#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #2)
Last year, 55,000 foodies munched their way through four days and 100 events at the seventh iteration of the festival. They sampled culinary creations by Food Network fixtures like Robert Irvine and raised $1 million for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign and the Food Bank For New York City. For this year, organizers say mixology will play a bigger role. Next: October 15-18, 2015
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #3)
Last summer, 22,000 attendees came to the 361,000-square-foot trade show, which encompassed everything in the world of food from award-winning pink salt to a presentation by the inventor of New York’s popular croissant-doughnut hybrid. Next: June 28-30, 2015
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #4)
Organizers expect 16,800 attendees will attend this year’s show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New this year: an area dubbed “the Pub” where new trends in alcoholic beverages are highlighted, and a new education section on the show floor where attendees can learn about business strategies. Next: March 8-10, 2015
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #5)
Last year, the 1,100 guests at the coastal-theme affair raised $820,000 to provide meals to housebound senior citizens. Organizers say guests can expect special guests and features this year, the event’s 30th anniversary. Next: June 8, 2015
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #6)
At last year’s 25th anniversary bash, Food & Wine editor in chief Dana Cowin honored winners with a colorful, street-art-inspired theme at the American Museum of Natural History. This year the magazine’s event takes place at the Edison Ballroom in Midtown. Next: March 31, 2015
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
Since its launch in 2009, the five-day event has grown to include more than 100 ticketed events for the public as well as a two-day conference for the trade. Next: May 15-19, 2015
