Food Festivals Around the World

The doldrums of February are through, and it’s time to look towards the sunnier months and holiday plans. Maybe you aren’t intending to visit the far reaches of the globe, but in case you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few notable––or unique––food festivals taking place around the world to whet your palate for culinary adventure.

Good Food & Wine Show 

Cape Town, Durban, and Guatang, South Africa

May 24-27, August 23-26, September 21-24

South Africa’s famous food, wine and lifestyle show lands in 3 cities this year. Cape Town, Durban, and Guatang will each host an exciting lineup of globally-renowned chefs, dynamic workshops, and plenty of demos from South Africa’s top restaurants and wineries. Some of the special guests at this year’s Cape Town show will include Buddy Valastro aka “The Cake Boss”, MasterChef America winner Whitney Miller, and South African Master Chocolatier Dimo Simatos demonstrating at the Lindt Chocolate Appreciation Theatre. The lineup of guests and events for the Durban and Guatang shows are still TBA, but you can visit the festival website for details.

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival

Clarenbridge, Ireland

August 31-September 2

Fanny Bay Oyster fans, meet your rivals: the folk of Clarenbridge claim their pearly bivalves are “Probably the most succulent oysters in the world!” Travel to this historic seaside village for this annual festival and see for yourself. The 3-day event celebrates the opening of Oyster Season with plenty of food, drink, and live music.

FOOD Organisation of Denmark’s Food Festival 2012

Aarhus, Denmark

September 6-9

One of the most highly anticipated events in cutting-edge Nordic cuisine is the annual Food Festival, hosted this year in Aarhus, Denmark. The festival is centred around a giant marketplace, which is divided into sections including fish & shellfish, fresh produce, bakery, wine, etc. Festival guests can spend the days shopping the market while learning about new ingredients and preparation methods. Five main festival zones feature Children’s Activities, a Young Chef’s Contest, and 3 Cooking Class areas (beginners, amateurs, and Master Chefs).

West Virginia Roadkill Cook-Off

Pocahontas County, West Virginia USA

September 29

The name sounds scarier than it actually is…sort of. In fact, participants in the Road Kill Cook-Off are “discouraged” from using creatures that have actually been run over, in favour of properly hunted animals that would make likely victims of road accidents. Take part in the 5K Possum Trot, enjoy the live Blues band, or watch the Little Miss Roadkill Beauty Pageant as you sample Squirrel Gravy & Biscuits or some Teriyaki-Marinated Bear (that’s bear, not beer) Sausage.

Taste TnT 

Trinidad & Tobago

End of October, exact dates & location TBA

If you’re heading down to the tropics this year, you don’t want to miss Taste TnT, Trinidad & Tobago’s premier food festival featuring prominent chefs from across the West Indies and beyond. Sample local fare such as curry-crab, dumplings, and roti, take a cooking class, have a rum tasting, or watch one of the culinary competitions.