Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard - Day 2

On Sunday, October 14th I attended the 2nd day of the New York City Wine and Food Festival's  signature Grand Tasting, presented by ShopRite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard at Pier 57. The Grand Tasting included samplings from NYC's top restaurants and chefs and fine wine and spirits. 

This was the first time I have attended the Grand Tasting, and I was amazed at how many participants there were! Upon entry I received a gift bag and tasting glass, and was surprised to receive additional samples from vendors, such as Colavita organic marinara sauce, Bertolli extra virgin olive oil, Badia paprika, Campbell's Skillet Sauces in Creamy Chipotle and Ghirardelli chocolates. It felt like I went grocery shopping! 

The Grand Tasting event included culinary demonstrations from top Food Network and celebrity chefs. I was able to catch the last one with Chef Michael Symon at the South Stage, as he took us through an entertaining  chicken cooking demonstration.

Here's a look at my food tasting favorites and booths at the Grand Tasting.

Campbell's Thai Tomato Coconut Bisque 

 Ferrero U.S.A. - Nutella Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries & 

Nutella and Caramelized Banana Quesadillas

Ted Cipollone, Pounds & Ounces

Ancho Glazed Short Ribs 

goat cheese polenta, baby carrots, horseradish cream, braising jus

Junior Borges, Amali

Braised Grass-Fed Beef Short Ribs with pickled cabbage, roasted garlic, Gruyere

Jennifer Sant'anna Hill, 508 GastroBrewery

Beef Brisket Bulgogi Sliders w/ Kimchi Aioli 

Bulgogi marinated beef w/ cucumber pickled japapleno, kimchi aioli on brioche slider bun

Hudson River Cafe 

Hudson River Ceviche 

calamari, mussels, shrimp, and octopus with tequila elderflower mojo

Chipotle 

Barbacoa Chili - naturally raised beef, pinto beans & organic black beans with crispy tortillas, sour cream, shaved radish & cilantro 

Colavita - Meatball sliders served on Martin's Potato Rolls w/ Polenta Fries

 ShopRite 
Black Bear Corned Beef Reuben on a Potato Pancake with Black Bear Cole Slaw

Pinnacle Vodka was sampling flavors that I wasn't familiar with, including Pumpkin Pie, Peach, Whipped and two of my favorites - Cucumber Watermelon and Coconut. 

 Mionetto - Can't get enough of the 'IL' SPR!Z

Delta lounge

Aisle seats featured at the Delta lounge

Executive Chef Adriano Ricco of STK Midtown - the booth was already closed out toward the end of the Grand Tasting, but I hope to visit STK Midtown soon and try some of Chef Adriano Ricco's dishes!

Culinary Demonstration with Chef Michael Symon

- Kim Weling

Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard - Day 1

Recently, thanks to my friend Kim at Fashionably Petite, I had the opportunity to attend the Grand Tasting event at the New York Wine and Food Festival presented by Food & Wine, or NYWFF. The NYWFF is an annual series of events bringing together America's top chefs, restaurants, TV personalities, and wine and spirits producers "to educate palates and entertain patrons in high style". All proceeds from the NYWFF go to fight hunger, supporting organizations like the New York Food Bank. There are many smaller, more specific events during the NYWFF, such as chef-hosted dinners, but I think if you can only go to one event.. the Grand Tasting is it! 

An all day experience at Pier 57 in Chelsea, the Grand Tasting features dozens upon dozens of tables manned by some of NYC's top restaurants and chefs where you can sample delicious culinary delights. The Grand Tasting also features samples from many vineyards and spirit producers. Each restaurant present offered a mini version of a signature dish, such as tiny Chicken Kiev from Firebird and mini Calamari a la Plancha salads from Marble Lane. The variety and quality of the food was wonderful, from roasted chestnut soup to Thai sausage served in lettuce cups. Some of the food was a little more..well, adventurous. One chef was serving protein bars made with pureed crickets! Most of the food, however, was more friendly to a more "standard" palette like mine.

Every guest of the Grand Tasting got their own wine glass to bring around to sample delicious wines from producers like Robert Mondavi and Thorny Rose. There were plenty of spirits as well, I sampled flavored vodkas from Pinnacle, whiskey from Red Stag, and Italian Limoncello, walnut, and strawberry liquor among others. Needless to say, I only had a tiny taste of each because there was so much to try!

Another wonderful part of the Grand Tasting is the series of demonstrations from celebrity chefs! I caught two of the demos- Paula Deen and Andrew Zimmern. Paula was a delight, entertaining the crowd while cooking and chatting with her husband who was on stage with her. Her little dog was running around underfoot, too! She seemed very genuine and was so happy when people shared their cooking stories with her. It made her especially happy when people said that their families enjoyed her recipes. Andrew Zimmern was also very entertaining, and his demo had a strong message behind it- that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, has a right to wholesome, healthy food.

Guests did not go home empty handed, each person was given a gift bag filled with treats to take home. The gift bag had cookies, olive oil, spices, even a wooden spoon! The Grand Tasting was a fantastic event, benefitting a wonderful cause. I had lots of fun trying all different cuisines and spirits, and I hope to be able to attend next year. If you are a serious foodie, the Grand Tasting is an event you can't miss!

  

Paula Deen

Andrew Zimmern

- Jessica Dowling, www.beautygnome.com