This is The Year of Alabama Food, a culinary celebration during which Alabama Tourism will promote nearly 400 food festivals across the state and create a new BBQ Trail.
The campaign will focus on award-winning chefs, farm-to-table, fresh gulf seafood and popular foods grown or made in Alabama. Some of the local food includes Belle Chevre Cheese from Elkmont, Conecuh sausage, Slocomb tomatoes and Dothan peanuts.
As part of the year of food, the tourism department will hold a statewide "Restaurant Week" from August 17 to 26 during which locally owned and operated restaurants will be able to showcase their dishes by offering meals at a discount.
To discover the local flavor of Sweet Home Alabama enjoy any of the more than 375 annual food festivals and events hosted by cities and towns across the state.
Moon pies and mayhem set the stage for Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration in February. Moulton celebrates the state's agricultural heritage during the Chicken and Egg Festival in April. A smorgasbord of Southern goodness awaits visitors during the Slocomb Tomato Festival in June and the Russellville Watermelon Festival in August.
In September, Pinson hosts the Butterbean Festival and Tuskegee pays homage to scientist George Washington Carver during the Carver Sweet Potato Festival in October. The Break'N Bread/ Birmingham Food & Wine Festival is at Pepper Place Railroad Park in October. The National Shrimp Festival is held each October on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, and a barbecue competition highlights the Christmas on the River celebration in Demopolis in December.
A complete list of 2012 food festivals and other events can be found online by visiting Sweet Home Alabama .
For more information about top events in Alabama take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Alabama.