New York Food City & Wine Festival 2014

The annual New York City Food & Wine Festival descends on New York this Wednesday, bringing chefs from all over the world and food personalities straight out of your TV and right into Manhattan! With dozens of tantalizing events throughout the weekend, many of which overlapping with each other, the all-consuming festival can feel more overwhelming than an all-you-can eat brunch. We made it a little easier for you with our guide to enjoying the tastiest and most anticipated events for the festival.

Thursday, October 16

Beauty & The Beast with Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis

You may not make it all the way to Los Angeles to dine at Bestia, but Haven’s Kitchen is a perfect pop-up spot for the restaurant’s night in New York. The husband-and-wife team will serve creative Italian cuisine along with their famous homemade bread, created from their own proprietary yeast strain! 7pm, 109 West 17th Street, $250

Friday, October 17

Hot Dog Happy Hour with Mo Rocca

If sitting down to a long multi-course dinner is not your idea of a fun end to a long week, head to the Standard Biergarten for this low-key evening. Actor and food personality will be around to chat while you enjoy classic New York hot dogs and wine pairings. 5pm, Washington Street and Little West 12th Street, $150 

 Blue Moon Burger Bash 

7th annual Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats and hosted by Rachael Ray will be one of the festival’s biggest events! This rooftop event will feature top chefs from around the country presenting their favorite burgers to compete for the Blue Moon People’s Choice Award! 7pm, 52nd Street and West Side Highway, $300

Desserts First: A Sweet Surprise

Sweet tooths can take a night off from dinner and spend the evening with a multi-course dessert menu. Philippe Baranes and Chef Christophe Boucher of Dessance, Paris’s first all-dessert restaurant (and a personal favorite of this writer). Taste molecular gastronomy like never before with sweet foams, powders, textures and flavors to excite your sweet side. 7pm, International Culinary Center, 28 Crosby Street, $225

Saturday, October 18

Jets & Chefs: The Ultimate Tailgate

Food and football fans unite at this tailgate blowout featuring Super Bowl Champion and Hall of Famer Joe Namath and Jets fan Mario Batali. This all-ages event will feature game day eats including steaks, ribs, and wings paired with beers, wines, and spirits. Children can play fun games in the FanZone and take pictures with the New York Jets Flight Crew.  12pm, Pier 92 – 52nd Street and West Side Highway, $150

Sunday, October 19

Greenmarket Brunch

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian (The Lambs Club) and several locavore restaurants will create a farm-to-table, walk-around brunch tasting that focuses on chefs on farmers. Learn about the sessional harvest and chat with local producers and makers will enjoying bites that pair with booze for a fun morning. 12pm, Washington Street and Little West 12th Street, $150

Meatopia X: The Carnivore’s Ball

Any meat eater will have a blast at this annual event hosted by James Beard Award-winning Esquire writer Josh Ozersky. The world’s best meat chefs will “cook every part of every animal over open fires” according to the rules, and all meat must be cruelty, antibiotic and hormone free. That’s the way we like our meat. 4pm, 52nd Street and West Side Highway, $150