EVENTS: Epcot Int'l Food & Wine Festival

Canada's cheddar cheese soup at Epcot (Credit: Tanya Hanson/Metromix Orlando)

Every year I brave the heat and eat and drink my way around the world (showcase, that is). It's truly a time to indulge in cuisines (paired with wines and/or beer) from more than 25 countries and regions including Austria, New Zealand, Ireland, Greece, Chile and Puerto Rico.

With so many options, it would be near impossible to sample everything unless you had a bottomless stomach or were able to return for many repeat visits. While I enjoyed everything I tried, here is what you must try:

• Lobster and scallop fisherman's pie from Ireland
• Cheddar cheese soup from Canada
• Paprika beef stew from Austria
• Pork pot stickers from China
• Grand Marnier orange slush at a kiosk across from Chefs de France (you can get this anytime, but it's too good and refreshing not to mention)
  

Even though food and wine highlight the event, here are some other activities going on:

• Daily wine and beer tastings.
• A series of special culinary programs featuring a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.
• New programs like Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining and Celebrating Family and Friends in the Kitchen.
• Popular returning events such as French Regional Lunches at Bistro de Paris in the France pavilion, Epcot Wine Schools, Food and Wine Pairings and Sweet Sundays.
• Some 250 chefs including Disney chefs and guest chefs from across the country.  Guest chefs scheduled to appear on various days throughout the festival include Warren Brown, Cat Cora, Jamie and Bobby Deen, Keegan Gerhard, Jeff Henderson, Robert Irvine, Art Smith, Jacques Torres, Alan Wong, Andrew Zimmern and many other culinary stars.
• Festival Welcome Center, with a Champagne and Wine Bar, educational wine seminars, celebrity chef book signings, and festival keepsakes including exclusive festival pins and an official festival cookbook.
  

And finally, when you need to take a break and escape the heat (and you will), here are my go-to spots:

• Cantina de San Angel - If you started your trek around the World Showcase at Puerto Rico, then this will be your last stop on the other side. Overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon, the outside patio is a great spot to unwind, enjoy a frozen margarita or pina colada and some cantina nachos. 
• La Cava de Tequila - Tucked away inside the Mexico pavilion, the tequila bar is easy to mix. If you just want a quit spot to revive, stop here to cool off while sampling specialty tequila or margarita flights, which can be paired with one of the selections from their tapas-style menu.
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room - If you started your trek around the World Showcase (deja vu here) at Mexico, then here's where you'll want to take a break on the opposite side. Next to the Rose & Crown at the United Kingdom pavilion in the World Showcase, there's an outside patio (also overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon) canopied in trees that shade almost every table. Grab at bite from Greece, Canada or the Ireland kiosks and relax for a bit.
• The World Showcase isn't your only option, a few of the rides are so leisurely that you could fall asleep during it (looking at you, Kelly Fitzpatrick!) At about 45 minutes, Ellen's Energy Adventure at the Universe of Energy pavilion is your best option for a lengthy cooling off. For a shorter trip, opt for the 16-minute omnimover ride Spaceship Earth.