From seafood sensations to experimental wine tastings, food festivals offer some of the best gastronomic offerings around. We’ve come up with the top 10 foodie festivities out there, so dig in. Bon appétit!
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Australia
Every year, food and wine aficionados descend on Australia’s culinary capital for this 20-day gourmet feast. Come for gastronomic tours, wine tastings, and celebrity chef-spotting along Melbourne’s laneways.
Maine Lobster Festival, United States
On the first weekend in August, Maine boils up 20,000 pounds of lobster to the mellow strumming of live music. Go all the way with a full lobster dinner or delight in a simple lobster caesar salad. The fun culminates in the Great International Lobster Crate Race.
La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain
The world’s biggest food fight is said to have begun as a local brawl back in the 1940s. There’s still no escaping as 45,000 partygoers let loose in late August, so grab an over-ripe tomato and jump in. Given the escalating number of revelers, tickets are now compulsory.
World Gourmet Summit, Singapore
Covering everything from glamorous themed dinners to cooking workshops led by Michelin-starred chefs, this 12-day event rounds up the very best in international gourmet cuisine. Celebrations began in April 1997 to promote Singapore as a culinary destination.
Madrid Fusión, Spain
The world’s top chefs congregate in the Spanish capital to predict tasty, seasonal trends and show off their tricks at this January culinary conference, which is billed as the Fashion Week of international gastronomy.
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, New Zealand
Tickle those taste buds with the weird and wild foods of the South Island’s West Coast — everything from gorse flower wine to wasp larvae ice cream. The festival – held in early March – has soared in popularity since its humble 1990 beginnings, and there’s now a cap at 15,000 people.
Gilroy Garlic Festival, United States
If you love your garlic, then the pungent aromas of Gilroy are definitely for you. Locally sourced treats include garlic lollipops and ice cream, and there’s even a Miss Gilroy Garlic contest.
Crave Sydney International Food Festival, Australia
Giving Melbourne a run for its money, Crave feeds into Sydney’s fascination with food. More than 520 individual events showcase the world’s culinary highlights throughout October, including Aussie hit Barbecue Madness Day. All accompanied by sun, sea, and fantastic city vistas.
Good Food and Wine Show, South Africa
Designed to inspire and delight, this festival features in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town between May and September. Expect Chef in Action theaters filled with celebrity cooks, hands-on classes for kids, and delicious treats in the Decadent Dessert Studio.
Taste of London, United Kingdom
In late June, 40 of London’s top restaurants team up to feed the hungry masses, and Regent’s Park comes alive with the signature dishes of renowned master chefs like Raymond Blanc and Gary Rhodes.
(Main image: Vegetables © Adisa, 2013. Used under licence from Shutterstock.com)
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
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