For 11 days at the end of May, Zurich will be all about food and culinary delights. Taking place for the fourth time, this year's Food Zurich festival brings more than 100 events to town: local markets, gourmet dinners and traditional dishes in the most beautiful and unusual places in the city, kitchen battles and sommelier competitions, chocolate safaris and cinema films for culinary fans. But it's not just about eating and drinking. You can even learn something! You can attend workshops on how to make sausages or how to mix herbs, just to name a few. Too complicated? Don't worry, there are plenty of events where you can just savour the ambience and the range of cuisine is truly impressive. You can visit the rather laid-back Street Food Festival (an open-air event at the former Hardturm Stadium, May 16 - June 16), but bear in mind that Food Zurich events will be evident all over town. This year's festival theme is pairing. Dozens of restaurants will participate and offer a special dish.
For the first time, the centre of the festival will be located right in the city centre in the open-air at Europaallee right next to the main train station (don't worry, plenty of tent-style roofs will be available). A bar and food will be available and many events will be held there, too. Another perfect way to experience Food Zurich is the Food Zurich Chuchi Fäscht (held at the Europaallee), where some of the city's best chefs will cook dishes in small portions, so you can taste a few.
The following is a list of some of the main events. Some require tickets, but others are free of charge. Visit www.foodzurich.ch for more details and events. Enjoy or, as the Swiss say, En Guete!
Thu, May 16
Food Zurich Opening Night (at Jelmoli Food Market)
Sat, May 25 & Sun, May 26
'Fooby Food Zurich Chuchi Fäscht' and 'Food Save Lunch' (at the Festival Center)
