FRIED & TRUE by Lee Brian Schrager

"The Sky is falling!" - Chicken Little

It finally happened! Our very own Lee Schrager, Director of SOBE and NYC Wine  & Food Fesival spread his wings, flew the coup and traveled in search for the best fried chicken, found it and wrote a book about it! FRIED & TRUE, the cookbook with finger lick'n fried chicken comes out Tuesday, May 20th and features more than 50 exciting fried chicken recipes from America’s most delicious kitchens, with 25 perfect sides to accompany them. WARNING: The fried chicken photos in this book may leave you feeling a bit peckish, so have the ingredients ready.

Don't miss the fun and follow @Lee_Schrager on Twitter as he shakes a tail feather in celebration of his book launch and runs around the city like a chicken with it's head cut off promoting. Meanwhile, don't chicken out, get your copy today on Amazon for just chicken feed. 

Okay, I need to stop because I can do this all day. One more thing... Why did the chicken cross the road? To become an NYC SIDEWALKER of course! Yolks on you, now cluck off and get a copy of FRIED & TRUE.
http://www.friedandtruebook.com/

New Taste UWS

New Taste of the Upper Westside is the culmination of everything that is so great about this amazing New York City neighborhood. It celebrates the diversity of its resident restaurants by putting them all under one grand white tent for a weekend full of eating, drinking and dancing along with their superstar Chefs!

Soirée in the Park at Theodore Roosevelt Park on Tuesday, May 27th at 7pm

Cocktail event under the stars to celebrate and raise funds for New York City’s beautiful Theodore Roosevelt Park, which surrounds the American Museum of Natural History. Proceeds from the evening benefit the park’s revitalization programs as guests enjoy live music, champagne and hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chris Wyman of Corvo Bianco, Maria Loi of Loi, Cesare Casella of Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto and Rodney Mitchell of Calle Ocho. Cost $150

Comfort Classics Presented cby Sysco Friday May 30th 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Hosted by Travel Channel’s Adam Richman for the fourth consecutive year, along with Food Network star and Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli. 40 restaurants from the Upper West Side showcasing their most innovative comfort dishes and competing to win this year’s “Best Comfort Food Dish". Under the grand white tent that spans Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Street. Cost: $105pp or 2 persons for $185

Best of the West Presented by Ford Saturday May 31stp 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Hosted by New York Knicks broadcaster Jill Martin. The evening will feature gourmet fare created by some of the Upper West Side’s most talented chefs and restaurants. Including culinary stars Jean-Georges Vongerichten of Jean-Georges and Joe Ng of Red Farm to Jacque Torres of Jacque Torres Chocolates and Joe Quintana of Rosa Mexicano.  A special tribute to world-renowned chef and owner Daniel Boulud of DANIEL, Café Boulud, Bar Pleiades, db Bistro Moderne, Bar Boulud, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, Boulud Sud and Épicerie Boulud. Boulud’s. All happening under the grand white tent that spans Columbus Avenue between West 76th and 77th Street. Cost: $135 per person or 2 for $250. VIP-$225 (6:00pm entry) 

Check out the website and get your tickets! http://www.newtasteuws.com/

Open Market

Meatpacking District Improvement Association will host its 2nd Annual OPEN MARKET May 12, 2014, an evening celebrating the best of the Meatpacking District under one roof at Highline Stages. Hosts Diane von Furstenberg, Andrew Rosen and André Balazs will be joined by virtually all of the retail, restaurant, hospitality and cultural businesses in the neighborhood to present an exciting evening of food, fashion and fun. Bid on exclusive experiential shopping parties and trips from participanting brands at OPEN MARKET's silent auction. 

Event info and purchase tickets: openmarketnyc.com

100% of the proceeds go to the Meatpacking District Improvement Association (MPIA), the non-profit business alliance of the area, supporting the community through outreach, marketing, and a district-wide maintenance beautification program. The MPIA works to improve the visitor experience and unite the community, while making it the premier location for businesses to call home.

