Preview of the 19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The flavors of Argentina and Chile will sizzle at the new Patagonia Marketplace when Disney’s fall culinary extravaganza, the 19th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase, opens September 19 at Walt Disney World Resort. The 2014 festival kicks off a week early and runs 53 days – up seven days from the previous 46-day event — until November 10, featuring new marketplace menus and debuting a variety of premium dining events.

Celebrated for its inspired food-and-beverage marketplaces, high-energy Eat to the Beat concerts, signature dinners and galas, the 19th festival will debut the new Patagonia Marketplace menu showcasing cuisine of Argentina and Chile such as fresh, sustainable roasted Verlasso salmon, quinoa salad and arugula chimichurri.  Disney chefs this year also will dish up new Farm Fresh Marketplace offerings and debut new menu items at multiple marketplaces. A dinner showcasing Walt Disney’s culinary predilections, a foodie “Boot Camp Series” and a Friday morning celebrity chef nosh-and-chat cookbook event, “Food for Thought,” will debut.

Festival guests will be able to pair wines and beers with savory and sweet dishes from more than 25 ethnic and specialty marketplaces as they stroll the World Showcase Promenade and earn stamps on their complimentary festival “passport” souvenirs.  Champagne, cocktails and “mocktails” also will be on festival menus. In Future World, the iconic Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog returns for a fourth year so that families can discover the cranberry’s rich agricultural heritage.

And that’s just for starters . . .

Hot Off the 2014 Festival Event Menu:

- New marketplace debuts; favorites return - Flavors of Argentina and Chile will merge at the new Patagonia Marketplace, where sustainable salmon with a kick debuts.  At the Farm Fresh Marketplace, which replaces Florida Local Marketplace, guests can taste farm-fresh local flavors of a new “Bacon and Eggs” dish featuring applewood-smoked, pepper-coated bacon, sweet corn, potatoes, Hollandaise and pickled jalapeños. The Brazil Marketplace puts the lime in the coconut with Mocequa de Pescado, a fresh tilapia dish featuring coconut lime sauce and steamed rice.

- New Eat to the Beat acts debut; fan favorites return to festival stage – Opening night through Sept. 21, new festival act Jo Dee Messina will rock the house at America Gardens Theatre.  Other new beats on tap include Rick Springfield (Sept. 24-25); Fuel (Oct. 9-10); Jim Brickman (Oct. 23-24); Los Lonely Boys (Oct. 25-26); and David Cook (Nov. 6-7). The Pointer Sisters (Sept. 22-23), Christopher Cross (Sept. 26-27) and other fan favorites will return to play the festival stage. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Nov. 8-10) will close the event.

- Celebrity chefs cook and dish - Renowned chefs such as Warren Brown, Rock Harper, Jennifer Hill Booker, Erika Davis, Paula DaSilva, Gale Gand, Dana Herbert, Jamie Deen, Jerome Brown, Dean Max, “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro, Allen Susser, Duskie Estes and John Stewart will share their talents during culinary demos and premium events.

- Festival Welcome Center buzzes with activities – Guests can make the most of the new complimentary Back to Basics Festival Center weekend series featuring guest presenters with epicurean tips and tricks from the pros. Culinary demonstrations and mixology and wine seminars will offer new tastes and sips for a nominal fee.

Other festival highlights include:

• More than 270 chefs including Disney chefs and culinary stars from across the country.
• Party for the Senses grand tasting events Saturday evenings showcasing tempting bites from eminent chefs, more than 50 wines and beers and live entertainment.
• Premium events including the back-by-demand “Parisian Breakfast” on Saturdays; new “Sunday Mornings with…” plated brunch starring an acclaimed pastry chef or baker crafting three favorite desserts for sampling; and new “Boot Camp Series” interactive experience with epicurean challenges to hone your “inner chef.”

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, 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. Festival hours extend to 10 p.m. each weekend.

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).  Information and reservations for select programs will be at epcotfoodfestival.com.