A new kind of food festival… Chicago-Style

FOOD BOWL will celebrate the chefs, restaurateurs, mixologists, innovators, entrepreneurs, critics, and connoisseurs who put #Chicago at the forefront of the nation's food and drink scene. The festival will showcase the distinct tastes and flavors of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods from August 8th - 26th. 

Throughout the three-week festival, FOOD BOWL will collaborate with chefs and restaurants around Chicago to offer 100+ events, in just as many locations. Expertly curated events include, but are not limited to, specialty classes, test kitchens, panels and talks, pop-up bars, and neighborhood tours.

The festival will conclude with a three-day Night Market held at The Lakefront Green at Theatre on the Lake. The street food market will feature 30+ of Chicago's essential restaurants. During these three days, over 30,000 guests will discover new restaurants, dine on unique dishes, connect with Chicago's most talented chefs, and experience Chicago like they never have before.

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A Taste of Kakadu

AUSTRALIA'S premier Indigenous food festival, A Taste of Kakadu, will be staged from 18 to 27 May 2018, serving up a menu of ancient cuisine with a modern twist. This year’s festival will see the region’s best Indigenous chefs showcasing their culinary creations at remarkable locations, all celebrating the traditional culture and breathtaking scenery of #Kakadu National Park. 

Over ten days, visitors can embark on guided foraging walks where ‘super’ foods and delicacies such as Kakadu plums can be enjoyed, dine on crocodile, fish and buffalo cooked in spectacular ground ovens, and glide along the famed barramundi-filled rivers while enjoying bush tucker-inspired canapes.

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Croatia cruising adventure awaits

CROATIA'S award-winning DMC and small ship #cruise company, Katarina Line, announced that it is expanding its custom tour options for 2018 as the North American group travel market heats up. Its programs include a wider range of tours catering to groups such as music aficionados, youth travel, food lovers, history buffs, soft adventure vacationers, as well as those seeking classic sightseeing tours. The new tours include more excursions into neighboring countries such as Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Serbia, among others, and feature English speaking guides and private buses.

Among Katarina Line’s diverse new programs for 2018 are festivals such as the 3-night “Prosciutto Fair” in #Croatia. Scheduled for October 20 – 21, 2018, the fair draws upwards of 25,000 people each year to the town of Tinjan in Istria. It features more than 30 types of prosciutto from countries such as Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Spain, and, of course Croatia. In addition to participating in the festival, the guests enjoy a tasting of Istrian Grappa – homemade brandy – olive oil tasting, and sightseeing in Rovinj and Labin. 

The “Croatia Classic,” which starts at the Croatian capital of Zagreb, takes guests through the mountains of Gorski Kotar and Plitvice Lakes National Park, and to the coastal town of Zadar, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Itinerary highlights include tours of Zagreb and Zadar, a visit to Plitvice Lakes, rafting on the Zrmaja River, and a castle tour. 

Also on offer are  5-night hiking tours of the Kvarner Bay that include the islands of Lošinj, Cres, and Susak, and which boasts more than 1,200 different plant species. 

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Taste Santo Domingo

 THE Dominican Republic's capital city’s most important culinary event , “Taste Santo Domingo,” has announced the Festival will be held from March 16-18 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Convention Centre, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES) and the Association of Hotels of #SantoDomingo.

This time around the event will share the Festival platform with “Hub Santo Domingo,” an important multi-sectorial business fair organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santo Domingo.

This popular annual #food fair brings together national and international representatives from this very important sector. The program will include exhibits of goods and services linked to the food industry, food tasting events and workshops led by chefs and food experts.

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Feast on the banks of Perfume River

HUE'S most luxurious hotel is kicking off its 6th edition Spring Foodfest right in its lush garden on the banks of the fabled Perfume River. The event takes place on 8th February, just one week before Vietnamese traditional Tet approaches.

