Morton Pumpkin Festival
September 11-14
USA
Gnarled orange gourds spring to mind at the mention of Halloween or Thanksgiving. Sporting flickering grimaces or mushed into a pie, pumpkins are the ultimate autumn food. Explore the many faces of pumpkin in Morton, USA which produces 80 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin. With the release of orange balloons, the festival begins. There’s a carnival, pageant and parades, but food is the main attraction. Try grilled pumpkin, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pancakes, donuts, cookies, sundaes, pies… there’s even a pumpkin drive-thru!
Speyside Whisky Festival
September 26-30
Scotland
Nights are drawing in, once-turgid leaves are decaying underfoot, and that breeze is a little nippy. Whisky won’t solve any of these problems, but a glass of fine malt may temporarily lift your, erm, spirits. For the best dramful head north to Scotland for the Speyside Whisky Festival. The event is held in Dufftown, which makes more malt than any other Scottish town. Its repertoire includes the famous Glenfiddich. Try the ‘Seven stills tour’ – a trip to every distillery in town, with a dram at each. There are also local pipe bands, dancing and crafts.
Fudge Kitchen fudge making
Any time!
UK
Sugary snacks are excused – even advised – as the weather gets colder, and few types of confectionery are as delicious and indulgent as fudge. Add a new facet to your love for the sweet with one of Fudge Kitchen’s fudge-making experiences. You’ll get to lend a hand in the whole process, sampling flavours as you go. At the end, take home a box of fudge, including a sample of your own product, and a fudge-making certificate. Fudge Kitchen offers corporate group sessions, so colleagues can bond over slabs of the buttery treat.
