The 2008 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival

On the heels of the success of the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, founder and director Lee Brian Schrager and Southern Wine & Spirits of New York are pleased to announce the inaugural Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine magazine. The festival will take place this Columbus Day weekend, Friday, October 10th – Sunday, October 12th, in New York City's legendary Meatpacking District and will benefit the hunger-relief programs Food Bank for New York City and Share our Strength.

Since its inception eight years ago, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival has become one of the most prominent events in the country featuring the biggest and brightest names in the food and beverage industry. Its tremendous success rests upon the close working relationship with members of the South Beach community and local business owners. This year's festival raised close to two million dollars for Florida International University's School of Hospitality and its Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

"Creating a sister event to South Beach in one of the greatest food cities in the world is such a rewarding endeavor. New York is home to some of the most celebrated chefs, many of whom have participated in South Beach. The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is an opportunity to recognize this contribution and pay homage to the city of New York," explains Schrager of Southern Wine & Spirits. "The Meatpacking District holds such great history. It also features some of the most fashionable boutiques, celebrity chef restaurants and exciting nightlife. As the festival evolves, we seek to continue and foster relationships with neighborhood businesses as well as important community-based organizations such as Friends of the High Line."

The weekend kicks-off Friday evening with Meatpacking Uncorked, a neighborhood block party featuring the area's great restaurants, retailers and live entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday, guests can sample delicacies from their favorite New York City restaurants as well as wines and spirits at the Grand Tasting on Pier 54. In addition, culinary demonstrations, wine seminars, book signings and opportunities to meet renowned food personalities will take place throughout the neighborhood. Building upon the success of 2007, the festival will also include the tradition of SWEET presented by Ferrero Rocher on Saturday night which showcases delicious creations by select Food Network stars and New York City's pastry chefs, chocolatiers, bakers, confectioners and cheese makers.

David Rabin, President of the Meatpacking District Initiative (MPDI) concurs, "When we began MPDI 5 years ago, we hoped that one day we'd grow into an organization that could work on projects like this festival...we are thrilled to be working with Lee Schrager and believe that the MPDI is the quintessential 24/7 NY neighborhood to play host to this event."