Lake Balaton is usually quiet in March, but this year the region is stirring with culinary excitement. From March 6 to 15, the third annual Taste Balaton Festival can prove that the area has become a year-round destination for foodies and culture enthusiasts alike.
With over 100 programs across more than 50 locations, this year’s festival surpasses all previous editions, turizmus.com reports. The organizers — Dóra Budavári, Györgyi Kalas, and the team from PR in Hungary — have a clear goal: to connect the region’s best year-round establishments. The focus is no longer solely on traditional restaurants. Under the “Taste Balaton+” label, wineries, bakeries, confectioneries, and cultural venues open their doors for exclusive events.
A tour of the participating venues reads like a “best-of” of Hungarian gastronomy. The 12-year-old, Michelin-recommended Bistro Sparhelt in Balatonfüred has been part of the festival from the start.
Guests can enjoy a special festival menu or participate in hands-on workshops, such as baking perfect cinnamon rolls under the guidance of chef Balázs Elek.
At Villa Chez Les Amis in Balatonszepezd, the festival’s “dining with friends” concept is taken literally. In the lovingly restored century-old villa, owners Kriszta and Péter Karikás cook for their guests themselves. Meanwhile, well-known Hungarian personalities, including actor János Kulka, host intimate fireside talks.
For a truly spectacular setting, the Folly Arboretum in Badacsonytomaj offers menus featuring regional ingredients, Folly wines, and homemade pinecone syrup, all set amid conifers with views over the lake.
The festival also draws Hungary’s culinary elite. At the legendary Kistücsök Food & Room in Balatonszemes, stars such as Ákos Sárközi and the team from Anyukám mondta mingle with guests, making it a hotspot for insiders.
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Every event is tied together with a glass of BalatonBor, a quality wine produced collectively by regional winemakers, highlighting the identity of the region.
Those looking to learn as well as eat are well catered for. Workshops range from:
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Crafts: pottery at Villa Kabala or candy-making with Petrányi.
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Culinary skills: fermentation workshops at Villa Kabala or mastering the perfect steak with Ádám Mede.
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Culture & lifestyle: as the first weekend coincides with International Women’s Day, special programs include yoga brunches at Casa Christa, fashion shows at Reed Bistro, and engaging talks at Kalóz Strandbisztró.
Entertainment extends beyond the plate. Detective story evenings with Judit Szlavicsek and readings by award-winning author György Dragomán cater to literature fans, while music ranges from rock to jazz evenings in the vineyards.
The Taste Balaton Festival is a celebration of the region beyond the summer months. Thanks to support from VisitBalaton365 and the ferry services of Bahart Zrt., it is easier than ever to travel between the shores and explore the culinary diversity of the “Hungarian sea.” Full program details are available on the official website.
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Via turizmus.com, Featured image: Hungary Today
The post Lake Balaton to Welcome Spring with Must-Attend Food Festival appeared first on Hungary Today.
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