Taste Festivals

The events run by Taste Festivals feature mini-kitchens from different restaurants, along with live demonstrations from chefs. The restaurants featured have included Michelin starred establishments such as Rhodes 24 and Le Gavroche at Taste of London.{{cite news|title=Taste sensation for chefs and foodies|url=http://news.caterer.com/article/view/restaurant/18651769/taste-sensation-for-chefs-and-foodies/|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Caterer.com|date=23 June 2008}} The Best in Taste award is given out by each festival to the restaurant who serves the best dish at each event.{{cite news|title=Club Gascon's 'Marmite Royal' Awarded Best Dish at Taste of London|url=http://www.tastefestivals.com/london/news/121/Club-Gascon%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98Marmite-Royale%E2%80%99-Awarded-Best-Dish-at-Taste|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Taste Festivals|date=23 June 2012}}

Taste Festivals launched in 2004 with the first Taste of London, which took place at Somerset House.{{cite news|title=The To Do List: Taste of London|url=http://www.esquire.co.uk/2012/06/the-festival-taste-of-london/|date=21 June 2012|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Esquire}} The London event was moved to Regent's Park in 2005, where it has remained since.{{cite news|title=AVA strawberries target top-end market|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Business-Support/AVA-strawberries-target-top-end-market|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Morning Advertiser|date=7 July 2005}}{{cite news|last=Ford|first=Richard|title=Best show gong for Taste of London|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/people/best-show-gong-for-taste-of-london/227997.article|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=The Grocer|date=5 April 2012}} The show was named Best Consumer Show at the 2012 Exhibition News Awards. A second London-based event runs later in the year, entitled the festive edition of Taste of London. It runs on similar principles to the main Taste of London event, with a greater focus on festive shopping alongside restaurants and live demonstrations. As of 2016, the festive edition of Taste of London is held at Tobacco Docks, London.{{cite news|last=Vines|first=Richard|title=London Chefs Set for Christmas -- With Chocolate: Richard Vines|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aDq4zB_eaUqc|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=16 September 2009}}

Taste of Edinburgh was first run in 2007, initially at The Meadows, but after two years moved to Inverleith Park.{{cite news|title=Taste of Edinburgh food festival forced to find a new home|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/taste-of-edinburgh-food-festival-forced-to-find-a-new-home-1-756235|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Scotsman|date=29 September 2009}} In 2012, the festival was called off at late notice following high levels of rainfall in the days prior to the event making the site unsafe for the expected number of visitors.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Jim|title=Taste of Edinburgh festival called off after flooded site deemed unsafe|url=http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/109818-taste-of-edinburgh-festival-called-off-after-flooded-site-deemed-unsafe/|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=STV|date=7 July 2012}} Initially the plans were to continue with the event despite the weather.{{cite news|last=Piper|first=Laura|title=Brolly up and wellies on for a Taste-tastic time|url=http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/going-out/articles/109545-taste-tastic-line-up-promises-foodie-fun-with-extra-flavour/|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=STV|date=5 July 2012}} As of 2012, there have been Taste festivals held in fifteen cities around the world, the restaurants at the 2012 Taste of London held a combined 11 Michelin stars.

The events were expanded to Africa in 2006 with Taste of Joburg,{{cite news|last=Mkwanazi|first=Sibusiso|title=Tasting Joburg|url=http://www.citizen.co.za/citizen/content/en/citizen/lifestyle-features?oid=226067&sn=Detail&pid=146826&Tasting-Joburg|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=The Citizen|date=19 September 2011}} and expanded in 2008 to add a second South African event with Taste of Cape Town,{{cite news|title=Taste of Cape Town|url=http://food.iafrica.com/news/food_news/2303841.htm|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=iafrica.com|date=16 March 2010}}

In 2013, Taste Festivals were acquired by IMG.[http://img.com/news/news/2013/february/img-acquires-taste-festivals-from-brand-events.aspx IMG ACQUIRES TASTE FESTIVALS FROM BRAND EVENTS]

Hong Kong was added to the list of Taste Festivals in 2016. The festivals have been held at the Central Harbourfront, and outdoor space with the iconic city skyline as the backdrop. In 2018, the Taste of Hong Kong festival welcomed approximately 24,000 foodie enthusiasts over the 4 days and continues to grow in popularity.

Taste Festivals began running the Jamie Oliver backed Big Feastival in 2011, a combination event featuring both restaurants and musical artists.{{cite news|last=Luker|first=Sara|title=Food festival featuring Jamie Oliver and Alex James hires House PR|url=http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/1139207/food-festival-featuring-jamie-oliver-alex-james-hires-house-pr/|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=PR Week|date=3 July 2012}} The initial plan was to host the event in Victoria Park during 2012 to coincide with the 2012 Summer Olympics, however due to branding restrictions this plan was cancelled.{{cite news|last=Ridley|first=Louise|title=Exclusive: Jamie Oliver Olympic Feastival plans scrapped|url=http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/news/1128967/Exclusive-Jamie-Oliver-Olympic-Feastival-plans-scrapped/|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=Event|date=26 April 2012}} The event instead was arranged to take place at the farm of musician Alex James in Oxfordshire, who had previously hosted a similar festival in 2011 which resulted in the event's organisers going out of business due to the losses involved.{{cite news|title=Alex James and Jamie Oliver to host music and food festival|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-17728055|access-date=1 August 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=16 April 2012}} In 2013, The Big Feastival was acquired by IMG alongside Taste Festivals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/brand-events-sells-taste-festivals-497m/1169436|title=Brand Events sells Taste Festivals for £4.97m|website=www.campaignlive.co.uk|access-date=2019-08-23}}

;Australia

• Taste of Sydney{{cite news|url=https://sydney.tastefestivals.com/|title=Food Lovers To Enjoy Taste of Sydney|last=Shailer|first=Annette|date=19 February 2010|newspaper=The Shout|access-date=1 August 2012}}
• [http://www.tasteofmelbourne.com.au/ Taste of Melbourne]

;Ireland

• [https://dublin.tastefestivals.com Taste of Dublin]{{cite web|title=Taste Festivals|url=http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/taste-festivals/taste-festivals-08-06-17|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=1 August 2012}}
• [https://dublin.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of Dublin: Festive Edition]

;Europe

• [https://tasteofamsterdam.com/ Taste of Amsterdam]
• [https://athens.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of Athens]
• [https://www.tasteofmilano.it/en/ Taste of Milano]
• [https://paris.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of Paris]
• [https://www.tasteofroma.it/ Taste of Roma]

;United Kingdom

• [https://london.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of London]
• [https://london.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of London: Festive Edition]

;Middle East

;* Taste of Dubai{{cite news|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/142378.html|title=Taste of Dubai announces irresistible offers for their upcoming event in February '08|date=23 December 2007|newspaper=AMEinfo|access-date=1 August 2012}}

;*[http://tasteabudhabi.com/ Taste of Abu Dhabi]

;Elsewhere

• Taste of Auckland{{cite news|url=https://www.tasteofauckland.co.nz/|title=Taste of Auckland|date=14 December 2009|newspaper=Scoop Independent News|access-date=1 August 2012}}
• Taste of Hong Kong {{cite web |title=Taste of Hong Kong |url=https://hongkong.tastefestivals.com/ |website=Taste of Hong Kong |publisher=Taste of Hong Kong |access-date=26 March 2019}}
• [http://tastefestival.ru/ Taste of Moscow]
• [https://saopaulo.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of Sao Paulo]

{{reflist|2}}

• [http://www.tastefestivals.com/ Taste Festivals official site]
• [https://london.tastefestivals.com/ Taste of London official site]

Category:Food and drink festivals