FROM LEFT: Rachael Ray and Lee Brian Schrager; Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival 2008
New York City is one of the greatest culinary landscapes in the world, and the second annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival (October 8–11, 2009) is a celebration of all the talent here.
For nine years we have been producing the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which benefi ts Florida International University. So it seemed natural to bring the success and celebration surrounding the South Beach Festival to New York City. Mirroring the charitable component of South Beach, the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival benefits the hunger-relief programs provided by the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength. As founder and director of both festivals, working with these two organizations has been such a pleasure— and it is rewarding to know that we can do something to assist them, ensuring the continued growth of the diverse programs that they offer.
The first annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival raised $1 million for these two worthy programs. The Food Bank For New York City provides relief through its network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs, and it offers 300,000 meals a day to New Yorkers in need. More than 12.4 million children in America are at risk of hunger, and Share Our Strength works to ensure that no child in America grows up hungry.
I am fortunate in my position to work with people who recognize and understand the true meaning of giving back to the community. And the support that Southern Wine & Spirits of America (of which I am the director of media relations and special events) gives me to execute such extensive outreach is invaluable. There are also several organizations that have been involved in both festivals over the years—especially our title sponsor, Food Network, and our presenting sponsors, Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure—that should be recognized for the dedication they have shown to the community.
With New York, we are happy to get a chance to highlight some of the city’s biggest culinary stars under the iconic skyline of Manhattan and amid the historic cobblestone charm of the Meatpacking District. We are truly thankful to all our talent—which this year includes Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart, Anthony Bourdain, Frank Bruni, David Chang and Tom Colicchio—along with the hundreds of chefs, personalities, winemakers and mixologists who have graciously donated their time. The weekend also features a dinner series in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation with notables such as fashion designer Zac Posen, Alain Ducasse and Gabriel Kreuther.
The festival kicks off on the evening of October 8 with Chelsea Market After Dark, presented by Food Network and hosted by Guy Fieri and Sandra Lee, and concludes on October 11 with Meatball Madness, hosted by Giada De Laurentiis and presented by San Pellegrino. We are so pleased to be doing our part to give back to the communities in which we operate, and we look forward to building upon this outreach for years to come. For more information on the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, visit nycwineandfoodfestival.com.
