The world's top chefs say it's only a matter of time before Latin America, home to Brazil's black bean stew "feijoada," Peru's refreshing raw fish "ceviche" and Mexico's street tacos, cooks its way into gastronomy's elite. Spanish pastry king Jordi Roca and Danish chef Rene Redzepi, who runs the kitchen of Copenhagen's famed Noma restaurant, praised the growing recognition of the region's diverse cuisine.

Here's a look at the major food-related events around the world. World Tea ExpoJune 7-9Las Vegas, NV, USA With retail sales of premium tea projected to grow 50 percent by 2016, and coffee giant Starbucks making a major move in the premium tea last year, the 2013 edition of the World Tea Expo is expected to draw major interest. Highlights this year include the Best New Product Awards, the Tea Infusion Challenge and workshops on tea trends around the world.http://www.worldteaexpo.com VinexpoJune 16-20Bordeaux, France

By Kim Palmer CLEVELAND (Reuters) - The man made famous for putting down his Big Mac to help free three women held captive for about a decade in a Cleveland house will never have to buy a hamburger in his hometown again. More than two weeks after Charles Ramsey became an instant folk hero after telling his story to television reporters, Cleveland food blogger Michelle Venorsky said on Thursday that 15 restaurants are offering him a free hamburger, whenever he wants it.

Hard pressed to justify a proposition slammed by critics, the European Commission withdrew on Thursday a planned ban on restaurants serving olive oil in jugs on diners' tables pending consultations with the industry and consumers. European Union Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos performed a U-turn that spawned a string of Twitter gags and reaction, but stuck to his line that restaurateurs are potentially misleading customers by pouring cheap or old oil into containers presented as new.