USA: Food festivals across the States

A barmaid pours beer in a bar in Portland, Oregon. Photo / Creative Commons image by Flickr user Ian Sane

Looking for an excuse to indulge your inner foodie while travelling? Plan your next trip around one of these events ...

Miami

Recognised as one of the US' most prestigious gourmet gatherings, Miami's Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival combines beach and eats, usually in late February, all in the presence of food and wine experts and TV personalities. The four days include wine tastings, gourmet dinners, seminars and cooking demos. Past big-name demonstrators include Martha Stewart.

Las Vegas

Think poolside locations and cocktail competitions at Vegas hot spots and you've got the idea of the degree of razzmatazz at the Vegas Uncork'd festival, usually held in May. A mix of glitz, glamour and gourmet, you might even spot and swear you hear the likes of Gordon Ramsay among the celebs.

New Orleans

Billed as the Mardi Gras of food festivals, the May New Orleans Wine & Food Experience invites foodies to think outside restaurants as they mingle and graze at art galleries, food trucks and street parties. There are the usual food and wine seminars but the creme de la creme is the Big Gateaux Show which encapsulates the area's affinity for desserts.

Chicago

Long-timer of food fests is the Taste of Chicago, usually in July, when the city plays host to the world's largest food festival. It's an event for all ages and it's held on a lakefront park to show off the diversity of the city's dining community

Hawaii

Say aloha to appetising food at the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, which happens around September and promotes the islands' food stars and offers lots of Pacific Rim tasty treats from Hawaii's leading restaurants.

Portland

A relative newcomer to the food festival scene, Feast Portland's fun events include the Sandwich Invitational where chefs redefine sandwiches, a street food night market and outstanding artisan offerings of cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer and coffee.

New York City

This gathering is a fanfare of colour with the autumn leaves serving as a suitable backdrop to the NYC Wine & Food Festival. The October event sees celebrity chefs and home-grown talent combine to deliver food and beverage events, with all net proceeds going to help hunger-focused community organisations.

CHECKLIST

Further information: See DiscoverAmerica.com.