Don't Miss The Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival's Signature Events This Fall

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With nearly 100 events taking place around the city October 13 – 16, the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) will once again set out  to help EAT. DRINK. END HUNGER. this Fall.  To date, the Festival has raised more than $9.5 million to support the fight to end hunger with No Kid Hungry^® and Food Bank For New York City.  Events will be held at various iconic locations throughout New York City, with NYCWFF's signature events taking place at its culinary campus located at Piers 92 & 94 in Midtown West. 

Kicking the culinary extravaganza off at Pier 92 on Thursday, October 13 is Barilla's Italian Table presented by Alfa Romeo hosted by Giada De Laurentiis.  Chefs from than 25 of New York City's best Italian joints, pizzerias, meatball shops and more will serve up delectable fare for the most discerning palates to savor while overlooking the Hudson River.  Complete with a scattering of authentic Marra Forni wood-burning ovens, and wine and spirits from Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits and beer offerings from Manhattan Beer, this signature taste of Italy sets the perfect tone for the rest of the weekend.  The festivities continue on Friday, October 14 at the iconic Blue Moon Burger Bash presented Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted Rachael Ray.  Here, more than two dozen chefs will compete for top honors, including reigning 2015 Blue Moon People's Choice Award-winner Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer and Pat LaFrieda's 2015 NYCWFF Burger Bash® Champion BBD's.  While the attendee's will once again decide this year's Blue Moon People's Choice Award-winner, the 2016 Pat LaFrieda Burger Bash® Champion will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges; including David Burtka, Josh Capon, Neil Patrick Harris, and Michael Strahan.

Anyone who thinks they have what it takes to compete on the hit Food Network series Chopped will not want to miss out on NYCWFF's Rooftop Chopped on Saturday, October 15 at Pier 92.  Attendees at this event* will have the opportunity to meet with show producers and casting executives and audition LIVE for Chopped.  In addition, the show's passionate fan-base will enjoy seeing it come to life, with 30 participating chefs at the event tapped to prepare either an appetizer, entrée or dessert to send to the chopping block – twice!  Chopped cast members Ted Allen, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson, Geoffrey Zakarian and more will be bestowing the evening's Rooftop Chopped Judges Choice Award of $10,000, and participating chefs will also be competing for votes from attendees to see who claims the Rooftop Chopped People's Choice Award and a trip to the 2017 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival next February. 

Pier 92's signature tasting events will close-out on Sunday, October 16 at Coca-Cola's Backyard BBQ presented by Thrillist sponsored by National Beef & Pat LaFrieda Meats.  Grilling maestro Bobby Flay and carnivore king Michael Symon will serve as the afternoon's hosts.  The mouth-watering bites will be top notch, as chefs compete for the Thrillist People's Choice Award and Coca-Cola Judge's Choice Award.  NYCWFF invites fans of all ages to join this family-friendly affair.

NYCWFF's family-friendly offerings extend to its culinary epicenter at Pier 94.  For the first time, fans of all ages have the opportunity to access the Samsung® Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard® on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.  Located inside the 135,000-sq. ft. playground that is the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite, these stages will be jam-packed with the following line-up culinary personalities:

Saturday, October 15
Valerie Bertinelli
David Burtka
Bobby Flay & Jess Cagle
Tregaye Fraser – 2016 Food Network Star winner
Alex Guarnaschelli
Emeril Lagasse
Masaharu Morimoto
Daphne Oz
Rachael Ray
Aarón Sánchez
Tiffani Thiessen 

Sunday, October 16
Anne Burrell
Scott Conant
Ayesha Curry
Amanda Freitag
Robert Irvine
Katie Lee
Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos
Marc Murphy
Marcus Samuelsson
Michael Symon
Geoffrey Zakarian
Andrew Zimmern

The stages will also feature a special panel discussion, Will Travel For Food, hosted by Pavia Rosati with Jeremy Jauncey, Katie Lee, Bonjwing Lee, and Andrew Zimmern on Saturday, October 15.

Tickets for these NYCWFF events and more can be purchased online at nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2922 (phone sales open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST).  Follow the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NYCWFF or by tagging #NYCWFF.

Between NYCWFF and its sister SOBEWFF^®, which takes place each February in Miami, Florida, more than $32 million has been raised to benefit the respective charities for each Festival.  Beyond the funds raised, both Festivals draw attention to the vibrant dining culture in their respective cities, provide economic stimulus in their communities, and serve as an invaluable platform to drive awareness, engaging and inspiring people to get involved in philanthropic activities.

*Purchasing a ticket to Rooftop Chopped does not guarantee an audition.  Auditions will take place on a first come, first serve basis during the event.

About the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival
The Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival is hosted by and benefits No Kid Hungry^® and Food Bank For New York City, with 100% of the Festival's net proceeds helping fight hunger.  The Festival has raised more than $9.5 million to date for these hunger-relief organizations.  Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival.  In September 2015, BizBash named the Festival the #3 Food & Restaurant Industry event in the United States for the third year in a row.  More information on the Festival can be found at nycwff.org. 

About No Kid Hungry^®
No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 5 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

About Food Bank For New York City
Food Bank For New York City has been the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 64 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank's income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $150 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. In addition, Food Bank's nutrition education programs and services empower more than 44,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget. To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org.

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SOURCE Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival

Related Links

http://nycwff.org