Taste of the Nation 2017: Eating and Drinking Aplenty So Our Little Ones May Simply Have Enough to Eat and Drink

Parade of strawberry-and-cream Underwest Donuts. Photo by Neil Wolfson.

BY NEIL WOLFSON and JOEL LEVIN

WE arrive at the 2017 edition of the NYC Taste of the Nation (TOTN) a couple of days ago, auspiciously beating the rainstorms.

Immediately, we are elated to discover Walter's Hot Dogs team members serving from their truck at the entrance of the TOTN venue at 180 Maiden Lane. Its venerable art-deco pagoda in Mamaroneck has been a regular culinary destination for Westchesterites and travelers since 1919.

Aerial view of Taste of the Nation's colorful party for No Kid Hungry. Photo by Joel Levin.

While waiting for a signature snappy and succulent dog, we chat with the always-personable Danny Meyer, honorary chair of the benefit for the worthy No Kid Hungry,

the program administered by Share Our Strength.

The restaurateur, head of the Union Square Hospitality Group and the Shake Shack empire, is pleased with the turnout here and mentions that he is awaiting upcoming reviews of his newly relocated flagship Union Square Cafe.

Massoni's savory caponata cannoli are cheesy and crunchy. Photo by Joel Levin.

Inside the multi-level space, we feast on offerings from more than 50 purveyors of food and drink arrayed temptingly in the high-ceilinged lobby. Standout dishes:
*Freek's Mill: delicious gnochetti with rabbit ragout and guanciale
*Bessou: smoked soy-pickled eggs with shiitake "bacon" in karashi cram
*Massoni: addictively crunchy eggplant caponata with mozzarella and cocoa nibs in cannoli wrappers
*Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill: (coming soon) gingery crudo
*Pig Bleecker: toothsome "eggs and ham": deviled eggs with prosciutto di Parma

Equally kaleidoscopic are the creations of NYC's inventive corps of mixologists, working with the likes of Monkey 47 gin from Germany, New York Honey Rye Whiskey (from Catskill Provisions), Fords London Dry Gin formulated by four New York City bartenders, as well as Virgil Kaine Ginger-Infused Bourbon.

New York Honey Whiskey from Catskill Provisions. Photo by Joel Levin.

Among the many desserts are amazing strawberry-and-cream donuts from Underwest Donuts and pb&j ice cream from Oddfellows Ice Cream. No one should leave this splendid event hungry or thirsty.

Upstairs, we encounter more culinary environments, including a grouping of sweets: Mexican ice pops, cotton candy, chocolate, a row of corporate hospitality cabanas. Also here is a game-equipped casino where Empire Casino's restaurant is serving buttery lobster-and-crab ravioli and prime-beef sliders.

Freek's Mill's creative preparation of rabbit ragu with guanciale. Photo by Joel Levin.

Since the mission of No Kid Hungry is to end childhood hunger, depending on how one views it, TOTN shows either poetic irony or poetic justice, in that it takes a bounteous feast to enable the fulfillment of basic needs for underserved youngsters.

Still, last year’s TOTN raised enough dough to help feed needy children more than one million healthful meals through City Harvest, Hunger Solutions NY, Food Bank for New York City and Hunger Free America.

Visit http://www.bit.ly/2nbKoxr to learn more about Taste of the Nation 2017 and https://www.nokidhungry.org/ to learn more about NO Kid Hungry.

From NYCWFF Day 3: Arian Daguin Goes Straight to the Source at Foie Gras Fete

D'Artagnan CEO Arian Daguin holds aloft a moulard foie gras duck from which she has extracted the liver. Photo by VW.

BY VW

THE bacon is a hit. As is the slider.

However, the hit of the Foie Gras Fete is the spectacle of the butchering.

It unfolds at The Wayfarer on Day 3 of the ninth annual Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival.

Net proceeds from NYCWFF go to No Kid Hungry and Food Bank for New York City.

Watch the videos to see
D'Artagnan CEO Arian Daguin butcher a moulard foie gras duck.

Viewer discretion is advised.

Visit the following websites to learn more:

The ninth annual Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival
http://www.nycwff.org

No Kid Hungry
http://www.nokidhungry.org

Food Bank for New York City
http://www.foodbanknyc.org

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Wine & Food Fest: Eats, Drinks & Merrymaking

Favorites from last year's Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival return this year. Rachael Ray, above, hosts the Blue Moon Burger Bash with Bobby Flay on the bill. Below, the Grand Tasting offers up wine and food with lots of new players, and Alton Brown, bottom, signs his newest book. Photos courtesy of New York City Wine and Food Festival.

