Algarve to host international Gourmet Festival 2012

The sixth annual International Gourmet Festival will be taking place at the Vila Joya Resort in the Algarve from 12th to 22nd January 2012.

The festival is considered one of the most popular gastronomy events in Europe and only features Michelin-starred chefs. This year’s festival will include over 20 of the world’s most celebrated chefs from France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Canada, USA and Portugal. The festival honours the best of international cuisine, as well as promoting local artists, designers, vineyards and businesses from across Portugal.

Vila Joya’s Chef, Dieter Koschina, will welcome the internationally renowned chefs as they each present a tasting menu combined with several wine pairings. For the first time at the festival, a luncheon will also be prepared on the Malhadinha Nova Vineyard, where a chef will serve food that is raised or grown on the property. Other festivities will include golf tournaments, wine and spirit tastings, workshops on Pata Negra and chocolate making, and a Go-Kart Race between the chefs!

Travel packages are available so visitors can tailor their gourmet festival experience to their needs and prices start from €1,610 (£1,376*) per person. All programmes include events, dinners and a return airline ticket and are divided into three itineraries: silver (three days), gold (five days) and platinum (the full 10-day programme). The silver package includes an economy flight ticket and the gold and platinum packages include business class tickets as well as spa treatments and transportation to and from the property.

The Algarve offers a range of delicious Portuguese cuisine drawing on Moorish influences. The region boasts four of 12 Michelin-starred restaurants in Portugal including Vila Joya and Henrique Leis. Visitors are invited to come and taste the Algarve at this fantastic festival in January and discover the flavours of Europe’s most famous secret.

(*GBP based on exchange rate: 5/12/2011)

For more information about the International Gourmet Festival, visit internationalgourmetfestival.com.

For more information on the Algarve, visit visitalgarve.pt.