#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The Good Food and Drink Festival was renamed this year and saw a 40 percent increase in attendance. The licensed three-day show at the Direct Energy Centre appeals to all demographics thanks to family-friendly programing during the day. Next: April 8-10, 2016
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The ongoing popularity of beer, especially craft beer, is expected to boost attendance of the festival by about 5 percent this year. Held again at Exhibition Place’s Band Shell, the 2015 event features an Irish Pavilion with 15 Irish brewers, Irish food, and musicians. Next: July 24-26, 2015
#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #4)
Previously known as the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Show, the hospitality expo was rebranded in 2015 but stayed at the Direct Energy Centre. Celebrity chef Lynn Crawford and actor Dan Aykroyd gave seminars, and Coca-Cola and Labbatt came on as new sponsors. Next: February 28-March 1, 2016
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
About 45,000 people are expected at this year’s food-lovers’ feast at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where Mott’s is returning to host the Best Caesar in Town competition and Grain Farmers of Ontario is coming on as a sponsor. Next: November 19-22, 2015
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
Nearly 700 chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and food writers attended the event in 2015. Next year, as the educational event celebrates 10 years of industry-leading programming, organizers are planning a move to a new venue. Next: April 24-27, 2016
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
More than 120 vendors will serve authentic Asian food for more than 120,000 people this year. Sponsors of the night market include Coca-Cola. This year’s charitable partner is the Yellow Brick House, which helps victims of domestic abuse. Next: July 24-26, 2015
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The homage to vegetarian lifestyles is expected to grow by 20 percent to 60,000 people in 2015, following last year’s 30th anniversary event. With sponsors like Whole Foods, the festival includes lots of cupcakes, comfort food, and music of all kinds on the Redpath Stage. Next: September 11-13, 2015
#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
The food-fest-cum-street-party brought in a record 1.6 million people last year, and the economic impact grew to $69.9 million. Krinos Foods returns as title sponsor in 2015, as do the Guinness World Records challenges, which will award trips to Greece as prizes. Next: August 7-9, 2015
#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
TD Canada Trust and Western Union sponsor the 60,000-person celebration in Centennial Park of all things jerk. A V.I.P. garden experience and a kids’ zone tailor the Caribbean event to a variety of guests, and all-day bands help set the mood. Next: August 8-9, 2015
#10 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
Part of the international Taste Festivals, the event marks its second year in North America at historic Fort York with more than 60 artisan food producers from here and abroad. Featured sponsors include American Express and the Food Network. Next: July 2-5, 2015
