BWW Previews: 20th EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 9/25 to 11/16

A global culinary journey celebrating 20 delicious years of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will tantalize taste buds from September 25th to November 16th at Walt Disney World Resort. The 2015 festival, presented by Chase, will welcome celebrity chefs, debut new marketplace tastes from around the world and celebrate guests' favorite dining traditions. Now is the time to plan your visit to be part of this extraordinary culinary event.

The festival also will welcome the Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, ABC's "The Chew." For the first time in the show's history, co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz will leave their Manhattan studio to broadcast from the festival. The series will tape five shows from Epcot Oct. 7, 8 and 9 to air on "The Chew" during the week of Oct. 12-16. In addition to showcasing festival highlights, "The Chew" will feature food and beverage from "around the world" of Walt Disney World Resort. "The Chew" also will be featured in two themed marketplaces - Sustainable Chew Marketplace and Chew Lab - at the new Next Eats area of Future world - the first time in the festival's history that new culinary experiences have expanded into the Future World area of the park.

Disney chefs and festival programmers are whipping up a feast of surprises to celebrate the 20th annual event in style. New wine tastings, rockin' parties and culinary experiences built around the 20-year milestone will bring together loyal festival fans and first-timers. As part of the celebration, Chef Remy of the Disney animated film "Ratatouille" will invite guests to join a culinary scavenger hunt.

Growing in scope each year since 1996 and lauded by the Travel Channel as one of America's top food festivals, the 53-day Epcot event features inspired bites and sips from around the world at more than 25 outdoor marketplaces, nightly Eat to the Beat concerts of many musical genres, signature dinners and featured tasting events.

This fall, the 20th festival will debut dishes like Pepper Bacon Mac 'n Cheese at the Farm Fresh Marketplace and refreshing sips like the Scottish Citrus Thistle at the Scotland Marketplace. Culinary icons like Cat Cora, Jamie Deen and John Ash will entertain foodies and inspire their palates at new and returning premium events that include weekly Party for the Senses grand tastings in October.

Festival guests can pair wines and beers with savory and sweet dishes as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade and earn stamps on their complimentary festival passports. Champagne, cocktails and "mocktails" also will bubble up on festival menus. In Future World, the popular Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog returns for a fourth year so that families can discover the cranberry's rich agricultural heritage and learn fun facts about the tart fruits.

Whether guests' taste buds prefer savory, spicy, sweet (or all of the above), there are plenty of delectable surprises at every stop along the way.

Here's a sneak peek:

New marketplace menus debut and chefs celebrate festival favorites - Among many dishes set to debut are Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Ragout and Kumara Dumpling at the New Zealand Marketplace and Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Peppers, Onions and Snap Peas at the Australia Marketplace. For many, there's nothing like a yearly dip into classic favorites like the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup.

Four new "Eat to the Beat" concert acts debut; fan favorites return to festival stage -Rock singer-songwriter David Cook opens the Eat to the Beat concert series Sept. 25-27. Four new acts in the concert series lineup - Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest and Chaka Khan - will belt out chart-topping tunes. Other popular acts, including Wilson Phillips, Smash Mouth, The Pointer Sisters, Jo Dee Messina, Boyz II Men and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, will return to rock the America Gardens Theatre stage this fall.

Celebrity chefs dazzle - Renowned chef and cookbook author John Ash, who participated in the inaugural Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in 1996, will return to celebrate the 20th milestone year. Other notable chefs including Cat Cora, Robert Irvine, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Kenny Gilbert and Buddy Valastro will cook for Epcot guests and share their culinary know-how during demos and premium events.

Ratatouille rocks - Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak invites kids of all ages to join a World Showcase scavenger hunt for little Remy statuettes hidden around the park's World Showcase. Maps, stickers and prizes are involved.

Festival Center gets cookin' - Guests can join culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and mixology seminars daily for a nominal fee. More festival fun will include the complimentary Back to Basics weekend series featuring epicurean tips and tricks from the pros.

Chase Lounge offers perks - Anyone who owns or wants to own a Chase debit or credit card will find complimentary refreshments and interactive fun at the Chase Lounge at American Adventure.

Get ready for . . . More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country. Party for the Senses grand tasting events every Saturday in October showcasing tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment. Premium events including the new "French Family Meal Traditions" lunch on Fridays and Sundays; new "Rockin' Burger Block Party" on select dates; and new beverage events to include "Exploring Wines from 1996 to Now" that salutes the festival's 20th year.

Included with Epcot Admission: Back to Basics series, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation: The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. When a reservation booking date is announced this summer, guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at www.EpcotFoodFestival.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Walt Disney World

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