1. Rammys
#1 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
Now in its 30th year, the Rammys remain the top food industry event in town. The 2012 event drew 1,500 chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and other industry members. Next: Spring 2013
Now in its 30th year, the Rammys remain the top food industry event in town. The 2012 event drew 1,500 chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and other industry members. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Juan Carlos Bicceno
2. Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show
#2 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
What started as a local event has grown to Houston and Dallas and now includes cooking demos, tastings, workshops, book signings, exhibitors, and appearances by food-world notables including Tom Colicchio and Giada De Laurentiis. Next: November 3-4, 2012
What started as a local event has grown to Houston and Dallas and now includes cooking demos, tastings, workshops, book signings, exhibitors, and appearances by food-world notables including Tom Colicchio and Giada De Laurentiis. Next: November 3-4, 2012
Photo: Courtesy of Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show
3. Washington D.C., International Wine and Food Festival
#3 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
The festival from the Washington Post focuses on local talent and features chef demos, a grand tasting, and events such as the Sommelier Showdown and a mixologists challenge. Next: February 14-17, 2013
The festival from the Washington Post focuses on local talent and features chef demos, a grand tasting, and events such as the Sommelier Showdown and a mixologists challenge. Next: February 14-17, 2013
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash
4. Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation Party
#4 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
This year's event drew 1,600 guests to the National Building Museum, where they sampled food from more than 75 of the city's top chefs, restaurants, and mixologists and raised $150,000 to fight childhood hunger in America. Next: April 8, 2013
This year's event drew 1,600 guests to the National Building Museum, where they sampled food from more than 75 of the city's top chefs, restaurants, and mixologists and raised $150,000 to fight childhood hunger in America. Next: April 8, 2013
Photo: Jennifer Wallace
5. National Harbor Wine and Food Festival
#5 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
The fifth annual edition drew 10,000 people and offered a larger floor plan with more pavilions, an extended pier, and more live music. Next: Spring 2013
The fifth annual edition drew 10,000 people and offered a larger floor plan with more pavilions, an extended pier, and more live music. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Courtesy of National Harbor Wine and Food Festival
6. Taste of the South
#6 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
The event drew 1,900 people for the 29th annual edition of the southern food fest and managed to maintain fund-raising levels despite moving to a smaller venue. Next: Spring 2013
The event drew 1,900 people for the 29th annual edition of the southern food fest and managed to maintain fund-raising levels despite moving to a smaller venue. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Daniel Swartz/Revamp.com
