The Food Network & Cooking Channel's annual New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) is known for an abundance of food-centric festivities, culinary demonstrations, world-renowned chef dinners, and plenty of tastings—but the dayslong event benefiting No Kid Hungry and Food Bank For New York City has also gained attention for its memorable brand activations.
This year's NYCWFF kicked off Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 11 as a hybrid event, with in-person events scattered throughout the city plus an entire virtual platform where attendees can be a part of hands-on cooking lessons. While audience-engaging activations are limited this go-around, here's a look back at previous NYCWFF events, filled to the brim with inspiration. Spoiler alert: This roundup may have your mouth watering!
NYCWFF 2019
Last year's festival presented by Capital One brought more than 80 culinary events to the city. A kickoff event featuring radio personality Elvis Duran took place at Hudson River Park’s Pier 97. The new festival venue's setup consisted of a white tent on the pier, which held a stage, vendors, and some sponsor lounges, while other vendors, activations, and a DJ booth were located outside. The venue also hosted the Blue Moon Burger Bash, Titans of BBQ, and Sunday Brunch.
Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for NYCWFF
At one of the Pier 97 events during the festival, Capital One had a blind taste-test activation, produced by IMG Live, that put cardholders in the spotlight. The booth also had a candy wall where guests could grab colorful candies and guess the flavor at an iPad station.
Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for NYCWFF
Also at Pier 97 events, attendees were given recyclable "tossware" with illustrations of New York. See more: New York City Wine & Food Festival 2019: 25 Event Highlights You Missed From the City's Biggest Culinary Festival
Photo: indy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF
NYCWFF 2018
In 2018, the massive event raised more than $11.5 million for No Kid Hungry and Food Bank For New York City. Festival sponsor LaCroix showcased a citrus-themed booth that used lemons, boxes, and cans of the flavored sparkling water as decor. Attendees could also grab free cans throughout the weekend at the Grand Tasting.
Photo: Ian Zelaya/BizBash
The festival’s title sponsor celebrated its 25th anniversary with a party on Pier 92. The event entrance featured a rainbow balloon installation. The event was produced and designed by Cream (Culinary Related Entertainment and Marketing) and Trigger House in collaboration with the Food Network. The event’s photo booth invited guests to pose in front of a wall of festive party hats.
Photo: Noam Galai
Throughout the weekend, Capital One served what may have been the festival’s most Instagrammable treat: the Cloud Cone. The dessert consisted of an ice cream cone wrapped in blue or pink cotton candy, with a choice of toppings. Attendees could take pictures of their cone in a Capital One-branded box. The cotton candy was wrapped by Spin Spun All Natural Confections. IMG Live produced the activation. See more: New York City Wine & Food Festival 2018: 29 Culinary Highlights From Sponsors and Parties
Photo: Cindy Ord
NYCWFF 2017
In 2017, the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with more than 70 food and drink events taking place at various venues throughout the city. To celebrate its first decade, the festival provided food and beverage enthusiasts a number of new events—such as Rooftop Iron Chef Showdown: Battle Iron Bounty at Pier 92—as well as returning signature parties and tastings, including the Blue Moon Burger Bash and Coca-Cola Backyard BBQ at Pier 92, plus the weekend-long Grand Tasting at Pier 94. At the Grand Tasting, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze had a branded, kitchen-inspired station—produced by Match Marketing Group—that offered bites of vegan tomato arancini and New York cheesecake made with almond milk by food specialist Patty Mastracco.
Photo: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for NYCWFF
At Pier 92 events such as the Blue Moon Burger Bash and Rooftop Iron Chef Showdown: Battle Iron Bounty, Mastercard activated a branded recording studio that allowed guests who signed up for Masterpass—the company's digital wallet service—to record a song with a live band. Guests could then take home their song on a custom vinyl record. The studio was produced by Octagon with global events agency First and marketing agency Frukt. See more: New York City Wine & Food Festival 2017: 15 Sponsor Highlights From the Festival's 10th Anniversary
Photo: Brittany Bucceroni/BizBash
NYCWFF 2016
In 2016, the ninth annual festival, presented by Coca-Cola, offered more than 90 events. For events on Pier 92, including Barilla's Italian Table and the Blue Moon Burger Bash, sponsor Di Lusso Deli Company presented a giant Italian sandwich (pictured) complete with larger-than-life chips and a company flag. The activation served as a popular photo op for attendees, with props including a giant pickle.
Photo: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for NYCWFF
Italian liqueur brand Frangelico offered attendees custom cocktails at a bar that featured the hashtag #LiveItalian made with illuminated greenery. See more: 17 Brand Activities That Stood Out at the 2016 New York City Wine & Food Festival
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for NYCWFF
