Foodie events bucket list
Dear Cheese Lovers
Here are some of the amazing foodie and cheese events in New Zealand and around the world which I support or am involved with. I will be adding festivals and events that I am working at or that I would recommend as I get time. Suggestions always welcome.
Hawke’s Bay
Black Barn Growers Market
Black Barn Vineyard
Every Saturday December to end February
The canvas covered Growers’ Market is a ‘must-do’ for locals and visitors alike. Open 9am till noon every Saturday of summer under a ring of shady plane trees in the heart of the Black Barn vines. The Market opens with the new season’s asparagus, strawberries and artichokes and finishes as summer comes to an end with stonefruit peppers and beans. It also offers fresh baked breads, locally roasted coffee, olive oil, whitebait fritters and locals catching up on the weeks’ gossip.
Hastings Farmers Market
Hastings Racecourse
Every Sunday of the year
This is probably New Zealand’s biggest and best market. Open every Sunday morning amongst the trees at Hastings Racecourse in summer and in the Racecourse buildings in winter with live music and a huge array of local food and drink.
The selection is impressive from cheeseboards to cashew nut cheese, vegetables to coffee, olives, cider.
Everything you need for a picnic, lunch or Hawke’s Bay weekend.
F.A.W.C! (Food & Wine Classic)
Winter Sometime in June
Summer Sometime in November
Hawke’s Bay is like the Med without the crowds – hot sunny days cool evenings, endless orchards and vineyards, fresh produce, great beaches and lovely cafes and restaurants. Plus there is F.A.W.C. - the Food & Wine Classic that happens twice a year and involves music, tastings, trails, dinners, demos and degustations; Celebrity chefs, cheese making and events to appeal to all ages, pockets and tastes. I will be creating or hosting events at F.A.W.C. so watch this space.
The rest of New Zealand
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival
Blenheim - February
New Zealand’s original and longest running wine festival where you get the opportunity to sample world-class wines and delicious local cuisine in the picturesque Brancott Vineyard. For the wine aficionados there are two wine tutorials and the Culinary Pavilion will yet again host a bevvy of celebrity chef and cooking demonstrations. (I did a cheese & Wine session in 2016 which was sold out!) Put the date in the diary of 2017 or 2018! You have to go!
Toast – Martinborough
Martinborough - Sunday in November
For over 25 years every year thousands of foodies from near and far take trains, buses or a nominated driver to the small town of Martinborough, over the hill from Wellington, to enjoy a day of fun at TOAST.
A feast for the senses with numerous sites, award winning wineries, pop up restaurants and eclectic music acts. Sip, savour, dance and enjoy a day out in Martinborough.
Start planning early! Events sell out fast.
Waiheke Wine & Food Festival
Waiheke Island - Saturday in April
An unmissable day out on Waiheke Island, taste boutique Waiheke wines and artisan food at various locations across the island while basking in the sounds of some top live music.
Vineyard with great wines and fabulous views across the Hauraki Gulf serve their wines along with a tasty line-up of artisan food. Ticket price includes the ferry, bus and a glass of wine on arrival. I am hoping to do a tasting again this year so maybe see you there.
Rest of the world
ITALY
Slow Food Cheese
Bra, Piedmont
September - every 2 years
Run by the international organisation SLOW FOOD (designed to counteract Fast food!) it has been going since 1998 and thousands of cheesemakers from around the world totally takes over the hilltop town of Bra in Piedmont, Northern Italy for 5 days.
A region renowned for its great food and wines this should be on any Foodies Bucket list. There are masterclasses, tastings, exhibitions, dinners and cheeses galore.
ITALY
Terra Madre Salone del Gusto
Turin
September - every 2 years
The most important food event for anyone involved in the food industry. Run by Slow Food every 2 years. In 2016 around 7000 producers and farmers from 55 countries spread across the elegant city of TURIN and along the banks of the river Po. The city turned into a gigantic kitchen, where participants learnt to appreciate all the world’s flavours, and the people behind them, from field to fork.
Inspirational and world changing.
ENGLAND
Ludlow Food Festival
Ludlow Castle
May & September every year
Take one historic town, combined with an enviable food culture, mix in passionate local chefs, producers and an array of exciting attractions and what do you get – the Ludlow Food Festival of course!
A GREAT family day out with more than 160 producers under cover in huge marquees all weekend, alongside Michelin Chefs, hands-on cookery demonstrations and expert talks.
All against the stunning backdrop of Ludlow Castle
AUSTRALIA
Image Credit: MFWF Mia mcdonald
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Melbourne Australia
March
Running for over 25 years, Melbourne’s annual celebration features more than 200 events that honour the city’s strong culinary tradition and spills into regional Victoria.
Full details of the lengthy festivities – including an event calendar – will be released on February 1st 2017.
USA
WALES
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival
April - Pebble Beach, California
Pebble Beach Food & Wine is the premier epicurean lifestyle event on the West Coast, matching 250 acclaimed wineries and 100 celebrity chefs to create a hedonistic four-day destination on one of the most picturesque strips of coastline in the world. Throughout the weekend you'll enjoy wine tastings, cooking demos, and some of the most exclusive, unique dining opportunities available in the world.
Abergavenny Food Festival
September - Abergavenny, Wales
Perhaps the most high-brow festival on our list, Abergavenny Food Festival is known for bringing together chefs, food businesses, farmers and food producers who flock to the historic Welsh town to enjoy talks, demonstrations and, of course, lots of delicious food. From tutored tastings to demos from top chefs, tours and forages as well as big parties, there’s something to tickle everyone’s tastebuds.