From seeking out award-winning chefs with fancifully plated dishes to mini doughnuts on a stick, today’s travelers are often savvy foodies who crave the next best dish, whether it comes on a pressed white tablecloth or at a street-side stand.
Over the next few months, it won’t matter if you’re looking to meet your favorite celebrity chef or have dinner in an Italian piazza the middle of downtown L.A., these eight food-focused events will be sure to whet your appetite.
New York City Wine & Food Festival
Head to the Big Apple October 10 to 13 for this iconic gathering where you can eat for a good cause. Proceeds from the New York City Wine & Food Festival support Food Bank for New York City and nonprofit foundation No KidHungry’s fight to end hunger.
The event is a star-studded showcase, drawing more than 50,000 attendees to experience 80 events with 500 chefs. Enjoy culinary demonstrations from famous faces like Food Network personalities Scott Conant and Alex Guarnaschelli, partake in daytime events like America’s Greatest Sandwich Showdown and an Oyster Bash, or go for a hot-ticket intimate dinner hosted by renowned toques like Elena Arzak, Daniel Boulud, Dan Barber and Alain Ducasse.
After you rub elbows with the industry’s best, rest your head at Loews Regency New York Hotel. Centrally located in Midtown, this Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star retreat provides a convenient place to recharge before your next epicurean adventure.
Caribbean Food and Wine Festival
Bask in the sun and sand in Turks and Caicos while you savor all that this tropical fest has to offer from October 31 to November 3.
This year’s culinary extravaganza features talent like Ryan McCaskey of Chicago’s Four-Star Acadia; James Beard Award-winning, Miami-based toque Michael Schwartz; and renowned British-Indian fusion chef Atul Kochhar. Among the weekend’s highlights are a progressive “dine around,” where each course is hosted by a different venue (Wymara Resort and Villas, The Palms Turks and Caicos and Seven Stars Resort & Spa are among the stops), and a Dinner Under the Stars at Grace Bay Club, where Kochhar will serve up a tasting of his signature modern Indian flavors paired with rare vintage wines.
With 11 acres of white-sand beaches and a 90-foot infinity bar, the Four-Star all-suite resort lets you fill up on relaxation with beautiful ocean views while also providing a front-row seat to the action all weekend.
Watch as downtown L.A. transforms into a charming piazza during the 11th edition of this Italophile festival on October 12. Hosted by the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, the annual gourmet gathering draws more than 2,500 visitors for bites from the best local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and world-class wines — from Italy, naturally.
Once you’ve bid buona notte to the festivities, finish off the night at Mr. C Beverly Hills, a retro-chic property named for its Venetian owners, Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani. If you’re still feeling peckish for pasta, the Four-Star hotel boasts an outpost of internationally renowned Italian restaurant Cipriani, the famed birthplace of the bubbly bellini cocktail.
From restaurant-hopping tours to special tasting menus at 250 participating dining venues to celebrity chef-hosted events, this month-long gastro get-together (October 1 to 31) ensures you’ll eat well in the British capital.
Between bites, take a break at centrally located The Stafford London, just a quick jaunt from Mayfair, Piccadilly Circus and the West End. Steeped in history with all the British charm you might expect, this Four-Star stay’s room styles range from English country to contemporary, though all provide an excellent home base for your foodie adventures.
The James Beard Foundation hosts this Windy City culinary happening October 25 at Zhou B Art Center as part of its Taste America series, which looks to educate, inspire and foster appreciation for American cuisine.
An evening of epicurean delights starts with cocktails and canapés, followed by a locally inspired dinner crafted by Girl & the Goat’s Stephanie Izard that’s hosted by chef Diana Davila of popular Mexican concept Mi Tocaya Antojería. You will not want to miss the dessert reception, either.
Sleep off your food coma just 15 minutes away at Four-Star Park Hyatt Chicago. After waking up to stellar views over Lake Michigan and the city, rejuvenate with a dip in the indoor pool or with a Lake Stone Massage at the serene NoMI spa.
Since 1905, this Phoenix favorite has drawn all walks of life for unforgettable memories. From October 4 to 27, the fair features everything from a rodeo and a monster truck show to MMA fights and performances by artists like Grammy-nominated country singer Lee Brice.
And, of course, there’s no food like fair food. Try Instagrammable favorites like mini doughnuts on a stick, the Hot Cheeto Burrito and a birthday-cake-flavored, cotton-candy-topped funnel cake.
Once the carb carnage has been completed, retire to Four-Star The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort to kick off your cowboy boots for some much-needed quiet. Cool off in the sprawling pools, go for a round of golf or stop in at the recently refreshed Four-Star spa.
For a food-focused endeavor without the crowds, head to Spokane’s Four-Star Northern Quest Resort & Casino, where you can wine, dine and play all night long. On October 23, the property’s EPIC restaurant is hosting a four-course, beer-themed dinner featuring a tasty selection of brews from Oregon’s Ninkasi Brewing Company. A curated selection of sips will be paired with beer-infused dishes like duck sausage with beer cheese or a stout crème brûlée.
When you finish with your braised lamb shank and roasted Brussels sprouts, zip up to one of the resort’s 250 rooms and suites, all done with subtle Native American design elements and ambient lighting, for overnight restoration.
Wine Dinner Celebrations in Los Cabos
While you don’t need an excuse to visit luxurious Los Cabos, the monthly wine tastings at Four-Star One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos Resort may be just the motivation you need to take a much-needed holiday.
Whether you’re a vino beginner or an oenophile, revel in several sommelier-led evenings of delicious wine tastings with exquisite food to match. On October 25, savor Spanish sips from Emilio Moro or stop by on November 13 to taste Mexican vintages from the Baja Peninsula’s Monte Xanic Bodega Vinicola.
Continue your culinary journey at the Four-Star spa, where treatments like the Palmilla Chocolate Synergy and the herb-infused Secret Remedy Signature Treatment offer palate-pleasing pampering.
