1. Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival
#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Now 11 years old, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has grown into the country’s premier high-end food fest, with 60,000 guests, many celebrity chefs, and nearly 50 events. Next: February 21-24, 2013
Now 11 years old, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has grown into the country’s premier high-end food fest, with 60,000 guests, many celebrity chefs, and nearly 50 events. Next: February 21-24, 2013
Photo: Elizabeth Renfrow for BizBash
2. Miami International Wine Fair
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
In 2011, the Miami International Wine Fair shifted its focus, catering exclusively to wine industry professionals and growing to 70,000 square feet of exhibit space. Next: February 15-16, 2013
In 2011, the Miami International Wine Fair shifted its focus, catering exclusively to wine industry professionals and growing to 70,000 square feet of exhibit space. Next: February 15-16, 2013
Photo: Elizabeth Renfrow for BizBash
3. Delray Beach Garlic Festival
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
What started as a local fund-raiser 50 years ago has since grown into an all-things-garlic party, known as the Delray Beach Garlic Festival, with more than 300,000 attendees. Next: February 8-10, 2013
What started as a local fund-raiser 50 years ago has since grown into an all-things-garlic party, known as the Delray Beach Garlic Festival, with more than 300,000 attendees. Next: February 8-10, 2013
Photo: Georgia Handy Photography
4. Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year, the Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival brought in a new production team and doubled in size, bringing 50,000 foodies to Coconut Grove to sample bites from dozens of the area’s best restaurants, with local dignitaries serving as judges and naming the best dishes. Next: spring 2013
This year, the Taste of the Grove Food & Wine Festival brought in a new production team and doubled in size, bringing 50,000 foodies to Coconut Grove to sample bites from dozens of the area’s best restaurants, with local dignitaries serving as judges and naming the best dishes. Next: spring 2013
Photo: Peter Laird/Laird Creative
5. Taste of the Nation
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
In 2012, Taste of the Nation celebrated its 25th year in Miami, with Allen Susser of Burger Bar as event chair and Andre Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab as chef chair. Next: July 2013
In 2012, Taste of the Nation celebrated its 25th year in Miami, with Allen Susser of Burger Bar as event chair and Andre Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab as chef chair. Next: July 2013
Photo: Courtesy of Taste of the Nation
6. Pompano Beach Seafood Festival
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Each spring, Pompano Beach Seafood Festival offers live music and shellfish for 25,000 guests at the Pompano Beach fishing piers. Next: April 2013
Each spring, Pompano Beach Seafood Festival offers live music and shellfish for 25,000 guests at the Pompano Beach fishing piers. Next: April 2013
Photo: Bob B. Brown
7. Deering Seafood Festival
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year, the Deering Seafood Festival purposely decreased its size, shrinking the festival to 7,500 guests in order to maintain a quality family experience. Next: March 2013
This year, the Deering Seafood Festival purposely decreased its size, shrinking the festival to 7,500 guests in order to maintain a quality family experience. Next: March 2013
Photo: All Star Event Photography
8. United Way Miami Food and Wine Festival
#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
In 2012, the United Way Miami Food and Wine Festival raised more than half a million dollars, with 4,000 guests attending four nights of culinary events. Next: April 2013
In 2012, the United Way Miami Food and Wine Festival raised more than half a million dollars, with 4,000 guests attending four nights of culinary events. Next: April 2013
Photo: Courtesy of United Way Miami Wine & Food Festival
9. New Times Iron Fork Competition
#9 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
One of the area’s hipper foodie gatherings, the New Times Iron Fork Competition drew 2,000 guests to Ice Palace Film Studios last year. Next: October 2012
One of the area’s hipper foodie gatherings, the New Times Iron Fork Competition drew 2,000 guests to Ice Palace Film Studios last year. Next: October 2012
Photo: Anthony Jordon
10. Museum of Discovery and Science’s Wine and Culinary Celebration
#11 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year, the 17th annual Museum of Discovery and Science’s Wine and Culinary Celebration raised more than $180,000 from 2,000 guests. Next: April 5, 2013
This year, the 17th annual Museum of Discovery and Science’s Wine and Culinary Celebration raised more than $180,000 from 2,000 guests. Next: April 5, 2013
Photo: Melissa Korman
11. Las Olas Wine and Food Festival
#12 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
A five-day festival of food, wine, and cocktail parties surrounds the flagship street event known as the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival. Next: spring 2013
A five-day festival of food, wine, and cocktail parties surrounds the flagship street event known as the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival. Next: spring 2013
Photo: Jonah Gouin
