Who doesn’t love a great food festival? I’ll admit, I prefer them during the summer but nothing will get me out of the house quicker than a chance to sample various spicy foods in one spot this winter. Here are a few to check out that are taking place in the next few months.
1. Zest Fest 2012
Jan 27 – 29, Irving, TX
If you like it scorching hot, this is the place to be. The only other festival that draws a larger crowd of Chileheads is the Fiery Food Fest held in New Mexico in March. You’ll samples salsas, hot sauces, and foods from retailers and exhibitors from all over the world. Great way to warm up this winter!
2. Beer, Bourbon and BBQ
Jan 28, New York City, NY
This is a BBQ event but we all know some BBQ comes with a kick of heat and how can you resist sampling over 60 beers, 40 bourbons and whole hog pulled pork, brisket, ribs, sausages with all the fixings! This event is almost sold out in NYC so get your tickets. This is also a traveling festival so check their website for locations near you. Oh and loosen up your belts…
3. Food Network’s SOBE Food & Wine Fest
Feb 23-26, Miami FL
This is part of the Food Network’s traveling celebrity chef food event to be held in South Beach, Miami; the NYC fest is being held in mid October. This isn’t a spicy food festival but I’m almost certain you’ll find some spicy dishes in Miami. A little weekend getaway to Miami should be a nice retreat and a great cure for the Winter blues.
4. Fiery Food and BBQ Festival
Mar 2 – 4, Albuquerque, NM
This is the mack daddy of them all for Chileheads. This events pulls in over 10,000 chile aficionados and hundreds of hot sauce and spicy BBQ sauce retailers from all over the world and is held twice a year in Albuquerque. Here you can sample spicy dishes and hot sauces over the three day weekend event. I’m hoping to make it this year, just wish there were direct flights from the NYC area…uggh.
5. Varli Food Festival
April 5, New York City, NY
This is a food, wine and desserts festival showcasing Indian dining. Guests will be able to sample foods from about 30 Indian restaurants and caterers around the NYC area, view cooking demos, and will receive gift bags with Indian goodies and spices. The event will also host various master chefs such as Sanjeev Kapoor, Jehangir Mehta, Maneet Chauhan, Vikas Khanna and many more. Also, all proceeds of the event will go to various charities. This is definitely an event that can’t be missed and I can’t wait, Indian food is one of my favorites!! I got my ticket so get yours now before they sell out!!
Will you be attending any of these events? Also, do you know of any other upcoming spicy food festivals you’d like me to list? I’d love to hear about them!!
Stay tuned for more events during Spring and Summer and don’t forget to like our Facebook page or subscribe to our blog so you won’t miss a thing!!
Thanks
Maria
