All the Major Food Events Postponed or Canceled Because of Coronavirus

Updated 3/31/2020.

As the coronavirus spreads and people stay home to flatten the curve, there's been a ripple effect in the hospitality industry. Several states have announced restaurant and bar closures, including Kentucky, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In many cases, delivery and takeout are still permitted, and some restaurants (such as Canlis) are pivoting; others have been forced to shut down entirely due to sharp declines in business.

Food events are also taking preemptive measures for the safety of their attendees. Shortly after announcing the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Humanitarian of the Year Award, the James Beard Foundation has decided to postpone the James Beard Awards, and the IACP conference has been postponed, too. SXSW, on the other hand, has been canceled all together, as has Pebble Beach Food & Wine, and we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. We've compiled a list of all the events that have been postponed or canceled so far, so you can be up to date. Stay tuned as more information comes out.

Air Provence

The new trade show, dedicated to Côtes de Provence wines, has been canceled by the Provence Wine Council. Discussions for an event in 2021 are "already underway," per the press release.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, originally scheduled for this May, has been postponed until later this summer.

"Since all of this continues to change minute-by-minute, we are actively working with event partners to determine potential new dates for this year's Festival. We will be sharing those details through the Festival's website, newsletter and social platforms," the announcement reads.

Auction Napa Valley

Auction Napa Valley, a charity wine auction sponsored by the Napa Valley Vinters, has been cancelled this year—the 2021 dates will be June 3 through June 6. On its website, Auction Napa Valley pledges that it will donate "at least equal to last year's giving to maintain services and help respond to new needs in the community which the COVID-19 crisis might bring." Those who already registered for the 2020 event will get a refund.

Bordeaux En Primeur Tasting Week

The annual event, which draws 5 to 6,000 wine industry professionals a year, has been suspended, according to organizer Union des Grands Crus (UGCB).

California Wine Festival–Carlsbad

California Wine Festival–Carlsbad has been cancelled. "All purchasers will be refunded automatically," per the announcement.

California Wine Festival–Dana Point

The festival has been rescheduled to August August 28–29. The eventbrite page states that purchases for the original April dates will be honored for the rescheduled dates.

Chef's Roll Anti-Convention

On March 13, Chef's Roll announced that the Anti-Convention, which was scheduled for April 6 and April 7 in San Diego, California, has been postponed. Attendees can either choose to get an immediate refund or wait to see if they can attend the new date, once it's announced. If that date still doesn't work, you will be reimbursed.

Cider Summit SF

The seventh-annual artisanal cider festival has been postponed until October 17. Attendees can either request a refund or have their ticket honored at the later date.

Coachella

The famous California music and arts festival, which also offers all kinds of food experiences, has been postponed until the second two weekends in October. Tickets purchased for the original April dates will be honored for rescheduled dates, according to the official website.

Descorchados

Descorchados announced schedule changes for four 2020 events: São Paulo (new date August 11), Rio de Janeiro (new date TBD), New York (canceled), and Miami (canceled).

Expo West

Natural Products Expo West, a trade show showcasing natural, organic, and other food products, was originally scheduled to take place in early March. However, it was postponed on March 2 — and on March 13, an update revealed that the trade show will no longer be rescheduled in Anaheim this year. Instead, the focus is being shifted to Natural Products Expo East 2020 in Philadelphia, which is planned for September 23-26.

"2020 will be the first time in 40 years that we will not host an annual natural & organic products show in Anaheim," a statement on the website reads. "We're disappointed, and we know many of you will be as well. So, what are we doing about it? We are directing our attention to Philadelphia and are excited about the opportunities we can provide the industry via our increased exhibition and gathering spaces within the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the plans we have for showcasing the industry's emerging brands, new product innovations and sustainability efforts in unique ways."

The 2020 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

We have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen out of concern for the safety of our community and the world beyond it. We're grateful to all of you who have already purchased tickets for the 2020 Classic. Please call 877.900.WINE for a full refund or to transfer your tickets to the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen 2021 taking place June 18-20. And, if you're able, please join us in supporting the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen charity partners, Wholesome Wave and Jacques Pepin Foundation. When this pandemic subsides, the world will need us all at the table — at restaurants, hotels, bars, and festivals—sharing our cultures like never before. Until then, please look after yourselves and one another.

Grands Jours de Bourgogne

Originally scheduled for March 9 through March 13, the Grands Jours de Bourgogne wine show's website states that this year's event "will not take place given the rapid evolution of the current coronavirus pandemic in France and all around the world."

Inspire Napa Valley May Wine Weekend 2020

Inspire Napa Valley's May Wine Weekend has been rescheduled to next year—the new dates are April 30–May 2, 2021.

