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
2. Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation
#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation benefit to end childhood hunger moved this year from Culver City to the Lot in West Hollywood. Participating restaurants included Culina, Border Grill, and Picca. Next: June 2013
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation benefit to end childhood hunger moved this year from Culver City to the Lot in West Hollywood. Participating restaurants included Culina, Border Grill, and Picca. Next: June 2013
Photo: Courtesy of Share Our Strength
3. San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival’s five-day fest, produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions, is now in its ninth year and bills itself as Southern California’s largest wine and food festival. The 2011 event broke records, drawing more than 10,500 people. Next: November 14-18, 2012
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival’s five-day fest, produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions, is now in its ninth year and bills itself as Southern California’s largest wine and food festival. The 2011 event broke records, drawing more than 10,500 people. Next: November 14-18, 2012
Photo: Ken Loyst
4. Taste for a Cure
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
This year, U.C.L.A. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted its 17th annual Taste for a Cure food and wine tasting benefit at the Beverly Wilshire on April 20, honoring NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke. The event has raised more than $8 million since its inception. Next: Spring 2013
This year, U.C.L.A. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted its 17th annual Taste for a Cure food and wine tasting benefit at the Beverly Wilshire on April 20, honoring NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke. The event has raised more than $8 million since its inception. Next: Spring 2013
Photo: Vince Bucci
5. Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #8)
Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo bills itself as the only comprehensive industry event devoted to the Western U.S. restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality market, and includes a broad slate of education and related events. It took to the Anaheim Convention Center this past summer. Next: August 2013
Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo bills itself as the only comprehensive industry event devoted to the Western U.S. restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality market, and includes a broad slate of education and related events. It took to the Anaheim Convention Center this past summer. Next: August 2013
Photo: Courtesy of Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo
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
