Food agenda: Vinexpo
Billed as one of the largest wine trade events in Asia, Vinexpo Asia-Pacific is a biennial event that alternates between Hong Kong and France. In 2010, the fair attracted 12,620 visitors. Here's a look at more international food and drink events happening around the world.
4th annual Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2012
May 29-31
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong
As one of the biggest and most important wine trade events, Vinexpo alternates locations between Hong Kong and France every year. In 2012, it's Asia's turn to host. Given the meteoric rise of the wine industry in Asia, interest is expected to be high. According to the latest Vinexpo/IWSR study, Asia will experience the strongest increase in its wine markets in the next five years with five percent annual growth compared to the world average, which is less than one percent. Retail sales of still light wines in Asia in 2009 were worth US$7.18 billion and are expected to increase by 27% by 2013. In 2010, the event attracted 12,620 visitors from 18 countries, and 882 exhibitors from 35 countries. Vinexpo is second to the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in size and popularity.
http://www.vinexpo.com/en/visiting/
Bocuse d'Or Asia
June 12-14
Shanghai
Finalists representing 10 Asian countries will vie for four spots to battle it out in the final round of what's known as the culinary Olympics, which takes place in Lyon, France next year. The 10 competing countries include: Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
http://www.bocusedorasia.com/
World Barista Championship and World of Coffee
June 12-15
Vienna, Austria
Pitched as the biggest European Specialty Coffee event, World of Coffee hosts the annual World Barista Championship, the World Brewers Cup, World Cup Tasters Championship and the Cezve/Ibrik Championship. A one-day pass is €10 and three-day passes are €25.
http://www.worldcoffeeevents.org/vienna-2012/
Summer Fancy Food Show
June 17-19
Washington DC, USA
The largest specialty, gourmet food and beverage event in North America gathers 180,000 premium and novelty products like cheese, coffee, snacks, spices and confections under one roof. The annual event draws 2,400 exhibitors from around 80 countries.
http://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-show/summer-fancy-food-show/
SIAL Brazil
June 25-28
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Modeled after SIAL Paris, the largest food and beverage event in the world, SIAL Brazil positions itself as the gateway to the Latin American market for the global food world. About 65,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day event. This year, the show floor will be divided into thematic ‘islands' that give special treatment to foods like ice cream, olive oils, biscuits, cachaças (Brazilian spirits), sweets, fruits, vegetables, cheese and wine.
http://www.sialbrazil.com
MAD Symposium 2012
July 1-2
Copenhagen, Denmark
The second annual food retreat organized by Danish chef René Redzepi promises to be another gathering of food illuminati, with a lineup that includes Ferran Adrià, Massimo Bottura and Marc Veyrat. The theme this year: "Appetite." Tickets for MAD Food 2012 are DKK 2,000 each (about €270) and covers both days -- July 1-2 -- as well as breakfast, lunch, snacks and coffee. For tickets, contact Ali Kurshat Altinsoy at aka@noma.dk.
http://madfood.co/
International Cheese Awards
July 24-25
Nantwich, UK
One of the biggest and oldest cheese shows in the world, the competition in Nantwich celebrates its 115th birthday this year and, like past editions, will crown the best of the best. More than 3,500 cheeses will be available to sample at the pavilion. New this year will be an education center, a cookery demonstration theater and a cheese and wine bar.
http://www.internationalcheeseawards.co.uk
Tales of the Cocktail
July 25-29
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Described as a premier cocktail festival for mixologists, Tales of the Cocktail celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and is attended by a who's who of the bar world. For the milestone edition, the five-day festival will feature more than 200 events including the Hand-Shaken Daiquiri Cocktail Competition, Street Food and Go-Cups, pig butchering demos, and cocktails, lots of them. Prices range from $40 to $100.
http://www.talesofthecocktail.com
