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Are you obsessed with Southern cooking? Love every type of shrimp?  Or drawn to the aromas of barbecue?  No matter what your preference may be these next festivals for foodies are prepared to gratify your soul with their tasty cuisines.  Bring your hunger and follow your nose because a trip to these festivals will seem as though you’ve died and have gone to epicurean heaven. Bon appetit!

NYC: Madison Sq. Eats

There’s no mistaking that when it comes to food in New York City, the bustling concrete jungle doesn’t play. Hunger pangs are never far away since its cosmopolitan atmosphere is deliciously saturated in aromas pouring out of food trucks, restaurants and markets.  And on Sept. 5-Oct. 3, foodies can expect an epicurean journey into the wonderful tastes of New York City at Madison Sq. Eats. 

This semi-annual pop-up event brings chefs and food connoisseurs of Manhattan together for a premier dining experience. From the fresh pizza of Roberta’s, the cold peanut noodles of Hong Kong Street Cart and the crepes of bar Suzette to the chocolate-infused treats of Nunu Chocolates, there is a culinary temptation every gourmet can enjoy.  Madison Sq. Eats aims to dazzle and quench the appetites with diverse menus to keep guest wanting more.

Atlanta, GA: Taste of Atlanta

We all know that the people of the South can throw down in the kitchen, and that’s exactly why the Taste of Atlanta is a big hit every year. This culinary experience caters to every gourmet desire by featuring the diverse recipes of more than 90 restaurants that are located throughout the city. With its 13-year run commencing on Oct. 24-26, the Midtown of Tech Square has become the avid foodie’s gastronomic dream come true.

Some may think the event is more like a grand buffet by the manner in which food is spread out under huge tents in the heart of the square. Although guests are encouraged to sample everything in sight, Taste of Atlanta also offers live cooking demonstrations, cooking classes as well as kid-friendly activities. And if you are looking for a great beverage to complement the cuisines here, the Food, Wine, Beer & Cocktail Experience provides a wide range of topnotch spirits for its exclusive VIPs.

Sun Valley, ID: Sun Valley Harvest Festival

On Sept. 18-21, the town of Sun Valley transforms into a feast for the senses by embracing the culture of the city through a plethora of gratifying flavors.  As one of America’s best festivals to enjoy a mouthwatering feast, gluttony may not necessarily be sin in this gourmet heaven.

Particularly because there are many ways for visitors to eat their hearts out — whether by noshing on caviar and sipping on a martini at the Roundhouse Restaurant; observing pig carving demonstrations; and sampling a variation of pork recipes during the Swine, Wine & Dine as well as quenching your palate with local brews while music plays in the background at Oktoberfest. With the theme of farm-to-table dominating the Sun Valley Harvest Festival, this might very well be one the one-stop-shop to truly indulge in the flavorsome essence of Idaho.

Kansas City, MO: American Royal Barbecue

At the American Royal Barbecue, food lovers can always expect a finger-licking good time. Commonly known as the World Series of Barbecue, this is the competition to be at if you are a grill master or barbecue fanatic at heart because it is the largest event to focus on barbecue specialties. 

From Oct. 2-5, more than 500 competitors with their flaming, searing and chargrilling skills in tow, flock to the Stockyard District of Kansas City to put their culinary talents to the test in hopes of winning the event’s coveted titles. Joined by thousands of salivating spectators, the World Series of Barbecue is one food festival you’ll want to come with an empty stomach.

Alabama: National Shrimp Festival

If it's shrimp that you want, you can bet that the National Shrimp Festival has plenty of it and much more.  The Gulf Shores of Alabama will become the essence of shrimp-indulgence on Oct.9-12, with hundreds of vendors setting up shop offering artistic handicrafts amid wonderful smells of the seafood delicacy.    

When visitors aren’t filling their stomachs they can partake or watch a bit of friendly competition take place, which includes the sand sculpture contest, 10K/5K run as well as the restaurant challenge.  Even kids can get in on the action by designing their own artworks in the Children’s Activity Village. Alabama sure loves its shrimp, which is profoundly proven at the National Shrimp Festival-where individuals don't mind getting sand in between their toes for the love of shrimp.

NYC: The Joy of Sake

Can’t get enough of sake? Well you don’t have to travel all the way to Japan to satisfy your cravings. That is because New York City is one of the proud hosts to The Joy of Sake, a celebration of the traditional Japanese drink which also incorporates sake-infused culinary masterpieces.  The festival will be held on Sept. 18 in the Altman Building from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., and will feature samples from different restaurants including Megu, En Japanese Brasserie and Hibino to name a few. 

The taste buds will be taken on a historical gastronomic adventure when sakes like daignjo and premium ginjo first hit Manhattan’s food scene. So if you’re in the mood for grilled kanzuri shrimp, roast beef with wild mushrooms as well as roasted duck with ponzu sauce then let The Joy of Sake fulfill your gourmet sake wish.

READ ON: For those seeking epicurean travels of a little more off-beat taste, check out From Radishes To Roadkill: 8 Off-Beat Food Festivals. Or you can take your cuisine to go at 6 Food Truck Festivals for the Wandering Gourmet.