The New York City Wine & Food Festival is moving to Brooklyn for the first time in 17 years, showcasing its events at the Brooklyn waterfront. The festival will take place from Oct. 17-20 at Sunset Park’s Brooklyn Army Terminal’s Invesco QQQ Campus, where some of the world’s top chefs will come together under a massive tent. The move to Brooklyn aims to create a safer environment in case of rain and simplify the logistics for attendees, who will be shuttled by ferries from Wall Street to the Brooklyn pier.
Restaurateur Matthew Glazier, owner of Tiny’s Cantina near Barclays Center, is excited to participate in the festival on his home turf. He believes that Brooklyn’s food scene is as diverse as its residents, making it a top culinary destination. The resilience and growth of Brooklyn’s food industry post-COVID have outpaced Manhattan. The festival, which started its Burger Bash event 17 years ago in Brooklyn, is coming full circle and returning to its roots.
Although the NYCWFF is primarily moving its showcase events to Brooklyn, it will still hold smaller events in Manhattan. The festival founder, Lee Brian Schrager, mentioned brunches, dinners, and medium-sized events for 600 to 1,000 people will take place in Manhattan, including One World Trade and Hall des Lumieres New York. The festival will kick off with Brooklyn Eats & Beats, featuring top Brooklyn chefs and iconic restaurants such as Esther Choi, Billy Durney, and Sean Feeney.
The festival lineup includes top chefs such as Bobby Flay, who is returning to the festival after seven years, as well as Gabriele Bertaccini, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Vikas Khanna. These chefs will host events such as Ciao House: An Italian Tasting, A Caviar & Cocktail Affair, and a Sunday lunch at Le Coucou. There are also 30 one-night-only intimate dinners as part of the Bank of America Dinner Series, curated by culinary stars such as Daniel Boulud, Marcus Samuelsson, and Martha Stewart.
The NYCWFF will feature more celebrities than ever before, including those promoting their signature booze lines. Celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Blake Lively will be present at the festival. Blake Lively, founder of Betty Booz, will host The Betty BOOze Harvest Happy Hour at The Lawn Club in The Seaport. The festival aims to bring together a diverse group of culinary professionals, celebrities, and attendees to celebrate food, wine, and spirits while supporting charitable organizations like God’s Love We Deliver.
Overall, the move to Brooklyn by the NYCWFF highlights the borough’s growing epicurean reputation and creates new opportunities for showcasing the world’s top chefs. By bringing together a diverse group of culinary professionals and celebrities, the festival aims to celebrate food, wine, and spirits while supporting charitable organizations. With a lineup of exciting events, intimate dinners, and appearances from notable celebrities, this year’s NYCWFF promises to be a memorable culinary experience for attendees.
