Epicureans everywhere agree that winter’s most glorious aspects are of the culinary persuasion. In the depths of the seemingly endless cold, festive foods can do wonders to boost your mood. Now is the perfect time to indulge your appetite at one of the following mouth-watering food events—from a historical feast at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park to a chocolate and ice festival in Salem—that are all easy to reach without a car.
What: Pies on Parade
Where: Rockland, Maine
When: January 24-26, from 1-4 pm
Why: Pies on Parade is an all-American celebration of flaky crust with luscious filling. Several dozen local businesses serve heaping portions of homemade pie, with 100% of the proceeds going to a local food bank. Pie is liberally interpreted to include everything from whoopie pie to lobster pie to pizza pie, so there’s a taste to satisfy all. Your $30 ticket buys you a recyclable fork and all the pie you can handle. If your craving is still not satiated, book a room at the Berry Manor Inn. Overnight guests are privy to a pantry stocked with delectable pies made by the innkeepers’ mothers. For more ideas on things to do in the area, read oM’s story on Rockland.
What: Lamb Nose-to-Tail
Where: The American Bounty Restaurant at the CIA, Hyde Park, NY
When: March 4 at 6 pm
Why: The Nose-to-Tail dinner celebrates good food and sustainability by serving you three different dishes made from different cuts of the same animal. Paired with their own organic New York State wines, this unique meal is the perfect way to honor where your food comes from while honoring our home state delicacies at The Culinary Institute of America. A seat at the table can be yours for just $95; all food, drink and entertainment is included.
What: Chocolate Expo at the Cradle of Aviation Museum
Where: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, NY
When: March 1, 10-7 pm
Why: Shop for gourmet sweets among the planes, spaceships and hot air balloons at this sky-shattering museum. Forty of the regions best chocolatiers set up shop with candy displays sprinkled around the animal exhibits. They’ll be offering tastes as well as selling their finest products just in time for Valentine’s Day. A bevy of celebrity chefs will be concocting chocolate-infused delights. Cozy up to chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-drenched waffles and chocolate-scented bath soap while enjoying the aquatic wonders. It’s an easy day trip with Metro-North and an Uber that’s perfect for families. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for kids.
What: Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Festival
Where: Salem, MA
When: February 7-9
Why: Salem is a historic coastal town with a dynamic food scene. The February festival is a weekend-long cold weather celebration anchored by the Chocolate and Wine Tasting on February 5. You’ll sample wine, sweets and other tasty tidbits from Salem’s premier purveyors. The village will be aglow with giant ice sculptures that add whimsical flair to the pedestrian-friendly streets. If you want to dive deeper into this town’s culinary happenings, book a guided walking tour with Salem Food Tours. Owner Karen Scalia will show you the village’s every yummy nook and cranny. For more ideas on things to do in the area, read oM’s story on Salem.
What: Wilbur’s of Maine Hands-On Chocolate Factory Tour
Where: Freeport, Maine
When: March 7 from 10-2 pm
Why: Wilbur’s is a family owned business that specializes in high quality chocolates and confections. They’ve won numerous awards for their efforts to incorporate sustainable practices into the candy-making process. From old-fashioned favorites like fudge to newfangled flavors such as a seductively spicy Mexican meltaway, it’s a fantasy for anyone with a sweet tooth. Visitors may tour the factory and lend a hand making sweets, sampling the goodies along the way. The tour costs $4.50 and kids are most welcome. For more ideas on things to do in the area, read oM’s story on Freeport.
What: Saratoga Chowderfest
Where: Saratoga, NY
When: February 1, 11-4 pm
Why: Scores of dining establishments open their doors to the public, serving up steaming mugs of hearty chowder for only a buck. Live music, face painting and a variety of soul-satisfying soups assure tasty fun. Special doggy chowders will be served, so bring the four-legged members of your clan. For more ideas on things to do in the area, read oM’s story on Saratoga Springs.
Photo: CIA
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram