I do not have to tell you the NYCWFF is a foodie’s dream and many people come in from out of town to enjoy indulging for a few days during mid-October each year. I milled about and studied the crowd, observed superstar chef demos and was thrilled to see that Fairway had a whole alleyway of booths manned by their most fabulous brands from Melissa’s Produce to Ritter Sport chocolate bars. Here are my three most memorable events. I’m just an everyday foodie, so I am willing to try any type of food that I would not normally encounter as well as my old favorites!
NYCWFF FAVE EVENT #1: FoodieCon® 2025 was one of the most creator-focused highlights of the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Instead of just being another food festival experience, it was designed as an immersive space for influencers, food lovers, brands, and chefs to come together in one content-driven environment. The event took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the Seaport campus, centering around the waterfront and the Tin Building. This new location gave the festival a fresh, energetic backdrop—complete with scenic views, iconic architecture, and a lively atmosphere that was ideal for capturing standout photos and videos. The structure of the day focused on live panels, interactive food demos, tastings, and branded experiences.
Top creators and chefs led conversations on trends in food content, shared insights on building personal brands, and offered practical tips for shooting and sharing food online. At the same time, attendees were able to sample dishes from top New York City restaurants and explore photo-ready setups designed for stories and reels. Unlike the traditional tastings of the larger festival, FoodieCon leaned heavily into visual storytelling and influencer networking, making it a playground for content creation.
The crowd was a mix of food creators, media personalities, brand reps, and passionate food fans, giving influencers a chance to connect directly with brands and other creators. This made it an ideal opportunity for networking, brand collaborations, and trendspotting. Many brands had custom activations, with immersive backdrops, giveaways, and interactive experiences that were meant to be photographed, filmed, and shared across social platforms. The energy was informal but polished, with creators capturing their “behind-the-scenes” moments while also learning from industry peers. Favorite food booth encounters included chocolate whiskey truffles by Sift Bake Shop in the Mohegan Sun and the above pictured Pistachio Supreme cream filled circular pastries by Lafayette 380 pictured above.
NYCWFF FAVE EVENT #23 The Taste of Tomorrow event at 2025 put the spotlight on the future of food with an energy that felt both forward-thinking and deliciously grounded in tradition. Hosted by acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson, the event gathered some of the industry’s most innovative chefs, farmers, and food tech leaders to explore what the next era of dining could look like. Guests were welcomed into an immersive space that combined tastings, live demonstrations, and panel discussions, blending culinary artistry with sustainability and innovation.
A major highlight was seeing Samuelsson engage with guests and panelists, leading thoughtful conversations on how chefs can help shape more equitable and sustainable food systems. The tastings reflected this vision: vibrant plant-forward bites, globally inspired flavors, and zero-waste approaches that showcased how creativity can meet conscience in the kitchen. There was also a strong focus on community—both in the ingredients sourced and the stories told on stage—giving the event a heartfelt, collaborative spirit.
For food lovers and industry insiders alike, Taste of Tomorrow stood out as a celebration of change, culture, and culinary possibility. It was less about what’s trendy and more about what’s next, setting a thoughtful and inspiring tone for the future of dining. The top moments at this event (for me anyway) was Marcus Samuelson bringing all the chefs involved up onstage to give them introductions to the audience and getting to try Charles Pan Fried Chicken for the first time. (It lived up to the hype and then some!)
NYCWFF FAVE EVENT #3: one of the most anticipated daytime events was A Brunch Affair presented by Mike’s Amazing took place on Saturday, October 18th, at the festival’s Seaport campus on the 4th floor of Pier 17/Invesco QQQ. This lively brunch gave guests the chance to enjoy a walk-around tasting experience, where they could sample a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes, sip creative cocktails, and soak in stunning waterfront views of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The brunch brought together a star-studded lineup of chefs and TV personalities including Sunny Anderson, Alex Guarnaschelli, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, and Geoffrey Zakarian. Guests wandered from station to station, enjoying everything from fluffy pancakes and over-the-top egg dishes to crispy bacon, juicy burgers, and brunch-inspired desserts. The beverage options were just as enticing, with craft cocktails, mimosas, and spicy Bloody Marys adding to the festive energy of the day.
What made the event truly special was the atmosphere. The combination of iconic New York views, upbeat music, and world-class food created a laid-back yet elevated vibe. It was a celebration of brunch culture at its finest—casual, indulgent, and perfectly social. This was a moment for food lovers, influencers, and festival goers to relax, connect, and savor some of the best bites of the weekend. Pictured above is one of my favorite booths—you can see a photo of the delicious Potato & Leek Frittata created by Chef Andrew Riccatelli of Barbarosa. One of my other favorite dishes was the Bread & Butter Pudding served by Chef John Doherty at Brown Barn Restaurant.
