Vancouver
#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
As the featured country in 2015, Australia created a rustic-chic pouring room to tantalize oenophiles with syrah and shiraz wines. The nine-day event drew 25,000 people and offered more than 750 wines. The theme country for 2016 is Italy. Next: February 20-28, 2016
Montreal
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event
Despite record-breaking cold weather in 2015, Montrealers and tourists came out to celebrate cuisines from Switzerland, the featured country, and Washington, D.C., the featured American city. RBC was the presenting sponsor again, with Bell. Next: February 18-27, 2016
Toronto
#3 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 appealed to all demographics thanks to family-friendly daytime programming. Next: April 8-10, 2016
St. Catharines
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #7)
More than 116,000 people sipped and sniffed at the region’s signature wine event in 2014, with expectations of growth for 2015. New this year: the Meridian Grande Parade Pre-Show and an expanded Niagara Mayors’ Grape Stomp. Next: September 12-27, 2015
Toronto
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
The ongoing popularity of beer, especially craft beer, was expected to boost attendance at the festival by about 5 percent this year. Held again at Exhibition Place’s Band Shell, the 2015 event featured an Irish Pavilion with 15 Irish brewers, Irish food, and musicians. Next: July 2016
Toronto
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)
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
Charlottetown
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #8)
Festival Âattendance increased by more than 6 percent in 2014, to 7,500 Âcrustacean connoisseurs. For the 20th anniversary celebrations in 2015, prize money for chefs and oyster shuckers grows to $26,000. New sponsors include Air Miles and Sobeys. Next: September 17-20, 2015
Kelowna
#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #9)
Also known as the Gold Medal Plates finale, the weekend event brings together 11 winning chefs from across Canada to cook for 500 guests and compete to win the gold. Deloitte is the presenting sponsor. Proceeds go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Next: February 5-6, 2016
Kelowna
#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #10)
More than 20,000 people are expected for over 120 grape events taking place across the Okanagan Valley. The festival kicks off with the annual British Columbia Wine Awards Reception and ends with the Thanksgiving Sparkling Brunch. Sponsors include Valley First and WestJet. Next: October 1-11, 2015