ONE need not venture too far out on a limb to predict that it will expand to even more cities very shortly. After all, it is not possible that, say, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Chicago are going to allow Miami, New York and Atlantic City to carry the Food Network Wine & Food Festival banner alone much longer.

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival opens tomorrow through Sunday (7 Oct.-10 Oct.) mainly at various locations in the Meatpacking District. This is year three. Its sister festival in Miami will be celebrating 10 years in February. Atlantic City just joined the fold this year and, by most accounts, staged a smashing extravaganza for four days in late July/early August.

Along with Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure, Food Network’s introduction of world class cuisine, chefs, personalities, presentations and panels is quickly becoming a phenomenon. One measure is the bump in requests for media credentials. The New York press office puts the number at 40 percent for this year’s do. No exact numbers, but attendance is up. Alas, many of the events are already sold out (“San Pellegrino's Meatball Madness presented by Eater.com hosted by Giada De Laurentiis,” 7 p.m.-10 p.m./7 Oct., but there is “Flowers Vineyard & Winery: True Sonoma Coast Ridgetop Vineyards: A Study in Pinot Noir hosted by Jason Jardine,” 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m./9 Oct. Also open is “Panel Discussion: Get Real, Go Local, Demand Organic!,” 3 p.m.-4 p.m./9 Oct. All told there are more than 100 offerings, up from 80-something in 2008, and proceeds from the festival benefit Food Bank for New York City and Save Our Strength..

Not so surprising the intense interest when the bill for the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival includes marquee names – some making multiple appearances – such as Masaharu Morimoto (“Master Sushi Rolling Class with Chef Masaharu Morimoto,” 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m./9 Oct.); Daniel Boulud (“TimesTalks - New York’s Star-Studded Chefs,” 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m./8 Oct.); Rachael Ray/Bobby Flay (“Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats, hosted by Rachael Ray,” 7 p.m.-10 p.m./8 Oct.); Paul Deen (“TimesTalks Book Signings,” Various times/9 Oct), and newbies like Sunny Anderson (“Sunny Anderson Whole Foods Market Culinary Demonstration presented by KitchenAid,” 1:30 p.m.–2:15 p.m./9 Oct.).

Like its colleagues, Atlanta won’t hang back and allow the triumvirate to have the festival all to itself too much longer. No doubt, The ATL, too, wants in on such fare as The Neelys Whole Foods Market Culinary Demonstration presented by KitchenAid (noon-12:45 p.m./10 Oct.), as well as “Fun and Fit in the City presented by Target.”

Jumping off from the Harlem Children’s Zone, Fun/Fit is an interactive health expo (9 a.m.-1 p.m./9 Oct.) – a fest within a fest – whose mission is to eradicate childhood obesity and confront the obstacles in the way of bringing up kids on good food in the big city. The centerpiece is a discussion framed as both a challenge and a question, “Does an Apple a Day Really Work Anymore – How Can We Raise Healthier Kids?” Indeed, Fun/Fit is a half workday of talks/tastings/teaching/tips and has attracted stars along the lines of Dr. Mehmet Oz, Marcus Samuelsson and Alonzo Mourning.

Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival-goers in need of a break from the feast can find rest in the Delta & Coke Hotspot on 9th Avenue between 13 and 14th streets. From 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m./8-10 Oct., one can take the load off while also enjoying certain complimentary beverages and check e-mail using Delta’s Wi-fi, amongst other creature comforts.

Whether in Harlem or DUMBO, though, foodies and wine enthusiasts will not lack for talks/tastings/teaching/tips, as well as tours (Tour de Beef, Sessions 1 and 2 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m./7 Oct). And, of course, there is the Grand Tasting. Welcome to Pier 54 and samplings/products/wares from some of New York’s top restaurants, as well as wine/spirits makers and exhibitors.

Learn more about Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, including venues, at http://www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com/2010/; Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival at http://www.sobefest.com/2010/index1.php; Food Network Atlantic City Wine & Food Festival at http://www.foodnetworktravel.com/microsites/index.cfm?site_id=2&mstype=foodnetwork&action=atlantic_city_detail; Food Bank for New York City at www.foodbanknyc.org; Share Our Strength at www.strength.org, and Harlem Children’s Zone at http://hcz.org/home.