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September 25-November 8
Lake Buena Vista, FL—Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
It's a small world at the fourteenth annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. A six-week extravaganza of wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, cultural experiences, and live concerts will entertain guests throughout the festival. Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, plus wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations, is included with regular Epcot admission. To make reservations for any of the ticketed events, call 407-WDW-FEST. For details go to www.disneyworld.com.

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October 1 & 2
Monterey, CA—Monterey Wine Festival
California's longest-running wine festival will celebrate its 33rd anniversary starting with the Grand Tasting at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the 1st. Sample from over 400 wines, complemented by tasty fare, while enjoying the aquarium’s marine displays. On the 2nd, festivities will take place at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, featuring new additions as well as favorites from the past. Expect a live wine auction, gourmet offerings and more than 600 different wines, including new releases. There will also be opportunities to meet, talk with and learn from wine experts. Tickets to the Grand Tasting and the Wine Festival are sold separately, at $99 each. For more information, call 800-422-0251 or visit www.montereywine.com.

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October 1-4
Kansas City, MO—American Royal Barbecue Contest
If you take your barbecue skills seriously or even if you don’t and just like to feast on grilled, sauced meats, this is the event for you. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the “World Series” of barbecue, where contestants from all over the U.S. and Canada descend upon Kansas City to battle for the title of Grand Champion. Launched in 1980, The American Royal Barbecue is the season finale for the competitive circuit. For more information, visit www.americanroyal.com.

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October 1-4
Tucson, AZ—Tucson Culinary Festival
If The Tucson Culinary Festival, a four-day event, gets a great start with the 4th Annual Milagro Margarita Championship on October 1. Held at Maynards Market & Kitchen located in the Historic Train Depot downtown, the purpose of this event is to choose the "World's Greatest Margarita." Both celebrity and regular folks are part of that monumental decision. The Tucson Originals, a group of local independent restaurants, bring in some delightful noshing. Maynards is also the sight of a new addition, the Milagro Tequila Lunch on October 2. That evening the crowds gather at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort for the Reserve Tasting. Here they will enjoy more fine food from the Tucson Originals along with over 40 top-shelf wines and spirits. Then on Saturday, October 3, there is the Grand Tasting with its 150 wines and more food from the Tucson Originals. Seminars on grilling and mixology are scheduled as well. On Sunday, the 4th, in the Kiva Ballroom at the resort, things really heat up with brunch, "Blues, Brews and Barbeque" and The Copper Chef Challenge. This year's contestants are chef Jim Murphy of Bluefin Seafood Bistro and Kingfisher, and chef Jeff Fuld of Elle. It's sponsored by the Tucson Originals, and the money raised goes to two local charities. For more information visit http:www.tucsonculinaryfestival.com.

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October 2-4
Santa Rosa, CA—Sonoma County Harvest Fair
The 2009 Sonoma County Harvest Fair invites families to celebrate the harvest. This three-day event will feature the World Championship Grape Stomp, over 150 wineries, chef demonstrations, micro-brew tastings, wine tastings, live jazz music, a petting zoo of farm animals, agricultural activities and much more. Admission to the fair is $6 for adults, $2 for children 7-12 years old and free for 6 years and under.  Wine tasting prices are: $35 on Friday per session, $60 for fair admission and all-inclusive wine tasting, $7 for glass and two taste tickets on Saturday and Sunday and additional tickets are $6. For more information, visit www.HarvestFair.org or call 707-545-4203.

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October 3
Los Angeles, CA—27th American Wine & Food Festival
One of America's premier culinary events, the star-studded American Wine & Food Festival gathers many of the world's top chefs and wine and spirit purveyors on the beautifully lighted back lot of Universal Studios, Los Angeles. The festival benefits the Los Angeles chapters of Meals on Wheels, which serves thousand of meals each day to the city’s homebound senior and disabled citizens. The impressive lineup of participating Los Angeles-area chefs includes: Wolfgang Puck (Spago Beverly Hills), Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza), Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu Los Angeles), Walter Manzke (Church & State), and Laurent Tourondel (BLT Steak). Heavy-hitters like Thomas Keller (The French Laundry and Bouchon) will also be at the event, serving up signature dishes. Enjoy live bands, an auction and libations from fine wine and spirit vendors. Purchase tickets early, as the event does sell out. For more information, call 310-574-3663 or visit www.awff.org.

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October 4
Los Angeles, CA—Cure in the Canyons II
The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village will play host to this luxury lifestyle fest—an event to raise funds for innovative medical and clinical research in the battle against breast cancer. Attendees will support the cause while enjoying an afternoon filled with lifestyle, wellness and beauty treatments. Explore luxe cabanas offering stress-relieving products from skyn ICELAND, Paul Mitchell, Billion Dollar Brows and more. The Paul Mitchell, Billion Dollar Brows, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, Kerstin Florian skincare and SHAPE Magazine cabana will offer free beauty and spa treatments including OPI manicures and signature Four Seasons massages. A yoga mini-mat class will be provided by 24 Hour Fitness, and (for the guys) the new line of 2010 Lexus luxury hybrids will be on display. Sample culinary offerings from Hampton’s Restaurant, Onyx, Chocolates à la Carte, Malibu Family Wines, Glacéau, Korbel and others. Shannon Tweed and Sophie Tweed Simmons of the TV series “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” return as honorary hosts. They, along with NFL star Marcellus Wiley, will host a tea party for breast cancer survivors in the Rose Garden from 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m., where Revolution Teas will be served with accompanying treats. The event will be held from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; General admission costs $75 and includes an eco-friendly gift bag. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cureinthecanyons.com.

