November Food Festivals

by Jose Ralat Maldonado, Posted Oct 30th 2009 @ 3:00PM

Jacques Torres chocolates at Chocolate Show New York. Photo: Sara Bonisteel.

You'd think that with the nation's focus on turkey, cranberry sauce and the subsequent holiday season, November food festivals would be few and far from interesting. Not so -- from warm-ups to warm climes, check out our roundup of remarkable November fȇtes.

Chocolate Show New York, New York, Oct. 30-Nov. 1: A brief event straddling two months, these three decadent days include book signings, cooking demos and tastings, from chocolate experts such as Jacques Torres' -- he's pairing Puerto Rican rum and chocolate -- as well as party ideas.

Chocolate Festival of Texas and Texas Wines, Houston, Tex., Nov. 6-7: Not to be out-gunned by the Yanks, the Lone Star State is holding its own celebration for chocoholics, and this one includes oenophiles, who get a souvenir wine glass.

Port Barre Cracklin Festival, Port Barre, La., Nov. 12-15: You read right -- fat back is on offer! The perfect way to pad up for winter hibernation. There will be a fair pageant, rides, live entertainment and the obligatory cook-off.

Dia del Taco, Los Angeles, Nov. 13-15: The taco -- a Slashfood fave -- has a fervent following. And this first annual event is further proof. Who wouldn't want to participate in the Best Taco and Taco-Eating competitions? ¡Delicioso!

Lincoln City Chowder Cook-Off, Lincoln City, Ore., Nov. 14: If pig skin isn't your thing, warm up with some of the hearty offerings at the coastal Oregon competitions (Best Clam Chowder and the "Iron Chef"-style Best Signature Seafood Dish) that lures chefs from all over the Pacific Northwest.

Homosassa Arts, Crafts & Seafood Festival, Homosassa, Fla., Nov. 14-15: At this 35th annual festival, munch on shrimp kabobs, crawfish and gator and crab-meat fritters while browsing the craft booths in this fisherman's town. Plus, you can swim with the manatees at the nearby springs.

Tags: chocolate, chocolate show, ChocolateShow, chowder, chowder fesival, ChowderFesival, cookoff, CracklinFestival, DiaDelTaco, fall, Pork, seafood, tacos, Wine