Our New Year’s resolutions never stood a chance. With the big, splashy South Beach Wine & Food Fest in February and a slew of other mouthwatering food festivals on the calendar, it’s time to indulge in some serious eats. (We’ll just have to double down on our workouts.) Here’s a look at five events we’re salivating over now:
Is there anything more delectable than truffles? We think not. And apparently the folks running this Napa festival agree. The fourth annual event showcases the truffle like never before — with a seminar on growing the food (led by top scientists in the field), another seminar that serves as a truffles primer, a truffle orchard tour (complete with a dog-training demo) and a wild mushroom forage. To round out the long weekend, enjoy a couple of wine-and-truffle pairing meals and a marketplace filled with local vendors doing their own culinary creations with black truffles. And while The Westin Verasa Napa serves as the official home base of the festival, we recommend Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Carneros Inn just outside of town. January 17-20
There are restaurant weeks and then there’s this mammoth affair in its 10th year. More than 180 restaurants in the San Diego area participate in the prix fixe lunch and dinner deals. Try two-course lunches ($10 to $20) and three-course dinners ($25 to $45) at some of the city’s best restaurants, including Nobu San Diego, Katsuya by Starck (as in Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Philippe Starck) inside the Andaz San Diego and Amaya at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star resort The Grand Del Mar (snag a terrace seat). January 19-24
Beaver Creek Food & Wine Weekend
There are few places we’d rather be than Beaver Creek this winter. The skiing. The spas. The scenery. And this festival is another top reason to book a flight now. Over four days, celebrity and local chefs (Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Fabio Viviani included) will host cooking classes and special dinners. Other events include a burger, beer and bourbon tasting; a chef ski race; a beer-pairing seminar/lunch; and a luau with tropical cocktails. Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is located at the base of Beaver Creek ski resort and makes for a luxe hideaway for when you’re finished skiing, eating and imbibing. January 23-26
Manhattan isn’t the first place you’d think this Southern specialty fest would kick off its fifth annual, nine-city tour, but that’s just where you’ll find the hogs and honeys on January 25. The event is divided into three parts: The Bacon Bash Tasting (sold out), The Whole Hog Pig Pickin’ Session and The Grand Poobah Session. You will have a chance to savor barbecue from 10-plus different booths, drink beer and moonshine, listen to live bluegrass and even attend a seminar or two. (If you can’t make the New York City event, the next fest will be held in Tampa in February.) Book a room at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, New York on the west side — it’s just a quick taxi ride away. January 25
Not all the action is in South Beach — Orlando hosts a hot chili cook-off come February, when more than 75 cooks will offer free samples. Vote for the winner by dropping a token in your favorite chef’s chili pot. Local vendors will sling food and drinks; and there will be live music throughout the day and a large play area for kids. Bonus: Some of the proceeds of the event go to supporting Special Olympics Florida. February 8
Photos Courtesy of Napa Truffle Festival and The Grand Del Mar
