For tourists who want to take culinary journeys to the world’s best food festivals and good food show 2022, here are the Top 10 in the world of food.
The Tomato Festival (La Tomatina) – Spain
Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the sleepy Spanish town of Buñol is transformed into a mashed potato, with around 20,000 locals taking to the streets and throwing fleshy tomatoes at each other.
Nearly 140 tonnes of ripe tomatoes are used for the festival. And it’s all for the tomato war.
Cheese Rolling – Gloucestershire
One of Britain’s quirkiest traditions, the Cheese Rolling has been practiced on Coopers Hill near Brockworth in Gloucestershire for at least 200 years.
The cheese is supplied by local cheese producer, Diana Smart. The championship is held in several ‘heats’. The first runner-up at the bottom of the hill is awarded with a 4kg head of local orange Double Gloucester cheese and is inscribed in the winner’s book for eternity.
Feast of St. Anthony (sardine festival) – Portugal
The three days of the Portuguese St. Anthony’s Day festival see lots of dancing, fireworks, parades and weddings.
The sardine festival culminates in a cake and all sorts of sardine dishes prepared by the locals.
White Truffle Fair in Alba – Italy
Most of us are familiar with truffles, but these white mushrooms are more valuable – proof that money doesn’t grow on trees but sometimes under them.
For centuries people have travelled to Alba in search of delicacies and since 1929 the town has hosted the national White Truffle Fair.
During the festival in October, local gastronomes display truffle dishes along the street.
Beer Festival (Oktoberfest) – Germany
The biggest beer festival attracts more than six million visitors every year.
It serves traditional German food in addition to beer: hendl (chickens), schweinsbraten (pork), Steckerlfisch (fried fish on a stick), Knödeln (potatoes or bread, dumplings) and white sausage.
Oyster Festival (Galway Oyster Festival) – Ireland
We all know about aphrodisiacs and the properties of oysters, but why not take part in the festival? If you’re not a fan, there are plenty of other Irish delights to whet your appetite, including smoked salmon, seafood and desserts.
Baltic Herring Festival – Finland
Pickled herring are a popular delicacy in Finland and during the week-long festival in October, since 1743 , fishermen gather at the market square in Helsinki to display their wares. The programme includes prizes for raw fish and culinary demonstrations.
Chocolate Salon – France
Style and sugar rarely go hand in hand, but this is one case where fashion can encompass sweet clothes. It’s at the Chocolate Festival that chocolate fashion shows take place.
For those who don’t fancy wearing chocolate, there’s the option of eating them.
Food, Drink and Rhubarb Festival – Yorkshire
Fruit lovers should enjoy a trip to a festival that boasts rhubarb dishes.
Garlic Festival – California
About 100,000 tourists come to Gilroy for the Garlic Festival every year and eat two and a half tons of garlic.