{"id":"f-445134d771-f7076cfb-8ecf-5257-a988-b11050f1e5ec","title":"Social Media's Impact on Food Festivals: A Shift in Culinary Celebrations","description":"The rise of social media is reshaping the landscape of food festivals, prompting a shift from large-scale events to smaller, locally focused gatherings. While major festivals like South Beach continue to thrive, many smaller events are struggling to survive.","timestamp":1772278200,"category":"food_and_health","headline":"Social Media's Impact on Food Festivals: A Shift in Culinary Celebrations","modifiedHeadline":"Food Festivals Evolve as Social Media Gains","subCategories":["scid_6bda76c2"],"subcategoriesName":["Top Story"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"c80449a0-0ad6-472b-8d17-5747dd8f5c83","bundleTitle":"Around the globe","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"218","fcSummary":"the south beach wine & food festival, celebrating 25 years, faces evolving trends in the food festival landscape. social media access to chefs diminishes the need for large events, prompting a shift towards smaller, localized festivals highlighting regional cuisine and diverse culinary narratives. while major festivals like south beach remain popular, generating significant revenue and attracting large crowds, the focus is increasingly on authentic, local experiences and direct connections with chefs.","summary":"Social media shifts food festivals, favoring local events over celebrity chef gatherings. Major festivals like South Beach still thrive.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/timesnow/f-445134d771-f7076cfb-8ecf-5257-a988-b11050f1e5ec","sourceUrl":"https://www.timesnownews.com/agency-news/social-medias-impact-on-food-festivals-a-shift-in-culinary-celebrations-article-153686076","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/QljxUjFK7730.webp","content":"

MIAMI (AP) — Lesley VanNess has attended the South Beach Wine & Food Festival for nearly a decade, drawn by the opportunity to engage with celebrity chefs

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like Rachael Ray and Bobby Flay. This festival, a popular gathering of food enthusiasts, has attracted tens of thousands of participants willing to spend significant amounts to partake in its events. However, the landscape of food festivals is changing. With the rise of social media, attendees like VanNess now find they can interact with culinary stars online, diminishing the need to attend large-scale events for access to these personalities.

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The Evolution of Food Festivals

Last weekend marked the 25th anniversary of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, establishing it as a significant player in the culinary event scene alongside similar festivals in New York City and Aspen, Colorado. While these larger festivals continue to thrive, many smaller events have struggled to survive, facing challenges such as the pandemic, rising costs, and decreased interest from chefs.\n
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\nMike Thelin, a founder of the now-defunct Feast Portland festival, noted that while established events like South Beach and New York fill a niche, the broader category of food festivals is evolving. He stated that the initial need for chefs to reach a wider audience through festivals is becoming outdated.\n
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A New Focus on Local Events

Despite the challenges faced by larger festivals, Thelin believes that there is a shift towards smaller, localized events that highlight regional specialties. He emphasized the importance of understanding what makes each region unique, rather than participating in generic, large-scale gatherings.\n
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\nOne example of this trend is the AAPI Food & Wine festival, which showcases the culinary contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Founder Lois Cho remarked on the significant change in the foodie scene, stating that many have overlooked the potential of diverse culinary pairings and narratives.\n
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\nSimilarly, the Southbound Food Festival in Birmingham, Alabama, celebrates local chefs while integrating art and music into its programming. Co-founder Nancy Hopkins highlighted the diminishing appeal of celebrity chefs, noting that attendees are more interested in celebrating their local culinary culture.\n
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Sustained Popularity of Major Festivals

Despite the rise of smaller events, Thelin confirmed that the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and its New York counterpart remain popular. Tickets for this year's festival, which featured over 500 chefs and food personalities, sold out quickly, demonstrating continued interest in these major gatherings.\n
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\nLee Schrager, the organizer of both festivals, asserted that the original concept of the South Beach festival continues to resonate. He pointed out the distinct experience of attending intimate dinners with chefs, contrasting it with the accessibility offered by social media.\n
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\nReflecting on the festival's growth, Schrager noted that the inaugural South Beach event featured only ten chefs, while this year's attendance exceeded 30,000. The festival has raised over $45 million for the Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management over its 25 years.\n
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\nSchrager also acknowledged the financial challenges faced by smaller festivals, which often cannot sustain themselves in the same manner as larger events. He reported that his festival generated $7 million in ticket sales this year, with sponsorships contributing an additional $6 million.\n
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\nCelebrity chef Rachael Ray, a consistent participant in these festivals, emphasized the value of in-person connections with fans. She expressed her enjoyment of engaging directly with attendees, highlighting the importance of real-life experiences in her culinary journey.\n
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Social Media's Impact on Food Festivals: A Shift in Culinary Celebrations

SUMMARY