Calendar of Events Culinary
South Pacific |
Aussie Wine MonthNationalMay This is an ANNUAL event. Aussie Wine Month, organized by Wine Australia, is a medley of around 100 events, tastings, promotions and celebrations across the country showcasing Australia’s reputation for producing some of the world’s best wines. The event brings the wine community together to promote the quality, diversity and value of Australian wine and to promote Australia’s internationally renowned wine-growing regions. Aussie Wine Month presents a great opportunity to sample Australia’s best, be it a Tasmanian Pinot Noir, Hunter Valley Semillon, Margaret River Cabernet, Yarra Valley Chardonnay or Barossa Shiraz, or another variety from more than 60 designated wine regions across the country. |
Hokitika Wildfoods FestivalHokitika, New ZealandThis is an ANNUAL event. Taking place on the wild west coast of New Zealand’s scenic South Island in the historic town of Hokitika, this festival celebrates the weird side of food. Try dishes like wild snails, worm milkshakes, flower wine, huhu grubs and more. Roving entertainment, mingling amongst the crowd, and continuous stage performances enliven the Festival arena with bands, solo artists, mime, comedy, dancers and much more to keep you rocking throughout the day and night. |
Savour TasmaniaHobart and Regional TasmaniaMay - June This is an ANNUAL event. Since launching itself on the culinary scene in 2009, Savour Tasmania has evolved into a highly anticipated annual epicurean festival, celebrated by food lovers and embraced by Tasmanian food and wine producers. Savour Tasmania raises the profile of the Tasmanian food and beverage industry, promoting the state as a destination for unique food and wine experiences. Savour Tasmania invites a line-up of internationally recognized chefs to present a range of degustation dinners focusing on natural Tasmanian ingredients in world-class restaurants and venues. Savour Tasmania also includes the Tasmanian Red Wine Weekend featuring a range of master classes and wine tastings. |
Tasting AustraliaAdelaide, South Australia
|
Africa |
Good Food & Wine ShowCape Town, South AfricaThis is an ANNUAL event. South Africa’s premier consumer food, wine and lifestyle event has established itself as a tour de force over the past 15 years and more and Cape Town, nestled on the ocean teaming with seafood and in close proximity to the lush vineyards of the Cape Winelands Region, is an ideal location for the event. The international visitor will see the best of local and international celebrity chefs; and, get the inside track on the latest tips, trends and treats of regional South African cuisine: artisanal foods, ethnic fusion creations, wine tasting, etc. |
Latin America |
Mistura Peruvian Food FestivalLima, Peru Mistura is the largest food festival in South America, with more than half a million people visiting each year many, of which, are foreign tourists who travel to Peru with the explicit aim of visiting the famous food festival. Mistura promotes Peruvian cuisine in Peru and on the international stage. It’s grown over the years and now is like a small town, with representatives from restaurants all over Peru spread over a huge space. Once a year, Lima becomes THE place to be for foodies from all over the world. Dishes from the jungle, the mountains, and the coast are available, as well as fusion cuisine and all kinds of innovations. If it exists and it’s edible, you can find it at Mistura. |
Vendimia Wine FestivalMendoza, Argentina Argentina's premier wine-growing region celebrates the wine harvest over a four-day weekend. It is filled with concerts and parades and ends with the queen's coronation. |
Asia |
PongalVarious cities throughout India A very important Tamilian festival in India is known as Pongal, which means "boiling over." Pongal celebrates the harvest. Indra, the sun god, is given thanks for providing rain and a good crop. Pongal is celebrated on January 14 of each year. Originally the festival lasted four days; however, in recent times the people of India have restricted festivities to two days. Each day of Pongal denotes a different type of food. The food for the first day is rice eaten with fried chickpea patties, known as vadai, and sweet pancakes called poli. Meals are eaten with family members on the first day; friends and neighbors are included on the second day. On the second day, the women of the house are responsible for cooking. Venpongal, a salty combination of steamed rice and dal, is eaten along with chakkarainpongol, a sweet dish made from jaggery and ghee. |
HoliVarious cities throughout IndiaThis is an ANNUAL event. The festival of colors, Holi, is a large festival celebrated in India. During the festival, men, women and children dance around together and rub gulaal (powdered color) over one another. Bhang is an alcoholic drink made with rosewater and dried fruits that are closely associated with Holi. Families offer it to all visitors. Kanji-ke-bare is thin lentil patties special to Holi, as is papri, an unleavened bread. Sweet dumplings filled with khoya and dried fruits called gujjias are served as a dessert. |
Durga PujaSeptember or OctoberThis is an ANNUAL event. A large Bengali festival known as Durga Puja celebrating Shakti, the mother goddess, lasts for more than a week; people start preparing for Durga Puja about one month before the event. Bohg, a proper meal, is offered every day during the week of the puja. Parts of the meal include moong dal khichdi, a mixture of dal and rice; charachari, a concoction of vegetables; tomato chutney; and payesh, an Indian rice pudding. |
DiwaliOctober or NovemberThis is an ANNUAL event. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a festival even the poorest families in India celebrate, hanging diyas, or lamps, around their homes. Sweets are emphasized during Diwali celebrations. Candies and desserts come in many shapes, sizes and flavors; families are proud to serve treats different from the norm. It is common to see children eating toys made from candy. Rice, whole green lentils and a sweet sauce called mandhi are also eaten at this time. |
Europe |
Truffle FestivalsItalyOctober and November This is an ANNUAL event. October is a great month for Italian food festivals, especially mushrooms, chestnuts, chocolate, and truffles. On October weekends, you'll find fall food festivals and wine harvest celebrations all over Italy. Slow Food's big International Food Event is in October and World Pasta Day is the fourth Sunday in October Going to a truffle fair is worthwhile even if you don't want to buy truffles. The scent of fresh truffles fills the air and there are locally made truffle dishes to try. There are often entertainment and concession stands selling local foods such as cheese, salami, honey, and wine. Piedmont - Alba's white truffle fair and market, one of the best in Italy, takes place on weekends from early October through mid-November. Besides the truffle market and fair, there is lots of entertainment. Events start with a night of concerts and gastronomic stands and end with the truffle world auction and a white truffle walk for tourists. Tuscany - San Miniato Truffle Fair, La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco, is held in the medieval hill town of San Miniato on the second, third and fourth weekends in November. 25% of Italy's white truffles are produced in this territory and November is the heart of truffle gathering season. There are food and craft stands and entertainment and restaurants will feature reasonably priced truffle menus. If you haven't had truffles, this is a great place to get an introduction. |
Get a Trip Quote Order a Brochure
