1. The Taste
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The Taste, which combined Taste of Beverly Hills presented by Food & Wine magazine and The Los Angeles Times’ Celebration of Food & Wine into one event, will scale back in its second year, shifting the focus entirely to Southern California food and beverage trends. (Food & Wine is no longer involved.) All events will be held at the Studios at Paramount, instead of around town. Next: September 1-3, 2012
The Taste, which combined Taste of Beverly Hills presented by Food & Wine magazine and The Los Angeles Times’ Celebration of Food & Wine into one event, will scale back in its second year, shifting the focus entirely to Southern California food and beverage trends. (Food & Wine is no longer involved.) All events will be held at the Studios at Paramount, instead of around town. Next: September 1-3, 2012
Photo: Fitz Carlile
6. Culinary Evening With the California Winemasters
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #9)
The benefit for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a far cry from the event's humble beginnings 23 years ago as a gathering of 125 guests; now it sells out its 1,400 tickets. The Culinary Evening With the California Winemasters has raised close to $25 million its history. Next: May 18, 2013
The benefit for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a far cry from the event's humble beginnings 23 years ago as a gathering of 125 guests; now it sells out its 1,400 tickets. The Culinary Evening With the California Winemasters has raised close to $25 million its history. Next: May 18, 2013
Photo: David Skernick
5. Chicago Gourmet
#6 Festival (up from #9)
Though a relative newbie to the festival scene, Chicago Gourmet has quickly built a reputation the city’s most prestigious food and wine event, and now attracts crowds of 10,000-plus. (In 2008, its first year, the festival drew 6,000 guests.) Showcasing 100 high-end restaurants and hundreds of international vintners, breweries, and spirit makers, the gathering also offers celebrity chef cooking demos, book signings, and popular events such as the "Hamburger Hop." Next: September 28-30, 2012
Though a relative newbie to the festival scene, Chicago Gourmet has quickly built a reputation the city’s most prestigious food and wine event, and now attracts crowds of 10,000-plus. (In 2008, its first year, the festival drew 6,000 guests.) Showcasing 100 high-end restaurants and hundreds of international vintners, breweries, and spirit makers, the gathering also offers celebrity chef cooking demos, book signings, and popular events such as the "Hamburger Hop." Next: September 28-30, 2012
Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Gourmet
