Food Festivals

NYCWFF: Family Ice Cream Fun-dae

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

(NY Foodie Family was given media passes to the NYCWFF Family Ice Cream Fun-dae.  As always, all opinions are our own.)

Does your family love ice cream as much as our does?!  If you want to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon together eating all the frozen treats, check out the New York City Wine and Food Festival’s (NYCWFF) Family Ice Cream Fun-dae.

This year the Ice Cream Fun-dae takes place on Sunday, October 13th at SECOND. event space in Chelsea. The event is hosted by Duff Goldman and features ice cream treats from popular ice cream purveyors in and around the city.

We attended last year’s Family Ice Cream Fun-Dae and got to enjoy some of these tasty treats:

16 Handles served Duff’s Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream with cookie dough bites and pink sprinkles.

Ample Hills Creamery had “No Sleep Till’ Pumpkin” which was coffee ice cream with pieces of housemade pumpkin ooey-gooey butter cake.

Big Gay Ice Cream had Birfdae Cek Ice Cream with Strawberry Whipped Cream. Yes, that’s the correct spelling.

Coolhaus Ice Cream was serving two of their ice cream flavors, Milkshake ‘n Fries (Salted Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Shoestring French Fries and Milk Chocolate Milk Balls) and Buttered French Toast (Buttered Brown Sugar Ice Cream with Pecan Pralines, Cakey Toast Pieces and a Maple Swirl).

Davey’s Ice Cream had Chocolate Mud Sundaes with homemade brownie crumb soil, candy critters, cookies n’ chocolate ice cream with gooey caramel sauce and a cherry.

Gigante’s Restaurant and Bar was serving Rainbow Cookie Ice Cream. Honey-almond nougat was sandwiched between rainbow cookies and rolled in sprinkles.

Odd Fellows served Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with Hot Fudge and Graham Cracker Soil.

Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory had Mini Green Tea and Cookies & Cream Milkshakes.

This year’s  ice cream line-up includes a couple of favorites from last year, including Big Gay Ice Cream, Davey’s Ice Cream and the Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. However, this year there are many new ice cream shops participating including Minus10 Ice Cream, Llama Ice Cream, Eggloo, Yum Actually and so many more! Even one of Westchester County’s beloved ice cream shops, Penny Lick Ice Cream Company will be there for the first time!

Be sure to arrive to this event early! Once you enter the space, you are free to eat whatever ice cream treats you want. If you really like something, feel free to have seconds! However, my husband and daughter can tell you, after sampling one of every ice cream treat at last year’s event, they were stuffed!

There are special cocktails for adults as well. Last year, there was a FrappaChata with whipped cream and a RumChata French Toast (RumChata with Maple Whiskey).

Besides getting your fill of ice cream there is other fun to be had.  There are face painters, balloon artists, interactive stations for kids, and a DJ playing music.

Of course, one of the highlights of our visit was getting to meet Duff Goldman! He autographed souvenir bowls and was available for pictures. It was a fun and tasty day out for my husband and daughter and one that they still talk about!

The Details:
NYCWFF Family Ice Cream Fun-dae
SECOND.
849 6th Avenue
New York, NY 1001

Date: Sunday, October 13
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Tickets: $95/adults, $40/kids

NYCWFF’s Grand Tasting!

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

(We were given media passes to attend the Grand Tasting. As always, all opinions are our own.)

New York City’s Wine and Food Festival, presented by ShopRite is celebrating its 12th year! Last year, my husband and I attended the Grand Tasting for the first time and believe me, if you are a wine and/or food lover, you will enjoy this event.

The event is held at Pier 94 and features over 130,000 square feet of food and beverages. The Grand Tasting is the culminating two day event of the four day wine and food festival. Funds from this four day food festival support Food Bank for New York City and No Kid Hungry.

