#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Going strong in its 14th year, the festival drew 60,000 foodies to more than 75 events, including tastings and demos, many featuring celebrity chefs. Next: February 25-28, 2016
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Some 40,000 garlic lovers crowd the event each year, which has to date raised nearly $550,000 for local organizations. Next: January 29-31, 2016
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The event at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel raised nearly $100,000 for antihunger charity Share Our Strength last year. Next: July 16, 2015
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
This year marked the 31st anniversary of the festival, which featured 140 arts and crafts booths and two days of live music in addition to the seafood. Next: April 22-24, 2016
#5 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Nearly 10,000 people—a record number—turned out to nosh on seafood, listen to music, and raise more than $156,000 in support of the Deering Estate Foundation. Next: March 20, 2016
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The event’s live auction raised more than $12.3 million this year. Since the festival’s inception in 2001, it has raised more than $135 million to help support local children’s causes. Next: January 29-31, 2016
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The 20th anniversary of the event had an all-female chef lineup at its Interactive Dinner, which raises money to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade. Next: April 2016
#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
For the festival’s 20th anniversary, a beer garden joined the offerings, which also included a lounge hosted by sponsor Bombay Sapphire gin. Next: May 2016
#9 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
The 1,500 guests who gathered at the 20th anniversary of the event, sponsored by Bank of America, raised $200,000 for the museum's education, outreach programs, and other offerings. Next: April 8, 2016
#10 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Serving as the official kickoff for Miami Spice for the third year in a row, the eight-year-old competition attracts a cadre of top chefs and local foodies. Next: July 30, 2015
#11 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Last year, the event attracted more than 2,500 attendees, who came to taste the creations of nearly three dozen chefs, plus a 40-restaurant Grand Tasting. Next: December 10-13, 2015
#12 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Nearly 7,000 people come to Peacock Park to celebrate Coconut Grove’s take on Oktoberfest. Next: October 17, 2015
