo, Lydia Tremble

11/12— Burgundy— Jean-Claude Boisset, Gregory Patriat

11/14— Burgundy— Jean-Claude Boisset, Gregory Patriat


Price: $95.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.



Celebrating Family & Friends in the Kitchen

This enchanting 3-course lunch celebrates the joys of preparing a meal with family and friends. The hosts will engage attendees and demonstrate how to prepare an appetizer, main course and dessert. A notable winery representative will also be on hand to pair each course with a selection from their premium wines.

Dates:  Fridays from 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. at the Festival Welcome Center

10/1 — Sondra Bernstein & John Best, the girl and the fig, Sonoma, CA

10/8 — Robin Miller, Host of Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller, Food Network

10/15 — Andrea Robinson, M.S., Everyday Dining with Wine

10/22 — Andrew Zimmern, Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods

10/29 — Cat Cora, Kouzzina by Cat Cora, Disney's BoardWalk Resort

11/5 — Art Smith, Personal Celebrity Chef, Chicago, IL

11/12 — Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier


Price: $110.00 USD-140.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.

* Saturday program

Party for the Senses

The weekly Party For The Senses grand tasting event showcases tempting bites from eminent chefs from around the country as well as the finest Disney chefs.

Start your evening off with confirmed seating to the Eat To The Beat concert series at the America Gardens Theater. Then head over to World Showplace for this grand culinary event! Wander among tantalizing food and beverage in the midst of imaginative decor and awe-inspiring acts from La Nouba™ by Cirque du Soleil®.

Upgrade your experience with the Wine View Lounge. This is an exclusive area within Party for the Senses which includes a private reserved table, entrance into World ShowPlace 15 minutes before general admission, premium bar, an artisanal cheese station, and more. Limited Availability

Dates: Saturdays 6:30 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. at the World ShowPlace Pavilion (Wine View Lounge: 6:15 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.


Price: $135.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is required.


Wine View Lounge access is $90.00 USD per person, plus tax (in addition to admission for Party for the Senses.). Gratuity included.


Culinary Adventure Signature Dining

A highly acclaimed chef collaborates with the resident chef of a top Disney restaurant to create a truly magical and memorable meal. A representative from one or more hosting wineries will present accompanying wines for each dinner. Select days at select venues at the Walt Disney World Resort (see below).

Dates:
10/5 6:30 p.m.  Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney Area — Jose Camay

10/7 6:30 p.m.  Jiko- The Cooking Place at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge — Dennis Thompson

10/14 6:30 p.m.  The Wave at Disney's Contemporary Resort — Frank Brough

10/19 6:30 p.m.  Wolfgang Puck's at Downtown Disney Area — Sinclair Thorne

10/21 6:30 p.m.  California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort — Brian Piasecki

10/22 6:30 p.m.  Wonder's Retreat at Epcot — Jens Dahlmann*

*Theme park admission is required

10/24 6:30 p.m.  Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — Scott Hunnel

10/27 6:30 p.m.  Portobello Italian Trattoria at Downtown Disney Area — Tony Mantuano

10/28 6:30 p.m.  Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney's BoardWalk Resort — Cat Cora

11/3 6:30 p.m.  Citricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — Phillip Ponticelli

11/3 6:30 p.m.  Raglan Road at Downtown Disney Area — Kevin Dundon

11/4 6:00 p.m.  Flying Fish Café at Disney's BoardWalk Resort — Tim Keating

11/6 6:30 p.m.  Todd English's bluezoo, Lake Buena Vista, Florida — Todd English

11/10 6:30 p.m.  Bongo's Cuban Café at Downtown Disney Area — Edwin Almonte

11/11 6:30 p.m.  Fulton's Crab House at Downtown Disney Area — Ron Cope

Price: $125.00 USD-$450.00 USD per person, plus tax. Gratuity included. Theme park admission is not required.