There is so much to eat, so come hungry! Since we don’t get into the city very often, it was a great way to try new-to-us NYC restaurants. While the food samples are unlimited, I don’t think we sampled all of what was available! Some restaurants even had more than one food sample. Some of the tasty bites we had included Housemade Ricotta from Fausto, Elotes from Island Oyster, Haitian Chipotle Pork on a Black Bean Huarache garnished with red and green cabbage from Bridgewater Club and a Kao Yuk Soy-Braised Pork Belly Slider from Bricolage.

Each eatery has a signs with the name of the restaurant and the dish/dishes they are serving. While I’m sure the restaurants that participate in the NYCWFF vary each year, some of the dishes and restaurants we got to try at last year’s event include {Khe-Yo}’s Red Curry Beef Soup, Mamo Restaurant’s Raviolini al Tartufo (yes, that’s shaved truffle!), Print’s Porchetta with Butternut Squash, Chili, Pickled Shallots and Mustard Greens and Ropa Vieja Taco Bites from Los Viajeros.

There was a huge pan of Paella Mixta from La Fonda del Sol.

ShopRite, one of the major sponsors of this event, had a huge setup, featuring samples of dishes made with some of the brands they sell. They also had packaged food samples (granola bars and seasonings) that they were giving out. Coca-Cola, the Food Network & Cooking Channel and Blue Moon also had some of the larger displays.

Although most of the food samples were savory, we did manage to find some sweet treats as well! Mahalo New York Bakery had the prettiest cupcakes and Spoonfuls Inc. had a variety of dessert jars. I might have had more than one sample of 2 Dough Boyz cookie dough, both the original and the chocolate salted caramel pretzel! And I couldn’t pass up a praline from Bernard’s Pralines of New Orleans.

Since this is a wine and food festival, have no worries, there are PLENTY of wine samples. Every wine table has more than one sample to try. We are not big wine drinkers, so unfortunately I don’t have a lot of wine pictures to share with you. If I am going to drink wine, I enjoy a moscato or sweet wine, so I did have to sample the sweet shiraz from Jam Jar.

Don’t be fooled, there are tons of spirits to taste as well. Spirit makers concoct special cocktails for the festival, like Tito’s Zilker Green Lemonade, Four Roses Lawrenceburg Cooler, Maker’s Mark Cucumber Julep and Spring44 Distilling’s Feast for Queens.

For those that don’t drink, there are non-alcoholic drinks available as well. Last year, there beverages from Bai, Coca-Cola, Dunkin’ and La Croix.

When you need a break from all of the eating and drinking, make sure to stop by The Ikea Kitchen to watch some culinary demonstrations. Each day’s lineup features different chefs cooking up a dish in 30 minutes. You don’t get to sample the dishes that are made, but they are fun sessions to get to see some of your favorite chefs in action. We were doing so much eating and drinking that, sadly, the only demonstrating chef we got to see was Robert Irvine. But I was able to get a pic of him and my husband, so I think that’s a win! This year’s chef demo lineup includes Andrew Zimmern, Rick Bayless, Masaharu Morimoto, Rocco DiSpirito, Stephanie Izard, Jeff Mauro, Rachel Ray and many more! Many of these chefs will also be signing cookbooks, for sale in the Flavour Gallery, where you can also purchase other festival merchandise.

As you can see, the NYCWFF Grand Tasting is a delicious event! It’s a great day date or outing with foodie friends!

The Details:
NYCWFF Grand Tasting presented by Shoprite
Pier 94
New York, NY

Date: Saturday & Sunday, October 12 and October 13
Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
Tickets: General Admission $185, discounted tickets with a Capital One credit card

Tips:
*Arrive early! This event gets more crowded as the day goes on.
*Make sure you adhere to the bag policy.
*The Tasting ends at 5 PM, however the culinary demonstrations take place until 6 PM.
*You must be 21 to enjoy the Grand Tasting. However, children are able to attend the culinary demonstrations. There are a couple of food and non-alcoholic beverage tastings available in this area.
*Dress comfortably – you will be doing a lot of walking. It’s a huge space!





