Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple: NYCWFF Turns 15 in Style
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival returned to Hudson River Park’s Pier 76 and Pier 86 with a culinary bang—bringing together over 400 chefs, mixologists, and wine and spirits producers from around the globe.
The weekend unfolded across 85 events, including tastings, wine seminars, chef-led dinners, late-night parties, and interactive classes. I attended the Grand Tasting on both Friday and Saturday, then wrapped up the weekend at Sunday’s smoky and sensational Backyard BBQ.
Friday's Flavor-Packed Kickoff
The Grand Tasting on Friday, presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and hosted by Wine Spectator, set the bar high. Fresh off the plane, I headed straight to Hudson Yards, where the pier pulsed with food lovers sipping and sampling their way through the day.
Standouts included the pork baos from Mao’s Baos—so addictive I went back for seconds (and thirds). For dessert, Posh Pretzel’s decadent peanut butter and jelly pretzel hit the perfect nostalgic note.
Saturday Stars and Culinary Showstoppers
Saturday’s Grand Tasting brought the energy, with live demos from celebrity chefs like Robert Irvine, Michael Symon, Anne Burrell, and Andrew Zimmern. Sponsored by Liebherr Appliances, the crowd gathered to watch culinary icons in action while enjoying more sips and bites.
Sunday’s Backyard BBQ Brings the Heat
Set beneath the imposing presence of the Intrepid aircraft carrier—and with the iconic Concorde perched above—it was hard to imagine a more dramatic setting for a BBQ showdown. Hosted by world-renowned Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini and Andrew Zimmern, Sunday’s Backyard BBQ was a carnivore’s dream.
I chatted with the team behind Handsome Devil BBQ, whose Tomahawk steaks stole the show. From pulled pork and brisket to fried chicken and “conceptual BBQ,” every bite pushed the limits of delicious. I left happily full—and almost needed a wheelbarrow to roll me out.
Final Thoughts
The New York City Wine & Food Festival truly delivered—equal parts gourmet spectacle and culinary playground. From celebrity chef demos to standout bites, it was an unforgettable way to savor the city. One thing’s for sure: I didn’t just visit NYC—I devoured it.
