By Relaxnews, Updated: 22/06/2012

Food agenda: MAD Symposium and SIAL Brazil

This week, check out the new food trends coming out of the SIAL Brazil trade show, and the next wave of epicurean ideas from René Redzepi's MAD food symposium. Here's a look at other major food events around the world.

SIAL Brazil
June 25-28
Sao Paulo, Brazil

Modeled after SIAL Paris, the largest food and beverage event in the world, SIAL Brazil positions itself as the gateway to the Latin American market for the global food world. About 65,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day event. This year, the show floor will be divided into thematic ‘islands' that give special treatment to foods like ice cream, olive oils, biscuits, cachaças (Brazilian spirits), sweets, fruits, vegetables, cheese and wine.
http://www.sialbrazil.com

MAD Symposium 2012
July 1-2
Copenhagen, Denmark

The second annual food retreat organized by Danish chef René Redzepi promises to be another gathering of food illuminati, with a lineup that includes Ferran Adrià, Massimo Bottura and Marc Veyrat. The theme this year: "Appetite." Tickets for MAD Food 2012 are DKK 2,000 each (about €270) and covers both days -- July 1-2 -- as well as breakfast, lunch, snacks and coffee. For tickets, contact Ali Kurshat Altinsoy at aka@noma.dk.
http://madfood.co/

International Cheese Awards
July 24-25
Nantwich, UK

One of the biggest and oldest cheese shows in the world, the competition in Nantwich celebrates its 115th birthday this year and, like past editions, will crown the best of the best. More than 3,500 cheeses will be available to sample at the pavilion. New this year will be an education center, a cookery demonstration theater and a cheese and wine bar.
http://www.internationalcheeseawards.co.uk

Tales of the Cocktail

July 25-29
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Described as a premier cocktail festival for mixologists, Tales of the Cocktail celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and is attended by a who's who of the bar world. For the milestone edition, the five-day festival will feature more than 200 events including the Hand-Shaken Daiquiri Cocktail Competition, Street Food and Go-Cups, pig butchering demos, and cocktails, lots of them. Prices range from $40 to $100.
http://www.talesofthecocktail.com

23rd annual Hong Kong Food Expo
August 16-20
Hong Kong

Billed as the signature food event for Hong Kong, this show features 900 exhibitors from around the world. New this year, the expo has invited Japan to become a partner country: Japan is Hong Kong's third largest trading partner while Hong Kong is the biggest export market for Japanese food. The Gourmet Zone will also feature fine, specialty foods and delicacies.
http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hkfoodexpo-en/HKTDC-Food-Expo.html

11th annual Natural Products Expo Asia
August 23-25
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong

In a region where health and well-being tops consumer priorities, the Natural Products Expo Asia show is an important trade show for industries hoping to set foot in the eastern marketplace. Natural and organic food sales have grown by almost threefold over the last decade to US$85 billion and China has consistently outperformed the global market since 1995. This year's show is forecast to bring 250 exhibitors to the region and attract 10,000 visitors. The show is closed to trade professionals August 23-24 and open to the public August 25.
http://www.naturalproductsasia.com/ea12/public/enter.aspx

13th annual Specialty and Fine Food Fair
September 2-4
London, UK

More than 600 suppliers of local and artisan fine foods will gather at the 13th edition of the Specialty and Fine Food Fair. New this year is the UK Chocolate Masters Finals, in which chocolatiers vie for the chance to compete at the World Chocolate Masters in Paris in 2013.
http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk

4th annual Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
September 6
London, UK

Winners across categories like best restaurant, bar, café, fast food, canteen and pop-up eatery will be announced from London. Nominees this year include Pollen Street Stocial, Jamie's Italian, Le Bernardin and Nobu in Australia.
http://www.restaurantandbardesignawards.com