US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
The Food Festival Isn’t Dead. But Social Media Is Rewriting the Recipe
Legacy food festivals like South Beach and New York City continue selling out, raising $45 million for hospitality education despite social media changing fan-chef interactions.
- Last weekend, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival marked its 25th anniversary, selling out nearly all 110 events and drawing more than 30,000 attendees this year.
- A decade-long festival heyday beginning around 2010 spawned copycat events and a circuit-like festival scene, while social media melted barriers so fans could DM chefs and discover talent online.
- Organizers reported $1 million net, after $7 million in ticket sales and $6 million in sponsorships, for the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
- But many smaller festivals have disappeared, victims of the pandemic, slumping ticket sales, soaring food and labor costs, and chef disinterest, while a rise in hyper-focused, place-based events followed, including AAPI Food & Wine, which draws about 1,000 attendees.
- Organizers like Lee Schrager say the South Beach blueprint remains relevant as legacy festivals absorb loss through scale, while social platforms reshape priorities toward local connection and community celebration.
Insights by Ground AI
19 Articles
19 Articles
The food festival isn’t dead but social media is rewriting the recipe
MIAMI — For nearly 10 years running, Lesley VanNess never missed the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, a beachfront bacchanal of celebrities, booze and bites that tens of thousands of attendees pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to join. Read more...
·Vancouver, United States
Read Full Article
Associated Press News+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
How social media killed the food festival stars. And created others
Food festivals are changing. Social media has given fans direct access to chefs if they want it. Many smaller festivals have faded after the pandemic, facing rising costs and less chef interest.
·United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
L 35%
C 65%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