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October 4
Redwood City, CA—Twelfth Annual Arts & Olive Festival
Celebrate olives and the arts amidst hundreds of olive trees on the beautiful Cañada College campus. Bay Area residents will enjoy a day of entertainment, savory foods and wine, as well as olive oils and vinegars. Last year, entertainment for the little ones included balloon art, face painting and crafts. There will also be live performances from the Bartron Tyler Group, the Zambalita Middle Eastern Dance Company and the Samba Brazilian Dance Troupe. This event is held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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October 9-11
Soufriere, St. Lucia—Spices of the Caribbean Food Festival
Caribbean spices take center stage in St. Lucia this fall in a three-day culinary event at the Jade Mountain resort. Guided by Chef Allen Susser, the weekend will highlight the tropical cuisine of the island region with an emphasis on fiery flavors. A cocktail party with spiced exotic libations and finger foods kicks off the event on Friday evening, while Saturday morning brings cooking demonstrations and local market excursions, including a walking and tasting tour of the Emerald Gardens. There will also be a five-course specialty dinner featuring seasonal spices paired with local wines. For more information visit www.jademountain.com or call 800-223-1108.

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October 16-17
Wichita, KS—Midwest Beerfest
This annual beer bash is hosted by the Wichita Chapter of The American Institute of Wine and Food. The event kicks off on Friday night with the Midwest Beerfest Dinner, featuring the Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale and Grand Teton Brewing Company’s Au Naturale Organic Blonde Ale. The celebration continues at Century II Exhibition Hall on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. with the Grand Tasting and Auction, which features beer tasting, educational seminars, cooking demonstrations, live music and of course, an array of food. While Saturday's Grand Tasting and Auction tickets can be purchased at the door (with an additional convenience fee), Friday night's dinner tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, call 316-682-5502 or visit www.midwestbeerfest.com.

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October 16-18
Edgartown, MA—Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival
Martha's Vineyard celebrates the fall harvest from the sea, farm and vine at the second annual Food and Wine Festival. Come and sample fare from Island farms, taste culinary creations by renowned chefs, and try a variety of international wines, all on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, located just seven miles off the Massachusetts coastline. The festival will kick off with a reception at the Martha's Vineyard Museum, followed by two days of sampling, sipping, wine dinners and educational seminars such as “Adventure with an Affineur,” “Chocolate & Dessert Wines” and “The Price is Right.” For a complete list of this year's events, attendees, lodging and ticket information, please call 508-939-0880 or visit www.seafarmvine.org.

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October 16-18
Paso Robles, CA—Harvest Wine Weekend
The Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association invites wine lovers to enjoy the 2009 harvest through a combination of over 150 individual events, including special winemaker dinners, vineyard tours, seminars, cooking classes, concerts and arts. Over 130 wineries are taking part in this year's celebration, presenting the perfect opportunity to meet winemakers and find great harvest discounts in the fastest-growing wine region of California. For the latest information on participating wineries, call the Paso Robles Vintners and Growers Association at 800-549-WINE or visit www.pasowine.com.

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October 22-24
Portland, ME—Harvest on the Harbor
Experience the flavors of Maine during this three-day event that features tastings, seminars and dinners. Learn from food experts and sip fine wines, beers and spirits, all while enjoying one of the most beautiful seasons in Maine. The Grand Tasting at the Gateway kicks off the event on Thursday at Portland’s Ocean Gateway, and is a showcase of Maine’s finest local culinary talents with wines and spirits from around the world. Maine’s own world-class microbrews will also be featured. Friday is packed with a full day of culinary events, tastings and seminars. The grand finish to the weekend is the Food & Wine Marketplace, where guests can sample wine, ales and spirits from local artisans and epicurean purveyors. Cooking demonstrations and food samples will also be given. All Harvest on the Harbor events are individually priced.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.harvestontheharbor.com.

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October 22-25
Kohler, WI—Kohler Food & Wine Experience
The ninth annual Kohler Food & Wine Experience will feature a weekend bursting with flavor. Enjoy succulent fare from award-winning local and international chefs, acquire some culinary knowledge from food and wine specialists, and meet and greet the chefs at celebrity cookbook signings. Last year's lineup included Master Chef Jacques Pepin, host of Jacques Pépin More Fast Food My Way, Lidia Bastianich, Co-owner of Felidia and Becoo, and Jon Aston, Celebrity Chef and Resident Chef on WB’s The Daily Buzz. The weekend will be packed with events and seminars such as "It’s all Pinot to Me," a seminar on all things Pinot and Kohler Chefs' Challenge, in which six Destination KOHLER chefs each pair with a local celebrity guest chef and turn surprise ingredients into culinary masterpieces. For more information, a complete schedule of events and tickets, call 800-344-2838 or visit www.KohlerFoodandWine.net.

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October 24
Fredericksburg, TX—Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest
This 19th annual festival will feature Texas wines, food and entertainment at its best, along with music, specialty booths and a food court. Participating Texas wineries include Haak Winery, Pheasant Ridge, Texas Hills Vineyard, and Brennan Vineyards. Tickets are available for advance purchase online and will also be available at the gate. Admission is $20 for adults, $5 for anyone under 21 and kids under 12 get in for free. A $20 admission includes a Souvenir Fest wine glass, three tickets for free wine samples, six sessions of the Grape Expectations Cooking School, as well as Texas wine and specialty food to sample. For more information, visit www.fbgfoodandwinefest.com.

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(Updated: 10/14/09 AR)