Embarking on a food expedition across the United States? From the spicy allure of the Louisiana Food and Wine Festival to the enchanting blend of Southwestern cuisine and fine wines at the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, these events will gear you up.
Meanwhile, the soul-satisfying crunch of crispy fried chicken takes centre stage at the New Orleans National Fried Chicken Festival, while the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii beckon food enthusiasts to taste the creations of renowned chefs and vintners at the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival.
Finally, the Pacific breeze carries the aromas of delectable wines and gourmet delights to the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, making it a must-visit destination for anyone.
Join us as we explore the top five food and wine festivals in the USA, where passion for food, wine, and culture converge to create unforgettable experiences.
Louisiana Food and Wine Festival
For the first time ever, Lake Charles will be hosting the inaugural Louisiana Food and Wine Festival from 14-17 September 2023. The festival will bring together the best gourmet experiences from across Louisiana and the South, from its culinary superstars and beverage experts to southwest Louisiana’s unique Cajun and Creole heritage and culture, seafood, artisans, live musicians and more.
The schedule of events can be found here. From the Louisiana’s Celebrity Chefs Wine Dinner, Fire on the Lake, to the Sunday Jazz Brunch.
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta will be returning for the 32nd annual fiesta from 27 September – 1 October 1 2023. The fiesta celebrates the city’s culinary scene with cooking demonstrations, guest chef luncheons, wine dinners and seminars and a cycling tour between gourmet food stations.
What started as a one-day food and wine event with 20 restaurants and 20 wineries, has become an annual five-day event celebrating the best Santa Fe has to offer with over 60 participating restaurants and 90 winery partners. The schedule of events can be found here.
Don’t miss the Wine Seminar: Discovering South Australia Through A Penfolds Lens, Guest Chef Demo And Tasting: Kevin Nashan, La Tertulia, Tulsa, OK, to the Wine Seminar: RIEDEL Performance Glass Tasting.
New Orleans National Fried Chicken Festival
All sorts of fried chicken–crispy, extra crispy, double dipped, spicy, mild and extra spicy–are served across New Orleans. Come and enjoy some of the best-fried chicken in the country for National Fried Chicken Fest, hosted by Raising Cane’s from 30 September to 1 October 2023.
The outdoor, two-day festival features food from more than 50 local and out-of-state restaurants, all-day entertainment across three stages, cooking demonstrations, a car show, and a variety of other family-friendly activities for all to enjoy. Each participating restaurant will have the chance to compete for the title in the “Best Fried Chicken” and “Best Use of Fried Chicken in a Dish” contests.
For those looking to elevate their festival experience, there are two luxurious VIP lounge options with premium stage viewing, food and drinks, VIP restroom access, and more. Further info on the food, music and entertainment can be found here.
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
Say aloha to Hawaii’s largest food festival. Running 13 October – 15 November 2023, this three-weekend epicurean experience spans three islands (Maui, the Island of Hawai’i and O’ahu) each year. The festival showcases Hawaii’s rich agricultural diversity and homegrown culinary talent through world-class culinary experiences.
This year, more than 90 internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, sommeliers, mixologists, and wine and spirit producers are invited to participate in roughly 20 events, from grand tastings and wine dinners to kid’s cooking classes, wine seminars and more.
Unlike other food festivals across the country, HFWF challenges participating chefs to use at least one locally grown, raised, or caught ingredient in their dish, connecting Hawaii’s farmers, ranchers and fishermen to thousands of attendees each year. New to the line-up will be a fitness brunch with Burn Collective’s Maria Chase and a dim sum brunch walk around featuring Feng Shui and energy reading activities. More info and a schedule of events can be found here.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
The iconic San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting at the Port of San Diego returns on Saturday 11 November. Sailboats and sandy beaches serve as the backdrop to one of the country’s most talked about weeks in food.
It features dozens of events, hundreds of domestic and international wineries, the celebration of craft beer and spirits, local culinary legends and nationally acclaimed chefs. Prepare your tastebuds for San Diego’s best food and wine event of the year.
The schedule of events can be found here. Experience the East Meets West Wagyu Dinner, Blind Tasting Masterclass, History of Tequila + Mezcal, to the Grand Fiesta.
