Cultural Cuisine: Hotspots for food tourism
Our love of food is changing the way we travel, with more and more of us picking our destination based on the local cuisine. Food tourism, as it’s known, is sweeping the globe. Fuelled by a massive upsurge in food blogging, and food photography on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, this seemingly endless quest for ever more unique and unusual dining experiences shows no signs of abating. And cities the world over are slowly waking up to the potential, offering the modern traveller increasingly immersive, authentic culinary experiences. With that in mind, here are just a few popular destinations to whet your appetite.
Taste of Tokyo, Japan
You’ll get a big bite of culture at the annual Taste of Tokyo food festival, serving up a smorgasbord of traditional Japanese cuisine this September. As well as a multitude of local vendors, there’s music, art and folk dancing. You can even channel your inner chef at one of the many cooking seminars and masterclasses, where you’ll learn how to whip up your very own sushi buffet.
Pizzafest, Italy
For a slice of authentic Italian fare, there’s the ever-popular Pizzafest. For one week in September, the historic heart of Naples is transformed into a vibrant pizza village, with the finest local pizzerias offering up a plethora of cheese and toppings. There’s the world pizza-making championship, cooking masterclasses revealing secret sauces and old family recipes, and as night draws in, dancing, music and wine-tasting. All this under the blazing Mediterranean sun, surrounded by the stunning vistas of the bay of Naples.
Wildfoods Festival, New Zealand
Feeling adventurous? Why not take a walk on the wild side at the Wildfoods festival in Hokitika, New Zealand. Celebrating traditional Maori cuisine, this utterly unique, immersive experience will shock and delight. Nestled in the shadow of the Southern Alps on New Zealand’s west coast, Hokitika is one of the most stunning destination spots on Earth. You’ll get to sample authentic Maori fare such as huhu grubs, mountain oysters and deep fried pigs’ ears, while exploring the lush local rainforest and testing your survival skills. And with new dishes added every year, there’s no telling what might end up on your plate.
Bacon Festival, USA
Packed full of bars, wineries and farm-to-fork restaurants, California’s capital has long been a destination of choice for the serious foodie. And with the addition of this unique celebration of everyone’s favourite breakfast food, that’s unlikely to change any time soon. With cook-offs, street barbecues and bacon-themed brunches, you’ll marvel at the many diverse ways bacon can be prepared, with bacon gelato, bacon milkshakes, bacon ramen and even bacon salad available; all washed down with local craft beers and wines.
Food for thought
So there you have it; a little taste of some of the more popular culinary events on the food lover’s calendar. From Europe, the US and Asia, our love of all things culinary is changing the face of tourism. Instead of simply taking in the sights, the modern traveller is consuming the local culture, the heritage, and the customs in tasty, bitesize chunks.
