With superstar chefs, award-winning restaurants and a culinary tradition that blends recipes and ingredients from the new world, the old world, and the world of fusion, Puerto Rico's gastronomy has become a huge draw for tourists. Pour a bit of Puerto Rican rum into mix, and you've got a recipe for world-class food and drink. To experience the best of island cooking (and drinking), check out these food festivals in Puerto Rico.
1. Saborea!
Photo © Zain Deane
I've confessed my almost-stalkerish love for Saborea! on this site before, so it's no surprise that I'm giving Puerto Rico's premier food festival top billing. Where else can you bring togehter top chefs from the island, some of the world's most recognized and celebrated chefs from around the world, food and drink samples galore, a weekend of parties and events, and an incomporable setting in the Caribbean.
When: April
Cost: $75-225 (tickets and information available at Saborea's website)
2. The Sofo Culinary Festival
Photo © Oof Restaurants
I get more emails from readers about the Sofo Fest than any other event, so I know how popular this event is. Named after South Fortaleza, or Sofo, a section of Old San Juan that's home to terrific restaurants, the SoFo Fest takes over the neighborhood for a weekend. Participating restaurants (like Dragonfly, the Parrot Club, Aguaviva, and Toro Salao) throw open their doors, set up tables with representative tapas, dishes and drinks, and invite the crowds to stop by and sample the goods.
When: Dates vary greatly, but there are two each year, in the Summer and Fall. Check my blog for specific dates.
Cost: Free.
3. Puerto Rico Wine & Food Festival
The PR Wine & Food Festival celebrated its third year in 2009, and has drawn some big names from around the world: superstars like Emeril, Michelle Bernstein, and Cat Cora have participated in previous events. With chefs getting their own space on the stage to talk about their craft and display their chops, meet & greet parties, and wine tastings, it's a gourmet event for gourmands.
When: August (note, no event planned as yet for 2010).
4. Taste of Rum
An event built around Puerto Rico's national drink, the Taste of Rum, sponsored by Rums of Puerto Rico, combines a variety of rum tastings with food from around the Caribbean and Latin America, music, and exhibits. This year's event featured a scrumptious rum barbecue competition, a "high flair" contest, live DJs and bands, and folkloric dances. Plus, the setting on Paseo la Princesa is one of the most romantic and pleasant spots in Old San Juan.
When: March
Cost: $45 cover charge.
