The 2011 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented by Food & Wine Moves Signature Grand Tasting Presented by ShopRite to Historic Location!

-Festival Unveils New Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by Buitoni at Hudson River Park's Pier 57 in New York City-

NEW YORK, July 18,  2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine founder and director, Lee Brian Schrager, who also serves as the vice president of corporate communications and national events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., is pleased to announce that the Festival's signature event, the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by Buitoni, will move to its new home to Hudson River Park's Pier 57 for the 2011 Festival.  Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and planned to undergo renovation under the direction of Young Woo & Associates, the Festival will the first public event held at the pier.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100426/DC92298LOGO)

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to hold our signature event in a New York City landmark like Pier 57 and to be the first event held inside the renovated pier," says Schrager.  "The Grand Tasting Presented by ShopRite brings together some of the finest wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages and celebrates a selection of the best restaurants in New York City; it is fitting that an event of its caliber takes place in an iconic location."  

Pier 57, the historic Marine & Aviation pier located in Hudson River Park at the West Side Highway and 15th Street, will allow for an expanded space; yielding a grander event experience for both participants and attendees and ultimately more funds raised for the Festival's beneficiaries Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®.  New this year, the Grand Tasting Presented by ShopRite will mirror the layout of its big sister Festival in South Beach and feature the KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by Buitoni inside Pier 57.  The star-studded line-up includes: Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, Anne Burrell, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, Giada De Laurentiis, Paula Deen & Sons, Bobby Flay, The Neely's, and much more!    

Constructed in 1952, Pier 57 is considered an important part of engineering history due to its unconventional support structure that is primarily made up of three hollow concrete boxes.  The pier was used by Grace Lines cruises through 1967 when it was then used as a bus garage and maintenance facility by the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transportation Operating Authority, and later the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  Following a required environmental review process, Pier 57 will be transformed into an innovative hub of cultural, recreational and interactive market activities, where the city's extraordinary maritime history and artistic energy can be experienced in the context of a vibrant public marketplace for food, fashion and art, which will include restaurants, urban markets, entertainment and educational venues, as well as a marina.

This year that public will get to partake in book signings from their favorite celebrity chefs and culinary personalities, as well as other unique experiences, inside the illy Push Button House Park located at 10th Avenue and West 15th Street, directly across from Pier 57.  

Eat. Drink. End Hunger. The 2011 Festival will take place September 29 – October 2 and once again, 100% of the net proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®.  More information about the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine can be found at www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com or by calling 866.969.2933.  Stay tuned into the excitement all year long by following Festival founder and director Lee Brian Schrager on Twitter, 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 produced by Karlitz & Company and Southern Wine & Spirits of New York.  Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is also the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival.  Hosted by and benefiting the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®, 100% of the Festival's net proceeds go toward helping these community based organizations fight hunger.  More information about the Festival can be found at www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com.    

About the Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 28 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 community-based member programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank's hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. 94% of donations go directly toward food distribution, acquisition and programs in all five boroughs of New York City.  Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.

About Share Our Strength®

Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.  Through its No Kid Hungry® Campaign—a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015—Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor with operations in 33 markets. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 11,000 team members. For more information, see: http://www.southernwine.com.

SOURCE Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival