The 16th iteration of New York City Wine & Food Festival arrives in October with over 80 different events throughout NYC. Choosing where to go during the four-day event is probably going to be the hardest task here. The Grand Tasting, though, should be an easy yes. The fest’s signature event covers 135,000 square feet with booths set up by every kind of food company, all bursting with samples. Come with a well-formed strategy — maps included — if only to stay sane. One blogger’s strategy back in 2013 was to be extremely picky. Of national suppliers, he writes “I wasn’t too interested in them. I see you on the grocery store shelves every day guys. I was more intrigued by the stuff I don’t see every day. The artisan. The local. The bites from restaurants in the area.” Of which there are many: smoked filet mignon tartare with butternut squash mustard, organic baby kale and Pumpernickel. Those wanting to pick up some home cooking inspiration can attend book signings with celebrity chefs.
Another fest highlight is the Blue Moon Burger Bash, where guests try over 20 juicy burgers and vote on their favorites. On Saturday night, the “Battle of the Boroughs” kicks off, with top bartenders from across the city competing in a cocktail-making battle. The “Backyard BBQ” on Sunday promises a different vibe, bringing together the city’s best BBQ spots on Pier 86 for families to enjoy. This one isn’t a competition, that is, unless your family finds something to fight over.
Special, intimate dinners cater to specific tastes, including Peroni’s Taste of Italy, Tacos & Tequila and Backyard BBQ. There is even an Air France sponsored dinner event, hosted by Alain Allegretti and Akhtar Nawab, two award-winning chefs with palate-shocking, diverse backgrounds. Allegretti, inspired to cook by his Italian grandmother but educated in France, joins Nawab’s Kentucky-born, Indian-roots, and Mexican-inspired culinary touch.
Specs
- 48,000 people attended NYCWFF last year.
- Ticket prices for The New York City Wine and Food Festival 2023 depend on what event you wish to attend, but they are generally around $95-$400. The Allegretti and Nawab dinner, for instance, costs $295. You can check out what’s available at nycwff.org.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to New York here.
FAQs
What is the airport closest to New York City Wine & Food Festival?
With over 80 events throughout the city, it’s a toss up between JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty international airports. Go with whichever has the cheapest flights.
Where does NYCWFF take place?
NYCWFF holds more than 80 events throughout NYC. Most are in Manhattan but there are also some in Brooklyn. The signature events will take place outdoors at Hudson River Park’s Pier 76 and Pier 86, which is home of the Intrepid Museum.
What is the NYCWFF bag policy?
You can bring a clutch, small purse, clear plastic tote, wallet, or the festival tote merch.
I’m attending NYCWFF for the first time. What should I expect?
The NYC event’s full moniker — The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One — hints at what you’ll experience. Along with Aspen, SOBE and Taste of Chicago, this is as star-packed and/or as shitshowy as food events get in America. If that’s your thing, then this will be your thing too.
Basically, there are walk-around tastings, classes, dinners, late-night parties, brunches, sips, cookouts, wine tastings, and other tasting events throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. The fest also offers the chance to see renowned chefs and culinary personalities and to sample food, and drinks from restaurants and wineries around the world. Also, this year, on October 15 there will be a tribute to Black chefs and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
What does New York City Wine & Food Festival support?
The festival’s net proceeds go to God’s Love We Deliver, a charitable organization that provides meals and nutrition counseling for New Yorkers living with severe illness.
Who is cooking at the New York City Wine & Food Festival this year?
The following restaurants, entertainers and chefs will host events: Shinji, Antonia Lofaso, Brooke Williamson, Alain Allegretti, Akhtar Nawab, Atoboy, Atomix, NARO, Markus Glocker, Dan Kluger, Adeena Sussman, Chanie Apfelbaum, Michael Sullivan, Alex Guarnaschelli, Gabriele Bertaccini, Brian Lindo, Wine Spectator, Dominique Crenn, Einat Admony, Pat LaFrieda, Rachael Ray, Anderw Zimmern, Michael White, Nick DiGiovanni, H Woo Lee, Oscar Gonzalez, Kevin Lee, Marcus Samuelsson, Jonathan Waxman, Marty Attea, Vijay Kumar, Camari Mick, Scott Conant, Freddy Vargas, Esther Choi, Jet Tila, Claudia Oshry, Ben Soffer, Pig Beach, Ken Oringer, Verveine Oringer, Duff Goldman, Carla Hall, Christoper Arellanes, Ryan Bartlow, Daniel Boulud, Lior Lev Sercarz, Daniel Rose, Cesare Casella, Tyler Florence, Rosanna Scotto, Elaina Scotto, Jeff Mauro, JJ Johnson, Robbie Felice, Kat Foster, Elena Besser, Eden Grinshpan, Robert Irvine, Calvin Eng, Cory Ng Zhan Chen, Ayesha Nurdjaja, Michael Symon, Ed Szymanski, Patricia Howard, Tiffani Faison, Phet Schwader, Cast of The Kitchen, Chintan Pandya, Roni Mazumdar, Elad Zvi, Gabe Orta, Christine Wiseman, Natasha Pickowicz, Nasim Alikhani, Fariyal Abdullahi, Nadia Caterina Munno, Lea DeLaria, Suntan Raja, Shangela, Symone, Geoffery Zakarian, Margaret Zakarian, Sobre Masa, Molly Yeh, Amanda Freitag, Rocco DiSpirito, Rev Run, Ice-T, Tamron Hall, Angela Yee, DJ CASSIDY, Bryan Voltaggio, Alain Ducasse, John Fraser, Hilary Sterling, Maneet Chauhan, Zac Young, Masaharu Morimoto, Stephane Motir, Martha Stewart, Sylvain Delpique, Joey Campanaro, Franklin Becker, Marc Murphy, L’Appartement 4F, Fornino, Kardea Brown, Marc Forgione, Stephanie Izard, Tiffany Derry, Michael Voltaggio, Ava Clark, Rezdôra.
