By Jonathan Valdez / Editing and photography by Jose Morales
New York City, USA – From October 10-13, over 50,000 guests obsessed with the food and wine industry gathered for the The Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (NYCWFF). The NYCWFF is considered the largest wine and food festival in New York City, with over 100 events revolving around the world’s favorite foods and beverages, world-renowned chefs and cooking demonstrations, lavish parties, cooking classes, and wine and cocktails sipping. Since its foundation in 2008 by Lee Brian Schrager, the NYCFWW has raised 12.5 million dollars to date to benefit the Food Bank for New York City and No Kid Hungry.
This year, there were a total of 80 locations throughout Manhattan, all showcasing different events. The culinary campus located at Hudson River Park’s Pier 97 held the Saturday and Sunday Grand Tasting hosted by ShopRite and featured many of the culinary demonstrations along with food and wine tastings. The events held during the Saturday Grand Tasting consisted of over 20 demonstrations, which were held by some of the Food Network and Cooking Channel’s most famous celebrities such as Andrew Zimmern, Valerie Bertinelli, Rick Bayless, Scott Conant, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine, Katie Lee, Masaharu Morimoto, Rachael Ray, and Geoffrey Zakarian. On Sunday, The Guild Team also attended America’s Greatest Sandwich Showdown hosted by the Travel Channel’s Man Finds Food host, Adam Richman, and the founder of Goldbelly, Joe Ariel.
Saturday Grand Tasting Highlights
While preparing one of his favorite Japanese dishes, Andrew Zimmern began the demonstrations of the day by discussing the significance of the attendees’ participation in the events, and how their attendance played an essential part in benefiting the Food Bank for New York City and No Kid Hungry. Katie Lee enthused the audience with her characteristic, charming self. Masaharu Morimoto’s presentation was a fun one, pleasing the crowd with his comical statements, and the throwing of his nori packs, Morimoto Easy Cup, for an excited audience to catch. At one point, he even wondered outloud if he should have thrown some sake glasses at the audience! All to the cheerful agreement of everyone in attendance. Goeffrey Zakarian’s presentation was also one of the most anticipated, showcasing his favorite tomato and couscous salad recipe for the audience.
On the festival floor, one of the best food stands – and a crowd favorite – was by the Cuban restaurant, Coppelia, which presented delicious, easy bites called Media Noche. It consisted of a mini brioche bun, roasted pork, dill pickles, chipotle mayo, mustard, pork ham, swiss cheese, and garlic mojo sauce. Sides included crispy chicharrones and salty plantains.
Another top choice in food was the Mediterranean brasserie, Leyla, and their Fava Been Bruschetta. The little bites included fava bean spread, arugula, pickled carrots and dill over sourdough bread.
Comparing with the last NYCWFF, this year’s events were dominated by wine and beverage presenters, much to the delight of the crowd. A returning favorite was Four Roses Bourbon, mixing a range of cocktails that kept the crowd coming back for more.
America's Greatest Sandwich Showdown
Fifteen sandwich behemoths battled head-to-head to please Man Finds Food’s host, Adam Richman, and the founder of Goldbelly, Joe Ariel, for the title of America’s Greatest Sandwich. The competition was fierce, with competitors being judged on a strict set of expectations which ranged from presentation to ingredients and flavors. As Richman noted during the event, the setting made things even more challenging for the contestants, as they were not cooking in their own kitchens, with tools not conductive to heat. Richman also recognized the critical work of those who make this event a reality, giving a big shout-out to the line staff, workers, and volunteers, and reminding them that he also was a line staff once.
The Winners
1st Place:
“The Bomb” by Sal, Kris & Charlie’s Deli (The Sandwich King of Astoria). The chef, Nicholas Gordon, was in attendance to received the coveted award. “The Bomb” contains Italian & American cold cuts, American Provolone cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, hot & sweet peppers, mayo, and mustard.
2nd Place:
Pizza Love Restaurant, owned by the former “Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Kathy Wakile, won the second spot with the Love Knot Drunken Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich and vodka sauce.
3rd Place:
Former winner, The Charlie Palmer Group, under the Executive Chef, Michael Ferraro, was winner of the third place with the Braised Short Rib Sandwich (layer of cheddar grits with kale, crispy harlic and braised jus).
Two of our favorites also included The Hurleyvulle Hero by The Center for Discovery, and the Prosciutto Crudo Panino by Antico Noe.
Guild Magazine at the NYCWFF
For more of the NYCWFF 2018, click here, and for our interview with Chef Aaron Sanchez, here.
All images © BlueAngel Photography New York for Guild Magazine. 2019.
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