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Tasty trip: Globe-hop right here in Florida at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/08/30 .. a-at-epcot-international-food-wine-festival.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, August 30th 2025 at 6:07 GMT by Florida Today
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EPCOT’s 2025 International Food & Wine Festival: A Global Gastronomic Getaway

Florida Today’s latest coverage of Disney’s highly‑anticipated EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival offers a comprehensive look at what the 2025 edition promises to deliver. The article outlines the festival’s dates, highlights, culinary partners, and the new experiential elements that Disney has added to keep both first‑time visitors and seasoned foodies coming back for more.

The Basics

The 2025 festival will run from August 15 to October 9, offering nearly nine weeks of culinary exploration at EPCOT’s World Showcase. Florida Today notes that this marks the return of the festival after the COVID‑19 hiatus, and Disney is already forecasting a record‑breaking 3.5 million visitors. The event will be held at EPCOT’s international food courts—primarily the “Country Square” and the “World Showcase” pavilions—where guests will encounter a blend of permanent food booths and pop‑up experiences.

A Taste of the World

A central theme of the 2025 festival is the “Taste of the World” concept, which brings the cuisines of 22 countries to the park. Florida Today highlights several “Taste” nights that will feature traditional dishes paired with regionally sourced wines:

• Taste of Italy – Italian chefs will present homemade pasta, paninis, and a special tiramisu dessert. The event also features a wine pairing workshop with a Tuscan sommelier.
• Taste of Mexico – Guests can enjoy Taco Tijuana, Tamales de la Abuela, and an interactive Mexican mole demonstration.
• Taste of Spain – Featuring paella, tapas, and a sherry tasting led by a Spanish wine expert.
• Taste of Japan – Sushi rolls, ramen, and a sake tasting experience that dives into Japan’s centuries‑old brewing traditions.

Each “Taste” night is designed to be an immersive cultural experience, complete with music, décor, and live cooking shows.

Culinary Partnerships

One of the article’s most exciting announcements is Disney’s collaboration with renowned chefs and culinary institutions. Several chefs who have received Michelin stars or who run flagship restaurants in major U.S. cities will bring their expertise to EPCOT:

• Chef Giada De Laurentiis – She will host a “Gourmet Italian Evening” featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a live pasta‑making demonstration.
• Chef José Andrés – Known for his innovative Spanish tapas, he will run a “Tapas & Sancocho” showcase, highlighting his charity work with World Central Kitchen.
• Chef David Chang – The founder of Momofuku will lead a “Modern Asian Fusion” night, blending traditional flavors with contemporary techniques.

In addition to individual chefs, Disney has partnered with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to offer a “Student Culinary Workshop” where attendees can observe and participate in short cooking classes.

Wine & Beverage Experiences

Beyond food, the festival is placing a strong emphasis on wine and beverage experiences. Florida Today lists several highlights:

• Global Wine Tasting Trail – A curated tour that allows guests to sample award‑winning wines from Italy, France, Spain, and the U.S.
• Craft Cocktail Hour – Local mixologists will create signature cocktails using seasonal ingredients.
• Sustainable Beverage Showcase – An initiative that features eco‑friendly packaging and zero‑waste cocktails.

The article underscores that many of these experiences require advanced reservations and may carry a small fee, which Disney says helps offset the cost of bringing world‑class talent to the park.

New Attractions and Interactive Elements

Disney is also adding a “Foodie Adventure” interactive map that guests can download onto their mobile devices. This app will guide visitors through a self‑paced culinary scavenger hunt, awarding badges for trying specific dishes and completing trivia challenges. The article cites Disney’s Marketing Director, who says the feature “encourages guests to explore every corner of the World Showcase.”

Additionally, the festival will feature live cooking shows and behind‑the‑scenes tours at the new EPCOT Culinary Pavilion, which opened earlier in the year. Guests can watch chefs prepare dishes in real time and learn about ingredient sourcing directly from the producers.

Family‑Friendly Focus

While the festival is heavily marketed toward adult food lovers, Florida Today notes that Disney has maintained its family‑friendly ethos. For example, the “Taste of the World” nights will also offer kid‑friendly menus and a “Junior Sommelier” tasting experience, where children can sample grape juice pairings that mimic the flavor profiles of real wines. Parents can enjoy a quiet corner with a café-style bar, making the festival accessible to all ages.

Ticketing and Accessibility

The article explains that general admission to EPCOT includes access to the festival’s food booths, but certain events—such as the chef‑hosted dinners or the “Global Wine Tasting Trail”—require separate tickets. Disney’s ticketing portal will offer bundled options that include standard admission plus a set of experiences. The article stresses that early planning is essential, as these experiences tend to sell out quickly.

Community and Sustainability

Finally, Disney’s 2025 festival underscores its commitment to sustainability and community engagement. The festival will partner with local farms and suppliers to source ingredients wherever possible. Florida Today highlights the “Sustainable Foods” booth, which will showcase plant‑based alternatives and zero‑waste cooking methods. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds from the festival’s ticketed events will go to Disney’s “Feed the Future” program, which supports food security initiatives in underserved communities.

Conclusion

Florida Today’s detailed coverage paints a vivid picture of what the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will offer: a global culinary journey, celebrity chefs, wine tastings, interactive technology, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and family‑friendly fun. Whether you’re a seasoned gastronome or simply looking for a unique dining experience in a magical setting, the festival promises an unforgettable week‑long feast that celebrates the best of international cuisine and the art of pairing it with the perfect drink. With the event set to draw millions of visitors, EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival remains one of the most anticipated dining events of the year—and Florida Today’s article serves as an excellent primer for planning your culinary adventure.