Best Food and Wine Festivals From Around The Globe

 

  

“Drinking good wine and eating good food, in good company, is one of life’s most civilized pleasures.” – Michael Broad Bendt

 

Culinary tourism seems to be doubling in popularity every year! Thanks to The Food Network, interest in gourmet restaurants, chic wine bars and celebrity chefs has been revolutionized!  And, with television shows like Top Chef, The Naked Chef, Giada’s Everyday Italian, Iron Chef America and the new Rescue Chef (Danny Boom is stud!) – who can resist?!

 

If you lust after great food and fine wine, journeyPod has everything you need to keep your gastronomic calendar full with events and happenings throughout the year.  This list from around the world features some of the best International Food and Wine Festivals – all of which offer a unique glimpse of the culture, traditions, lifestyle and taste of each country. 

 

So… take a few days off, pack the essentials (we suggest: pants with expandable waistlines!) and head on down to: 

South Beach Wine & Food (Miami Beach, Florida – February 24-27) Where else in this world can you see Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Giada, Emeril and an abundance of more celebrity chefs all in one place? South Beach! South Beach! South Beach!  What could arguably be the most popular food and fine wine festival in the world, the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festivals is a combination of music, fun and food. Check out our podcasts and event recaps!

 

San Diego Bay Wine & Food (San Diego, California – November 17-21)

Looking for a great wine and food festival on the west coast?  Why not try the largest festival in southern California. Held at venues along the stunning San Diego waterfront, the Festival is a sizzling five-day fiesta that offers attendees everything from cooking classes with celebrity chefs, to wine tasting with Master Sommeliers.  The Reserve Tasting aboard the Hornblower’s Inspiration is something everyone brags about! Listen to our live podcast from the event and check out our event recap!

 

World Gourmet Summit (Singapore – April 26-May 7)

Consommé of Chicken, profiterole of foie gras and truffles are only a few special dishes served at this very exclusive food and wine celebration. The World Gourmet Summit is where fine cuisine and fine wine come together. Celebrities who have participated in this renowned event include Serena Sutcliffe, Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department and Yannick Anton, Executive Chef of the Le Cordon Bleu signatures. Want to rub elbows with upper echelons of the culinary world?  This is the place to be!

 

Food & Wine Classic (Aspen, Colorado – June 17-19)

Another one of journeyPod’s favorites – the Food and Wine Classic is a must for fans of Bravo’s Top Chef with Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi. As all true fans of this show know – an opportunity to showcase at the Annual Food and Wine Classic in Aspen is one of the most valued prizes in a young chef’s lifetime. Wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, and other events have made this food and wine festival a wonderful experience. For the extreme VIP experience, purchase a Green Pass that offers access to just about everything this festival has to offer.

 

Turks and Caicos Conch Festival (Blue Hills, Providenciales – November 26-27)

Ever think about just relaxing on a beach with cold beer, rhythmic sounds, and some of the best seafood you’ve ever tasted?  journeyPod has the solution you have been waiting for!  Head on down to Turks and Caicos and fill you plate with the island’s best conch (pronounced “Konk”).  This islander favorite is the common name for a particular marine snail that has a mild, sweet clam-like flavor.

 

Melbourne Food & Wine (South Yarra, Australia – March 4-14 )

This festival (which typically attracts nearly 300,000 visitors) lasts over two weeks and has a total of 220 events. Along with the other 219 events that Melbourne has to offer – be sure the make the sought-after reservation to enjoy your own three-course meal at the “World’s Longest Lunch”. 

 

Sun WineFest (Uncasville, Connecticut – January 28-30)

Held at the fabulous Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino (which, by the way has an excellent hotel and spa, luxurious 10,000-seat arena, and hundreds of great places to shop) – the Sun WineFest is far from your typical exhibition hall food festival!  One of the largest wine and food festivals in the Northeast, this event draws quite the crowd – including celebrity chefs like Todd English, Govind Armstrong and Robert Irvine. Check out our recent podcasts and event recap!

 

Iceland Food & Fun (Reykjavik, Iceland – February)

Are you looking for a totally unique getaway this year? Look no further than Reykjavik, (say that 3 times, fast) Iceland. We recommend this cool little spot – not only for the fabulous food and wine tasting – but also because it gives you a few bragging rights.  Not many people can say that they’ve had a meal prepared by a premiere chef in this destination. And most importantly, be sure to grab a bottle of vintage wine from the Hotel Holt Restaurant – where they have over 4000 selections! Check out our podcasts from Reykjavik! 

 

Masters of Food & Wine South America (Buenos Aires & Mendoza, Argentina – Stay tuned)

Ready for fine cuisine and wine tasting South American style? Look no further than this festival – held at the beautiful Park Hyatt Hotels in Buenos Aires & Mendoza, Argentina. The Masters of Food & Wine event brings together the very best European, North American, and South American culinary masters to celebrate the uniqueness that is South American cuisine and wine.

 

International Exhibition for the Artisan Production – of Gelato, Pastry, Confectionery and Bakery (Rimini, Italy – January 22-26)

You suddenly wake-up and realize it was only a dream… the time that you’ve spent in that magical place where everything was made of sugar and chocolate was just your imagination. Not so!  Pack your bags and get ready to turn your dreams into reality at the International Exhibition for the Artisan production of Gelato, Pasty, Confectionery and Bakery.  Truly, a dessert-lovers paradise! Our only advice: leave the diets and skinny jeans at home.

 

 

Follow us into the kitchen as we chat with some of today’s culinary masterminds from the hottest restaurants worldwide within our Chef’s Corner!