Article written by Jeff Titelius from the Examiner

Are you ready to wine and dine your away around the world in a single day and sample delectable cuisines from over 25 nations? How about tasting lamb chops from Australia and Sushi from Japan? How about the perfect pairing of wine with that Italian pasta dish? If talk like this whets your appetite, then it’s off to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival starting on Sept 25 and continuing for six weeks through Nov. 8. In addition to sampling the tastes and wines/beers from around the world, there are elegant dinner parties, wine pairings, cooking demonstrations, seminars and live entertainment. So grab your fork, knife and wine glass and follow me to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

Highlights include:

The Festival Welcome Center features a Champagne and wine bar, wine seminars, celebrity chef book signings and more.

More than 250 chefs from all over the nation including Disney chefs will host special dinners and tasting events. The final list is still being worked on so I don’t have details for this year however, I can tell you that last year’s event featured Rock Harper of “Hell’s Kitchen,” Jeff Henderson, Warren Brown, Iron Chef Cat Cora and other folks who know their way around the kitchen! Learn more about what’s going on at the Welcome Center.

In addition, there are a variety of other stops to make along your wine and dine journey around the world. Learn more!

My favorite special engagements are back as well however, keep in mind that each requires reservations and separate admission. For those who really want to indulge in the all the tastes of the world, attend the “Party for the Senses” grand tasting events featuring a variety to sumptuous food samples paired with more than 50 wines and beers plus live entertainment.

Exciting new culinary programs debut this year including “Celebration Dinners”, “Culinary Adventure Signature Dining” and “Celebrating with Family and Friends in the Kitchen.” Your favorite programs that are returning include the Epcot Wine Schools, the French Regional Lunches at Bistro de Paris (restaurant on second floor), food and wine pairings at selected Epcot restaurants, “Signature Dining,” “Sweet Sundays,” and others. Don’t worry; I will have all the details on each of these soon. For the time being, MARK YOUR CALENDARS because starting on August 11, you can call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) to book your reservations. Remember, these programs sellout quickly so don’t wait, especially for the “Party for the Senses”! See complete schedule.