MCC 2014

Created this collage for the #MCC2014 Twitter Contest.
RT @NYCsidewalker: Cheers to 5 years of revelry @cocktailclassic Happy Birthday! #MCCturns5

LISTEN-UP LUSHES! Manhattan Cocktail Classic Turns 5 this year and New York City is already buzzing! Don't get caught sober on the sidewalks wondering why you didn't get tickets to the events May 9th - 13th. There will be parties your momma warned you about, liquid learning at Behind the Bar seminars, Cocktail Crawls and of course the infamous Kick-Off Gala at the New York Public Library, where anything can happen and will, but you probably won't remember until someone reminds you about it the next day. There will be cocktails; copious amounts of COCkTAILS!

Raise A Glass and Raise A Ruckus at this year’s Gala with star-studded musical talents that will rival the libations for center stage. GRAMMY Award-winners Big Boi and DJ Questlove will headline in the GREY GOOSE® Vodka ballroom, celebrating the launch of the super-premium vodka brand’s newest flavored vodka, GREY GOOSE® Le Melon, with a glittering masquerade ball; while famed DJ duo AndrewAndrew take center stage in Hangar 1 Vodka's "Craft in a Glass" lounge. Local talents Herbert Holler, Honey & Vinyl, and the Handsome Man Band will round out the evening’s musical lineup. So, hurry up and pick your poison and see you at the boisterous fête. Cheers! http://www.manhattancocktailclassic.com/

LUCKYRICE NEW YORK

Here's a peek at the menu and everything you'll get to try at this year's 

LUCKYRICE NEW YORK FEAST

Eat, Drink and Get Lucky!

FRIDAY, MAY 2

7:00 - 8:00 P.M. (VIP)

8:00 - 10:00 P.M. (GA)

http://luckyrice.com/upcoming-events#new-york-feast

MCC 2014

The Manhattan Cocktail Classic, New York’s peerless multi-day celebration of cocktails and culture announces the fifth anniversary edition of the festival that will take place on May 9th - 13th ,2014. The five day festival will once again include the famed opening night Gala at The New York Public Library, dozens of spirited events throughout the city and top flight educational seminars. Tickets go on sale on March 14 at 12 noon EDT via the Classic’s website www.manhattancocktailclassic.com

“We’ve been incredibly lucky to enjoy such amazing momentum,” says Lesley Townsend Duval, Founder and Executive Director, Manhattan Cocktail Classic. “But I think a lot of that rests on the fact that most of the festival is crowd-sourced: brands, bartenders, bars, restaurants – the folks who are on the front lines of igniting libations trends produce most of the annual programming, so I’d say this is very much a festival for cocktail enthusiasts by cocktail enthusiasts. It’s an approach that keeps the festival fresh and relevant year after year, and keeps our faithful followers thirsty for more.”

New York’s Biggest Cocktail Party: The Opening Night Gala

On May 9, 2014, the iconic New York Public Library on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue will once again be transformed into one of the world’s largest (and certainly most glamorous) cocktail extravaganzas. One of the city’s most anticipated events of the year and drawing a crowd of over 3,000 elegantly-attired guests from across the nation and worldwide, this decadent, not-to-be-missed bacchanal will take over the Library’s hallowed marbled halls, grand staircases and stately reading rooms for four magical hours of revelry, magic, and mischief (and around 25,000 hand-crafted cocktails). One of this year’s highlights includes a craft vodka lounge with an all-female team of top bartenders.

Five Days of Revelry, Discernment, and Spirited Hijinks...

The fifth anniversary edition’s independently produced, crowd-sourced events include the creation of the world’s largest hand-muddled Caipirinha to honor the World Cup in Brazil; an exhibition and tasting of 100 small batch artisanal spirits; a local distillery visit; an indulgent pairing of chocolate and cocktails; and, a pig and punch fundraiser. Numerous seminars and interactive workshops at top watering holes round out the offerings.

Improve Your Spirits IQ at the 2014 Industry Invitational’s NEW Location!