Food Truck Mash-Up At Empire City Casino

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Sponsored Post

Where are all my fellow food truck fans?  On Sunday, September 10, come join me and fellow foodies at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York.  The Journal News Media Group is pitting the best food trucks from New York against the best of New Jersey in a Food Truck Mash-Up.  Your vote will help determine who wins bragging rights!

The current food truck line-up includes Carnivale Donut Bar (“over the top”shakes, ice cream donut sandwiches and stuffed mini donuts), Dough Nation (pizza), Farmers and Chefs (Hudson Valley, farm fresh, local, in-season dishes), Frites of NY (different kinds of street fries), Glazed and Confused Donuts (mini donuts), HAPA Truck (Asian Fusion- tacos, burgers, sides), Kona Ice (shaved ice), Los Viajeros (tacos, burritos, quesadillas),  Meatoss Food Truck (Brazilian churrasco),  Bacon Me Crazy (“hand wrap, roll & sprinkle your favorite foods with mmmm…..bacon!”), Empanada Guy (empanadas and traditional Latin dishes), Callahan’s Hot Dogs (hot dogs, burgers, fries), Walter’s Hot Dogs (hot dogs and fries), Three Little Pigs BBQ (BBQ meat, sandwiches, chicken), The Souvlaki Truck (Greek), Stuf’d Truck (gourmet sandwiches and sweet bites), Luke’s Lobster (seafood), Waffle de Lys (Belgian and savory waffles), CheezeN (gourmet grilled cheese), The Guac Spot (avocado-inspired eats), Jimmy Dawn’s Cheesesteaks (cheesesteaks and fries), Angry Archie’s (seafood) and Aroy’d Thai Elephant (Thai food)!

(Carnivale Donut Bar’s “Over the Top” shakes – photo courtesy of T.H. Waldman)

I’ve perused the menus and the hardest decision you’ll have to make is which trucks to try!  These are not your average food trucks, with most of them having accumulated multiple awards in the food truck circuit. The trucks will be offering their regular event menus at the Mash-Up.  Prices for food items vary with each food truck.  After taking a quick look at some of the menus online, many of the burgers, sandwiches, tacos, “mains” etc. average $6-$12 per item.  The trucks take both credit cards and cash. If needed, ATMs are available inside the casino.  After you’ve eaten your fill, don’t forget to vote for your favorite truck! At the end of the event, a winner will be crowned.

(Callahan’s Hot Dogs – photo courtesy of T.H. Waldman)

Are you ready to get your tickets to the Food Truck Mash-Up?  Tickets are available on lohud.com for pre-purchase.  Early admission tickets are available for $20 (online only).  This enables you to access the event at 12 PM and get $5 in Food Truck Mash-Up Cash.  Plus, there will be drink specials during these two hours.

General admission tickets can be purchased online for $5 or at the event for $8, with admission beginning at 2 PM. Kids under 5 are admitted free.  All pre-purchased admissions include $10 of free play at the casino.

Plenty of free parking is available at Empire City Casino.  The Casino also provides free shuttle service from the Mount Vernon West Metro-North train station. During the event, Rockland Nissan, sponsor of the Food Truck Mash-Up, will be giving away a 2 year lease on a new Nissan Sentra.


(photo courtesy of T.H. Waldman)

This is going to be a fun-filled family event! Daddy Pop and DJ Lax will be playing live music throughout the day and their will be carnival games and activities for the kids.  Bring a blanket or foldable chair so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a day of foodie family fun.

For tickets, directions, and additional info, check out the lohud.com site.

March 2015 New York State Food Festivals

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

March 2015 FF

Here’s a list of this month’s food and beverage festivals going on around New York state.  Please check the listed websites for additional information.  Please note that this listing is for informational purposes only.  We are not affiliated with any of these festivals, nor have we attended any of them.

