How to Enjoy a Food Festival

There is nothing better for foodies or those who just like discovering new cuisine than to attend a food festival. Here you will find all manner of dishes to sample, be it local, regional or international culinary delights. Of course, to fully enjoy such events, it is always best to be prepared which includes everything from finding the right kind of food festival to getting physically ready! Here are some tips to keep in mind which will help you do just that.

Find Suitable Food Festivals

There are plenty of food festivals to be found though it will require a bit of research to find those that suit you. Remember, just because it has the words “food” and “festival” doesn’t always mean the event is going to be great.

Check to see if it is being hosted by a reputed organisation, what kind of food will be on offer and if there are going to be added activities too. Local food or event-related publications are ideal for sourcing such events as are dedicated online resources the likes of the Events and Festivals Blog which provide information on global food fests.

Plan What to Wear

This may sound like a no-brainer, but planning what you are going to wear is important too. Ditch those tight-fitting jeans and tops / shirts for more suitable food festival attire; this means clothes that are not only comfy but also give you the chance to eat to your heart’s content without having to fear of a button or two popping out!

Additionally, make sure you wear footwear that offers comfort too, while for an outdoor event, it’s always good to apply / bring sunscreen with you along with sunglasses and a hat / cap.

Prepare the Day Before

It goes without saying that when attending a local foodie event or food celebrations around the world, you are going to be eating a lot! With this in mind, prepare yourself the day before which includes avoiding heavy meals.

You can also consider added steps such as getting in some non-strenuous exercise or stretching which can help since you will probably be standing a lot or walking from stall to stall. Also, look to get lots of rest and a good night’s sleep the day before, so you awake mentally and physically ready to enjoy some culinary adventures.

Get Off to an Early Start

As with most events, it always helps to get to the venue a bit early before the crowds start to gather. One obvious benefit is that you can find a good parking spot which is near the event space. Arriving early also gives you a chance to see what the different stalls are and where they can be found.

Depending on the food festival and your budget, you can consider getting VIP tickets; some of these come with exclusive benefits like early entry before the public and access to special lounges.

Come Up With a Plan

While food festivals are fun events to sample plenty of delectable dishes, it is good to have a strategy or plan rather than eating as much as you can from the get-go! Figure out what establishments or stalls you want to visit and if there is an event map, make use of that to pinpoint their locations. Depending on your interests, you could also see what kind of food is on offer you haven’t tried before and make sure to stop by those stalls too.

Many vendors and stalls will offer samples; if you want to try as much as possible, look to share your samples if you are attending with a friend or group. One strategy is to gather several samples from different stalls and meet up with others to share and eat what they have gotten too. On a final note, do remember to pace yourself, taking breaks between all the food you will be eating; also, make sure you stay hydrated but don’t drink too much so you have room to enjoy more foodie discoveries!