Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Returns October 15–18 for a Citywide Celebration of Culinary Excellence
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ (NYCWFF) has announced its highly anticipated programming lineup for its 19th annual celebration, scheduled to take place from October 15–18, 2026. Bringing together some of the most influential chefs, restaurants, beverage experts, creators and culinary personalities from around the world, the four-day festival will once again showcase the energy, diversity and creativity that define New York City’s legendary food scene.
The 2026 edition of NYCWFF will feature nearly 50 events across Manhattan, with more than 300 renowned chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, mixologists, entertainers and food creators participating throughout the weekend. From exclusive dining experiences and chef collaborations to large-scale tastings and cultural celebrations, the festival will transform New York City into a global stage for culinary innovation, hospitality and community.
The festival will return to the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus at the Seaport, one of New York City’s most vibrant waterfront destinations. This year’s event will introduce an exciting new addition to the festival footprint with the debut of The Rooftop at Pier 17, an iconic open-air venue overlooking the New York Harbor. The rooftop setting will provide a spectacular backdrop for signature festival experiences, combining world-class cuisine with breathtaking skyline views.
The expansion of the festival campus reinforces the Seaport’s role as the home of NYCWFF and adds a new dimension to an already celebrated lineup of food, wine and entertainment experiences.
“Each year, NYCWFF gives us an opportunity to celebrate the incredible chefs, restaurants, beverage partners and culinary talent that make New York one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Lee Brian Schrager, Festival Founder and Chief Communications Officer and SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “As we return to the Seaport for our 19th year, we’re excited to continue building on the momentum of our new home while expanding the Festival experience with the addition of The Rooftop at Pier 17. This year’s lineup reflects the creativity, diversity and energy that continue to shape New York’s culinary landscape.”
Beyond celebrating food and hospitality, NYCWFF remains committed to supporting meaningful industry initiatives. Net proceeds from the festival will benefit the Event Zero Foundation and the James Beard Foundation, two organizations focused on advancing sustainability, environmental responsibility and excellence across the culinary and events industries.
The festival is produced exclusively by a21, the festival’s agency of record and exclusive production partner. With extensive experience creating large-scale food, beverage and cultural events, a21 continues to bring together chefs, brands, sponsors and communities to deliver one of the country’s most recognized culinary celebrations.
“As the finest culinary and hospitality city in the world, a21 is proud to produce NYCWFF,” said Brett Friedman, Founder and CEO of a21. “Over 1,000 people from throughout the New York community work on developing this festival year in and year out, and our collective pride is represented in the events we develop and produce for our guests and partners.”
Returning Festival Favorites Highlight 2026 Program
The 2026 festival will bring back many of its most popular signature events, offering guests unforgettable culinary experiences with some of the biggest names in food.
The festival will open on Thursday, October 15, with Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats, hosted by Rachael Ray and Bert Kreischer at The Rooftop at Pier 17. One of NYCWFF’s most iconic events, Burger Bash will feature top chefs competing for the coveted Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards in a celebration of America’s favorite comfort food.
On Friday, October 16, Steak & Whiskey hosted by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio will return to Pier 17, bringing together premium steaks, exceptional whiskey selections and waterfront views for an elevated dining experience.
Other returning favorites include Oyster Bash presented by Modelo hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Tacos & Tequila hosted by Aarón Sánchez, and the festival’s signature Grand Tasting featuring Culinary Demonstrations at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus.
The festival will conclude on Sunday, October 18, with The Cookout presented by Mike’s Amazing, hosted by JJ Johnson and Angela Yee. Celebrating Black cuisine, culture and community, the closing event will feature a special performance by Method Man and an appearance by EGOT-winning entertainer Whoopi Goldberg.
Food lovers and digital creators will also return for FoodieCon®, taking place Sunday, October 18, at Storied. The event will connect fans with leading food influencers and creators through interactive panels, tastings and meet-and-greet opportunities. Featured personalities will include creators such as Olivia Tiedemann, Stefan Johnson and Bobby Pombo, with additional talent announcements expected.
New Culinary Experiences Debut at NYCWFF 2026
The 2026 festival will introduce several new experiences designed to celebrate New York’s diverse culinary culture.
One of the most anticipated additions is New York After Dark hosted by Kwame Onwuachi, taking place Saturday, October 17, at The Rooftop at Pier 17. Inspired by his upcoming cookbook All Hours, the event will celebrate New York’s food, music and nightlife culture with a special DJ performance by Questlove and dishes from some of Onwuachi’s favorite chefs and restaurants.
Guests will also experience A Culinary Journey Through Peru hosted by Nobu Matsuhisa, marking the legendary chef’s first appearance at NYCWFF. The event will highlight Peru’s rich culinary traditions alongside New York’s leading Peruvian restaurants.
Another debut experience, Flavors of Bollywood hosted by Maneet Chauhan and Vijay Kumar, will celebrate Indian cuisine through the lens of Bollywood-inspired entertainment and culture.
Best of the Best presented by Resorts World New York City hosted by Jonathan Waxman and Keith Hernandez will honor culinary excellence by bringing together more than 15 James Beard Award winners, nominees and semifinalists.
The festival will also introduce Morning Buzz hosted by mgk, founder of 27 Club Coffee, featuring coffee, matcha, tea and breakfast offerings from popular New York cafés.
Exclusive Chef Collaborations and One-Night Dining Experiences
Throughout the weekend, NYCWFF will host a collection of intimate dinners featuring some of the world’s most respected chefs. These one-night-only events will pair exceptional cuisine with wines and spirits from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.
The 2026 chef lineup includes Alex Guarnaschelli, Mario Vitolo, José Andrés, Jonathan Beno, Flynn McGarry, Maneet Chauhan, Stephanie Izard, Rocco DiSpirito, Nadia Caterina Munno, Andrew Carmellini, Hillary Sterling, Angie Mar, Charlie Palmer, Alain Ducasse, Marc Forgione, Antonia Lofaso, Michael Symon, Geoffrey Zakarian, Doug Brixton and Masaharu Morimoto, among many others.
Additional featured culinary talents include Tyler Florence, Cédric Vongerichten, Ayesha Nurdjaja, Jonathon Sawyer and Marcus Samuelsson.
Tickets and Festival Information
Presale tickets for NYCWFF 2026 will be available from July 13–19, 2026, exclusively for Bank of America cardholders, offering 25% savings on signature events along with access to special offers.
General ticket sales will begin on July 20, 2026.
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Invesco QQQ has raised more than $15 million in net proceeds over the past 18 years to support charitable organizations. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits continues as the exclusive provider of wine and spirits for the festival.
Recognized as the #1 Food & Restaurant Industry event in New York by BizBash for 10 consecutive years, NYCWFF remains one of the country’s premier culinary gatherings.
For updates, follow NYCWFF on Facebook and Instagram at @NYCWFF and on TikTok at @NYCWineFoodFestival. Additional information and tickets are available through the official festival website.
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