#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Consistently the most buzzed-about foodie festival in the country, the annual gathering of 60,000 chefs, Food Network stars, and gourmands always includes an impressive array of brand activations and insiders parties. Next: February 20-23, 2014
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #3)
Florida’s smelliest shindig marks its 15th year in 2014. The affair offers cook-offs, musical acts, and other attractions amidst a maze of everything from garlic hot sauce to garlic ice cream. Next: February 7-9, 2014
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #5)
Share Our Strength’s tasty fund-raiser brought in $160,000 in 2013, while entertaining guests with bites and sips from 50 of the area’s top restaurants. Next: July 2014
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #6)
Some 25,000 people flock to Pompano Beach each spring for Florida’s most venerable homage to the fruits of the sea. Next: April 25-27, 2014
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #7)
The upcoming 10th annual edition of the bayfront music and food fest benefits the Deering Estate Foundation, with proceeds used for preservation of and programming for the historic estate. Next: March 30, 2014
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #8)
Formerly the United Way Miami Food and Wine Festival, the event gathers 3,000 foodies for four days of interactive dinners, wine tastings, and craft beer showcases. Next: April 9-12, 2014
#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #12)
Fort Lauderdale’s 18-year-old fund-raiser for the American Lung Association in Florida-South Area has become a must-attend event for food and wine lovers in the region. Next: May 2, 2014
#9 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #11)
The 18th annual fund-raiser brought in more than $190,000 in 2013, entertaining 2,100 guests with tastings from 44 South Florida restaurants. Next: April 4, 2014
#10 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
Anchored by one of the most successful wine auctions held anywhere, the three-day Naples event has reported raising $110 million for at-risk children since 2001. Next: January 24-26, 2014
#11 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Held at downtown Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the hip cook-off and grand tasting pairs the area’s hottest chefs with live bands and a rollicking after-party. Next: Summer 2014
#12 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
Culinary world celebrities like Ted Allen, Daniel Boulud, and Todd English will anchor the charity event this year. Next: December 13-17, 2013
