The long summer vacation may be the time for beach holidays and water sports for some, but increasingly, food-lovers are starting to plan their holiday around what food festivals are on offer. Here are a look at some of the most interesting ones this summer.
Singapore Food Festival 2011
Since its inception in 1994, the Singapore Food Festival has become one of the most sought-after events of the gastronomy scene in Asia. This year's edition of the food festival will be the biggest food and beverage event at the Singapore River with over 100 food and beverage outlets and festival highlights such as Curry and Spice Street and the outdoor Beer Garden.
Amateur cooks should not miss out their Master Chef Demonstration Class where local celebrity chefs such as chef Pung Lu Tin from The Seafood International Market and chef Huang Ching Biao from Jin Shan Lou will share their secret recipes.
Alongside the food festival there will a large array of culinary fringe events around town to meet all your cravings for Asia delicacies, including regional cuisines from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Korea.
Date: July 15-24
Venue: Clarke Quay Read Bridge and along Central River Promenade
Admission: Free
Website: singaporefoodfestival.com.sg
The Food Show, New Zealand
New Zealand's national food and wine event, the Food Show will kick off in Auckland this July, move to Wellington in May 2012 and end at Christchurch in September 2012.
In Auckland, you will see live cooking demonstrations from New Zealand's most talented chefs. Our favourite chefs include MasterChef New Zealand judges Simon Gault and Ray McVinnie. If you don't want to miss the chance to improve your culinary skills, remember to get their early, the seats are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Date: July 28 -31 (Auckland)
Venue: ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland
Admission: Adults USD$26, Children USD$16 (advance tickets available)
Website: www.foodshow.co.nz
Maine Lobster Festival
Enjoy five days of feasting and fun on the fabulous coast of Maine at the annual Maine Lobster Festival, full of family fun and great seafood. At this annual crustacean feast, over 20,000 pounds of luscious lobster will be prepared in the world's largest lobster cooking and you can find delectable seafood delights such as clams, shrimps, mussels and many traditional summer fair food all prepared in the traditional Maine way. Other highlights would include the lobster-cooking contest for amateur cooks, a lobster crate race, a Maine Sea Goddess beauty pageant and the big parade.
Date: August 3 -7
Venue: Harbor Park, Rockland, Maine
Admission: Free (August 3), Adults USD$8, Children USD$2 (special packages also available)
Website: www.mainelobsterfestival.com
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
Organised by The Garlic Farm, the UK's biggest garlic producer, the festival is a combination of a food event, country fair and a late 60s pop music festival which also raises funds for various local charitable projects. Attracting 25,000 people each year, the innumerable food stalls will let you explore garlic to its full potential in its numerous incarnations.
Date: August 20 -21
Venue: Fighting Cocks Crossroads, Bathing Bourne Lane, Sandown, Isle of Wight
Admission: Adults USD$12, Children USD$8, Seniors USD$11
Website: www.garlic-festival.co.uk
MAD Foodcamp, Copenhagen 2011
Denmark has been on the culinary map ever since Noma was named as number one in San Pelligrino's annual World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2010 and again in 2011. Now there is another reason for foodies to make the trip as Denmark is proud to present its new festival of food and gastronomy. Aptly named MAD Foodcamp as "mad" means food in Danish and there will probably be a fair amount of food frenzy involved, the food festival is to be an annual event to attract an international audience, while showcasing the creative potential of the region and celebrate the emerging awareness of Nordic food culture.
During the fair, visitors will be able to meet chefs from all over the world, indulge themselves in food stalls, talk to local food producers and buy fresh, high-quality produce. Chefs to look out for in the fair are René Redzepi of Noma; Daniel Patterson from San Francisco's Coi; Ben Shewry from Attica Restaurant in Melbourne and David Chang from Momofuku in New York.
Date: August 27 -28
Venue: Refshaleøen by the Copenhagen Harbour
Admission: Adults USD$25, Children USD$15
Website: madfoodcamp.dk
René Redzepi of Noma
