The Ultimate Culinary Celebration Hits the Big Apple

If you’re craving an unforgettable food adventure where you can taste incredible dishes from around the city, all while supporting a great cause, Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ (NYCWFF) is the event for you! This annual, premier wine and food festival is a five-day event showcasing the talents of some of the world’s most renowned chefs, NYC’s best restaurants, creators, celebrities, wine and spirits producers, mixologists, and America’s beloved television chefs.  

From October 15 to 19, NYCWFF will take place in the historic Seaport neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. The elevated waterfront setting is perfect for over 50 can’t-miss events celebrating the vibrant energy of the city’s food scene. Events include everything from walk-around tastings and intimate dinners to cocktail parties, brunches, master classes and FoodieCon®. 

Partnerships to Fill Your Soul 

NYCWFF was created with the core mission of building a better future through food, hospitality and sustainability. Over the past 17 years, the festival has raised more than $14.8 million in net proceeds for charitable organizations. This year’s festival will be in support of new charity partners Event Zero Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring businesses and communities to implement sustainable event practices, and the James Beard Foundation, leading chefs and the broader culinary industry toward new standards of excellence. 

Keep reading for just a few of the events to check out if you’re in New York City this October: 

Grand Tasting: Daytime & After Dark

The most popular event at the festival is the Grand Tasting, an all-day feast, where the city’s best flavors meet its biggest culinary stars. This year, Emmy-nominated actress Sofia Vergara and her son Manolo Vergara, the genius behind the gourmet empanada brand TOMA, will be in attendance. Sip world-class wines and spirits, sample dishes from hundreds of New York City’s top restaurants, enjoy live cooking demonstrations, and explore your favorite foodie brands. 

For the first time ever, the Grand Tasting will be hosting an After Dark edition presented by Montchevre Goat Cheese that will bring NYCWFF’s signature event into prime time at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport. Hosted by Food Network’s Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson, this one-night-only experience will feature unlimited bites from Southern Glazer’s, live demos from Food Network stars and music powered by DJ Tokyo Rose. 

Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0

The reimagined Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0, a fan-favorite event, is back and better than ever — kicking off with a live set from celebrity DJ CASSIDY. Top chefs from all five boroughs will face off for the coveted Burger Bash crown, each crafting their ultimate burger using Pat LaFrieda Meat’s custom blend. Rachael Ray returns as host, joined by Brooklyn Beckham, who will be on hand to showcase his latest venture, Cloud23 hot sauce. Attendees can vote for their favorite burger, with additional awards from a panel of celebrity judges including Ja Rule, Sunny Anderson, Ana Navarro, Ben Leventhal, Joshua Weissman, and Olivia Tiedmann.. 

A Taste of the Tin Building: A Culinary Journey

Festival weekend will kick off with A Taste of the Tin Building, an immersive celebration hosted by James Beard Award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Top Chef finalist and longtime protege Gregory Gourdet, inside his stunning Seaport marketplace. This culinary duo will bring their shared passion and creativity to life for guests. Guests are invited to sip, savor, and stroll through an evening filled with signature bites, fine wines, and expertly crafted cocktails, all flowing to the beats of a live DJ in a lively atmosphere. They’ll taste their way through the Tin Building’s most celebrated restaurants, including T. Brasserie, House of the Red Pearl, The Frenchman’s Dough, Spoiled Parrot, and Patisserie.

Sunday Supper: An Italian Feast to Close Out NYCWFF

As the sun sets on an unforgettable weekend, join Sunday Supper presented by Peroni—the ultimate Italian celebration at NYCWFF. Set against the stunning skyline views of the Seaport, this lively alfresco party brings together the city’s best Italian restaurants for a feast straight from la dolce vita. Think handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, irresistible antipasti, and decadent dolci. Leading the way is Rome-born pasta sensation Nadia Munno, “The Pasta Queen,” alongside New York’s own comedian and social media star Lil “Mo” Mozzarella, keeping the energy high and the laughs flowing all night long. Pair every bite with Italian wines, aperitifs, refreshing cocktails and live music as you raise a glass to the grand finale of NYCWFF. 

Brunches & Lunches 

The weekend wouldn’t be complete without NYCWFF’s signature midday feasts. From over-the-top brunch parties to intimate chef-led lunches, these events serve up bold flavors and creative cocktails. Guests can join celebrated chefs, Food Network stars and culinary trendsetters for everything from classic comfort food to globally inspired menus that will take tastebuds to the next level. 

Dining Experiences

Guests have the chance to discover over 25 unique dining events, such as intimate dinners and multi-course extravaganzas, that showcase world-renowned chefs and their culinary mastery. These experiences will offer an exclusive chance to savor inventive menus crafted with seasonal ingredients and expertly paired cocktails and wine. Also, NYC’s top bars are joining the Festival’s most sought-after dinners with the debut of their Mixology Program. This new experience pairs award-winning bartenders with world-class chefs, creating cocktails designed to elevate an already unforgettable meal.

FoodieCon® 

Get ready for the ultimate social media event at FoodieCon® — a one-day, interactive celebration where your favorite food and lifestyle influencers come together to bring your feed to life. Today’s top food influencers will dish on trends and share behind-the-scenes insights. You’ll taste exclusive bites from New York City’s hottest spots, watch live demos and panels and snap share-worthy moments with these viral content creators.  

Visit the New York City Wine & Food Festival here to check out the schedule of events, celebrity hosts, and buy tickets to this can’t-miss, must-taste experience.