Wild mustard grows in full bloom during this time with growers from all over the world competing for awards in the Mustard Olympics. Chefs also show off their recipes along with auctions, wine tastings, art shows and much more. For more info call 707-259-9020 or visit www.mustardfestival.org
VENICE FESTIVAL - Venice, Italy
February 16 - March 7
The world’s most glamorous socialites descend on Venice for an orgy of food, wine, parties and banquets. Tickets are very expensive but should provide a lifetime's memories for those taking the plunge.
LA PAULEE - San Francisco, California
March 3
Burgundy wine expert Daniel Johnnes brings this festival to the West Coast for the first time, and it will be held at the W Hotel in San Francisco. Many of Burgundy’s top producers will be at the tasting and at the gala dinner which will be presented by chef Daniel Boulud along with a dozen or so other top chef’s. A charity auction will close the event, which is priced at $1,200 for the dinner and tasting, or only $250 for the tasting. Call 212-625-2519 or visit www. lapaulee.org
WASHINGTON D.C. INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL - Washington DC
March 3 - 4
CINCINATTI INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL - Cincinatti, Ohio
March 8 - 10
ZINFANDEL WEEKEND - Paso Robles, California
March 16 - 18
RHONE RANGER TASTING - San Francisco, California
March 31
TASTE OF VAIL - Vail, Colorado
April 5 - 7
MONTEREY WINE FESTIVAL - Monterey, California
April 5 - 8
FLORIDA WINE FEST AND AUCTION - Sarasota, Florida
April 18 - 22
SCOTTSDALE CULINARY FESTIVAL - Scottsdale, Arizona
April 18 - 22
11th ANNUAL JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION AWARDS - New York
April 30
NATIONAL RESTAURANT WEEK - everywhere, UK
May 11 - 20
FOOD FESTIVAL DAY - everywhere, UK
May 17
NANTUCKET WINE FESTIVAL - Nantucket, Massachusetts
May 17 - 20
BIG ISLAND BOUNTY FESTIVAL - Kohala Coast, Hawaii
May 25 - 26
HOSPICE DU RHONE - Paso Robles, California.
May 31 - June 2
GOURMET GARDEN COURSE - Devon, England
June 4 - 7 and June 18 - 21
NAPA VALLEY WINE AUCTION - Napa Valley, California
June 7 - 10
FOOD AND WINE MAGAZINE CLASSIC AT ASPEN - Aspen, Colorado
June 15 - 17
TASTE OF HONOLULU - Honolulu, Hawaii
June 22 - 24
TASTE OF TIMES SQUARE - New York City, NY
June 25
TASTE OF CHICAGO - Chicago, Illinois
June 29 - July 8
KAPALUA WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL - Kapalua, Hawaii
July 5 - 9
NEW ORLEANS WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE - New Orleans, Louisiana
July 11 - 15
FRENCH FESTIVAL - Santa Barbara, California
July 14 - 15
FINGERS LAKES WINE FESTIVAL - Watkins Glen, NY
July 21 - 22
GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL - Gilroy, California
July 27 - 29
CALIFORNIA WINE TASTING CHAMPIONSHIP - Philo, California
July 28 - 29
Fifteen food and wine pairing seminars along with cuisine from six regional chef’s and wine from over 150 wineries all over the world. This event will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Call 877-WINEXPO or go to www.wine-expos.com
The Ohio city will be the center of the wine world this weekend as wineries from all over the world showcase their product. The grand tasting is on March 9/10 preceded by the dinners on March 8. Call 513-241-3434 or visit www.winefestival.com
This annual event in its ninth year features 30 wineries in an extravaganza of parties, tastings, tours, dinners and more. You can visit a winery of your choice and dance the night away following a gourmet dinner prepared by local chefs. Tickets sell out fast and vary according to the event. Call 805-239-8463 or go to www.pasowine.com
Wines such as Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne, Marsanne and more are featured as over 100 wineries showcase their latest offerings, along with a silent auction. Ticket information at 415-441-3687 or visit www.rhonerangers.com
New York chef and wine expert Joshua Wesson hosts over 50 top-notch vintners along with 35 Vail Valley restaurants and chefs. Highlight of the weekend will be a lavish picnic served at 10,000 feet in a special arena. All the money goes to charity and tickets vary from $30-$150 or $325 for a package. Call 888-311-5665 or www.tasteofvail.com
The original festival town celebrates its 25th anniversary with an event that packs in extensive tastings, dinners, tours, workshops and more. Over 125 local wineries are expected and for more info, call 800-656-4282 or visit www.montereywine.com
The Resort at Longboat Key Club will host a galaxy of high profile events that is highlighted by a black tie dinner hosted by local celebrity chefs. Call 914-952-1109 or visit www.florida-winefest.org
Springtime in Arizona will allow visitors to sample the best food in the area, with over 100 restaurants and caterers exhibiting. An Awards Dinner and Cup competitions highlight the event with proceeds benefiting several local causes. Tickets vary in price with info on 480-945-7193 or at www.scottsdaleleague-arts.org
The New York Marriott Marquis hosts the “Oscars” of the food industry by honoring the inductees into the Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America. A total of 68 awards are announced, and over 30 guest chefs from around the country are participating in a gourmet meal after the presentation. Tickets are $250 for the public, $200 for members and $90 for students. Call 800-36-BEARD or go to www.jamesbeard.org
Britain's first National Restaurant Week is to be a celebration all that's great about eating out in the UK. There'll be special menus, events, and competitions. Call 0207 831 8727 or visit www.ragd.co.uk
As part of National Restaurant Week, this day will promote local and regional dishes. Better get your skates on, if you fancy both Cornish Pasties and Haggis! Call 0207 831 8727 or visit www.ragd.co.uk
The Sconset Casino will host over 125 wineries that will be sampling their wines to go with food specialties from the area. Salmon, breads, chowder, cheeses, smoked meats and cooking demonstrations are complemented by an auction and grand tastings. Tickets cost $75 for the tastings. Call 508-228-1128 or visit www.nantucketwinefestival.com
The two-day event at the Orchid at Mauna Lani starts with the Beach Boy bash where chefs from all over the state feature the “mixed plate” favorites. The gala dinner will be a black tie affair and the Grand Finale Bounty Brunch is scheduled before the Music Festival featuring Hawaiian guitars. Call 800-845-9905.
