Best Food Festivals

You can learn a lot about a country and its people by tasting their food. Visiting food festivals is one good way to sample various vendors in one place and get a feel for traditions and unique cuisine. We have looked at various U.S food festivals all the way from the West coast to the East.

1. The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Sunny Miami Beach and ocean views provide a beautiful backdrop for this festival. This event lasts for 5 days and includes two programs at the Florida International University. You will definitely see famous food and wine industry faces and personalities hanging out at over 80 events that include dinners, presentations, tastings, and cocktail evenings.

2. Charleston Food and Wine Festival

The festival takes place in beautiful Charleston and celebrates local cooking traditions, bounty, and culture. In addition to mingling and tasting, you will feel good because many proceedings go to support local students who want to study culinary art and hospitality. The event is 5 days long and features Culinary Village with chefs, winemakers, and writers. You will stay entertained by demonstrations, tastings, book signings, music, dance, and more.

3. New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

This event attracts about 10,000 gastronomes each year. They descend upon the city for four days of celebration of food and spirits. New Orleans is a perfect place for that given its rich culinary and party scene. The event supports culinary education and 100% of money goes towards educational establishments. Participating restaurants offer special menus, visitors can sample wine from all over the world, learn something new at seminars, and just enjoy the city.

4. Taste of Chicago

Windy City invites everybody to get a taste of the city, with participating businesses offering delicious meals with a modern twist. In addition to great food, fun is around every corner with famous musicians playing in this food fest. Some names that have performed in the past are The Roots, Kongos, Elle King, The Decemberists, and Billy Idol.

5. Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

This festival is one of the longest and lasts for 62 days. During this whole time visitors are delighted with food and with Mickey Mouse. Families enjoy delicious events that showcase foods from all over the world. Think England, Africa, Greece, and Morocco. Live music and mixology sessions will keep you going.

6. Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival

Los Angeles is where lots of celebrity chefs reside, so no surprise that local festival can attract over a 100 of them. Visitors can taste over 250 wines from all famous wine regions, enjoy live music, cooking shows, and spirits sampling. The event supports the Berkeley Foundation, which is an organization that assists many LA-based youth charities and funds.

7. Hawaii Food and Wine Festival

The festival lasts for 2 weeks and various events take place on different islands during this time. Wherever you are, you will be able to join in and find some fantastic treats close by. It's Hawaii after all. You can taste wine, observe some culinary demonstrations and local excursions available only in a place like Hawaii.

8. NYC Food and Wine Festival

This being New York you know you will have plenty of events and options. Over 100 events donate all the proceeds and support various causes, such as the Food Bank for New York City or the No Kid Hungry campaign. The event had modest beginnings and lasted for just one day. Today the fest goes on for four days and features out-of-this world dinners with famous chefs, cooking demonstrations, and various entertainment.

9. LA Food Fest

This celebration of food is very affordable. The delicacies are served from food trucks and pop-ups. The entire event is geared towards small business and independent vendors. You can enjoy wine garden, 'Food Porn' cinema, live cooking stage, and performances with live music and DJs.

10. Bounty of Yamhill County

The festival is held in the beautiful Willamette Valley, just a short drive from Portland. This Oregon corner is full of wineries, experienced chefs, and family-owned sustainable farms, just what you would expect from Oregon. So there is no surprise that the food is amazing, you can sample tasty breakfasts, lunches, brunches, dinners, and everything in between. Once you are done with food, you can join hikes and yoga classes to stay fit.