March 1 – Kids Food Festival (New York City)
10 AM – 4 PM, Bryant Park, New York, New York
Learn about food and healthy eating while participating in hands-on activities, sampling snacks and listening to a variety of live entertainment.
Price:  Admission is free; tickets to cooking classes are available for $25 a ticket
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase cooking class tickets.

March 1, 2015 – Chocolate Expo (Nassau County, New York)
10 AM – 7 PM, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, New York
Chocolate tastings and goods for sale, exhibits, performances, demonstrations and more.
Tickets:  $15 adults, $10 children ages 2-12 which also includes admission to the museum
They are hosting a food drive and are collecting non-perishable food items at the door.
Check out the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 7, 2015, CoffeeCon 2015 (New York City)
9 AM – 4 PM, Broad Street Ball Room, New York, New York
Consumer Coffee Festival with coffee tastings, labs, lectures and classes.
Tickets:  $35.00
Check out the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 7, 2015 – Craft New York Brewers Festival (Albany)
5 PM – 8 PM, VIP Admission:  4 PM,  Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York
40 New York Breweries from throughout New York state will feature over 90 “hard to find and award winning beers.”
Tickets:  VIP Admission:  $75,  VIP Day of event: $85  General Admission:  $40, Day of Event:  $50   Designated Driver Ticket:  $10

March 14 & 15, 2015 – NYC Vegetarian Food Festival (New York City)
11 AM- 6 PM, The Metropolitan Pavillion, New York, New York
Food samples, speakers, entertainment activities and more.
Tickets:  $30 for one day, $50 for both days pre-purchased, day of tickets are $40 each, special $5 tickets available from 4-5:30 PM each day for those who want to get a taste of the festival
Check out the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 21, 2015 – Spring Craft Beer Festival (Long Island)
Session 1:  12:30 -4:00 PM, Session 2:  5:30 – 9:00 PM,  Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
More than 50 craft brewers showcasing over 100 beers.
Tickets:  $45 + tax per session, online, $55 + tax day of event, $12 +tax designated driver ticket
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 21-22,  2015  CWT presents “Plant Yourself in the Finger Lakes 2015”
12 PM – 5 PM, Canandaigua Wine Trail (various wineries), Ontario County, New York
Taste 3 different wines with 3 tapas pairings, at four different wineries.  Plus, receive a plant.
Tickets:  $20 per person, $35 per couple
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 21 – 22, 2015 Bacon on the Lakein (Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Wineries)
10 AM – 5 PM, Starting Point:  King Ferry Winery
Begin at the starting point and then visit 16 other wineries to sample bacon infused dishes with a wine that compliments it.
Tickets:  Advance:  $30, Designated Driver:  $15
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 21 – 22, 2015 – Coffee & Tea Festival (Brooklyn)
11:30 AM – 5:00 PM, VIP Admission:  10:00 – 11:30 AM, Brooklyn Expo Center, Brooklyn, New York
60+ exhibitors will offer over 100+ tastings
Tickets:  VIP admission $35+tax, includes early admission and gift bag, General Admission:  $25+ tax, 2 day pass:  $40+tax
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 21-22, & 28-29, 2015 – Maple Weekend (throughout New York State)
Check the official site here for additional information and to find participating locations throughout New York State.

March 28, 2015 – Glens Falls Brewfest  (Glens Falls)
4 PM – 8 PM, The Queensbury Hotel, Glens Falls, New York
Local brewers, regional craft beer makers, food samples and live music.
Tickets:  $40, with proceeds going to local charities.
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 28, 2015 – NYC Craft Distillers Festival (New York City)
VIP Session 1:  Noon entry Session 1:  1 PM – 4 PM VIP Session 2:  6 PM Entry Session 2:  7 PM – 10 PM, The Bowery Hotel, New York, New York
Enjoy 20+ curated Craft Distillers offering samples of over 60 craft spirits while listening to live 1920’s style jazz
Tickets:  VIP Session 1:  $150 + fee  Session 1:  $95 + fee  VIP Session 2:  $165 + fee Session 2:  $100 + fee (SOLD OUT)
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