The festival’s annual trade conference, the Industry Invitational, will be held this year at a stunning new venue, Convene Downtown, in the Financial District. Geared towards the festival’s trade contingent of beverage and hospitality industry professionals, the 2014 conference offers two action packed days of seminars, panels, tastings, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities galore. The new venue includes a 212-person state-of-the-art amphitheater for keynote tasting seminars, a plethora of hospitality suites, bars, and lounges, and a spacious walk-around tasting exhibition. The relocation is part of the Classic’s commitment to support the redevelopment efforts of the neighborhood, and to be part of FiDi’s growing cocktail culture.

About the Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Part festival, part fête, part conference, part cocktail party – the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is an annual celebration of the myriad points of intersection between cocktails and culture. With nearly 100 events spread across five days and three boroughs, the Classic offers a vast array of unique experiences to enthusiasts and professionals alike, expanding the very definition of what constitutes a “cocktail event.” The fifth anniversary festival will take place on May 9-13, 2014. Cocktail fans should mark their calendars. Tickets will go on sale March 14 at 12 noon EDT. Bottoms Up!

Event listings and tickets visit www.manhattancocktailclassic.com

Follow the Classic on Twitter at @cocktailclassic #MCC2014

“Like” on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ManhattanCocktailClassic. 

Cochon 555 Miami

When Pigs Fly... They Fly South

to Cochon 555 Miami

Four Seasons Hotel Miami

February 9th, 2014

4:00pm - 8:00pm

Cochon US Tour and Goose Island Beer Co. presents Cochon 555 Miami on Feb. 9th 2014. Going on its sixth year, Cochon 555 is the nation’s premier culinary tour touting the flavor and benefits of eating heritage breed pigs. The kickoff event features an all-star lineup of five chefs, five pigs and five wineries to celebrate breed diversity and family farming.

The weekend kicks-off at Edge Steak & Bar with a Chef's Course Dinner featuring 5 guest chefs cooking a special "Foie & Feathers" themed 5-course dinner with a very limited number of seats. Take a rest day poolside before crushing 1200 pounds of the best pork dishes you have ever eaten prepared by 5 amazing chefs in a friendly competition at the stunning Four Seasons Miami.

Competing chefs include Aaron Brooks of EDGE Steak and Bar, Conor Hanlon of The Dutch, Bradley Herron of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Dena Marino of MC Kitchen and Jose Mendin of Pub Belly. The five chefs, champions to the pig, will battle it out by preparing a maximum of six dishes each created from one whole heritage breed pig to win votes from a crowd of hungry gourmands and celebrated judges.

Tickets for general admission are $125, and VIP tickets for early admission are $200. http://events.cochon555.com/miami_cochon555

SOBEWFF 2014

This Winter, feel the sand between your toes instead of not feeling your toes at all at the Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Festival February 20-23. The North East is getting particularly hit with snow and freezing temperatures this year. So Let's Blow This Popsicle Stand and head for some Fun in the Sun at this year's best beach parties and culinary attractions. There's still time to book your travel, whether it be by plane, train or skis. Miami awaits Sunny and 75°F. 

HOT TICKETS NOW ON SALE:  http://www.sobefest.com

- MasterCard Priceless^® Miami Preview: Moët Hennessy's The Q presented by Creekstone Farms sponsored by Miami Magazine hosted by Michael Symon & The 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models

- Modern Mexican with a Spanish Twist hosted by Bruno Oteiza with Richard Sandoval

- Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels presents Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament hosted by Jose Andres

- Wine Spectator Wine Seminar: Aston Estate & Boars' View by Schrader: A Comparison of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Vineyards

