#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Miami
After 12 seasons, the Food Network- and Food & Wine-sponsored event has grown into the country’s premier high-end food fest, with 60,000 guests, numerous celebrity chefs, and nearly 50 events including the signature Burger Bash. The 2013 festival saw $5.1 million in ticket sales and $4.1 million in sponsorship sales. Next: February 20-23, 2014
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
New York
Fine cuisine's highest honor, the gala award ceremony brings 2,000 foodies to Avery Fisher Hall. This year’s theme was “Lights, Camera, Taste” and celebrated great food moments in film. Next: Spring 2014
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
New York
A spin-off of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the event sees some 40,000 food lovers take over the meatpacking district—and, increasingly, venues throughout the city. The weekend-long gathering draws an array of sponsors that create experiential activations. Next: October 17-20, 2013
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Las Vegas
This year's chef-driven food festival from Bon Appétit featured ticketed events such as a Master Series dinner with Guy Savoy, a cooking and wine demonstration from Joël Robuchon, and a cook–off between chefs Todd English and Akira Back. Next: Spring 2014
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Orlando/Las Vegas
The iconic culinary competition for home chefs awards a $1 million prize to the winner. Lifestyle maven Martha Stewart announced last year’s winner during a live broadcast of her talk show at the event. This year, the finals move to Las Vegas for the first time in the contest’s 46-year history. Next: November 10-12, 2013
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
New Orleans
The premier cocktail festival emphasizes bartender education with its tastings and workshops, and its Spirited Awards recognize winners in categories such as American Bartender of the Year, World’s Best Cocktail Bar, and Best Cocktail Writing. Next: July 16-20, 2014
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Aspen, Colorado
In 2012, the event celebrated its 30th anniversary, an impressive sign of longevity in the often-changing food and beverage world. About 5,000 people attend the event in Colorado’s affluent mountain playground. Events in 2013 included a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the magazine’s Best New Chef awards, the celebrity chef 5K run, and the Last Bite dessert party. Next: Summer 2014
#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Philadelphia
The three-year-old event brings the city's best-known chefs and around 75 of its restaurants for a party at Pier 9 on the Delaware River waterfront. The event benefits the city’s FringeArts and features its avant-garde art and entertainment. Next: Fall 2014
