Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE Roasts More Than Meat on Thursday, October 11 During Bank of America presents: "On The Chopping Block: A Roast of Anthony Bourdain" Hosted by Mario Batali & Willie Geist and Produced by Carolines on Broadway

Ted Allen, Guy Fieri, Gilbert Gottfried, Artie Lange, Marc Maron, Jim Norton, Rachael Ray, Eric Ripert, and Sarah Silverman All To Take Part

- Featuring a Special Dinner by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael White-

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is getting into the business of roasting for its 2012 edition – roasting one of the world's most recognized culinary explorers that is. On Thursday, October 11 at Pier Sixty, Anthony Bourdain will take the hot seat while top culinary and comedic talent come together for Bank of America presents: "On The Chopping Block: A Roast of Anthony Bourdain" Hosted by Mario Batali & Willie Geist and Produced by Carolines on Broadway.  The evening will feature a four course dinner prepared by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael White, highlighting items from his popular restaurants Ai Fiori, Marea and Osteria Morini. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120521/DC10042LOGO)

"Bourdain's been trashing 'celebrity chefs' for years.  Let's see how the shoe feels on the other foot," commented event host, author, restaurateur, and television personality Mario Batali.

It is well known that Bourdain, the Emmy award-winning Travel Channel host and New York Times' bestselling author, can dish it out, but the world will find out if he can take the heat too when his friends and distant acquaintances show up for an evening of endless possibilities and certain humor. Hosts Mario Batali and Willie Geist will lead the evening's panel of "roasters," including Guy Fieri, Gilbert Gottfried, Artie Lange, Marc Maron, Jim Norton, and a special appearance by Sarah Silverman. The remaining talent on the dais will up the ante, with Ted Allen, Rachael Ray and Eric Ripert also taking part in the dinner's festivities.

Produced by Caroline Hirsch of Carolines on Broadway, recognized leaders in the arena of live comedy entertainment, and Lizz Winstead, this official Festival dinner is sure to be one of the weekend's most buzzed about affairs.    

"I think Anthony is in for one painfully hilarious night," says Caroline Hirsch.  "I know the comedians on this panel and they're sharper and more dangerous than any cooking utensil you'd find in Anthony's kitchen.  But it's all for a very worthwhile cause," Hirsch adds.

Eat. Drink. End Hunger.  To date the Festival has raised over $5 million to help fight hunger with 100% of its proceeds benefiting Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign.  Tickets for this event and more can be ordered online at www.nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933 (phone sales open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT).  Guests who would like to purchase 10 seats (one table) to this dinner, in a single order, are eligible for a 10% discount.  If you are interested in purchasing a full table, please contact the ticketing department to place your order: [email protected].  Stay up to date with the excitement by following the Festival at www.Facebook.com/NYCWFF or follow founder and director Lee Brian Schrager at www.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager.     

About the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign, 100% of the Festival's net proceeds go toward helping these community based organizations fight hunger.  Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival.  More information about the Festival can be found at www.nycwff.org.    

About the Food Bank For New York City
Three million New Yorkers have difficulty affording food.  The Food Bank For New York City is there with a solution.  The Food Bank helps by offering a meal today, resources for a more secure tomorrow and nutrition education to help them lead healthy lifestyles.  Food Bank For New York City is the only hunger-relief organization to take this integrated approach.  The Food Bank tackles the issues of hunger on three fronts: food distribution, through soup kitchens and food pantries; income support, by connecting those in need to benefits available to them, such as food stamps and earned income tax credits; and nutrition education, helping individuals and families make healthful food choices on limited budgets.  Get more information at foodbanknyc.org.

Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® Campaign
More than 16 million children in America struggle with hunger. The No Kid Hungry® Campaign catalyzes innovative coalitions among governors, mayors, businesses, chefs, teachers and community leaders to connect children at risk of hunger with the programs that can help them. We also invest in community organizations that fight hunger and teach families how to cook healthy, affordable meals through our Cooking Matters® program. Get involved at strength.org.

About Carolines on Broadway
Founded in 1982, Carolines on Broadway is one of the country's most popular live entertainment destinations and special events venues, presenting the best live comedy entertainment in its spacious, upscale showroom seven nights a week, 365 days a year.  Carolines on Broadway produces the annual New York Comedy Festival, now in its ninth year, which will take place November 7 – 11 at venues throughout New York City.  Carolines on Broadway is located at 1626 Broadway, between 49th and 50th Streets, in the heart of New York's vibrant Times Square district.  For more information, visit Carolines online at www.carolines.com.  For more information on the NYCF, visit www.nycomedyfestival.com.

SOURCE Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival