From October 15–19, the historic Seaport district of New York City transformed into a vibrant epicenter of culinary excellence as the 18th annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ (NYCWFF) drew more than 35,000 food enthusiasts, celebrity chefs, mixologists, and culinary innovators. For five full days, the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus at the Seaport served as the beating heart of this gastronomic celebration, showcasing over 300 chefs and culinary personalities through signature events, immersive tastings, and intimate dinners. Beyond celebrating food, the Festival continued its longstanding commitment to philanthropy, raising funds for the Event Zero Foundation and the James Beard Foundation®, organizations that champion sustainability and equity in the culinary world.
“This year, the Seaport became a true culinary playground,” said Festival Founder & Director Lee Brian Schrager. “For years, I envisioned bringing the Festival to this historic waterfront location, and seeing it come to life was incredibly rewarding. The energy, creativity, and sense of community that permeated the Seaport made this edition one of our proudest moments yet. Bringing together chefs, mixologists, and culinary creators in one space perfectly captures what NYCWFF stands for: celebrating flavor, culture, and purpose, while also supporting charitable partners who are shaping a more sustainable and equitable food industry.”
The festivities kicked off with A Taste of the Tin Building, hosted by culinary icons Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Gregory Gourdet. This one-night celebration spotlighted the acclaimed Seaport marketplace’s world-class dining concepts, offering guests the opportunity to explore the Tin Building’s diverse restaurants, enjoy exclusive tastings, and celebrate the culinary creativity that has made the space a destination in its own right. Attendees were immersed in the unique atmosphere of the building, experiencing firsthand how contemporary gastronomy intersects with history and culture at the Seaport.
Throughout the weekend, the Festival’s energy radiated across the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus, beginning with the Asian Night Market, co-hosted by Padma Lakshmi and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Guests wandered through vibrant stalls serving international street foods while enjoying live music from Hudson Horns, creating a lively, immersive atmosphere. The market offered a kaleidoscope of global flavors, transporting attendees to the streets of Asia without leaving Manhattan and setting the tone for a weekend dedicated to culinary discovery.
Attendees also explored Chef’s Corner within the Tin Building and Catch of the Day presented by Modelo, staged on the grounds of the historic Fulton Fish Market. These experiences highlighted the Festival’s commitment to combining education, entertainment, and gastronomy, offering live cooking demonstrations, tastings, and interactive encounters with some of the world’s most talented culinary minds.
On Friday, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham joined Rachael Ray at the Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0 presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats, where fans sampled and voted for the best burgers in New York City. Awards were determined across three categories:
- Mike’s Amazing Award – Winner: Skinny Louie (voted by Mike’s Amazing)
- Pat LaFrieda Judges Award – Winner: Skinny Louie (judged by a celebrity panel including Ana Navarro, Ben Leventhal, Ja Rule, Sunny Anderson, Joshua Weissman, and Olivia Tiedemann)
- Blue Moon People’s Choice Award – Winner: El Sazon RD (voted by guests using token ballots)
The weekend continued with the Festival’s Grand Tasting, held across both daytime and, for the first time, evening sessions at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus. Culinary enthusiasts had the opportunity to meet and interact with stars such as Sofia and Manolo Vergara, Alex Guarnaschelli, Andrew Zimmern, Maneet Chauhan, Rocco DiSpirito, Antonia Lofaso, and Kwame Onwuachi. Guests enjoyed book signings, live cooking demonstrations, and tasting experiences from New York City’s top restaurants, while sampling a curated selection of premium wines and spirits from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
As night fell, the Grand Tasting After Dark took center stage, hosted by Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson and presented by Montchevre Goat Cheese. Guests experienced a series of engaging demonstrations from culinary personalities including Brie Larson with Courtney McBroom, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian, Ayesha Nurdjaja, and brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Specialty cocktails and curated culinary pairings elevated the evening experience, blending creativity and flavor in innovative ways.
Sunday focused on seafood during Catch of the Day presented by Modelo, hosted by Andrew Zimmern, bringing guests to the site of the original Fulton Fish Market. The celebration of seafood excellence highlighted both the cultural and historical significance of the location, while offering interactive tasting experiences and culinary insights. Later, the Sunday Supper presented by Peroni, hosted by @the_pastaqueen (Nadia Caterina Munno) and Lil Mo Mozzarella, brought the weekend to a festive conclusion. Attendees celebrated as Joe Isidori of Arthur & Sons took home the Peroni People’s Choice Award, closing out a weekend of culinary exploration along the Seaport waterfront.
Beyond the main events, NYCWFF offered a range of unique experiences, including FoodieCon®, a social-media-focused event featuring over 20 of today’s top content creators, Caviar, Champagne & Cocktails Happy Hour, and Patrón Tequila’s Tacos & Tequila, spotlighting the city’s best taco spots paired with premium tequilas. The weekend also featured master classes and over 30 intimate dinners with world-renowned chefs, including José Andrés, Kwame Onwuachi, Alain Ducasse, Maneet Chauhan, Ming Tsai, Daniel Boulud, Eric Ripert, Esther Choi, and a CNN Series dinner with Tony Shalhoub at Delmonico’s, providing an unparalleled culinary immersion for attendees.
NYCWFF continues its tradition of philanthropy, with 100% of net proceeds supporting the Event Zero Foundation and the James Beard Foundation. These contributions support initiatives that promote sustainability, equity, and social responsibility within the food and beverage industry. Since its inception, the Festival has raised $15 million for its charitable partners, reinforcing the idea that great food and social impact can go hand in hand.
Looking ahead, the Festival will return to the Seaport from October 14–18, 2026, promising another unforgettable celebration of flavor, creativity, and community. Fans can stay connected throughout the year via the Festival’s social media channels: @NYCWFF on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and on TikTok at @NYCWineFoodFestival. With its blend of culinary innovation, celebrity appearances, immersive experiences, and charitable mission, NYCWFF continues to be one of the city’s most anticipated and impactful food events, bringing together the best of New York’s dining scene and beyond.
This version is over 900 words and expands on the events, context, and impact of the Festival while keeping it lively and engaging.
If you want, I can also create an even more immersive version that reads like a feature story for a lifestyle magazine, adding sensory descriptions of food, drinks, and atmosphere. That could make it even more engaging for readers. Do you want me to do that?
