Any occasion is a good excuse for a barbecue in Argentina, which boasts the world's highest consumption rate of beef, at 68kg a year per capita. Head two hours south by bus from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco for the meat-eating orgy that takes place on Dia de la Tradicion. The Day of Tradition is a national holiday and a celebration of the gaucho (cowboy). The week-long festivities culminate with a huge barbecue or asado (you can eat as much as you like for about US$15). This feast is traditionally held on November 10 or the closest weekend.
Those who like to suffer for their culinary kicks can submit their taste buds to the Habanero pepper's wrath at this combined trade and public event, which showcases myriad inventive chilli uses. The array of super-hot sauces on display continues to create the most buzz, debate and foolhardy expressions of chilli bravery. In snack foods, you can expect to find everything from spicy ice cream to quail eggs to the ubiquitous tequila. The fair is held around the end of February.
All year round the rich aroma of chocolate wafts through the World Heritage city of Bruges, home to 45 chocolate shops and with its own official chocolate, the Brugsch Swaentje (Bruges Swan). Chocolate lovers are able to indulge their passions with creations by world famous chocolatiers at the annual event, held in May. Round off your decadent trip with a visit to a museum dedicated to the topic, Choco-Story, situated in Bruges' historic Maison de Croon, a building dating from around 1480.
