Seconds, Please: NYC Wine & Food Festival
Tap It!
By Casey Kettleson
in Culture Features
on October 05, 2009
What do Alicia Silverstone, whiskey, and burgers have in common? The second annual Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival, of course!
The second annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure magazines takes place this weekend, October 8-11, 2009 and once again is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength. Building on the success of the inaugural event held the same weekend in 2008, the 2009 Festival is set to turn up the heat in New York City this Columbus Day weekend.
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure magazines began as a one night event, SWEET, in the fall of 2007. In 2008, Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, launched the inaugural Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival on Columbus Day weekend making SWEET the centerpiece of the Festival. The first annual Festival consisted of over 80 events held throughout the Meatpacking District and beyond. Events ranged from extravagant walk-around tastings like the Burger Bash presented by Blue Moon, SWEET, and the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite among others, to educational wine and food pairing seminars led by the industry's biggest names, to kids-oriented interactive cooking experiences, to local events incorporating the businesses in the host area, the Meatpacking District.
The Food Network 
New York City Wine & Food Festival is the only festival in New York to bring together both legendary culinary icons from around the globe and America's most beloved television chefs. Mirroring the charitable component of its sister event, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the New York City festival is hosted by and benefits the hunger relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength. 100% of the net proceeds from the festival directly benefit these community based initiatives.
Taking place primarily in the fashionable Meatpacking District and select landmark settings such as the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, the festival seamlessly integrates into the pace and lifestyle of the city. This year's talents include Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, Ming Tsai, Giada De Laurentiis, Tyler Florence, Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, Martha Stewart, Tom Colicchio and Guy Fieri.
Most of the event are sold out, but we've found a few good tickets still up for grabs... See below and click on the event name for more information and to purchase tickets:
Thursday | 10.8.09 | The Art of Party Food | $75
Sample the latest ideas in bite-sized food, and get a look behind the scenes to see how some of the biggest names in the event world deliver big flavors in small portions. But don't worry: They'll serve enough food for you to leave with a full stomach—and some innovative ideas for your own parties.
Friday | 10.9.09 | Meatpacking Uncorked | $65
The streets of the Meatpacking District will be electric as the neighborhood hosts "Meatpacking Uncorked." Tantalizing revelers with a district-wide wine tasting and food sampling accompanied by dazzling street performances, this Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival party promises to be the event that can’t be missed. The district’s chic boutiques will flow with a large selection of wines in the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio while the neighborhood’s best restaurants will be serving samplings of their signature snacks. Toasting, tasting and shopping in the district will be infused with the gusto of Food Network personalities, performance artists, musicians, and other sexy and sophisticated spectacles.
Saturday | 10.10.09 | Alicia Silverstone Culinary Demonstration | $35
Alicia Silverstone can cook? As if!! See if our favorite Betty is clueless in the kitchen or not as Silverstone invites you to join her for a cooking demonstration that is one part lesson and two parts friendly conversation. Participate in a lively, interactive experience that will feature plenty of chopping and stirring in addition to good advice, funny stories, and loads of banter with the audience.
Saturday | 10.10.09 | Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite | $150
The Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite offers an around-the-world gastronomic adventure unlike any other. Building upon the variety, innovation, global influences and availability of high-quality ingredients that make New York City a culinary showplace, the Grand Tasting features flavors to stimulate your palate and set your taste buds soaring. Experience all this when some of the city’s greatest restaurants alongside world-renowned makers of wines and spirits of the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio turn out to treat you to their very best. Enjoy signature recipes, specially created dishes and tempting treats in portions that will allow you to stroll, eat and drink for hours. Every guest will receive a complimentary Nachtmann Toscana glass.
Sunday | 10.11.09 | Eater Blogger Lounge at The Standard | Free
Still haven't been to The Standard and looking for an excuse? Prominent NYC food bloggers take up residence in the living room at the Festival’s Headquarters, The Standard, New York to interview the best and brightest chefs and personalities at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival. Stop by for the possible sighting of a celebrity chef!
Burger Bonanza Wines hosted by Ray Isle and Spike Mendelsohn | $95
What happens when two strong competitors go head to head as a crowd of onlookers stands ready to roar with either triumph or disapproval? In this case, it’s a classic battle of the bottles as pairs of great wines are blind-tasted against each other over delicious mini-burgers (beef, lamb and fish) prepared by Spike Mendelsohn. At the conclusion of each competitive pairing, Food & Wine wine editor Ray Isle will determine the winner by taking a boisterous, if unscientific, Roman Coliseum-style thumbs-up/thumbs-down vote.
Sunday | 10.11.09 | Whiskey Rebellion at STK | $60
Ever wondered about the difference between a Kentucky Bourbon and a Scotch Whiskey? What makes a whiskey Canadian or Irish? What is Rye? Find out this and more at our boozy bourbon bash! Local experts will extol their knowledge as you sit back and relax in style while sipping an array of high-end scotches and tasting some of STK’s signature dishes made by Todd MarkMiller himself!
There are many other events happening during the festival - be sure to visit the official site below and get your tickets before it's too late.