NYC Wine & Food Festival Returns to Manhattan
This week, after a year’s stay in Brooklyn, the New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) is back in Manhattan, potentially giving the South Street Seaport a much-needed lift.
Now in its 18th year, the festival runs from Wednesday to Sunday and features renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten as its first-ever “culinary curator.” He will manage more than 50 events, including both large tastings and exclusive dinners for 12, priced at $2,000 per ticket, hosted by chef and humanitarian José Andrés.
Back in 2016, Vongerichten collaborated with the Howard Hughes Corporation to turn a historic tin building in the Seaport into a restaurant. However, this dining destination has had a tough time since its 2022 opening. Still, festival founder Lee Brian Schrager believes the event could breathe new life into the area.
“I hope it’s as beneficial for them as it is for us,” he shared. “There are many who haven’t visited or only came once, so I’m hoping they’ll use this as a chance to get reacquainted with the Seaport.”
Despite high hopes, the anticipated hot pot trend has yet to take off.
Recently, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman’s Seaport Entertainment Group sold 250 Water Street, nearby the Tin Building, for $150.5 million—incurring about $110 million in losses since the properties were acquired in 2018. The group also scrapped plans for a 27-story tower after facing significant community opposition.
While the South Street Seaport offers a more central spot for restaurant owners compared to Brooklyn, some have reported logistical issues with food deliveries during last October’s festival. Additionally, attracting Manhattan residents across the bridge for multiple events proved difficult.
Schrager explained their move to Brooklyn stemmed from their origins in the Meatpacking District, saying they simply outgrew their space and wanted to avoid the Javits Center. He noted that New York City really lacks options for large gatherings.
“Half of the pier has collapsed, so we’re quite restricted,” he mentioned. “Last year’s events felt too spread out, taking place in Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan, which was a hassle for guests and vendors.”
“I’ve wanted to bring the festival to the Seaport for 15 years. After last year’s events wrapped up, I emailed Jean-Georges, and he agreed to help facilitate the move,” Schrager added.
This week’s NYCWFF kicks off with “A Taste of the Tin Building,” featuring music from Vongerichten, Gregory Gourdet, and DJ Cassidy. Rachael Ray returns to host the Blue Moon Burger Bash alongside Brooklyn Beckham, with Pat LaFrieda coordinating.
Ray also hosts her dinners, each priced at $2,000. Even though they’re sold out, Schrager mentioned that “two seats were left open because the winemaker chose to attend instead of as a seated guest.”
The festival will include Grand Tastings showcasing the best of Gotham’s snacks and restaurants, paired with Southern Glazer’s wines and spirits. Sofia Vergara and her son Manolo will host one tasting, while Food Network stars Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson will handle the second evening session. Additionally, Carmellini’s Carne Mare offers diners a chance to participate in a “VIP steak-centric” event. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Event Zero Foundation and the James Beard Foundation, both focused on sustainability.
Among the highlights is the Asian Night Market, hosted by Padma Lakshmi.
Additional dining experiences will feature collaborations, including those with Dan Kruger and Alice Waters, Paul Carmichael and Kwame Onwasi, as well as Michael White and Andrew Zimmern, and Daniel Boulud with George Luan.
Participating chefs and culinary experts range from Eric Ripert and Eyal Shani to Michael Symon and Tony Shalhoub. Lunch will be hosted by Drew Nieporent, known for his work with Nobu and Tribeca Grill, and he’ll also discuss his new book, “Not Trying to Be Hard: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches.”
The festival is also set to feature social gatherings for food creators and cookbook writers, like actress Brie Larson, who is promoting her cookbook, “Party People.”
So far, Schrager reported about $2 million in ticket sales, the best performance for ticket sales for this week compared to previous years, suggesting they’re on the right track.
JJ Johnson Launches The Cookout
Chef JJ Johnson, a Beard Award winner, is launching his own barbecue festival called The Cookout. In partnership with Angela Yee, the event aims to benefit the nonprofit Rethink Food and will take place Saturday at St. Bart’s, accommodating up to 350 people with tickets costing as much as $200.
“Barbecue has always been a space where everyone could show up authentically—feeding into nutrition, culture, entertainment, community, and purpose,” Johnson stated, hoping to preserve and honor that tradition while welcoming new generations of diverse culinary enthusiasts.
Additionally, he plans to donate 10 percent of all ticket sales to Meals New Yorkers.
Featured chefs include Johnson and Lure’s Preston Clark, along with Osei “Picky” Brackett of Ariapita and Ben “Moody” Harney from The Real Other Shucker, among others.
Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival
From October 22nd to 26th, the Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival will host artists, chefs, and even a performance by Lenny Kravitz on the 24th at Baha Mar, a luxury resort. Notable chefs like Daniel Boulud, Marcus Samuelsson, and Scott Conant will participate, showcasing food as a significant draw for development.
Boulud will host a dinner featuring truffles, while Samuelsson and Conant will lead a culinary event with island-style cuisine. This festival also marks Kravitz’s deep roots in the Bahamas, being his mother’s birthplace. Furthermore, the festival will spotlight the third annual Fuse Art Expo, showcasing more than 85 artists from various countries.
Harvest Benefit for Union Square Park
On November 13th, Harvest—a benefit for Union Square Park—will bring together top chefs and eateries to support the park’s initiatives. This includes new establishments like Vinile Italian Chophouse alongside well-known veterans such as Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe.
Participating venues include an array from Jazba to Yakiniku Futago, creating a diverse food experience, and the new Time Out Market Union Square will also take part, offering selections from top vendors. Various drink vendors like Torch and Crown Brewing will complement the offerings.
