It’s about time Harlem got its own splashy event to celebrate the food of the neighborhood, and from May 15 to 17, Marcus Samuelsson (along with honorary chair Bill Clinton and seasoned event marketer Herb Karlitz) will host a four-day festival. The events — focusing on food primarily, but also art and music — will spotlight local Harlem chefs, restaurants, and artists, as well as national chefs who have an affinity for the area.
The schedule’s pretty incredible: The Cecil’s Joseph “JJ” Johnson will cook with Jonathan Waxman; Samuelsson’s bringing in Paul Qui to launch his new concept, Streetbird Rotisserie; and Ludo Lefebvre will fly in to collaborate with Dinosaur Bar-B-Que’s John Stage.
But the real highlight, at least in Grub’s humble opinion, is a panel discussion on how to open a restaurant that features all the power Franks — Rao’s Frank Pellegrino, Frankies Spuntino’s Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli — as well as Marvin Woods and Melba Wilson. Here’s the full list. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 13, at 9 a.m. right here.
Friday, May 15
“Dine In Harlem” — Ticketed Dinner Series
5 & Diamond Restaurant
Featuring Chef Joseph Hayes III and Guest Chef Marvin Woods
Seatings: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Location: 2072 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
General Admission: $85 (18 percent gratuity and tax not included)
Bier International
Featuring Partners Chris Pollok and Ousmane Keita and Guest Chef Amanda Freitag
Seatings: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Location: 2099 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
General Admission: $125
The Cecil
Featuring Chef Joseph “JJ” Johnson & Guest Chef Jonathan Waxman
Seating: 7 p.m.
Location: 210 West 118th St.
General Admission: $125
Chef Daniel Boulud at the Leonard Covello Center Sponsored by AETNA
Featuring Chef Daniel Boulud
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Featuring Chef John Stage and Guest Chef Ludo Lefebvre
Seating: 7 p.m.
Location: 700 West 125th St.
General Admission: $85
Ginny’s Supper Club
Featuring Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Guest Chef Sean Brock
Seating: 7 p.m.
Location: 310 Lenox Ave.
General Admission: $125
Jin Ramen
Featuring Owner Richard Kashida, Chef Mark Viloria, and Guest Chef Preston Clark
Seatings: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Location: 3183 Broadway
General Admission: $85
Madiba Harlem
Featuring Chef Mark Henegan and Guest Chef Ken Oringer
Seating: 7 p.m.
Location: MIST, 46 West 116th St.
General Admission: $85
Melba’s Sponsored by L+M Development Partners
Featuring Owner Melba Wilson and Guest Chef Carla Hall
Rao’s (Private)
Featuring Owner Frank Pellegrino and Chef Dino Gatto
Settepani
Featuring Chef Antonino Settepani, Guest Chef Angelo Sosa, and Mixologist Karl Franz Williams of 67 Orange Street
Seatings: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Location: 196 Lenox Ave.
General Admission: $85
Streetbird Rotisserie
Featuring Chef Cyed Adraincem and Guest Chef Paul Qui
Seatings: 7 p.m.
Location: 2149 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
General Admission: $85
VINATERÍA
Featuring Owner Yvette Leeper-Bueno, Chef Gustavo Lopez, Guest Chef Linton Hopkins, and Wine Expert Ted Allen
Seatings: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Location: 2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd.
General Admission: $85
Saturday, May 16
“The Stroll”
Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Location: Morningside Park (114th St. and Manhattan Ave.)
General Admission: Free
The Experience at The Stroll: $75 provides access to tasting tents and culinary demonstrations
“VIE” (Very Important Eater) Experience at The Stroll: $150 provides access to tasting tents, culinary demonstrations, and an opportunity to participate in Meet & Greet photo moments with visiting celebrity chefs and TV personalities.
Participating Restaurants: Barawine, BLVD Bistro, Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken, Chocolat Restaurant & Lounge, Corner Social, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Farafina Café & Lounge Harlem, Harlem Shake, Harlem Tavern, La Bodega 47 Social Club, Lady Lexis Sweets, Lido, LoLo’s Seafood Shack, Madiba Harlem, Make My Cake, Melba’s, Ponty Bistro, Red Rooster, Seasoned Vegan, Spoonbread, The Cecil/Minton’s, The Grange, Zoma
Harlem Talks — Ticketed Panel Discussions
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Location: Studio Museum in Harlem, at 144 West 125th St.
“24 Hours: A Day in the Life of a Chef”
Time: 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
General Admission: $35
Moderator: Ted Allen
Panelists: Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Joseph “JJ” Johnson, Marcus Samuelsson, Michael White
“How to Open a Restaurant: The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown”
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
General Admission: $35
Moderator: Brian Duncan
Panelists: Frank Castronovo, Frank Falcinelli, Frank Pellegrino, Marvin Woods, Melba Wilson
“Citymeals-on-Wheels Presents: The Masters: Then and Now”
Time: Noon to 1:15 p.m.
General Admission: $35
Moderator: Ted Allen
Panelists: Daniel Boulud, Gael Greene, Paul Qui, Alexander Smalls
“How to Serve the Community”
Time: 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
General Admission: $35
Moderator: Tren’ness Woods-Black
Panelists: Nick Anderer, Aliyyah Baylor, Nikoa Evans-Hendricks, Jessamyn Rodriguez
“Inside the Artistic Process”
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
General Admission: $35
Moderator: People en Español Editor Armando Correa
Panelists: Derrick Adams, Hope Boykin, David Rockwell, Aarón Sánchez
Sunday, May 17
“A Sunday Afternoon in Harlem”
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Morningside Park (114th St. and Manhattan Ave.)
General Admission: No entry fee; food served à la cart
EATS Package: $50 for ten tickets for food and non-alcoholic beverages
SIPS Pass: $50 for access to the wine, spirits, and beer tents for sampling
Participating Restaurants: Bier International, BLVD Bistro, BTH, Charles Country Pan Fried Chicken, Flat Top Bistro, Harlem Shake, Harlem Tavern, Hot Bread Kitchen, Kitchenette Uptown, La Bodega 47 Social Club, Make My Cake, Ponty Bistro, Seasoned Vegan, Streetbird Rotisserie
