BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe

Top 100 Events in the United States 2018 - Food, Beverage & Restaurant Industry Events

September 18, 2018
1. South Beach Wine & Food Festival
1. South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Miami
#1 Food Industry Event
The Food Network and Cooking Channel-sponsored festival’s 17th annual edition drew more than 60,000 attendees for nearly 100 events, which took place at venues throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The five-day event honored Bobby Flay at its annual tribute dinner and also incorporated musical performances by Smash Mouth, Action Bronson, DJ Hannah Bronfman, and more at various events. Sponsors, including Bacardi, Absolut, King’s Hawaiian, and Illy, had buzzy activations. Next: February 20-24, 2019
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
2. James Beard Foundation Awards
2. James Beard Foundation Awards
Chicago
#2 Food Industry Event
The James Beard Foundation’s annual awards were once again held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, hosting more than 2,000 attendees. The event, which was emceed by Carla Hall, had the theme of “Rise,” celebrating the culinary community and power of food. Chefs and attendees wore pins saying what they “rise” for, and nearly 30 of the gala’s chefs were former James Beard Foundation Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change participants. Eleven of the 15 winning chefs were a woman or person of color. Next: May 6, 2019
Photo: Kent Miller
3. New York City Wine & Food Festival
3. New York City Wine & Food Festival
New York
#3 Food Industry Event
The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary last fall with more than 70 events across the city. New events included a Smorgasburg event hosted by the cast of Chopped; a mixology event for women hosted by Food Network’s Anne Burrell and the women of cocktail competition Speed Rack; and Broadway Tastes, a brunch event with stars of the stage, hosted by actress Kristin Chenoweth. The festival drew 45,000 attendees. Next: October 11-14, 2018
Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for NYCWFF
4. Vegas Uncork’d
4. Vegas Uncork’d
Las Vegas
#4 Food Industry Event
The four-day festival drew more than 6,000 people to Las Vegas, with favorites such as the Grand Tasting, which featured more than 50 chefs and 100 wine and spirit brands. The Picnic at the Park event also returned, offering dishes from MGM Resorts chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Voltaggio brothers, and Michael Mina at the area between Park MGM and New York-New York. New programming included the debut of Gordan Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Caesars Palace and women’s power lunch with chefs Susan Feniger and Christina Tosi and restaurateur Elizabeth Blau. Next: May 2019
Photo: JamieY Photography
5. Tales of the Cocktail
5. Tales of the Cocktail
New Orleans
#5 Food Industry Event
The first iteration of the bar industry event took place under the new ownership of Gary Solomon Jr., after founder Ann Tuennerman stepped down last fall following a string of racially charged incidents. One of the most striking changes was the event’s first-ever booze-free party, held by William Grant & Sons—the brand’s goal was to show they could present the brand to bartenders without having to serve alcohol. This year, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation provided $250,000 in grants to 11 organizations and also introduced a series of free seminars on topics such as diversity, inclusion, and harassment in the bar industry. Next: July 16-21, 2019
Photo: James Billeaudeau
6. Chicago Gourmet
6. Chicago Gourmet
Chicago
#6 Food Industry Event (up from #7)
Presented by Bon Appétit magazine, the event celebrated its 10th anniversary with 10 unique ancillary events that accompanied the main event in Millennium Park. Events included a cocktail party at Tribune Tower, a design dinner at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, and an Italian food feast on the Chicago Riverwalk. The event drew 14,551 attendees. Next: September 26-30, 2018
Photo: Jeff Schear
7. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
7. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
#7 Food Industry Event
Food & Wine’s 36th annual mountaintop food festival drew 5,000 attendees for events that included a kick-off celebration that highlighted Peruvian cuisine, in partnership with the Trade Commission of Peru. The festival showcased the 10 honorees of the magazine’s Best New Chefs—a list that featured seven women, the most ever—at an area at the Grand Tasting. The chefs were also honored at the 30th anniversary Food & Wine Best New Chefs Dinner, which invited six past recipients to create a five-course meal. Next: June 14-16, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
8. Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest
8. Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest
New York
#8 Food Industry Event
The annual hot dog-eating competition attracts more than 20,000 people to Coney Island on July 4, and also draws more than one million viewers to its live broadcast on ESPN. This year, Joey Chestnut won his 11th title and set a contest record by eating 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Miki Sudo won the women’s competition, eating 37 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Next: July 4, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog
Latest in Home
The activation was disguised as an ordinary porta-potty.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes
Phoenix / Scottsdale
11 New Venues in Phoenix/Scottsdale for Summer 2025 Meetings and Events
Cosm transports guests to destinations around the world, wherever 'there' may be! Immerse in Shared Reality alongside your friends and family and experience an entirely new way of watching premium content across live sports, art, and entertainment. If you can't be there, be at Cosm!