The world’s biggest Rhone tasting is held at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds and around the area. Many other events are planned as wines from California, France, Australia and South Africa are featured. Weekend tickets are always snapped up quickly at $425 and individual tickets cost $35-$75. Call 805-784-9543 or visit www.hospicedurhone.com
A heady combination of romantic gardens and fine cuisine. It's a residential course near Exeter. Learn how to create a romantic garden from Chelsea Flower Show gold-medalist Julian Dowle, while savouring cuisine from master chef of Great Britain, Philip Leach. Call 01404 540400 or visit www.thishotel.com
This is the world’s largest charity wine event is hosted by Robert and Margrit Mondavi. Highlights include the Vintners’ Gala Dinner and the Auction Dinner with food from Napa’s best restaurants. The auction will feature over 150 unique wine lots, and the bidding is expected to be very hot. The HQ will be the Meadowland Napa Valley Resort and the extravaganza will cost $2500 per couple. Call 800-982-1371 or visit www.napavintners.com
Food and wine from all over the world can be sampled at this event in its nineteenth year. Celebrity chefs and wine experts will be setting up at the base of the Aspen Mountains in the Grand Tasting Pavilions. Call 877-900-WINE or go to www.foodandwine.com
The largest outdoor food festival in the Islands will feature food from about 25 of Honolulu’s top restaurants on the grounds of the Honolulu Civic Center. Proceeds go to charity and admission is only $2. Call 808-536-1015 or visit www.eastersealshawaii.org
About 40 of New York’s top restaurants such as Carmine’s, Firebird Restaurant, Judson Grill and Sardi’s will offer samples of their food, along with Korbel Chardonnay Champagne and beers from half a dozen breweries. The event runs from 5 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. and will include musicians and entertainers. Free admission. Call 212-768-1560 or visit www.timessquarebid.org
The ten-day festival will be held at Grant Park on Lake Michigan at several venues, and food of every ethnic description possible will be available. Cooking demonstrations will be a highlight of the event and for more information call 312-744-3370.
This event takes place at both the Kapalua Hilton and the Ritz-Carlton. The Grand Tasting features over 100 international wines along with celebrity chef’s cuisine. Next day are the wine tours and seminars followed by a choice of five dinners, and then the Kapalua Seafood festival closes the festival. Call 800-KAPALUA or visit www.kapaluamaui.com
New Orleans hosts over 500 wines from a 100 plus wineries, and kick start the event with the Vintners Dinner that will feature over 30 restaurants. The French Quarter will be blocked off for further celebrations, and the final events will be the Champagne Jazz Brunch and the Fine Wine Auction. Call 504-529-WINE or go to www.nowfe.com
Bastille Day comes to the California Riviera with two days of food from outdoor vendors, sidewalk cafes, with dozens of area chefs cooking a wide range of food. Entertainment, films, art shows and a lot more on offer at Oak Park. Free admission call 805-564-PARIS or visit www.frenchfestival.com
The Nascar crowd will love this event that features over 50 local wineries, along with gourmet food, seminars and live jazz and blues. Live racing will also take place on the Sunday. Advance tickets cost $17 each or $25 for the weekend. Telephone is 607-535-2481 or visit www.theglen.com
Christmas Hill Park hosts this fun event in the garlic capital of the world. Enter the Great Garlic Cook-Off and win $1000 plus a ton of garlic, or stroll along Gourmet Alley and sample the calamari, scampi, garlic bread or pesto with thousands of others. Admission is $10 and for more info call 408-842-1625 or try www.gilroygarlicfestival.com
The Wine Olympics are held at Greenwood Ridge Vineyards in Mendocino County. There are three divisions - novice, amateur or professional, and winery owner Allan Green hosts the events. Prizes include free hotel stays and admission is free for spectators, but between $30 and $55 for competitors. Call 707-895-2002 or visit www.greenwoodridge.com