- Forge welcomes Chef April Bloomfield in celebration of the Spotted Pig's 10th Anniversary: Part of The New York Times Dinner Series - Fontainebleau Miami Beach presents Wine Spectator's Best of the Best sponsored by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch - Fun and Fit as a Family sponsored by Carnival featuring Goya Kidz Kitchen hosted by Robert Irvine  - Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village featuring MasterCard Grand Tasting Tent  - Barilla Interactive Lunch hosted by Katie Lee - Bank of America Lifestyle Seminar: Fried & True: A Fried Chicken Seminar hosted by Lee Brian Schrager, Adeena Sussman and Mark Oldman - Bank of America Lifestyle Seminar Confections of a Macaroon Maker hosted by Francois Payard and Josh Wesson  - Goya Foods' Swine & Wine hosted by Michelle Bernstein  - Soul of a Banquet Movie Night in partnership with Miami International Film Festiva SOBEWFF: http://www.sobefest.com TWITTER: @Lee_Schrager FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SOBEWFF

COCHON 555

The kickoff event for the Cochon US Tour and Goose Island Beer Co. is going down this weekend. Cochon 555 New York City is THIS SUNDAY (1/26/14) at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. There's going to be an all-star lineup of chefs, five pigs and five wineries to celebrate breed diversity, family farming and food enthusiasts.

This year’s competing chefs include Frank Langello of Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Michael Toscano of Perla, Seamus Mullen of Tertulia, Lauren Hirschberg of Craftbar, and David Standridge of Market Table. The five chefs, champions to the pig, will battle it out in a friendly competition by preparing a maximum of six dishes each created from one whole heritage breed pig to win votes from a crowd of hungry gourmands and celebrated judges.

Tickets for general admission are $125, and VIP tickets for early admission are $200.  Tickets are on sale and they make great gifts for the ultra-pork-wine-bourbon-loving foodie in your life. See You this weekend. Cheers! http://cochon555.com/2014-tour/new-york/

Super Bowl XLVIII

The Super Bowl is coming to New York City. Don't get left out in the cold and stay up-to-date with everything you need to know and join the huddle. Twitter: @NYNJSuperBowl  #NYNJSuperBowl 

The NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee is proud to work with the people of NY and NJ to make Super Bowl XLVIII a fantastic experience. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... http://www.nynjsuperbowl.com

The Dizzy Fizz: Holiday Spirits Bazaar

Tickets Available www.holidayspiritsbazaar.com

#ChampagneDay

http://www.champagne.fr/en/homepagehttp://www.champagne.fr/en/homepage

#GenArtFilmFest

NYCWFF 2013

Once upon a time a giant culinary festival took over the NYC gastronomy scene and the rest, as they say, is yummy! Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is approaching fast October 17th - 20th, so buy your tickets and get ready to eat, drink and eat some more at fan favorites Blue Moon Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray and Tacos & Tequila with Bobby Flay.  FOOD & WINE Best New Chefs 25th Anniversary Party is sure be a Who's Who of the culinary world. #NYCWFF is also celebrating Oktoberfest for the first time and promises an afternoon of cold beer and hot sausages hosted by Andrew Zimmern, PROST! Then, Goooo sport fans... Touchdown and eat up Jet Fans on a judge free zone at Jets + Chefs: The Ultimate Tailgate hosted by Joe Namath and Mario Batali. [~doing the wave~]

If you're into something more intimate attend, One-Of-A-Kind-Dinners such as Ivan Ramen's Taste of Tokyo Dinner; The Ultimate Catch hosted by Ben Sargent; Rockin’ Cuisine presented by Wine Spectator hosted by Bill Telepan & Andrea Reusing; there's also the Daniel Patterson, Sean Brock and George Mendes Dinner; and The Chef and the Doctor hosted by David Bouley and Dr. Mark Hyman

NYCWFF will cater to the city that never sleeps with late night parties such as Gotham West Market Opening Party; Rockin' Dumplings and Rollin' Sushi hosted by Masaharu Morimoto; Cigars & Spirits by Cigar Aficionado and Whisky Advocate; and Patrón XO Cafe Late Night; or try something new at Global Night Market in The Plaza Food Hall hosted by Todd English.

Lets not forget the most important meal of the day, BRUNCH! Whether you prefer sweet pancakes or savory eggs dishes, spicy Bloody Mary's or bubbly. So as they say in the South... What do you have a taste for? The New York Times presents Greenmarket Brunch hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian,  All that Jazz Brunch by Foods from Chile hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli or a power brunch at Taste NY hosted by The Honorable Andrew Cuomo and Friends.

