Food Network's New York City Wine and Food Festival Is Back! (Tickets On Sale Now)

Grand Tasting Event sponsored by ShopRite at last year's festival

The second annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine Travel + Leisure magazines is scheduled to take place October 8-11, 2009.

Get your payment information out because tickets are on sale today! Once again this entincing event benefits some great charities, the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength, so you don't have to feel bad for treating yourself.

The inaugural event last year was a massive hit for both the culinary professionals and general public. Held the same weekend in 2008, the 2009 Festival is set to turn up the heat in New York City this Columbus Day weekend.

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is the only festival in New York to bring together both legendary culinary icons from around the globe and America's most beloved television chefs.

A couple of the events to look forward are:

• The kick-off event Chelsea Market After Dark presented by Food Network and hosted by
  Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) and
  Sandra Lee (Sandra's Money Saving Meals).

• Beloved and controversial New York Times restaurant critic
  Frank Bruni will hold a culinary discussion to share insights from the field and discuss the highly anticipated release of his book "Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater" (Penguin, 2009).

• An all-day affair Flavors of the Farm: A Day with Stone Barns Center and Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Chef Dan Barber).

• Hill Country will play host to the queen of Southern cuisine and her friends as
  Paula Deen hosts Down South Up North with boys
  Bobby and Jamie Deen; featuring the latest creations from the Lee Bros., along with
  Art Smith,
  Chris Lily and
  Katie Lee Joel.

• The unparalleled tasting of food, wine and spirits found in the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite at Pier 54 in Hudson River Park.

• Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by
  Allen Brothers hosted by
  Rachael Ray held under the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO.

• And so many more, for a full list check out the festival's website here.

Taking place primarily in the fashionable Meatpacking District and select landmark settings such as the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, the festival seamlessly integrates into the pace and lifestyle of the city. This year's talents include Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, Ming Tsai, Giada De Laurentiis, Tyler Florence, Anthony Bourdain, Alton Brown, Martha Stewart, Tom Colicchio and Guy Fieri, to name just a few.

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