Seared Scallops from Coastal Eats

The Food & Wine Festival is Epcot's biggest annual event, bringing together the best culinary tastes from around the world. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever with a record 75 days! Plus, to celebrate Epcot's 35th anniversary there will be 35 Food Marketplaces – five more than last year. With so many places to stop for a bite it can be a bit overwhelming. That's why we've compiled this list of the top 5 new things to try at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year.

Seared Scallops from Coastal Eats
This new Marketplace features flavors from the oceans of the world as well as wines from the Pacific coastline. The Seared Scallops are sure to make waves as one of this year's culinary highlights. It's served with velvety roasted corn and butterbean succotash and topped off with a chili-chipotle butter sauce. This delicious dish pairs nicely with the Erath Pinot Gris wine from Oregon. Some of the other specialties from Coastal Eats include a Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip with sourdough baguette and a Lump Crab Cake with Napa cabbage slaw.

Sweet Olive Oil Cake from Spain

Sweet Olive Oil Cake from Spain
The Spain Marketplace is making its triumphant return to the event after a few years of absence. One of the must-tries this year might be the Charcuterie in a Cone, a perfect hand-held selection of imported Spanish meats, cheeses and olives with an herb vinaigrette. But, the surprise breakout hit is the Sweet Olive Oil Cake. This fluffy and flavorful cake is made with powdered sugar and olive oil for the perfect blend of sweet and savory. And it's topped off with a creamy lemon curd for just the right zing of zesty.

Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese from Active Eats

Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese from Active Eats
Active Eats is a new Marketplace for 2017 offering action-packed dishes like Roasted Verlasso Salmon and the Sweet Avocado Crema with yellow cake and tortilla streusel. One dish to definitely add to your to-do list is the Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese. This ooey gooey macaroni and cheese casserole of goodness is topped with Nueske’s pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, peppers and green onions. Partake in this mouthwatering dish with a glass of refreshing Cucumber & Lemon Lime Hard Sparkling Water from M.I.A. Beer Company.

Pancake with Chipotle Chicken Sausage from Flavors from Fire

Pancake with Chipotle Chicken Sausage from Flavors from Fire
Flavors from Fire is a new Marketplace built for lovers of all things spicy! The Sweet Pancake with Spicy Chipotle Chicken Sausage is a unique take on the breakfast classics. It's topped off with onion jam and maple butter syrup – because what's a pancake without maple syrup? This Marketplace has lots of other offerings to rev up your taste buds including Smoked Corned Beef and Piggy Wings, which are pork wings with Korean BBQ sauce. There's even a Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper in case you like your dessert with a little kick!

Grilled Beef Skewer from Earth Eats, Inspired by The Chew

Grilled Beef Skewer from Earth Eats, Inspired by The Chew
Not only will ABC's The Chew be broadcasting live from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival for their third year, but they've inspired their own Marketplace called Earth Eats. Dive into their creative cuisine with the Grilled Beef Skewer. It's served over romaine lettuce that's been tossed with apricots and feta cheese. Or enjoy the Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with rustic tomato sauce. Save room for the decadent Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse served with a caramel drizzle. These foods are so good you'll swear you're sampling them on set with the Emmy Award-winning hosts of The Chew yourself.

The 22nd annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival runs from August 31 to November 13. In addition to the great food and drinks there will also be live concerts, celebrity chefs, culinary workshops and much more. Be sure to save money on tickets to Epcot at Walt Disney World here on Best of Orlando. 

(Photos: Walt Disney World)

Orlando, FL – 8/23/17

By: Alicia Stella