New York City Wine & Food Festival, NYC

NYCWFF 2015 | Photo: Average Socialite

Affair: New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF)

When: Thursday, October 15 - Sunday, October 18, 2015

Hot Spot: Pier 92 & 94, NYC

Deets: The eighth annual Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is pleased to release its 2015 program of events. Set for October 15 – 18, 100% of the net proceeds from more than 100 events taking place throughout New York City benefit Food Bank For New York City and No Kid Hungry®. To date, the Festival has raised more than $8.5 million to help fight hunger with the nation’s leading hunger-relief organizations.

“We are excited to unveil our 2015 event line-up, which includes the return of Festival fan favorite events and a variety of new experiences for our passionate attendees,” said Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager, who also serves as Vice President of Corporate Communications and National Events for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. “Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to see their favorite chefs and culinary personalities, including both veteran and new faces from Food Network & Cooking Channel, plus interact with leading winemakers and spirits producers from the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio.” 

Pier 92 continues to host a parade of signature events that anchor the Festival each evening, starting with Giada De Laurentiis’ Italian Feast presented by Ronzoni featuring New York City’s best trattorias, slice-slingers and meatball shops. The next evening will feature Festival fan favorite Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray, which gets a twist this year with the inaugural “Smack Down” of the best mac and cheese dishes from participating chefs. On Saturday, October 17 Pier 92 will see the return of Jets + Chefs: The Ultimate Tailgate hosted by Joe Namath and Mario Batali, plus the introduction of new event The Art of Tiki: A Cocktail Showdown presented by Cocktail Kingdom hosted by Emeril Lagasse. The Festival will closeout with a celebration of the life and legacy of acclaimed food writer and longtime Festival friend Josh Ozersky at Meatopia hosted by Michael Symon. Carefully curated by the late carnivore community’s fearless leader himself, Ozersky’s vision for the world’s greatest meat festival will live on with the country’s greatest chefs serving up their best creations. 

The Festival continues to bring renowned chefs from all over the world together with top winemakers and spirits producers for more intimate experiences offered as part of the Bank of America Dinner Series. A sampling of participating luminaries include Rainer Becker (ZUMA, United Kingdom), José Enrique (José Enrique, Puerto Rico), Leonor Espinosa (Leo Cocina y Cava, Colombia), Sebastiano Lombardi (Hotel Il Pellicano, Italy), Virgilio Martinez (Central, Peru), Jordi Roca (El Celler de Can Roca, Spain), and national treasures like Lidia Bastianich, David Bouley, Gerard Craft, Charles Phan, Bill Telepan, Alice Waters, and many more. 

Festival staple events like Chicken Coupe hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Tacos & Tequila hosted by Aarón Sánchez, Thrillist’s Barbecue & The Blues hosted by Adam Richman, Rachael Ray’s Feedback™: Chefs and Cocktails, Rock & Roll Sushi hosted by Masaharu Morimoto, Stacked: Sandwiches and Sides hosted by Tiffani Thiessen, The Lobster Place presents Oyster Bash hosted by Anne Burrell, and Best Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by the Cast of Chopped will return with new faces to serve up their best creations. More educational and hands-on seminars return with master classes at the Institute of Culinary Education,Pairing Seminars hosted by FOOD & WINE, and Anolon Cookware’s Artisanal Cooking Series at Home Studios. 

Who You May Spot: Renowned chefs from around the world including Giada De Laurentiis, Rachael Ray, Joe Namath, Mario Batali, Emeril Lagasse, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Richman, Masaharu Morimoto, Tiffani Thiessen, Anne Burrell, Rainer Becker, José Enrique, Leonor Espinosa, Sebastiano Lombardi, Virgilio Martinez, Jordi Roca, Lidia Bastianich, David Bouley, Gerard Craft, Charles Phan, Bill Telepan, Alice Waters & more! 

Hint For The Average Socialite: Enter for a chance to win a trip to the New York Wine & Food Festival! (Ends September 21, 2015)

Enter to win 2 ALL DAY Passes to the NYCWFF from Navitas Naturals! (Ends October 12, 2015).

The Festival’s MasterCard® exclusive presale runs June 8 – 21 online at nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933. Use a MasterCard® to purchase tickets before they’re available to the public on June 22 and select exclusive MasterCard® cardholder options like the MasterCard Priceless® Fast Pass, MasterCard Priceless Preview, MasterCard Priceless Demo Pass, and more.

MasterCard® Priceless® Fast Pass: Purchase your tickets to Jets + Chefs: The Ultimate Tailgate hosted by Joe Namath & Mario Batali with MasterCard and receive access to the Priceless Fast Pass lane for expedited entry into the venue.

On October 17 @ 4PM: Join WSJ's Katy McLaughlin & stars of the food industry for a conversation about building a celebrity chef brand.

What's Trending: @nycwff #nycwff @MasterCard @CanRocaCeller @VirgilioCentral

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