I’m stuffed, full, filled to the brim.
It’s halfway through what’s aptly dubbed the Grand Tasting at the New York City Wine and Food Festival and I’ve had such an array of snacks and libations; my body is no doubt wondering how to process it all. But, hey: that’s the American way!
I suppose it’s all par for the course for delightful brouhaha that encapsulates culinary and cocktail into a Super Bowl for foodies. Located on the Westside of New York City behind the massive Jacob Javits Center on the shores of the mighty Hudson River, the trek here was full of hungry revelers making their way to the river’s edge to enjoy it all al fresco. On my way, I curiously spot Spidermans and Harry Potters; but that’s only because Comic Con is taking place the same day.
Over at this decidedly less nerdy affair, this year’s lineup of appearances is still a starry one: Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston are on hand (naturally plugging their tequila Dos Hombres), as is everyone from music stars (Run DMC’s Reverend Run), TV cooks (Rachel Ray, Michael Irvine, Carla Hall) and culinary brand names (Pat LaFreida). And yes, Martha Stewart appeared too.
Naturally some of the top bartenders, mixologists and booze brands were well-represented. Major players like Johnnie Walker as well as Peroni, to name just two. New York brands showed up in full force, including Rockey’s (the Brooklyn-based botanical liquor). CHILLED Magazine cover star Jennifer Lopez’s line of spritzes Delola has an airy booth here, as well as the Italian classic Aperol, and Hakutsuru’s Juicy Yuzu, the popular Japanese liquor.
Among many cocktail luminaries are Gabe Orta, Elad Zvi and Christine Wiseman who hold the distinction of being three of the city’s top mixologists as part of Bar Lab.
Many brands go all out; one driving in a classic car to be a part of their display; another boasting picture booths, like the Peruvian showcase assembled by the country’s tourism board. Aside from the Pisco, it’s here where I naturally pose with a photo with a stuffed Alpaca with a panorama of the majestic Andes behind me. Elsewhere, I run into the beloved Italian American chef Lidia Bastinach who has a table promoting her line of jarred tomato sauces. I can’t help but take a selfie as I dip some delicious bread into her red gold.
Along the way, I sample as much as I could: sipping on Yuzu and Peroni, munching on Conch sandwiches from the Bahamas Tourism booth and chunky cookies from local bakery Levain. To be on a diet on a day like today, one would have to have a wanton disregard for pure joy.
Eventually I make my way to the El Tequileño booth. Unlike other brands, this Tequila company has been around for a minute: it was founded back in 1959, well before other tequila brands were a sparkle in their parent’s eye (I’m looking at you, Kylie Jenner’s 818). The company honors the people of Tequila in Mexico with both its name and its commitment to the community. Along with the distillery, their campus boasts a hotel, and around town they’re known for their eye-popping murals.
It’s a tradition they brought here to the festival. During the weekend, they brought in the Guadalajara artist Pau Castiello to paint one live as revelers sip their range of libations including their two Reposados and a Cristlano. As I arrive, the mural is nearing completion; a woman surrounded by a sparkling headdress, flanked by the browns and oranges of autumn. It’s massive and spectacular. Better yet, I’m told the impressive end result will subsequently be auctioned off to raise money for the charity God’s Love We Deliver.
Fast forward later in the night. The festival is known for a variety of ancillary events, and I attend Latin Night, a bash hosted by The View personality Ana Navaro and the chef Franco Noreiga. It’s a full-blown fiesta here with drummers and a lively DJ, passed around tequila, including from El Tequileño. I sip down a shot with a rim of tajin; always a better choice than straight-up salt.
The New York cocktail elite has shown up in droves, including Armando Cortes. He’s a bartender at both the poplar Big Apple watering hole Superbueno (which boasts a booth here at Latin Night) as well as Katana Kitten which in a matter of days would be ranked No. 27 on a list of the World’s 50 Best Bars.
Smaller, equally notable, outfits are here too. I meet Yesina Ramdass, the Executive Chef at the plant-based Caribbean restaurant HAAM which is opening up in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood this fall. I help myself to a plant-based ceviche, as well as some delightfully crispy Plátano chips topped with an aptly named “Hot As A Motha Peppah” sauce. It lives up to its spicy moniker.
By the end of the night as “Oye Cómo Va” blasts through the sound system and Ana Navaro tells everyone to dance and take a shot, I dutifully oblige with some more El Tequileño.
Cheers to you, NYCWFF. I’m already hungry for next year.
The post Inside the New York City Wine and Food Festival appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
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