#1 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Going strong in its 16th year, the high-profile event drew some 65,000 foodies and oenophiles for five days of eating and drinking. The festival’s largest event, the Grand Tasting, added live DJ acts this year headlined by Snoop Dogg. Since its inception, the festival has raised more than $24 million for the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, including $2 million in 2017. Next: February 21-25, 2018
#2 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
More than $15 million was raised for the Naples Children & Education Foundation at the festival’s live auction this year, including a single bid of $480,000 for a 2017 McLaren 570 GT. Next: January 26-28, 2018
#3 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Formerly the Delray Beach Garlic Festival, the food festival moved to a new home at John Prince Park in Lake Worth for its 18th year. Some 35,000 people turned out to sample more than 100 garlic-infused foods and view the work of more than 200 arts and crafts vendors. Next: February 9-11, 2018
#4 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
For the 29th edition, more than 1,000 foodies filled Miami’s Soho Studios. Highlights included a food and beer pairing, cocktails from top mixologists, and a local beer feature. The event raised more than $68,000 to support No Kid Hungry and its mission to end childhood hunger in America. Next: May 2018
#6 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
A sold-out crowd of 8,500 enjoyed the 13th annual iteration of the festival, which featured a Bahamian junkanoo parade and other live music, plus a rock-climbing wall, activities for kids, and multiple cooking demonstrations. Next: March 25, 2018
#7 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
One of many events impacted by last fall’s Hurricane Matthew, the event’s organizers regrouped and moved the flagship interactive dinner and other events like a “bubbly” brunch and craft beer tasting to several dates in early 2017. Organizers say they will keep a spring rotation for 2018, although they have not yet decided whether the event will return to its previous weekend format. Next: Spring 2018
#8 Food & Restaurant Industry Event
Organizers stuck with a ticketed system after a shift to the format in 2016 resulted in a sold-out crowd of 2,500 attendees. Highlights of the festival’s 22nd iteration, which also sold out, included a craft-beer tasting, burger- and seafood-cooking competitions, and tastings from more than 50 restaurants. Next: April 2018
#9 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #10)
The 22nd annual edition of the event raised more than $165,000 for Fort Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery and Science. More than 1,400 guests attended and more than 40 South Florida chefs participated, with Bank of America serving as title sponsor. Next: Spring 2018
#10 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #11)
The festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and is held at various locations in and around Palm Beach, is renowned for drawing Food Network and other culinary stars. Next: December 14-17, 2017
#11 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (up from #12)
The event dedicated to craft beer is returning to Coconut Grove’s Peacock Park this year. Organizers expect 6,000 people to sample more than 400 craft beers on tap. Next: October 14, 2017
#12 Food & Restaurant Industry Event (new to the list)
Formerly the Orange Bowl OBIEs, the event was rebranded this year as Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration. It’s the latest reinvention in the fund-raiser’s 15-year run (it has been a food- and wine-focused event for four years). In 2016, 750 guests raised $100,000 for Make-A-Wish and other charities. Next: May 2018
