Tapping into a sweet commodity
(Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival,Elmvale, Ontario; April 21)
The town of Elmvale pulls out all the stops for the annual festival to celebrate the welcome return of spring and the liquid gold-maple syrup-one of the oldest traded commodities in North America. The month of April is when syrup-makers drill holes in the maple trees to tap the sweet commodity as the days warm up. The festival is a paradise for the sweet-toothed: traditional pancakes are served all day and the town is transformed into a syrup-tasting center. If you are hungry, pit your appetite against the locals in the firemen’s pancake eating contest. And when you’ve had your fill, watch the log-sawing contest, admire the unique quilts on display with other traditional crafts, browse the collectibles and recipes, or simply enjoy the concerts-from country music to heavy metal. Website: www.emsf.ca/.
Something fishy
( Oistins Fish Festival, Oistins, Barbados; April 6 to 8)
Every Easter, Oistins, the main fishing town of Barbados, holds a festival as a mark of respect-and a celebration-of the essential art of fishing and all those involved. Not only will you get the chance to try traditional Bajan fare, including fish pudding, fish-cakes, and fried fish, you can also meet the fishing folk who bring them to your market. Come face to face with the stars of the show-shark, tuna, flying fish, and barracuda-and watch the boat racing, fish boning, and greased pole contests. The coastguards have their own exhibition and food stalls line the streets, along with displays of local arts and crafts, and, of course, plenty of calypso and reggae to dance to. See: http://barbados.org/off.htm.
Welcomed with open arms in Sri Lanka
( Aluth Avurudda, Kandy, Sri Lanka; April 13 and 14)
Mid-April is when Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka celebrate Aluth Avurudda-the New Year. Fruit features largely, since this is the end of the harvest season. Preparations for big family reunions begin in earnest well in advance, involving the ritual cleaning of the house, the lighting of special lamps, and women congregating to sound the drum announcing the coming change of year. But it’s not simply a family affair, as people meet in the streets and doors are flung open-a general welcome is extended to all. Plantain in various forms is served with kaung (small oil cakes) and kokis (a crisp, light sweet). If this pre-monsoon season is too hot for you, cool down in the hills and enjoy a game of polo, golf, or tennis.
Not just tapas
( International Gourmet Fair, Madrid, Spain; April 16 to 19)
For serious foodies, this is a forum of some 700 regional, national, and international exhibitors, where you can also find out about Spain’s restaurant awards. The National Ham Carving Contest opens the fair, with marks given for cutting-style, speed, thickness of cut, and appearance. More than 35,000 different delicatessen products can be seen (and tasted), such as olives and chorizo spicy sausage. The association of young restaurateurs organizes a cooking competition based around sea bass, where a full menu must be constructed within six hours. Website: www.gourmets.net .
The best meat pies in England
( Lancashire Food Festival, Accrington, Lancs, UK; April 21 and 22)
The county of Lancashire in the north of England is home to the best meat pies in the country. And there are other delights to discover as well, including herbal drinks, local Lancashire hotpots and pickles, award-winning sausages and black puddings, and delicious cheeses and jams. The fare is not limited to the traditional-curries are made, too. Tutored wine-tasting sessions are held and beer lovers are in for a treat with a selection of special brews, including the Pendle Witch and Black Cat. Cookery demonstrations, free tastings, and Lancashire music complete the festival, with the historic fresh food market all making for a fun food weekend. Website: www.lancashirefoodfestival.co.uk. IL