Eating Around the World at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing at Walt Disney World in Orlando, with foodies flocking to the theme park to sample cuisines from around the globe.

Now in its 21st year, the festival boasts more than 30 marketplace booths representing both countries, like Poland and New Zealand, and broader themes, like the Chocolate Studio and Farm Fresh booths. Cooking demonstrations, beverage seminars, events with celebrity chefs and a concert series round out the schedule and give festival goers a break from eating their way around the World Showcase promenade. Nearly half of the food and drink offerings are new this year, with Epcot chefs working nearly year-round to test recipes and build menus.

The festival is included in regular park admission (starting at $97 for a one-day ticket) and runs through Nov. 14. Be sure to pick up a Festival Passport when you arrive, which includes full food and drink menus to check off your progress.

Valerie Marino is a journalist based in
Durham, North Carolina.

1 of 24 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Photo: Valerie Marino

2 of 24 Beijing roasted duck in a steamed bun with hoisin sauce in China. Photo: Valerie Marino

3 of 24 Pot stickers in China. Photo: Valerie Marino

4 of 24 Heather McPherson, Pam Brandon, and Katie Farmand demonstrated a dish from their cookbook Good Catch: Recipes and Stories Celebrating the Best of Florida's Waters, during a ticketed event in the Festival Center. The trio cooked lobster creole, a recipe originated at Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market in Miami, and answered questions from the audience about cooking seafood at home. Photo: Valerie Marino

5 of 24 Mango bubble tea in China. Photo: Valerie Marino

6 of 24 Buttered chicken with naan and Ethiopian berbere-style beef tenderloin with pap from the Africa booth. Photo: Valerie Marino

7 of 24 Chocolate baklava in Morocco. Photo: Valerie Marino

8 of 24 Spicy hummus fries with tzatziki sauce in Morocco. Photo: Valerie Marino

9 of 24 Locals flood the World Showcase on weekends, so visit on a weekday for much shorter lines. Photo: Valerie Marino

10 of 24 The Festival Center is home to Back to Basics seminars for tips and tricks from cooking pros, a wine shop, cooking demonstrations, book signings, and more. Photo: Valerie Marino