#1 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
Guests flock to the event for a chance to sample and purchase futures of the latest wines out of the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys in Sonoma. These three-day event doesn’t include food pairings, so guests pack a picnic or head to Healdsburg for its dining options. Next: March 3-5 and March 10-12, 2017
#2 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
The ultimate summer food fair, the event features three days of garlicky goodness, live entertainment, cooking contests, and arts and crafts. More than 100,000 people attend each year. Next: July 29-31, 2016
#3 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
No Kid Hungry’s restaurant events are a serious affair. The event brings together 60 of the Bay Area’s best restaurants, breweries, wineries, and mixologists for a night of nibbles. Each participating restaurant’s executive chef is on hand to answer questions. Last year’s event raised over $250,000 to fight childhood hunger. Next: March 2017
#5 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
The street food at the fest is locally sourced and under $8, and it comes with a side of education. The festival, held in Oakland’s Jack London Square, is the Food Craft Institute’s premier educational program and an opportunity for participants to learn where food comes from, who grows it, and how to make it. Next: September 23-25, 2016
#6 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
Think of the festival as the grown-up’s answer to visiting Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory—and guests have a golden ticket. Attendees enjoy more than 50 vendors, culinary demos by top dessert chefs, and the popular Chocolate & Wine Pavilion. All of the profits from the event go to Project Open Hand. Next: September 10-11, 2016
#7 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
San Francisco magazine’s annual benefit for Meals on Wheels includes live cooking demonstrations from top chefs, bites from more than 40 restaurants, cocktails and wine, and dancing. Next: Fall 2016
#8 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
When winemakers and chefs face off in wine and pork competitions, guests win. Attendees head to Healdsburg in March for the food and wine weekend benefiting No Kid Hungry. The pros compete for bragging rights, and guests get to taste their entries. Next: March 17-18, 2017
#9 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
San Francisco’s answer the school bake sale, the event is a P.T.A. fundraiser for Daniel Webster Elementary School featuring 25 outstanding restaurants and bars. Last year, the event raised more than $100,000. Next: May 2017
#10 Food, Wine & Restaurant Industry Event
A Pinterest-master's dream come true, the lavish pop-up dinner draws more than 5,000 attendees dressed in white. Handmade Events secures the location, tables, chairs, and entertainment, and guests provide the rest for this lavish pop-up dinner. Attendees bring inspired culinary dishes, bubbly, and lavish tablescapes for the al fresco event. Next: September 9, 2016
