#1 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
Celebrating the region’s top restaurants and the people behind them, the program from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington attracted more people than ever. Attendance for the award ceremony and dinner and dance party grew to 2,000 people, and winners included Fiola Mare as best new restaurant of the year and Victor Albisu of Del Campo and Taco Bamba as chef of the year. Next: June 12, 2016
#2 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
This year marks the 10th edition of the show, which is slated to feature headliners Giada De Laurentiis and Michael Symon. Activities will include sessions on holiday entertaining, knife sharpening, and an exhibition with 300 specialty food companies. New this year is a BBQ Bash hosted by chef David Guas. The 2014 event reported a record attendance of 18,000, a 30 percent increase over the previous year. Next: October 24-25, 2015
#3 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
Food Network host Melissa d’Arabian hosted the massive tasting event, formerly known as Taste of the Nation DC. Chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists provided samples to more than 1,800 guests at the National Building Museum. The event raised $230,000, with proceeds benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank, DC Hunger Solutions, and Mary's Center. Next: April 4, 2016
#4 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #5)
On back-to-back evenings, guests gather for an evening of dishes and drinks and then for dinner at homes throughout the city. Together the “sips” and “suppers” portions raise money for antihunger organizations DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table. The event is organized by chefs José Andrés and Alice Waters and cookbook author Joan Nathan. Next: January 23-24, 2016
#5 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #6)
The event draws crowds for samples of more than 150 beers, wines, and spirits—each with its own dedicated tents at the outdoor festival. The event also includes live music and culinary demonstrations. V.I.P. ticket holders gained entry an hour earlier than general admission. Next: Spring 2016
#6 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
Founded in 1989, the two-day culinary festival draws some 40,000 people to Pennsylvania Avenue. This year featured the fifth annual Ben’s Chili Bowl World Chili Eating Championship—won by defending champion Joey Chestnut, who consumed 7.25 bowls, or 1.8125 gallons of chili. Next: October 2016
