Food Network NYC Wine & Food Festival Announces Celebrity-Filled 2025 Program for October 15–19
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ (NYCWFF) is set to return for its spectacular 18th annual celebration, taking place October 15–19, 2025, with a bold new twist. This year, the festival makes a historic move to its new home at the Seaport, one of New York City’s most vibrant and storied neighborhoods. Now centered at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus within the Seaport district, the reimagined event promises an upgraded guest experience through enhanced accessibility, culinary innovation, and immersive entertainment—all while honoring its mission to showcase the very best in food, wine, spirits, and hospitality.
With over 60 unique events and appearances by more than 300 of the culinary world’s biggest names, the 2025 NYCWFF is poised to deliver its most dynamic festival yet. Attendees can expect an exciting mix of walk-around tastings, late-night parties, elegant brunches and dinners, hands-on master classes, and the highly anticipated return of FoodieCon®, a celebration of culinary creators and digital tastemakers.
A Fresh Chapter at the Seaport
Festival founder and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility, Lee Brian Schrager, views the relocation as a turning point. “2025 marks a transformative milestone for NYCWFF as we move to the historic Seaport, launching a bold new chapter of immersive, waterfront culinary experiences,” said Schrager. “This vibrant neighborhood blends the charm of old New York with today’s culinary creativity. I’ve dreamed of hosting the Festival here since the Seaport reopened 15 years ago—and now everything is finally within a two-block radius.”
As part of this fresh start, internationally acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten joins the Festival as Culinary Host. He will lead programming tied to the Seaport’s Tin Building and Pier 17, curating collaborative chef dinners and spotlighting local culinary talent in exclusive experiences. His involvement enhances a star-studded lineup of James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred chefs, Food Network favorites, and a new wave of digital culinary influencers.
Culinary Lineup & Premier Events
Kicking off the Festival at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus will be A Taste of the Tin Building, hosted by Jean-Georges and Gregory Gourdet, with musical entertainment by celebrity DJ Cassidy. The evening will showcase Jean-Georges’ dazzling culinary marketplace, a hub of global flavors, storytelling, and immersive tastings.
Fan favorites return in full force, including the legendary Blue Moon Burger Bash, hosted by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Beckham and presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats. The event will feature dozens of the city’s best burger creations, alongside a new hot dog special using Brooklyn Beckham’s Cloud23 hot sauce.
The Grand Tasting remains the cornerstone of the Festival, offering samples from top NYC restaurants, premium wines and spirits curated by Southern Glazer’s, and live demos by Food Network stars. This year, a new evening session of the Grand Tasting, hosted by Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson, has been added for guests seeking a more relaxed, twilight experience. VIP ticket holders can opt into an exclusive steakhouse experience at Carne Mare, hosted by chef Andrew Carmellini.
Themed Tastings & Unique Experiences
Signature themed tastings expand the cultural scope of the festival:
- Asian Night Market, hosted by Padma Lakshmi and Jean-Georges, celebrating the richness of Asian street food.
- A Taste of Tomorrow, a luxurious evening of award-winning chefs and fine wines, hosted by Marcus Samuelsson.
- Catch of the Day, a seafood extravaganza with Andrew Zimmern, inspired by the Seaport’s legacy as home to the original Fulton Fish Market.
- Caviar, Cocktails & Champagne, hosted by Antonia Lofaso at the WSA Building.
- Sunday Supper, a red-sauce Italian feast hosted by food influencers The Pasta Queen and Lil Mo Mozzarella, presented by Peroni.
FoodieCon® 2025 & Creator Culture
FoodieCon® returns with a larger footprint, giving fans direct access to social media’s most influential food content creators. Attendees can enjoy panels, live demos, and tastings curated by personalities including The Pasta Queen, Brian Can’t Stop Eating, Olivia Tiedemann, Karissa Dumbacher, Cheffin with Zach, The Vegan Bubby Elle, and more—all in an interactive format where digital meets delicious.
Cookbooks IRL
In 2025, NYCWFF also amplifies its focus on storytelling through the culinary literary world. Top cookbook authors will take the stage for demos, tastings, and intimate discussions. Confirmed authors and titles include:
- Party People by Brie Larson & Courtney McBroom
- Entertaining by Martha Stewart
- I Regret Almost Everything: A Memoir by Keith McNally
- Russ & Daughters by Niki Russ Federman & Josh Russ Tupper
- Parm to Table by Christian Petroni
- The Blue Food Cookbook by Andrew Zimmern
- Padma’s All American by Padma Lakshmi
- A School Lunch Revolution: A Cookbook by Alice Waters
An Elevated Table: Intimate Dinners with Icons
Perhaps the most anticipated new offering is the Elevated Table series—an elite set of one-night-only dinners hosted by legendary chefs. These ultra-exclusive experiences feature bespoke menus and rare wine pairings provided by Southern Glazer’s. Notable collaborations include:
- Alice Waters & Dan Kluger
- Michael White & Andrew Zimmern
- Paul Carmichael & Kwame Onwuachi
- Daniel Boulud & George Ruan
- A 12-person dinner with José Andrés
Other celebrity-hosted dinners will feature the talents of Eric Ripert, Tony Shalhoub, Alain Ducasse, Rachael Ray, Alex Guarnaschelli, Vikas Khanna and more.
Commitment to Purpose & Sustainability
Beyond the palate, NYCWFF continues its charitable mission. To date, the Festival has raised more than $14.8 million for philanthropic causes. The 2025 edition will benefit the James Beard Foundation, advancing culinary leadership and innovation, and Event Zero Foundation, which promotes sustainable event practices for a healthier planet.
Brett Friedman, CEO of a21, which helps produce the Festival, emphasized its cultural and ethical impact: “With the addition of the James Beard Foundation and Event Zero Foundation, NYCWFF will not only celebrate flavor but serve as a platform for sustainability and positive transformation within the industry.”
Stay in Style
For guests seeking convenience and comfort, the Festival’s headquarters hotel is The Wall Street Hotel, just steps from the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus. Offering luxury accommodations in the heart of the Seaport, it is the ideal basecamp for a weekend of culinary exploration.
