We had the honor of joining for NYC’s Wine & Food Festival at their Grand Tasting, 130,000-square-feet of culinary delights presented by ShopRite. The event showcased some of the greatest culinary stars, restaurants, and brands, and guests eagerly wandered from table to table taste-testing all the delicious eats.

There were numerous on-site demonstrations where chefs gave us their best cooking tips and serving up a few of their signature dishes. VIP chefs and celebrities, including Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Katie Lee, Patti LaBelle, Tyler Florence, Marc Murphy, Ted Allen, Michael Symon, Bobby and Jamie Deen, Duff Goldman, Haylie Duff, and Valerie Bertinello. A number of them stuck around to chat with guests, answer questions, and sign copies of their cookbooks.

While there were too many vendors for us to try all, here are a few of our favorites.

We loved the mini 3-cheese truffle mac and cheese bites from Between the Bread, and clearly it was a hit since people lined up as each batch was being made. The Iberico pork al pastor tacos from Taco Bamba were also amazing. Diane DiMeo of Bootleg Farms served up a Mexican-Asian fusion rice noodle salad with chorizo and veggies.

Danny Lee from Burger and Lobster served up adorable mini lobster rolls, and we filled up on BacoBurger sliders topped with a delicious chimichurri sauce.

If we were handing out awards, Best Presentation would go to Elm Restaurant and their beautifully plated dishes. I also loved Limation Limeade and their fun drink display, giving me idea to use their delicious drinks in cocktails.

For dessert, we tried the green tea chocolates from ROYCE Confect and it took all of my willpower to not steal the entire box. The marketing around Lady Lexis Sweets tell us that they sell “cookies and sh!t!” so obviously we had to try their delicious bites.

Other vendors included:

• Bernard’s Pralines of New Orleans
• Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
• Canyon Bakehouse
• DelGrosso Foods
• Earth Balance
• Food Should Taste Good
• Gardein
• Harvest Snaps
• i heart keenwah
• Kerrygold
• Leema: Let Everyone Eat My Art
• Lesley Stowe Fine Foods
• Manitoba Harvest
• Limation Limeade
• Rogue Creamery
• Simply Gum

We were so excited to be a part of this amazing culinary experience and can’t wait for the full line-up of NYCWFF next year!

Yours,
Von