#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
Presented by Food & Wine magazine, the festival is heading into its fourth iteration this year, after attracting 18,000 in 2013. The four-day citywide food and wine event showcases top tastes from throughout Los Angeles, plus culinary personalities from around the country. There are live demos, wine and spirit tastings, strolling events, lunches, grand tastings, book signings, and after-parties. Lexus is a founding partner with Food & Wine. Next: August 21-24, 2014
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The event is the The Los Angeles Times’s annual celebration of the Southern California culinary scene. The major Labor Day weekend food and wine festival, composed of five distinct events drawing about 8,500 to Paramount Pictures Studios, is produced in association with Best Events. Next: August 29-31, 2014
#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
In 2013 the event celebrated its 10th anniversary, with a jump in attendees to about 10,000. Overall, there were 70 restaurants and 170 wine and spirit purveyors providing samples during the program. Many of the week’s events sold out. Next: November 17-23, 2014
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The restaurant week takes over town twice each year, once in the winter and once in the summer. The dining event now spans 14 days—an addition of two more days than past iterations—and is meant to showcase Los Angeles as a top food destination as well as highlight the diversity of food offerings available. A long list of 300 eateries provide special prix fixe lunch and dinner menus as part of the program. Next: July 14-27, 2014
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #6)
The event is billed as the largest showcase of food service products in the western United States. Together with co-located show Expo Comida Latino, the program brings together more than 600 vendors and more than 10,000 restaurant, food service, and retail professionals to the Anaheim Convention Center. The trade show, which was founded in 1936, is sponsored by the California Restaurant Association, a partner of the National Restaurant Association. Last year’s show marked a 22 percent growth in attendance over 2012. Next: August 17-19, 2014
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The benefit to end childhood hunger took place in Culver City again this year, after last year’s move from the Lot in West Hollywood. Culinary talents like Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, Ray Garcia, Neal Fraser, and Josiah Citrin all participated in the event, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting Share Our Strength. Next: June 2015
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
After only four years, the event has established itself as a major player on the culinary benefit scene, raising more than $530,000 for the fight against childhood cancer and drawing more than 1,700 guests to last year’s event. The 2014 iteration, hosted by Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne, and David Lentz, moves to a new venue at U.C.L.A. Next: September 20, 2014
#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
U.C.L.A. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted its 19th annual food and wine tasting benefit at the Beverly Wilshire on April 26, with a focus on French wines and cuisine. Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko was honored with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award. The event has raised nearly $10 million in its two-decade history. Next: Spring 2015
#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sells out its 1,400 tickets each year. The event takes over a massive footprint on the Warner Brothers back lot and has raised $27 million in its quarter-century history. It draws 50 participating chefs and 75 California wineries. Next: May 16, 2015
