Food festivals are slowly catching up in India as more and more people seem to be wanting to try out new foods in an outdoor environment. It's a win-win situation for eateries, brands and customers, where opinions and awareness matter the most.
If you're looking to do something outdoorsy, these are some of the food and drink festivals happening around India this season.
1. Bandra Wine Festival, Mumbai (7 - 8 Nov)
If you're imagining this to be a booze fest, you couldn't be more wrong. Other than a wide range of wines from all over the world, this fest features entertainment such as a wine information session, a wine-tasting contest, an art show and a live performance. You don't need to bring your own dabba of food, because there will be food stalls and lots of cheese to pair with the wines you taste.
2. Foodistan and Toddy Fest, Ten Heads Festival, NH8 Gurgaon/Delhi (22 - 25 Oct)
The 10 Heads Festival features ten types of festivals all happening in one arena. This includes two festivals for food and drink respectively. While Foodistan aims to introduce the best kinds of gastronomy from India and abroad, Toddy Fest hopes to get you tipsy on some sexy mixology.
3. National Street Food Festival, Delhi (11 - 13 Dec)
If you're missing the street food you grew up on or can't get it in the capital, this is your one time opportunity. At Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, be prepared to spoil yourself and tantalise your taste-buds with snacks you'd only associate with particular cities, towns and states. Pau Bhaji from Bombay, Poochka from Calcutta or Chatapata Kachoris from Jaipur - you name it, they've got it!
4. Sula Fest, Nasik (6 - 7 Feb, 2016)
This festival has, over the years, moved further away from wine, and closer towards music. Set in the beauty of the Sula Vineyards, this festival attracts crowds for two days of fun and frolicking, and it's not hard to make out why so many people want to attend. From wine tasting sessions to group stomping, it's a great way to spend the weekend.
5. New Delhi Palate Festival, Nehru Park (28 - 30 Nov)
Be spoilt for choice as restaurants from around the capital set up shop to serve the best things they have on offer. Apart from the gastronomical paradise, there are workshops and cookery classes for all. Entry is free of charge.
6. Asian Hawkers Market, Select City Walk, New Delhi (23 - 25 Oct)
Celebrating Asian cuisine, be prepared to sample everything from sushi all the way down to satay. The festival hopes to promote foods from the Far East with several restaurants taking part to simulate the feel of a night-market with hawker carts and live demonstrations.
7. Grub Fest, Ambience Mall Lawns, Gurgaon (23 - 25 Oct)
With several participating restaurants and many foodies excited about visiting, the second run of New Delhi's Grub Fest is expected to surpass last year's event. Get set for all your favourite brands and restaurants under one roof.