The Walk-Around Tasting events are obviously our favorite at NYCWFF! The Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite Featuring KitchenAid® Culinary Demonstrations by Food Network personalities and chefs presented by MasterCard® is the biggest event and runs on Saturday and Sunday. Copious amounts of wines and liquor, tables amongst tables of tasty bites from the best New York restaurants. This is the must attend to event. See you there... and don't forget to wear your fat pants.

New York City Wine & Food Festival

October 17th - 20th, 2013

Tickets: http://www.nycwff.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lee_Schrager

#NYCWFF 2013

Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented by FOOD & WINE Announces 2013 Event Line-Up and Moves its Central Hub to Midtown West

- The Festival Takes Place October 17 – 20, 2013 -

New York, New York (May 2013) – Festival founder and director Lee Brian Schrager is pleased to unveil the event schedule for the 2013 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE benefiting Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry^® campaign.  Taking place October 17 – 20 the Festival will feature a dynamic line-up of returning signature events, a plethora of new soirées and exclusive chef-driven dinners that once again brings top winemakers, spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities from around the world for an unparalleled weekend to Eat. Drink. End Hunger. in New York City.  Adding to the excitement, the Festival is pleased to announce a new partnership with Hudson, Morgans Hotel Group’s celebrated hotel known for its whimsical design and iconic public spaces.  As Headquarter Hotel, Hudson will serve as the ideal backdrop for a variety of Festival events, including wine and pairing seminars hosted by FOOD & WINE, complementing the move of the Festival’s central hub to Midtown West.

Mark the calendar:  Starting Monday, June 10, MasterCard^® cardholders will enjoy exclusive presale access to all of the Festival’s 100 events at www.nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933. 

“We are excited to announce this year’s program, which highlights both fresh and returning signature events at new venues in Midtown, including Pier 92 and Pier 94,” noted Schrager, who also serves as the vice president of corporate communications & national events for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.  “This year’s Bank of America Dinner Series also features a truly impressive line-up of host chefs from around the globe, paired with the finest wines from the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio.”         

Pier 94 will be the new home of the Festival’s signature Southern Wine & Spirits of New York Trade Tasting presented by Beverage Media Group and Grand Tasting presented by Shoprite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard^®.  Celebrity chefs and culinary personalities appearing on the KitchenAid Culinary Demonstration stages include Anne Burrell, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, Emeril Lagasse, and many more.  The adjacent Pier 92 will host the Festival’s iconic Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray and Olmeca Altos Tequila presents Tacos & Tequila hosted by Bobby Flay, as well as new events including: Jets + Chefs Ultimate Tailgate hosted by Mario Batali, and La Sagra Sunday Slices sponsored by Time Out New York hosted by Anne Burrell & Adam Richman.     

Gourmands and aficionados looking for one-of-a-kind wine and culinary experiences will be delighted by the line-up for the Festival’s Bank of America Dinner Series, featuring internationally-acclaimed chefs and fine wine pairings.  The series will take place in venues across New York City and includes:

• “I Love NY” hosted by Daniel Humm & Will Guidara
• Yardbird Hong Kong Dinner hosted by Matt Abergel
• Farm-to-Table Dinner presented by Wine Spectator hosted by Bill Telepan & Andrea Reusing
• Manresa: An Edible Reflection hosted by David Kinch
• The Chef and the Doctor hosted by David Bouley & Dr. Mark Hyman
• Cross-Country Dinner hosted by Sean Brock, George Mendes & Daniel Patterson
• Inside the Empire: Dinner hosted by Pubbelly
• A Night in the D.O.M. hosted by Alex Atala
• One Plate at a Time presented by Wine Spectator hosted by Rick Bayless
• Italian Paradise Dinner hosted by Giada De Laurentiis
• Classico E Moderno hosted by Michael White & The Altamarea Group Chefs
• The Ultimate Catch hosted by Ben Sargent
• The Silver Standard Dinner hosted by Dan Silverman & Michael Schlow
• Flavors of the West Coast – Tyler Florence Brings Wayfare Tavern to New York City presented by Wine Spectator
• Exploring the Mediterranean: Dinner hosted by Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi
• Reimagined Classics: Dinner hosted by Quince’s Michael Tusk
• Taste of Tokyo: Dinner hosted by Ivan Orkin

