Taste of Amsterdam prepares for 2nd edition

Taste of Amsterdam will be held for the second time in Amstelpark from June 24-27, 2010. The four-day culinary festival, which is part of the ‘Taste of’ events held annually in several cities globally, offers visitors the chance to chomp and slurp their way around a variety of foodie markets, cooking schools, barista workshops, wine tastings and cocktail tents.

Chefs from restaurants in and around Amsterdam, including Blauw, Vis aan de Schelde, Ron Blaauw and Aan de Poel, will prepare their specialities and demonstrate the latest cooking techniques.

There is even a tie-in with the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - no doubt in an effort not to lose visitors to the local boozer. If you’re looking for a classier-than-usual soccer experience, you can settle down on the grass in the park in front of one of several big screens with wine and nibbles for the Netherlands vs. Cameroon match on June 24.

Image of fresh food at Taste of Amsterdam Although many cuisines will be represented, there is a definite Japanese theme to this year’s Taste of Amsterdam. You can learn how to combine Japanese beer with food, for example, join Ronald Oud from Taste of Okura’s Culinary Center as he prepares hake with octopus and wakame seaweed, or get rolling at a sushi workshop led by Masanori Tomikawa of Yamazato, the only traditional Japanese restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star.

Taste of Amsterdam is divided into daytime and evening sessions. Standard tickets for both cost €15 if purchased online (€17.50 at the entrance). Several events are free, but others cost between €5 and €15 extra (or €30 for tastings involving champagne). Payment for food and drinks is by ‘taste florins’, tokens that can also be purchased in advance with a ticket, or onsite.