The 19th annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival drew more than 35,000 attendees to over 50 events across New York City from October 15 to 18, 2026. Produced by a21, the festival returned to the Seaport and added The Rooftop at Pier 17 as a new venue. Celebrity appearances ranged from Sylvester Stallone and Bryan Cranston to Whoopi Goldberg and mgk, but the event also offered a practical look at how a large food festival is organized.
How the Festival Was Organized
The four-day event brought together more than 300 chefs, culinary personalities, creators and entertainers. Most of the weekend centered on the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport, where waterfront tastings, live culinary demonstrations and a large Grand Tasting were held. The Rooftop at Pier 17 made its festival debut as part of the Norwegian Cruise Line Rooftop Series, hosting chef-driven dinners and celebrations, while additional events took place at restaurants across the city.
Burger Bash and Trade Day Highlights
The festival opened on October 15 with Blue Moon Burger Bash, hosted by Rachael Ray and Bert Kreischer. Winners included Gotham Burger from Michael Puma, which took the Pat LaFrieda Judges' Choice award, and Nowon's Legendary Cheeseburger from Chef Jae Lee, which won the People's Choice vote. On Friday, Southern Glazer's Trade Day drew more than 5,000 hospitality professionals to the campus for industry conversations and networking.
Charitable Support and What Comes Next
The 2026 festival supported the James Beard Foundation and Event Zero Foundation, both focused on a more sustainable future for the hospitality and events industries. Organizers announced that the festival will return October 14 to 17, 2027, for its 20th anniversary. Details on that edition, including the lineup and ticketing, had not been published in the supplied material.