The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is still in full swing from now until Nov. 12, and I had the opportunity to check out the festival’s food, alcohol and attractions. I was overwhelmed with excitement as I walked into the park’s Showcase Plaza. The air was filled with festival music and the smell of food from the Global Marketplaces all around.

Some new features that were added in the festival center are the Food & Beverage Pairing, the Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar, and the Festival Center Wine Shop. Of course, beverages are available to purchase through the different countries as well. I went to Belgium and ordered their beer flight, which contained a “Leffe Blonde Belgian Pale Ale, St. Bernardus Witbier, and St. Bernardus Abt 12.” They varied in flavor going from smoothest to a more bitter bite.

There were also new delicious food items released this year as follows:

• Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pumpkin seeds by The Wine & Dine Studio.
• The Brunswick Slider: slow-braised beef brisket, “pot roast style,” with horseradish cream, and crispy fried onions on a potato roll with pickled vegetables on the side by Hops & Barley.
• Maple bourbon Boursin cheesecake with maple bourbon cream, caramel and pecan crunch by The Cheese Studio.
• Chocolate Picante: dark chocolate mousse with cayenne pepper, chili powder, and mango by Flavors from Fire.
• Charred chimichurri skirt steak on a smoked corn cake with pickled vegetable slaw and cilantro aioli by Flavors from Fire.
• Moqueca: Brazilian seafood stew featuring scallops, shrimp and white fish with coconut-lime sauce and steamed rice in Brazil.

My favorite out of all of these was the butternut squash ravioli. It is packed with so much flavor and leaves a sweet and salty kiss on the mouth. Also, for beverages, my favorite was the Guinness Bailey’s Shake in Ireland. The shake is so icey and creamy with shredded java chips on the top. It’s satisfying for coffee lovers, and you can taste the perfect hint of Guinness in it.

There is also festival fun for the children, too. This year, some of the activities include Junior Chef Kitchen, where kids get to make meals, and Candy Sushi, where children can make that as well. There is also something called Disney Du Jour Dance Party. I caught this show on my way out of the park around 9 p.m. It’s performed at the Fountain View Stage and goes from 5:30-9:30 p.m. At the end, a Radio Disney singer comes out to perform. I have not listened to Radio Disney since I was a kid, but I was blown away by the performance. This is something a whole family would enjoy, too, not just the kids!

Speaking of entertainment pieces the whole family can enjoy, you don’t want to miss the Eat to The Beat Concert Series. There is a concert there every night at the America Gardens Theatre. You can either stop in for the 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. or the 8 p.m. show. This year, Epcot had nine new performers. They added in MercyMe singing “I Can Only Imagine,” Glass Tiger playing “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone),” Vertical Horizon’s “Everything You Want,” Sheila E. singing “The Glamorous Life,” and Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts performing “Soulful R&B Covers.” (The nights to see these guys in action have already passed, but the next three new shows listed you can still make!) On Oct. 11-12, Anderson East will play “All On My Mind,” on Oct. 15-16, 98 Degrees sings “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” and on Nov. 1-2 High Valley will perform “She’s With Me.”

At the end of the night, there are also fireworks to enjoy at the Showcase Plaza. For a full overview on the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, seminars, and dining experiences, go to disneyworld.disney.go.com and type in “Food and Wine Festival” in the upper right search bar.