March 29, 2015 – The I Love Chocolate Fest (Long Island)
10 AM – 6 PM, Academy Sports Complex, Farmingdale, New York
Chocolate, wine samples, meet the Easter Bunny, children’s activities.
Tickets online:  $10 for adults, $3 children (ages 3-12, kids under 3 are free) $5 student admission w/ID, $7 senior citizens 65+ (All tickets are $2 more when paying at the door)
Check the official site here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

January Food and Wine Festivals

Posted on by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

January Food Festivals

Depending on where you live in New York state and what your food and beverage preferences are, the below festivals might be of interest to you.  Please make sure to check the links for the most up-to-date information.  This list is only for informational purposes -I have not been to any of these festivals and cannot attest to the quality.

Galette de Rois Celebration (New York City)
http://www.fiaf.org/events/winter2014/2014-01-08-galette.shtml

Date:  January 8, 2015
Location: FIAF, Le Skyroom, 22 East 60th Street, New York, NYC 10022
Price:  $25 FIAF members (French Institute Alliance Française)
$30  non-members
Time: 6:30 pm

Pinot Days New York City (New York City)
http://www.pinotdays.com/Festivals/New_York_City.asp

Date:  January 18, 2015
Location:  City Winery: 155 Varick Street, Lower Westside Manhattan
Price:  $75 Grand Festival
$125 VIP Tasting and Seminar
Time:  Public Tasting 1 – 4 pm

2nd Annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival (New York City)
http://www.beerandbourbon.com/new-york/show-info

Date: January 24, 2015
Location: The Tunnel:  608 West 28th Street, NYC  10001
Price/Times:  Session 1 (Bacon Bash Tasting Session – Noon to 4 pm) $109 – sold out
Session 2 (The Whole Hog Pig Pickin’ Session – 5:30 – 9:30 pm) $99 – limited tickets available
Session 3 (The Grand Poobah Chicken N’ Biscuits Session – Noon – 9:30 pm) $199 – limited tickets available

4th Annual Niagara Wine & Beer Tasting (Niagara County)
http://www.niagarawineandbeerfest.com/

Date:  January 24, 2015
Location:  Kenan Center Arena – 195 Beattie Avenue, Lockport, New York 14094
Price:  $25 pre-sale
$30 at the event
$50 VIP
Time:  5-9 pm

Hudson Valley Wingbowl 8 (Dutchess County)
http://www.hvwingbowl.com/

Date:  January 24, 2015
Location:  Ramada Conference Center:  542 U.S. 9, Fishkill, New York 12524
Price:  $25 General Admission
$45 VIP
Kids 12 and under free
Time:  4:30 – 9:00 pm

Buffalo Winter Brewfest (Buffalo County)
http://www.buffalowinterbrewfest.com/

Date:  January 31, 2015
Location: Connecticut Street Armory:  184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, New York 14213
Price:  $35 in advance
$45 at the door
$10 designated driver ticket
$55 VIP tickets (must pre-purchase)
Time:  Session 1:  1-4 pm
Session 2:  7-10 pm
VIP Hour:  6-7 pm

Saratoga Chowderfest (Saratoga County)
http://www.saratoga.com/winter/chowderfest.cfm

Date:  Janaury 31, 2015
Location: Downtown Saratoga Springs at participating establishments (pick up a ballot at any participating restaurant, vote for your favorites, and return completed ballot at the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center or the Saratoga Springs City Center – winner will be announced at 6:30 pm at the city center)
Price:  $1 per cup of chowder
Time:  11 am – 4pm

If I have left any off this list,  please comment or share so I can update.  If you have attended any of these festivals please share your experience!