Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Announces 2016 Line-Up

NEW YORK, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ninth annual Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) returns October 13 – 16, 2016.  With more than 90 events taking place around the city, NYCWFF brings its signature mix of lifestyle experiences back to help Eat. Drink. End Hunger.  To date, the Festival has raised more than $9.5 million to help in the fight to end hunger with No Kid Hungry^® and Food Bank For New York City.

"We're pleased to unveil the Festival's 2016 event line-up," said Festival founder and director Lee Brian Schrager, who also serves as vice president of corporate communications and national events for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. "This year's program is one of our most diverse yet, featuring new themes and flavors, plus returning fan-favorite events and an all-star roster of talent."  

Mark the calendar:  The Festival's MasterCard^® exclusive pre-sale runs June 13 – 26 online at nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933.  Use MasterCard^® to purchase tickets before they're available to the public on June 27 and select exclusive MasterCard^® cardholder options like MasterCard Preview, MasterCard Demo Pass, MasterCard Fast Pass, MasterCard Exclusive events, and enjoy a 15% discount on Grand Tasting presented by Shoprite featuring Samsung^® Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard^®.  

NYCWFF will have an expanded presence in Brooklyn this year, with signature event Chicken Coupe hosted by Whoopi Goldberg & Andrew Carmellini moving to the neighborhood and new events like Best of Brooklyn presented by MUNCHIES hosted by Action Bronson and Wingin' It also making their debut there.

The popular tasting events synonymous with NYCWFF will continue on Pier 92 with Giada De Laurentiis' Italian Feast on Thursday, October 13, and the Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray on Friday, October 14.  The iconic rooftop gets a makeover on Saturday, October 15, bringing the excitement of Food Network's hit primetime series to life with a new evening tasting event, Rooftop Chopped, featuring more than 30 of New York City's top chefs.  Everyone's favorite Chopped cast members – including Ted Allen, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson, and Geoffrey Zakarian are confirmed and will select a judges' choice winner, PLUS attendees will also get the chance to cast their vote for the best bite of the evening.   

As NYCWFF continues to evolve and engage passionate followers of food culture, this year holds new opportunities for fans of all ages to see their beloved chefs and culinary personalities live at the Festival.  For the first time, the Festival's signature Grand Tasting presented by Shoprite, taking place on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 at Pier 94, will offer a special ticket option – the Samsung^® Culinary Demonstrations Only Pass presented by MasterCard^® – granting access to the fan-favorite culinary demonstration stages for gourmands of all ages to see their favorite Food Network and Cooking Channel stars.  The Festival's other family-friendly event is Coca-Cola's Backyard BBQ hosted by Bobby Flay & Michael Symon presented by Thrillist, taking place on Sunday, October 16 at Pier 92.     

More inaugural events at NYCWFF this year include:

• Chelsea Market Live hosted by Haylie Duff, Tia Mowry & Tiffani Thiessen
• Aperitivo! hosted by Anne Burrell part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines
• Haute Dogs & Champagne hosted by Robert Irvine
• A star-studded interactive trivia event, Food Fight hosted by Guy Fieri
• Harvest Party hosted by Katie Lee and Marcela Valladolid part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines
• Porchetta, Pigs & Pints hosted by Mario Batali part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines
• Street Eats part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines
• KOREATOWN sponsored by the Korean Food Foundation hosted by Deuki Hong & Matt Rodbard
• MasterCard Exclusive – Midnight in Paris Dessert Tasting hosted by Dominque Ansel
• MasterCard Exclusive – Variety presents Broadway Tastes hosted by David Burtka & Neil Patrick Harris
• Lucky Chopsticks: An Asian Night Market hosted by Andrew Zimmern
• And much more!

The Festival's Bank of America Dinner Series featuring world-renowned chefs also returns this year with a new collaboration with Chef's Club.  The 2016 series includes a Kosher dinner with Elior Bilbul, Eden Grinshpan, Amitzur Mor, and Yehuda Sichel, a celebration of Blackberry Farm's Sam Beall, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's family affair, a dock-to-dish evening with Michael Chernow and Kristen Kish, and many more. 

Additional fan-favorite events returning to the Festival include:

• MasterCard Exclusive – Tacos & Tequila hosted by Aarón Sánchez
• FOODi: Food, Business & Technology
• Rock & Roll Sushi hosted by Masaharu Morimoto
• Greenmarket Brunch presented by Lifeway Foods hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines
• Delta Air Lines presents New York Yankees Pinstripe Brunch hosted by Josh Capon
• Midnight Jazz Breakfast hosted by Carla Hall & Patti LaBelle
• Anolon Gourmet Cookware's Artisanal Cooking Series at Home Studios
• Unique Master Classes on niche subjects at the Institute of Culinary Education
• And more!

Use MasterCard^® during the exclusive pre-sale beginning June 13 at 9:00 AM EST online at nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2922 (phone sales open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST).  General ticket sales begin at midnight on Monday, June 27.  Follow the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NYCWFF or by tagging #NYCWFF!

Between NYCWFF and its sister SOBEWFF^®, which takes place each February, 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 and engage and inspire people to get involved in philanthropic activities.

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/