Alimentaria is Barcelona's biennial Mediterranean food trade show in March at Fira Gran Via: 4,000 exhibitors, tasting halls and the Restaurama professional.
Tip: Trade-only Tuesday and Wednesday; opens to public Thursday-Friday. Day pass 25 euros at the door.
Calcotada Season runs from late January through March in Barcelona and across Catalonia: grilled spring onions with romesco sauce, eaten with the hands.
Tip: The traditional calcotada lunch runs 35 to 50 euros at most Catalan rooms; book a week ahead in February.
Tast a la Rambla on Plaça de Catalunya runs over four late-May days: 36 Barcelona restaurants and pastry shops serve six-euro tasting plates with a token system.
Tip: Buy tokens at the entry booth (one euro per token); show-cookings and chef workshops run alongside the tasting stalls.
La Merce is Barcelona's flagship Patron Saint festival around 24 September: open-air calçotada stands, vermouth stations and the human tower competitions.
Tip: Pick up the programme at any kiosk; major food stalls cluster on Avinguda de la Catedral and Plaça Reial.