#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
Attendance at Canada’s largest foodservice trade event grew by 15 percent in 2018 to 18,000 chefs, owners, managers, and buyers at the Enercare Centre. Sponsorship grew too, including support from Canada Beer, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and Energy Star. The theme for 2019 is sustainability: energy, waste, and the greening of restaurants. Next: February 24-26, 2019
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
More than 130,000 evening eaters were expected at this year’s three-night Asian food market at Markham Civic Centre. Activations and concerts round out the foodie experience every year, with an art exhibition being added in 2018. TD and Yelp returned as sponsors this year, and the beneficiary charity was WE. Next: July 2019
#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #4)
This celebration of suds grew its attendance by 10 percent in 2017 to 32,000 and is extending the festivities in 2018 by adding a Thursday lineup, when hometown darlings, Broken Social Scene, take the stage at Exhibition Place’s Bandshell Park. OLG and Tech Savvy are new sponsors. Next: July 26-29, 2018
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
More than 40,000 gourmands are expected to attend in 2018, when the expo returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, featuring the new Fine Wine Tasting Lounge for elite visitors, private buyers and collectors. Returning sponsor Mott’s Clamato will again host the Best Caesar in Town contest on the Trend Stage. Next: November 22-25, 2018
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The elite hospitality event held a V.I.P. reception at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and returned the symposium to the Art Gallery of Ontario, with more than 1,000 attendees in total. Sponsors this year included Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. and Great Lakes Brewery. The Craft Cocktail Master Class workshop was a highlight. Next: May 6, 2019
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #7)
Well-known vegan athlete speakers were just one of the reasons North America’s largest vegetarian festival grew again in 2017, to 40,000 people. Harbourfront Centre is the venue again in 2018, with more than 140 vendors set to serve smoothies, salads, samosas, and vegetarian sausages. It’s sponsored by the Toronto Vegetarian Association. Next: September 7-9, 2018
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #8)
With no title sponsor this year—Greek-food importer Krinos was a longtime supporter—the food festival is partnering with Skip the Dishes, Ford, PC Financial, and more for its 25th year this summer, and promoting itself as a multicultural festival “with a dollop of tzatziki on top.” About 1.6 million people are expected to take in the food and entertainment. Next: August 10-12, 2018
#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
The gala awards ceremony honoring Canadian cookbooks, blogs, and food writers moves from the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, to the Fairmont Royal York for its 21st edition in 2018, when about 550 chefs, writers, and publishers will walk the red carpet and dine in style. Sponsors include Canola and Mildred’s Temple Kitchen. Next: October 29, 2018
#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
After a rain-soaked 2017, organizers are hoping for some 72,000 hungry revelers at this year’s celebration of meat and music in Centennial Park. TD returns as the presenting sponsor and Grace Foods remains the title sponsor, while Cuso International and Unifor are coming on board this year. Next: August 9-12, 2018
