1. Rammy Awards Gala
More than 1,600 foodies packed the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel for this June 29 black-tie event, when the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington named The Source by Wolfgang Puck New Restaurant of the Year and deemed Erin Ziebold of CityZen Chef of the Year. Industry insiders got an advance taste at the more intimate 250-person nomination party held at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Kelly Morris of KSM Marketing produces the show, which will return for the 27th time next June.

2. Washington, D.C. International Wine and Food Festival
More than 10,000 food and wine lovers turned out to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Center for this February 29 to March 2 event, which featured more than 200 international wineries and food from upscale D.C. restaurants. Sponsored by The Washington Post and produced by Ed Hurley of ResourcePlus Shows and Events, the 10th annual show will take place in early 2009.

3. Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation
This nationwide event sponsored by American Express has raised more than $70 million to fight childhood hunger. The March 24 tasting at the Washington Hilton was organized by Taste of the Nation director Vered Uziel. Guests sampled food from 50 chefs, including R.J. Cooper III of Vidalia and Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve.

4. National Harbor Wine and Food Festival
Maryland’s new 300-acre National Harbor complex put itself on the area food map right away with this festival May 17 to 18. Some 10,000 visitors showed up to check out wares from 105 exhibitors, including local restaurants and national brands. Produced by show manager Lynn Schwartz, the festival will return June 5 to 7.