Details of this year’s New York City Wine & Food Festival were released today. Here’s the release detailing what you can expect when it kicks off October 8, including a talk with Bourdain, the usual burger bash, and a southern-themed fête featuring Paula Deen, the Lee brothers, and others.
(New York, NY – April 2009) – On the heels of a record-breaking 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, founder and director Lee Brian Schrager, in collaboration with Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, is pleased to announce the return of the second annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure magazines.
Taking place this Columbus Day weekend, all the proceeds from the Festival will again benefit the hunger-relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength. “The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that combines our stars with New York’s most delicious offerings for one rewarding weekend. Food Network is delighted to return as the headlining sponsor, and to support two incredibly worthy organizations - the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength,” said Brooke Johnson, President, Food Network. “Last year we raised over one million dollars helping to ensure that no New Yorker would go hungry by providing extraordinary support to the hunger-relief communities at a time when it was so desperately needed. This year, the Festival’s contribution will help us continue to bring more New Yorkers to the table and effect real change going forward.”
Festival guests can be sure to expect a selection of experiences to satisfy any palate and wine passion. The weekend kicks-off Thursday night with the return of Chelsea Market After Dark hosted by Food Network’s Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives), along with featured personality Sandra Lee (Sandra’s Money Saving Meals). New events to look forward to include Saturday night’s Down South Up North at the Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn hosted by Paula Deen (Paula’s Best Dishes), with Bobby and Jamie Deen and friends, including Katie Lee Joel and Art Smith, as well as featuring the Southern hospitality of Matt and Ted Lee who will be preparing dishes from their new cookbook released that month. The new program also features a Dim Sum Disco Brunch on Sunday hosted by Ming Tsai and friends at China Grill, and the weekend’s closing event Meatball Madness hosted by Giada De Laurentiis (Giada At Home) and honoring one of the best dishes to come out of Italy – meatballs! This one-of-a-kind affair will be held at la venue at the Waterfront and feature the city’s top meatball chefs.
Wine and spirits seminars return, headlined by the best in the business – Anthony Giglio, Tony Abou-Ganim, Josh Wesson, Andrea Robinson, Kevin Zraly, and Julie Reiner. The Festival will also showcase the unparalleled display of food, wines and spirits at the Grand Tasting located at Pier 54; as well as star-studded culinary demonstrations open to both kids and adults, complemented by book signings, and TimesTalks presented by New York Times featuring Ina Garten, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and Anthony Bourdain. Returning favorites include Rachael Ray’s Burger Bash, presented by Blue Moon, taking place under the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn; Meatpacking Uncorked, the chic neighborhood-wide wine and food tasting event with street performances and musical attractions, and SWEET hosted by Food Network’s Duff Goldman (Ace of Cakes), the annual late-night dessert party with New York City’s best pastry chefs and confectioners.
The boroughs will be electric as the Festival returns for another bite of The Big Apple. “We are thrilled to be back in New York City,” says Schrager. “For our second year, we have put together a truly extraordinary program that reflects the culinary excitement and allure that makes New York City one of the greatest dining destinations in the world.”
Tickets for the 2009 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival go on-sale on June 15, 2009 – visit www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com or call 866.969.2933 for tickets and more information.
