Miami
#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The premier food festival crams more than 70 events into its four-day schedule. Sponsored by the Food Network and Food & Wine magazine, the event features celebrity chefs headlining dinners, demonstrations, concerts, and other gatherings. The 2014 festival saw $5.1 million in ticket sales and $4.3 million in sponsorship sales. Next: February 19-22, 2015
Chicago
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The award ceremony honors the nation’s finest chefs, restaurants, and other culinary notables at a 2,000-person themed gala, which this year was “Sounds of the City.” After 24 years in New York, the ceremony announced plans to host the 2015 event in Chicago. Next: May 4, 2015
New York
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
More than 50,000 people gather for the event, which began seven years ago as a spin-off of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. More than 100 sponsors and partners work with the festival’s sponsorship team on customized activations and integrations throughout the weekend’s events. Next: October 16-19, 2014
Las Vegas
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
As Las Vegas has taken off as a food destination, so has the chef-driven food festival from Bon Appétit. Headlining events over the weekend this year were chefs Nobu Matsuhisa, Thomas Keller, and François Payard. Next: May 2015
National
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
For the first time a public vote will factor into the iconic culinary contest, which awards a $1 million grand prize to a home chef. This year marks the competition’s 47th edition. Next: November 3, 2014, Nashville
New Orleans
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Bartenders and spirits professionals mix at the cocktail festival, which offers tastings and workshops, plus cocktail tours of its host city. The fest also presents the Spirited Awards, which recognize winners in categories such as American Bartender of the Year, World’s Best Cocktail Bar, and Best Cocktail Writing. Next: Summer 2015
Aspen, Colorado
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
About 5,000 people attend the culinary gathering in Colorado’s affluent mountain playground. Held during the same time is the American Express Restaurant Trade Program, an educational and networking event for hospitality professionals that marked its 25th year in 2014. Next: June 19-21, 2015