The Spring Foodfest is going to showcase more than 40 delectable dishes of Vietnamese and Hue cuisine. Festival-goers will have a chance to experience Vietnamese festive activities and savour a hearty bowl of Bun Bo Hue or anything from traditional live cooking stations where they are advised to sit on a rustic bamboo stool as if they were at a streetside stall. There are also handicraft artists who display their legacy carried on throughout the centuries and folk games for revellers to participate in.

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Music to a chocolate lovers ears

THIS year will be the 24th edition of Eurochocolate, the annual delicious appointment in the lovely town of Perugia, #Umbria for all lovers of chocolate, professionals in the field and importers.

Tastings, exhibitions, workshops, shows for the 10 days of the duration of this #festival. This year’s event is dedicated to Music and it is inspired by the link between the pleasure of music and the pleasure of chocolate.

On from October 13-22 go to www.eurochocolate.com for more information


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The Brecons beckon in the winter

THE Brecon Beacons National Park, located in South Wales, is a treasure trove for visitors. From adrenaline-fueled abseiling and mountain biking, to scenic walks and pub lunches, visitors can explore the destination year-round.

Christmas is a particularly magical time to visit the National Park as the market towns come to life with festive markets, food celebrations and Santa grottos in underground caves.  Here are a roundup of festive activities to do in the #BreconBeacons this winter:

Hay Festival Winter Weekend, 23-26 November 2017
The world famous Hay Literature Festival’s Winter Weekend promises an array of literary talks and events throughout the book town alongside a food and vintage festival.  Over 40 exhibitors will attend the food festival and those looking to pick up a vintage bargain will be able to do so on Sunday 26 November at the fashion fair. http://www.hayfestival.com/winterweekend/

Royal Welsh Winter Fair, 27-28 November 2017
Recognised as one of the most popular attractions on the British agricultural show calendar and the finest prime stock show in Europe, the best Welsh food producers get together to showcase their produce. The two day event includes cookery, produce, handicraft, poultry, horticulture, floral art and meat products competitions, a firework display, Christmas gifts and a Santa’s grotto. www.rwas.wales/winter-fair  and prices cost £15 for adults and £5 for children.

Abergavenny Christmas Food Festival, 10 December 2017
The annual Christmas Food and Drink Fair showcases over 90 stalls and exhibitors from all over Wales, including fresh and cured meats, poultry and game, cheeses and chocolates, cakes and desserts, wines and liqueurs, ales and cider. The festival includes bite-size chef demonstrations throughout the day and the chance to spend time with food experts and learn the newest seasonal tips. www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com.

Beacons Trike Tours Limited
Whether it's the thrill of a motorbike ride or the chance to soak up the surroundings whilst being 'chauffeur driven', Trike Tours offer a unique and alternative way to explore the Brecon Beacons. Running a Christmas discount from now until the end of 2017, visitors can save 15% on all tours and vouchers. www.beaconstriketours.co.uk.

Dan-yr-Ogof Cave and Cathedral Cave Christmas Experience
Forget a Santa’s grotto in a high street store, behind a curtained-off section, and instead head deep underground and explore a magical world in the caves and caverns in the Brecon Beacons. Children can step right into a Welsh mountain and discover the ancient caves whilst visiting Santa in his authentic grotto. Furthermore, families can call by the National Showcaves Centre and marvel at one of the largest collections of life-sized dinosaur models in the world. Kids can also enjoy a trailer ride to look at the animals, including the Shire Horses, on the Morgan Brothers’ farm. The caves are open every weekend in December. www.showcaveschristmas.co.uk.

Christmas at The Angel, Abergavenny
The Angel Hotel, named 'AA Hotel of the Year for Wales 2016/17', offers a number of special Christmas packages and events, including The Après Ski Bar - a popup bar bringing the ambience of alpine ski lodge to Abergavenny and serving Swiss fondue, sausages and steins.  www.angelabergavenny.com

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Gastronomic delicacies galore at the Hong Kong Great November Feast

THE four-day Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival is the kick-off event for the Hong Kong Great November Feast (the Feast). 