Industry Insiders
Cosm Opens Immersive Event Venues in LA and Dallas
Rosé Day Los Angeles took place on June 14. The event is produced by an experienced hospitality team led by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions; nightlife visionaries Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett; Tony Schubert of Event Eleven; and culinary icon Marc Forgione.
Event Design & Decor
Inside Rosé Day LA: How This Luxe Lifestyle Event Became a Must-Attend for Brands
Related Stories
1. Super Bowl
Top 100 Events
Top 100 Events in the United States 2018
1. North American International Auto Show
Home
Trade Shows
1. C.E.S.
Home
Technology Industry Events
1. Super Bowl
Home
Sports Events
More in Home
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
At the Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C., the network offered the show’s superfans a fun secret spy lair.
The activation was disguised as an ordinary porta-potty.
Phoenix / Scottsdale
11 New Venues in Phoenix/Scottsdale for Summer 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes
Sponsored
Cosm Opens Immersive Event Venues in LA and Dallas
Redefining immersive events through Shared Reality
Cosm transports guests to destinations around the world, wherever 'there' may be! Immerse in Shared Reality alongside your friends and family and experience an entirely new way of watching premium content across live sports, art, and entertainment. If you can't be there, be at Cosm!
Event Design & Decor
Inside Rosé Day LA: How This Luxe Lifestyle Event Became a Must-Attend for Brands
From over-the-top floral displays to a skydiving stunt next to a Formula 1 car, here’s how Rosé Day LA continues to raise the bar for experiential design, sponsor integration, and strategic luxury.
Rosé Day Los Angeles took place on June 14. The event is produced by an experienced hospitality team led by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions; nightlife visionaries Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett; Tony Schubert of Event Eleven; and culinary icon Marc Forgione.
Atlanta
9 New Venues in Atlanta for Summer 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Atlanta.
Renaissance Atlanta Midtown
Sponsored
Toledo's Unique Venues Will Thrill Your Guests
Enjoy experiences in the Glass City you can't find anywhere else.
Giraffe feeding at the Toledo Zoo
Most Popular
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Disney+ Leaned Into Y2K Vibes for a 'Throwback' Pop-Up Experience in LA
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
Event Design & Decor
Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora
Strategy
How Over-the-Top Event Invites Can Make a Big Impact
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: 10 Brands That Took Experiential Marketing to a Whole New Level
Event Design & Decor
Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance
Tackle this tried-and-true theme with decor ideas that walk the tightrope between fun and fashionable.
Talk about an over-the-top birthday party: In 2019, philanthropists Christine and Gabriel Chiu hosted a carnival-inspired bash at a children's museum in Santa Monica, Calif., for their son's first birthday. The Chius worked with Aliana Events to produce the event, inspired by the Santa Monica Pier, with carnival games, an arcade, puppets, and this oversized Ferris wheel filled with flowers. See more: This Toddler's Birthday Party Had a Gucci Claw Machine
Global
What's New in Event Venues: Texas Flooding, New Hospitality Tech, and More
BizBash rounds up the latest news from hotels, convention centers, meeting spaces, restaurants, and other event venues around the world.
Southern California's Hotel del Coronado has completed a $550 million restoration, highlighted by the revitalization of its iconic Victorian building and a range of upgraded event and group offerings. Key event spaces—including the historic Crown Room, Coronet Room, and Ocean Ballroom—have been meticulously restored. The resort's broader transformation includes the Southpointe Event Center, featuring a 15,000-square-foot ballroom and adjacent lawn, plus updated guest rooms and amenities across the property.
Strategy
How Over-the-Top Event Invites Can Make a Big Impact
In a world where inboxes are full and attention spans are short, an invitation can make or break your event’s perception.
This SNL50 mailer included a Marshall speaker—an homage to the decades-spanning musical guests on the show—a bottle of Chandon to toast the milestone, and a limited-edition crewneck.
Texas
11 New Venues in Dallas/Fort Worth for Summer 2025 Meetings and Events
Take a peek at these buzzworthy restaurants, hotels, meeting and event spaces, and more recently opened in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Evelyn
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Disney+ Leaned Into Y2K Vibes for a 'Throwback' Pop-Up Experience in LA
Millennials, this one's for you. The streamer welcomed thousands of guests during a four-day experience celebrating its beloved '90s and '00s IP.
Disney+ hosted a Throwback Experience for fans June 12-15 in Los Angeles.
Sponsored
How Toronto Goes 100% All In on Business Events
Discover ways Toronto defies meeting planner expectations.
Toronto's all in, 100% of the time
Page 1 of 304
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.