If you’re travelling the world this autumn (or just consider yourself a cooking connoisseur), make sure you’re in the know about these fantastic foodie festivals that are happening throughout Europe. Immersing yourself in local culture and sampling traditional cuisine is an important part of the travel experience wherever your holiday happens to be, so attending a food festival is a fantastic opportunity to get a real feel for local life. Here are three of the very best fall foodie fiestas.
Chilli Festival: Espelette, France
The small town of Espelette in south-western France is famed for its Espelette peppers which are harvested late in the summer. The chilli pepper is celebrated during October with large banquets featuring speciality dishes made with the illustrious ingredient. One such dish is pipérade, made with sautéed peppers, tomatoes and eggs. The locals enjoy this wonderful food between attending the festival’s many choir concerts and church gatherings. There is always a fantastic atmosphere all around Espelette in the autumn.
National Chestnut Festival: Cuneo, Italy
The name of this festival is slightly misleading, since it is not only the chestnuts that are celebrated over in Cuneo, Italy. Locals gather together in the city streets in late October to enjoy a lively food fiesta showcasing several regional delicacies, including some Italian favourites such as pancakes, polenta and ravioli. Chestnuts are roasted (and occasionally candied) at many stalls throughout the city, so you will have easy access to this delicious treat while enjoying the festivities.
Kookeet: Bruges, Belgium
Food festivals are done slightly differently In Belgium. Visitors in late September or early October can enjoy some world-class cuisine on the streets of central Bruges as local delicacies are prepared by the city’s chefs – some are even Michelin star holders! Dishes can include Belgian pancakes paired with Liefmans beer or Flemish white tripe with mustard and peanuts. The delicacies here are beautifully prepared and easily accessible (if you can avoid the crowds!).
Hungry for more? There are plenty of unique foodie festivals happening all over Europe this autumn, and it’s definitely worth including one or two in your travel itinerary. After all, there really is no better way to enjoy real local cuisine than by experiencing an authentic foodie celebration.