In addition, the 2013 Festival will include a very special fête in honor of the 25^th Anniversary of FOOD & WINE’s Best New Chefs, plus new events like Delta Air Lines Global Night Market at The Plaza Food Hall hosted by Todd English featuring Hot Bread Kitchen and Guy Fieri’s Rock of Ages Party.   Returning fan-favorites include: Meatpacking Uncorked presented by Cupcake Vineyards, Time Warner Cable presents Chicken Coupe hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Thrillist’s Barbecue & The Blues presented by Creekstone Farms hosted by Robert Irvine, Rockin’ Dumplings & Rollin’ Sushi hosted by Masaharu Morimoto, and a series of Master Classes at the International Culinary Center.  

General ticket sales for the 2013 Festival start Monday, June 24 online at www.nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933 (phone sales open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST).  100% of the net proceeds from the Festival benefit Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.  Stay up to date with the excitement by following the Festival atwww.Facebook.com/NYCWFF or follow founder and director Lee Brian Schrager atwww.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager.    

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About the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry^® campaign, 100% of the Festival’s net proceeds go toward helping these community based organizations fight hunger.  Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival.  More information about the Festival can be found at www.nycwff.org.   

About the Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 30 years as the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of  community-based member programs citywide, Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank’s hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.

About SHARE OUR STRENGTH’S NO KID HUNGRY CAMPAIGN

No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry^® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through its Cooking Matters program.  This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

New Taste of the Upper West Side

6th Annual Whole Foods Market New Taste of the Upper West Side Announces New Faces, New Look, New Weekend Friday, May 31st, and Saturday June 1st.

Travel Channel’s Adam Richman to Host Comfort Classics

Top Chef Judge and Food & Wine Special Projects Director Gail Simmons To Host Best of the West Honoring Shake Shack Creators Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti.

The 2013 Whole Foods Market New Taste of the Upper West Side is back celebrating its sixth year with top-name chefs, A-list hosts, renowned honorees and more participating restaurants. Created by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), proceeds from the weekend will continue to benefit the Columbus Avenue BID’s Streetscape Project as well as support the Wellness in its Schools program at the O’Shea School complex and P.S. 87.

Kicking off the 6th Annual Whole Foods New Taste of the Upper West Side is an exciting new event, Soirée in the Park on Wednesday, May 29th, at7 p.m. in Theodore Roosevelt Park. Hosted by the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID), the festive fundraiser will feature champagne and hors d’oeuvres by chefs John Fraser (Dovetail), Maria Loi (Loi) and Cesare Casella (Salumeria Rosi Parmacotta)

Comfort Classics, Friday

Friday May 31st, 2013

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

$105 per person

Under the Grand Tent on Columbus Avenue between W 76th and W 77th Street. Hosted by Travel Channel’s Adam Richman, the connoisseur of cool, returns to host this high-energy evening for the third consecutive year. Featuring over 40 chefs from Upper West Side institutions to new entities, the evening will showcase unique bites inspired by old time classics along with new takes on time treasured favorites served alongside cocktails, wine and spirits by Southern Food and Wine and music from DJ Fresh.

Best of the West

Saturday June 1st, 2013

VIP, $250 per person 6:00 pm

General Admission $135 per person from 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Under the Grand Tent on Columbus Avenue between W 76th and W 77th Street. Celebrating the Upper West Side’s most extraordinary chefs and restaurants, hosted by Top Chef Judge and Food & Wine Special Projects Director Gail Simmons and honoring restaurateur visionaries and Shake Shack creators Danny Meyer and Randy Garutti, the Best of the West is a culinary lover’s dream. With more than 40 of New York’s premier chefs, wine and spirits, and live music from the 17-piece New York Big Band; this is an event not to be missed. Be sure to order VIP tickets if you’d like to mingle with some of the culinary stars.

