1. South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Miami
The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival draws the world’s best chefs, along with 65,000 hungry guests, to Miami for five days of delectable programming. In 2019, the festivities included more than 100 tastings, demos, meals, and parties, including events with José Andrés, Giada De Laurentis, and Bobby Flay. Since its inception in 2002, the festival has raised more than $30 million for Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Next: February 19-23, 2020
See more: South Beach Wine & Food Festival: How It Works With Host Venues Beyond the Beach
The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival draws the world’s best chefs, along with 65,000 hungry guests, to Miami for five days of delectable programming. In 2019, the festivities included more than 100 tastings, demos, meals, and parties, including events with José Andrés, Giada De Laurentis, and Bobby Flay. Since its inception in 2002, the festival has raised more than $30 million for Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Next: February 19-23, 2020
See more: South Beach Wine & Food Festival: How It Works With Host Venues Beyond the Beach
Photo: Courtesy of Essentia
2. James Beard Foundation Awards
Chicago
Often dubbed the Oscars of the food industry, the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals making an impact on food culture. Among the honors given at the 2019 black-tie gala at the Civic Opera House in Chicago, chef Michael Solomonov’s Zahav in Philadelphia was recognized with the Outstanding Restaurant Award, Frenchette in Manhattan was named Best New Restaurant, and Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner in North Carolina won Outstanding Chef. Next: May 4, 2020
Often dubbed the Oscars of the food industry, the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals making an impact on food culture. Among the honors given at the 2019 black-tie gala at the Civic Opera House in Chicago, chef Michael Solomonov’s Zahav in Philadelphia was recognized with the Outstanding Restaurant Award, Frenchette in Manhattan was named Best New Restaurant, and Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Diner in North Carolina won Outstanding Chef. Next: May 4, 2020
Photo: Clay Williams
3. New York City Wine & Food Festival
New York
Some 50,000 people are expected at the 2019 Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival, where television’s top food personalities will participate in more than 80 events at locations all over the city. New programming on tap for this year includes a welcome tasting hosted by radio personality Elvis Duran and featuring a performance by Alessia Cara, a dumpling party hosted by Molly Yeh, and a master breadmaking class with Sullivan Street Bakery. Since it began in 2007, the festival has raised more than $11 million for two local nonprofits: the Food Bank of New York City and No Kid Hungry. Next: October 10-13, 2019
See more: New York City Wine & Food Festival 2018: 29 Culinary Highlights From Sponsors and Parties
Some 50,000 people are expected at the 2019 Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival, where television’s top food personalities will participate in more than 80 events at locations all over the city. New programming on tap for this year includes a welcome tasting hosted by radio personality Elvis Duran and featuring a performance by Alessia Cara, a dumpling party hosted by Molly Yeh, and a master breadmaking class with Sullivan Street Bakery. Since it began in 2007, the festival has raised more than $11 million for two local nonprofits: the Food Bank of New York City and No Kid Hungry. Next: October 10-13, 2019
See more: New York City Wine & Food Festival 2018: 29 Culinary Highlights From Sponsors and Parties
Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF
4. Vegas Uncork'd
Las Vegas
Each year, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Apetit showcases the chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists who contribute to the city’s status as a premier food and drink destination. Over four days in 2019, 2,500 culinarily minded patrons attended tastings, workshops, and meals with the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Christina Tosi, and Nobu Matsuhisa. Events took place at multiple venues on the Las Vegas strip and beyond, including the Wynn, MGM Resorts, and the Venetian. Next: May 2020
Each year, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Apetit showcases the chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists who contribute to the city’s status as a premier food and drink destination. Over four days in 2019, 2,500 culinarily minded patrons attended tastings, workshops, and meals with the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Christina Tosi, and Nobu Matsuhisa. Events took place at multiple venues on the Las Vegas strip and beyond, including the Wynn, MGM Resorts, and the Venetian. Next: May 2020
Photo: Stacey Torma
5. Tales of the Cocktail
New Orleans
Since it began in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail has expanded from a walking tour of historic New Orleans bars into a world-renowned cocktail festival. Over the course of one week in June, 30,000 bartenders, distillers, and other alcohol professionals participate in seminars, tastings, networking opportunities, and special events. In 2019, the program included sessions about topics as varied as influencer marketing, the terroir of cane spirits, and the science of moderation. Next: July 21-26, 2020
Since it began in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail has expanded from a walking tour of historic New Orleans bars into a world-renowned cocktail festival. Over the course of one week in June, 30,000 bartenders, distillers, and other alcohol professionals participate in seminars, tastings, networking opportunities, and special events. In 2019, the program included sessions about topics as varied as influencer marketing, the terroir of cane spirits, and the science of moderation. Next: July 21-26, 2020
Photo: Cory James Photo
6. Chicago Gourmet
Chicago
Themed “Lights! Camera! Napkin!” the 2019 edition of Chicago Gourmet embraced the connections between the culinary and entertainment realms. Cleverly named workshops and seminars like Spaghetti Western and Lost in Spice made up the schedule, alongside tastings, book signings, dinners, and other culinary-centric gatherings at Millenium Park. Attendees had the chance to sample global flavors at fourteen separate food pavilions and attend red-carpet events like The Big Chil(i) chili cookoff. The Illinois Restaurant Association hosted the event, and Bon Apetit served as the title sponsor. Next: September 2020
Themed “Lights! Camera! Napkin!” the 2019 edition of Chicago Gourmet embraced the connections between the culinary and entertainment realms. Cleverly named workshops and seminars like Spaghetti Western and Lost in Spice made up the schedule, alongside tastings, book signings, dinners, and other culinary-centric gatherings at Millenium Park. Attendees had the chance to sample global flavors at fourteen separate food pavilions and attend red-carpet events like The Big Chil(i) chili cookoff. The Illinois Restaurant Association hosted the event, and Bon Apetit served as the title sponsor. Next: September 2020
Photo: Paul Hrdlicka
7. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
High-profile chefs, wine makers, and epicurean experts headline the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, one of the most rarified food-related gatherings of the year. In 2019, 5,000 guests headed to the Colorado mountains to partake in events like a summer entertaining cooking demo with Martha Stewart and a session about the world’s most expensive wines with Mark Oldman. As always, the program featured several sold-out events, including a Barbuto pop-up meal with chef Jonathan Waxman and a collaborative dinner with Andrew Carmellini and Kate Williams. Next: June 19-21, 2020
See more: Inside the Event Strategy for Five Brands at the 2019 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
High-profile chefs, wine makers, and epicurean experts headline the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, one of the most rarified food-related gatherings of the year. In 2019, 5,000 guests headed to the Colorado mountains to partake in events like a summer entertaining cooking demo with Martha Stewart and a session about the world’s most expensive wines with Mark Oldman. As always, the program featured several sold-out events, including a Barbuto pop-up meal with chef Jonathan Waxman and a collaborative dinner with Andrew Carmellini and Kate Williams. Next: June 19-21, 2020
See more: Inside the Event Strategy for Five Brands at the 2019 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Photo: Courtesy of Outstanding in the Field
