By Susan Manlin Katzman
Remember the food scene in Oliver, in which kids bang on a table as they belt out “Food, Glorious Food”? Today, the whole world has taken up the chant. Foodies not only sing the praises of food, but also pay tribute to it at festivals flourishing around the calendar, around the globe.
Just about every food and beverage known to humankind headlines a festival. Food dishes also make the stage, with chili and barbecue especially hot—and don’t forget the chichi extravaganzas that gather superstar chefs and celebrity vintners for charity benefits. There is a festival for every season, every reason (for-profit and philanthropic), every pocketbook and every passion. Every one of them tempts me, but I particularly fancy the following five.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Held on the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is a low-key 10-day event worshiping the bean and honoring the U.S. contribution to coffee culture. The festival, which begins percolating in early November, comprises about 50 events, including farm tours, roasting workshops, and cupping and other coffee competitions. A $3 festival button gets you into most activities.
808-326-7820, www.konacoffeefest.com
American Royal Barbecue Contest
Considered the World Series of barbecue, the American Royal Barbecue Contest drew more than 50,000 visitors to the Missouri side of Kansas City last year to watch nearly 500 teams pit their barbecue skills against each other for prizes totalling $100,000. Ten dollars gets you through the gate at what was once the site of the Kansas City stock-yards, where the contest is held each fall. (Booze and barbecue samples cost more.) Proceeds benefit agriculture and education.
816-569-4017, www.americanroyal.com
Healthy Gourmet Fest
Full disclosure: I’m on the professional advisory board for this one—and I jumped at the chance. Born in 2005, this baby honors chefs, cookbook authors and businesses that champion delicious and good-for-you cuisine. The two-day fest includes cooking lessons in luxurious Aspen kitchens, an organic-wine tasting and an auction/award ceremony/tasting dinner. Held in summer, this high-style, healthful and hip event attracts foodies (and a few movie stars) who want America to eat better.
970-920-2957, www.acih.org
Oktoberfest
One hundred steins of beer on the wall, 100 steins of beer, if one of those steins should happen to fall—5 million more steins of beer on the wall. Munich’s Oktoberfest is the biggest beer bash on earth. Each fall, about six million revelers fill 14 tents serving 5 million–plus liters of beer. Carnival rides, oompah and hearty Bavarian fare accompany the drinking. Admission is free, but a stein of beer costs around 7 euros (about $9).
800-651-7010, www.oktoberfest.de
Silversea Cruises
Isn’t it a drag when you’re on a cruise and have to satisfy yourself with ordinary excesses of fabulous food? Silversea Cruises has sailed into the sea of festivals, adding a cornucopia of special culinary-arts and wine-series cruises to its usual fare. These “festival” cruises include guest chefs, cooking classes, special tastings and food- and wine-related shore excursions. Costs run in the “if you have to ask” range, but those with deep pockets and a love of food or wine will consider this as good as it gets.
877-215-9986, www.silversea.com
Fests Online: Find food festivals worldwide at www.foodreference.com/html/upcomingfoodevents.html