International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Conference

On March 6, the association decided to move the annual IACP conference, originally planned for March, to October, taking place between the 13th and 15th. The announcement said that the 2020 IACP award ceremony "will occur in the coming weeks in New York City, and we will be announcing plans very soon."

The James Beard Awards

On Thursday, March 12, the James Beard Foundation sent out a press release announcing that the annual James Beard Awards would be postponed until summer 2020. Originally, the Media Awards (originally scheduled for April 24), the Leadership Awards (May 3), and the gala in Chicago (May 4) were to be pushed, while the finalist announcements on March 25 were expected to stay on schedule. However, on March 16, an additional e-mail said that the finalist announcements have also been postponed. New dates will be announced via the James Beard Foundation's website and social media.

The Foundation started a relief fund to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need; the application has been suspended at this time "due to an overwhelming response within hours of opening," per the official website.

Johnson & Wales International Symposium on Bread

Johnson & Wales has decided to postpone its International Symposium on Bread until 2021. It will still be held at the Charlotte campus, and a hands-on symposium will follow at the Providence campus in 2022.

Jubilee

After initially postponing its annual conference, Jubilee, Cherry Bombe has decided to host "Jubilee 2.o" entirely on Instagram on April 5. You can expect interviews, demos, cookbook reviews, and more. A portion of sponsorship fees will be donated to support small businesses and service workers in need, per the website. RSVP here.

LA Chef Conference

Following guidelines from the CDC, WHO, and "other health authorities," the LA Chef Conference has been postponed until Monday, October 19. Guests who purchased or registered for tickets will get a ticket transfer for the new date, according to the website.

London Wine Fair

Hemming Group Ltd has decided to postpone the 2020 London Wine Fair. More information about the next steps is planned to be released as soon as possible.

MOFAD

The Museum of Food & Drink has made the decision to postpone its upcoming exhibit, African/American: Making the Nation's Table (originally scheduled for April 3), along with opening events, school group tours, and evening programming, including the museum's annual spring gala. MOFAD has also set up a list of COVID-19 resources.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2020, originally scheduled for April 16 through April 19, was canceled on March 12. (Food & Wine is a sponsor for the event.) Tickets bought through the official website will be refunded, and corporate sponsors, wineries, and chefs will be contacted directly, according to the release.

"We look forward to announcing future dates for this premier epicurean event once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes," the announcement reads.

ProWein

The international trade fair for wine and spirits has been postponed to next year, and will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany between March 21 and March 23 2021.

RAW WINE London

RAW Wine, an independent wine fair, has postponed its London event scheduled to take place on March 8-March 9. According to the website, new dates will be announced in the next few weeks.

Signature Sonoma Valley

The Sonoma Valley wine event, originally planned for May 14–17, has been postponed until next year. The new dates are May 13–16 2021.

"This decision follows the strong recommendation of public health agencies to minimize events that bring together 50–250 or more people in a single venue," a statement on the website reads.

Southern Foodways Alliance Spring Symposium

The Spring Symposium, originally planned for March 28 in Birmingham, Alabama, was postponed at the recommendation of the "top infectious disease physician at the University of Alabama" according to the institute's Twitter. Southern Foodways hopes to host the symposium later this year.

"We will work diligently to neutralize these inconveniences as much as possible. All paid registrants will receive credit towards a future SFA event purchase and will receive details on how to do so via email in the coming days," Southern Foodways continued in the thread.

SXSW

For the first time in 34 years, South by Southwest (SXSW) will not be taking place in Austin this March. A statement on the website from March 12 says "at this time we cannot realistically reschedule the 2020 event because the COVID-19 situation is still developing, and we don't want to be in a situation where the City faces the decision to cancel again."

The annual festival covers everything from film and music to food, and for local restaurants and businesses, it spells a major loss in revenue. As a result, SXSW has shared resources to help out, and businesses across the city are coming up with solutions as well. Attendees will either have the option to defer their badges or get 50 percent off the walk-up rate between 2021 and 2023.

Taste of Oakville Grand Tasting

The event, a walk-around tasting of the current release wines of the members of the Oakville Winegrowers Association, has been moved to August 10 at the Robert Mondavi Winery. Registration for the new date will open Monday, March 30 at 10 am.

Vinitaly

Vinitaly, another major international wine trade fair, has been moved to April 2021.

Wonder Women of Wine Conference

In a press release sent out March 15, the Wonder Women of Wine (WWOW) organization announced that its second-annual conference would be postponed. Tickets will be honored once the event is rescheduled.

World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards

The 2020 World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards have been been postponed to 2021, and the annual ranked list won't be announced this year, either.

WSLA Drink + Eat 2020

Wine & Spirits has announced that WSLA Drink + Eat 2020 has been postponed to Sunday, June 28, "pending any unforeseen developments." Pre-sale tickets purchased will be honored for the new date.

This post will be updated as more information becomes available.