Go Across The Channel for the Best Food Festivals This Year
Here at Shoppersbase, we love a bit of tasty food, and we don’t mind how far we have to go to get it. Moreover, if it involves fantastic fresh or well renowned local produce, plus a trip away for a few days – even better. So with tasty European food in mind, we set off, in the internet and trawled around until we found the very best festivals, across the Channel. From quirky local cheeses, to festivals celebrating onions, or wine sampling or even giant sized with over 3,000 events over a single country, we’ve found them all! So if you are one of those people who when abroad love to sample the local dishes and not stick to British fish and chips, then this article is for you.
FRANCE
The Fête de la Gastronomie – 23rd September 2012
This is first and foremost an event that celebrates generosity and conviviality. A time for people to get together, for French chefs and French citizens to go out into the street, with their dishes and saucepans, their produce and menus, or just with their knives and forks! The Fête de la Gastronomie is a festival that is not to be missed, and it will be taking place on the first day of autumn. It will also have its own theme, uniting all the different events and initiatives taking place throughout the country. This year we have chosen Our Earth, because it generously allows us to work it, harvest its fruits, and use them for our food. Because man and earth are inseparable. This is your festival, and it is up to you to decide what you want it to be! Gourmet restaurant, brasserie, bistrot, picnic, sandwich or aperitif with nibbles…gastronomy is free, imaginative and generous! All sorts of events (meals, food and drink tastings, opportunities to try new products, visits to iconic places, etc.) are going to be on offer, so that everyone can take part in this celebration of gourmet food.
Festival de AOC/AOP – 28th April – 29 April 2012
What is an Appellation of controlled origin (AOC)? This is a protected designation of origin and denotes an original and quality, food product that takes its specificity of its geography. The producers are themselves responsible for their designation of origin. This festival celebrates all foods with this credential and showcases some of Europes finest wines, cheeses, ciders and many other products. Situated in Normandy, it is the festival that is proud of its’ foods achievements. For more information see Les Recontres de Cambremer.
SPAIN
The National Spanish Cheese Festival – 8th April 2012 to 1st May 2012
Extremadura, Spain’s most up and coming province, is a vast area of huge open skies and romantic rugged landscapes lined with olive groves. Situated at the western edge of Spain, bordering Portugal, Extremadura is famous for its rich history, natural resources and range of top-quality fine foods, including fine hams and cheeses. Trujillo is one of the area’s most important historic and cultural towns and considered as Extremadura’s finest gem. The walled hilltop town which overlooks over the expansive unspoilt countryside, dates back to 600BC and is famed for its strategic involvement in the discovery of the Americas. This famous Cheese Festival is held annually in the main square of Trujillo. Many hundreds of cheeses including some delicious local varieties are displayed for tasting and purchase, brought from all over Spain and abroad.
BELGIUM
Brusselicious – Year Long Event
Brusselicious creates exceptional events, but also provides its gourmet touch to the existing touristic and cultural occasions. Expos, demos, workshop visits, dinners in the sky and novel tasting sessions; mark your calendars so that you don’t miss the highlights of this programme that will titillate your taste buds. Try the Tram Experience – The tram is part and parcel of everyday life in Brussels in much the same way as gastronomy is. Good reason then to involve the tram in Brusselicious in every possible sense. Which is why we are delighted to offer visitors the opportunity to discover Brussels aboard a rather special vehicle: a design furnished tram in white livery that will take 34 guests on a two-hour round trip taking in some of the most beautiful spots of the city as you savouring a succulent and surprising menu thought up and concocted by a star chef who delights in revisiting the great classics of Brussels gastronomy. For more information see Brusselicious.
IRELAND
Dublin Bay Prawn Festival – 27th April – 29th April 2012
Filled to the brim with fun and food delights, the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival features an array of exciting events. There is a food village packed with food stalls and tasting sessions with everything from top quality seafood to freshly sourced local foods from some of the region’s finest restaurants and artisans. Other food events include cookery demonstrations, wine-tasting events and prawn shelling competitions. During the day there is street entertainment and a programme of walks, talks and seaside antics. As the sun goes down over Howth Harbour the fun continues as each evening the festival offer choices such as a Mystery Dine Around, Special Festival Menus in restaurants and pubs, fireworks on the Harbour and in-house musical entertainment in Howth’s Pubs.
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