Foodievents

Heston Blumenthal, ‘Sandwich Smackdown’ Come to NYCWFF

Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

The New York City Wine & Food Festival has announced this year’s dates (October 7 and 10) and lineup, and in addition to the usual suspects (everyone who has ever appeared on the Food Network), you can expect the legendary Heston Blumenthal, whose London restaurant the Fat Duck is vying for S. Pellegrino’s No. 1 Best Restaurant in the world tonight. (Speaking of Blumenthal, we’ve noticed he has a cookbook, Heston’s Fantastical Feasts, coming out in November. Bloomsbury’s selling copy says the 320-page, $45 tome will include recipes for a Willy Wonka Feast, a Fairy Tale Feast, an Edwardian Feast, a Gothic Feast, a Seventies Feast, and a Feast of the Future.) In addition to the usual Burger Bash (now sponsored by Blue Moon!), there’s also a Sandwich Smackdown with Guy Fieri. Check out the full release below.

The 2010 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure Magazines Celebrates its Third Year!
Save the Date: October 7 - 10, 2010
Festival Raises Funds for Share Our Strength® and Food Bank For New York City

(New York, NY - April 2010) - Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager is pleased to announce that the third annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, October 7-10, 2010, will feature both fan-favorite returning events as well as bold new ones. The event is presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure magazines. The line-up of wine and culinary talent features chefs, winemakers, culinary personalities, and mixologists of an unprecedented caliber. Once again, 100% of the net proceeds from the weekend will benefit the hunger relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®.

“Last year we were able to affect real change in our city and the nation with a donation of close to $1 million to the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®,” says Brooke Johnson, President of Food Network. “This year we hope to do even more to make hunger a thing of the past. We are so proud to be associated with these two vital organizations and the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.”

Everyone’s favorite culinary personalities and celebrity chefs will be returning - from Food Network’s Sunny Anderson, Anne Burrell, Guy Fieri and Pat and Gina Neely to renowned chefs and personalities like Gaston Acurio, Dan Barber, Mario Batali, Adam Richman, Ming Tsai, Michael White, and more. New culinary talent and personalities secured for this year include Heston Blumenthal, Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman), Jose Garces, Daniel Boulud, cookbook author and country singer Trisha Yearwood, Madhur Jaffrey, plus Miami’s own Michael Schwartz and Hedy Goldsmith to name a few. Winemakers and cocktail experts like Alessia Antinori, Anthony Giglio, Ray Isle, Mark Oldman, Andrea Robinson, Josh Wesson and the Tippling Brothers will lead a journey through an extensive array of wine and spirits from the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio.

From Harlem to Brooklyn, Schrager and the Festival are serving up a completely innovative program to celebrate everything fresh and fun about New York City’s thriving culinary scene. From tacos and tequila hosted by Bobby Flay, a Sunday jazz brunch with Paula Deen, a tribute to the city’s iconic food cart culture with Andrew Zimmern, plus an inaugural sandwich smack down and a closing party hosted by Guy Fieri - there truly will be a flavor to suit everyone’s tastebuds!

Family favorite Fun and Fit in the City is back at the Harlem Children’s Zone, the international renowned nonprofit that offers education, social-service and community building services to adults and parents. With the support of new title sponsor Target, the event will both entertain and educate children and their families about living healthier lifestyles together.

The Festival is bringing back all of its star-studded classics for adults too - starting with Meatball Madness hosted by Giada De Laurentiis and Chelsea Market After Dark presented by Food Network hosted by Alton Brown, an event that will be accented by selections from the W.J. Deutsch & Sons portfolio, both taking place on Thursday, October 7th. Additionally, SWEET hosted by Duff Goldman, the Blue Moon Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray, Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite at Pier 54 in Hudson River Park, Meatpacking Uncorked and a series of Meatpacking Local events, wine seminars and cocktail clinics hosted by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure, dinners at the James Beard House, culinary demonstrations, book signings, and a continued partnership with the New York Times to present an impressive line-up of TimesTalks; all return to offer guests an unparalleled experience from beginning to end.

“It’s a weekend of non-stop fun for all ages,” says Schrager. “We’re thrilled to be back in New York City to showcase the best talent in the wine and food industry from all over the world.”

Tickets to all Festival events go on sale June 21st at www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com, or by phone at 866.969.2933. A sneak preview of all event development can be found by following Founder and Director Lee Schrager on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager.
Heston Blumenthal, ‘Sandwich Smackdown’ Come to NYCWFF