Throughout November, various local restaurants and key dining districts will roll out a series of culinary events and special offers to tie in with the Feast. 

Culinary events featuring crabmeat, street carnivals like the “FUNtastic QRE Festival” and “Lan Kwai Fong Carnival 2017”, and dining offers, such as “Sparkling Sunset@Harbour City”, aimed at encouraging visitors and local residents to experience the endless delicacies #HongKong offers.

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The Great Cornish Food Festival, not to be missed!

STREET-FOOD style pop-ups from a selection of Cornwall’s top restaurants and exciting newcomers will be serving a taster of their restaurant’s mouth-watering signature dishes at this years Great Cornish Food Festival on Truro's Lemon Quay. Cornwall’s array of artisan producers will deliver a bounty of the best food and beverages from around the county: bakers, butchers, breweries, cider makers, chocolatiers and cheese-makers will all be sampling and selling their wares.

Meanwhile, top chefs will entertain, inspire and share their secrets in the Chefs’ Theatre and Croust Bar Masterclass Theatre. Playing host to the county’s highest profile chefs and foodie personalities, illustrating the diversity of culinary expertise in the county and perfectly demonstrates just why Cornwall deserves its reputation as one of the greatest places to eat in the country, if not the world.

September 22-24 with Free Entry

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Lisbon: Fish & Flavours

LISBON Fish and Flavours, organised by the Tourism Association of Lisbon, is a well-established and iconic event of the city of #Lisbon.

The idea came about at the hands of the Associação de Turismo de Lisboa, when it decided to support gastronomy. In this regard, it decided to create a festival that would stand out from all others organised in Portugal and abroad. As the theme, one of the country’s best quality and iconic products were selected: fish and seafood.

It started in 2008, in a former parking lot in the Terreiro do Paço itself, leading to the restoration and transformation of the Pátio da Galé. During this restoration, it moved to the Portugal Pavilion, returning in 2011 to the Pátio da Galé, where it remained until 2016.

More than 100 Portuguese and international chefs have attended the event, such as: Bertílio Gomes, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Miguel Laffan, José Avillez, Adrien Trouilloud (France), Claude Troisgros (Brazil), David Pasternak (USA), Diego Gallegos (Spain).

The event takes place from April 5 to April 15 in 2018.

www.peixemlisboa.com

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The Great Nordic Feast

THIS autumn, the vivid and soothing flavours of Nordic cuisine will take over London’s Southbank Centre as eight Nordic destinations come together to serve up the tastiest treats from the lands of the midnight sun, for all food lovers to enjoy.

Taking place from 20 – 22 October, The Great Nordic Feast aims to introduce the best tastes and culinary talents from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland as well as the more unknown Nordic countries of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland to London foodies, through inspiring artisan breakfasts and dinners, hosted by a collaboration of renowned chefs. The autumn feasts will be infused with Nordic flora, talks and music and cooked using traditional Nordic techniques, inside Scandinavian style tipi tents on Southbank Centre’s Festival Terrace.

Gastronomic experts from across the Nordic regions and the UK will combine their talents to serve up a creative Nordic eating experience for food lovers.

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Savour Singapore

THE #Singapore Food Festival (SFF) 2017 is back for its 24th edition. Taking place from 14 to 30 July, this year's SFF pays tribute to all things Singaporean, and locals and visitors alike can look forward to a delicious spread of both traditional and contemporary Singaporean flavours, interpreted through the palates of our home-grown culinary heroes. 

Themed "Savour Singapore in Every Bite", the festival will feature up to 20 gastronomic experiences that celebrate our heritage and flavours, and honour the people who work passionately to keep local culinary traditions alive.

This year's festival also shines the spotlight on four different Foodie Profiles1 and the SFF events that exemplify them. The four profiles are: the Gutsy Gourmand who lives and breathes modern cuisine; the Traditional Taster who believes there's nothing like old school fare; the Culture Craver who embraces all things local; and the Art Addict who appreciates creativity not just in food, but in art form too.