Tickets now on sale www.newtasteuws.com

Manhattan Cocktail Classic 2013

Whether you sip, slurp, gulp or gargle... It's time to pinky-up because the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is coming May 17-21, 2013. What does this mean? WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Well, for starters, fancy dressed Cocktailians will be roaming the New York Public Library which will be transformed into one of the world’s grandest cocktail parties for the Opening Night Gala. The black-tie event will take over all four floors of the marbled halls, filling every reading room, stairwell, nook and cranny with masterfully created cocktails, live musical performances, delectable nibbles and noshes, and thousands of the city’s most fashionable movers and shakers filling every room libating their way through chapters of mixology recipes. Then, throughout the five imbibing days, hob nob with other cocktail lovers at all the different spirited soirées, bar crawls, bus tours, pig roasts, punch parties; and a three-day trade conference for beverage industry professionals.

WAIT. THERE'S MORE! Le Bernardin’s Chef Eric Riper will host a cocktail-paired dinner. Brooklyn cocktail mecca, Huckleberry Bar, will have a mixology class featuring Brooklyn-based, produced and inspired spirits. Celebrate Grand Central Terminal’s 100th anniversary at The Campbell Apartment, featuring turn-of-the 20th century cocktails. Also, a decadent afternoon of chocolate and cocktail pairings. Um... Tiki Safari? (Cant wait to see what that's all about!) Then off to learn a few tricks of the trade, only to forget everything after sampling a few too many at countless bar seminars and hands-on workshops at some of NYC’s most heralded watering holes. Finally, hair of the dog at a boozy brunch. WHATTHEHELL? Don't say I didn't warn you. Good Luck and Cheers!

Tickets go on sale March 15th at Noon http://www.manhattancocktailclassic.com/

evian® @ SOBEWFF

evian® is making a splash at the  Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE with Chef Richard Blais on Instagram and Twitter!

evian Natural Spring Water returns to the South Beach Food & Wine Festival as an official water sponsor for the 12th consecutive year. This year, evian has partnered with TV personality and Atlanta based restaurateur, Chef Richard Blais, for an interactive takeover of the @evianwater Instagram account to provide the social community with a behind-the-scenes view of the epicurean festival with a Live young® twist.

Beginning Friday February 15, 2013, the week leading up to #SOBEWFF, Chef Blais will kick off the #evianeats Foodie Photo Series on Instagram, where a fun, foodie theme will be posted once a day on the @evianwater Instagram account. Instagram users are invited to upload photos of their own culinary creations and dishes via Instagram and Twitter (@evianwater) using hash tag #evianeats. Then, Chef Blais will take over the @evianwater Instagram account live from #SOBEWFF and will tweet and Instagram all the action live! So whether you are at the festival or not... join in on the fun!

Oh yeah, And if you are wondering where NYC Sidewalker will be? We'll be at the SOBEWFF Grand Tasting Village, inside the evian® interactive photo booth making all the funny faces... Woohoo!

More information can be found at: http://www.evian.us
Facebook: http://facebook.com/evian
Twitter: https://twitter.com/evianwater
Instagram: http://instagram.com/evianwater

Cochon 555

5 Chefs, 5 Pigs, 5 Winemakers for 5 Porky Years! The Fifth Anniversary Tour kicks off in New York City on February 10th, which also happens to be my birthday! Coincidence? I think NOT. This traveling pork circus will then continue to nine other cities. All in preparation for the the Grand Cochon (that's like, head pig in charge). So get your tickets because a little swine will do you fine. http://www.cochon555.com/

· New York City on February 10

· Atlanta on February 17

· Vail on March 10

· Seattle on March 17

· Boston on March 24

· Washington, DC on April 7

· San Francisco on April 14

· Miami on April 24

· Chicago on April 28

· Los Angeles on May 5