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Culture & Quirkiness on the Isle of Wight

Number One Island 19 January, and every month afterwards
Bestival founder Rob da Bank is launching his latest creation on the Isle of Wight, as Number One Island makes its debut at The Cow Co, Tapnell Farm, on January 19th. This will be a monthly music night showcasing the musical talents on the Island – including artists, bands and producers.

Isle of Wight Pride 15 July
Taking place on the streets of Ryde this summer, this is the first time that the Isle of Wight will host a Pride. This is being planned as an inclusive day out for all the family, who will be able to enjoy a parade through the streets and help to celebrate the diversity and community of the Isle of Wight.

Sandown Carnival 30 July
Celebrate 127 years of Sandown Carnival for a fantastic day of family fun. With an extravaganza of activities, parades, competitions and more, culminating in a fantastic fireworks display, the Sandown Carnival is a great day out on the Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight Day 23 September
This day of celebration will bring together businesses, community groups, towns and villages all in a fun-filled day, which will boast a food festival in Bembridge harbour, a Grand Parade and many more family-friendly activities. This is a fantastic way to experience the very best of Island life – and will be a day out to remember.

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Food & Music

KINGSBRIDGE in #Devon will be food and music lovers' heaven from June 2-4 featuring a tempting array of locally produced delicacies to enjoy while listening to an eclectic mix of talented musicians.

This family-friendly festival is free, and features some of the finest acts in the South West. This year's diverse line up features funk, soul, jazz, rock, pop, dance, rhythm, blues, swing, indy, and gospel choir.

Foodies will be faced with mouth-watering dilemmas between Thai, Indian, sushi, paella, street food, wood-fired pizzas, pasties, ice cream, or locally baked sweet treats.

The Kids' Zone will keep the children quiet with nature-inspired craft activities, while the adults can enjoy the buzzing cocktail and cider bar, or the selection of quality real ales and local wines.

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Celebrate Caribbean Cuisine

FLAVOURS from more than a dozen Caribbean nations will be simmering together at #Caribbean305, the region's newest culinary and cultural celebration taking place on Miami's Jungle Island on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 8 p.m.

To be presented annually by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Caribbean305 will launch South Florida's celebrations of Caribbean-American Heritage Month by providing foodies, Caribbean nationals and residents of the area with the chance to savor the diverse gastronomic delights the region has to offer.

Caribbean305 will feature culinary professionals from 16 Caribbean nations and territories, including Anguilla, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Eat, drink and dance to Caribbean rhythms on Jungle Island, while interacting with representatives from a number of Caribbean tourism boards, Miami-based Caribbean restaurants and celebrity chefs.

For more information about Caribbean305, visit www.caribbean305.com.

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Oggy Oscars . . .

THE sixth annual celebration of Cornwall's most famous dish; the pasty takes place at The Eden Project on March 4. The championships feature varieties from #Cornwall as well as from around the world.

Four pasty specialists – two each from the United States and Canada – will be competing to be named the world’s top pasty maker at the annual event also known as the Oscars of the Oggy.

In 2011, after a long campaign, the #CornishPasty Association won European Union Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Cornish Pasty which means that only pasty makers based in Cornwall who make pasties in a traditional manner and follow a traditional recipe are able to label their products as Cornish.

For all World Pasty Championships rules and entry details go to: 

www.edenproject.com/pasty

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Something fishy going on . . .

SEAFOOD – or kai moana as it’s known in the Māori language – is one of the most delectable pillars of New Zealand’s culinary culture. From mussels to paua (abalone), scallops to crayfish, immersing yourself in the country’s oceanic delights is not only a must but, thanks to the numerous seafood celebrations, relatively simple.

The Bluff Oyster and Food Festival held in the South Island town of Bluff is set for May 2017. 

Whitianga’s Scallop Festival is held each September and attracts big-name chefs and renowned musicians to the North Island township. 

Known as the Green Shell Mussel Capital of the World, Havelock’s Mussel and Seafood Festival each March, is all about good fun and good food.

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