Preview: New York City Wine & Food Festival

New York City is making room for a few more stars, gearing up to welcome the too-good-must-have-one-more-bite NYC Wine & Food Festival, presented by Food & Wine, happening October 17 through 20. The fest brings together top chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, foodies, and gourmands, for a hit-the-ground running weekend of mouthwatering events, demos, dinners, and parties.

With four delicious days, we’ll be running all over the city, sampling every dish (all in the name of reporting, of course), learning all we can at talks and seminars, and bringing you the best of the festival. Here’s what we’ve got on our radar.

And for the most up-to-the second delicious coverage, stay tuned to our Out in the World blog and Facebook and Twitter pages. If you see our editors Marie Elena Martinez (@mariesworlds), Dan Koday (@dankoday), or Amanda Cargill (@AmandaSi) at the festival, say hi!

Thursday, October 17

Patrón XO Cafe Late Night, 10 pm

Patrón is kicking off the weekend with a late night bash that celebrates, what else, tequila and coffee. Enjoy creative coffee liqueur cocktails, indulgent desserts, and sweet surprises; all while you take in the view at the soon-to-be revealed The Wayfarer at the Quin Hotel.

Next, what’s happening on Friday…

Friday, October 18

Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray, 7 pm

Perhaps the most anticipated event of the fest, Rachel Ray is back to host her always-popular Burger Bash. In this walk-around tasting, sample dozens of the country’s best burgers and sides, all paired with refreshing Blue Moon beers. Don’t leave without casting your vote for the coveted Blue Moon People’s Choice Award and watch as the new Burger Bash King or Queen is crowned.

D.O.M.: Rediscovering Brazilian Ingredients hosted by Alex Atala, 7 pm

Join Brazilian chef Alex Atala for an intimate sit down dinner on the 51st floor of the Bank of America Tower (New York City’s third tallest skyscraper). Atala is the chef/owner of D.O.M., currently ranked number 6 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. This will be his first appearance at the NYCWFF and it’s sure to be a delicious one.

Inside the Empire: Dinner hosted by Pubbelly, 7pm

Join the boys of Miami gastropub Pubbelly (named the best restaurant in South Beach by The Miami New Times) for a sit down dinner at the International Culinary Institute and understand first hand why Andreas Schreiner, José Mendín, and Sergio Navarro’s restaurant has become so popular.

One Plate at a Time presented by Wine Spectator hosted by Rick Bayless, 7 pm

Join master Mexican chef Rick Bayless, chef and owner of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago, for a sit down dinner at Convene. It’s a trip to Mexico without ever leaving your dinner table.

Food & Wine Best New Chefs 25th Anniversary Party presented by Delta, 7:30 pm

For 25 years, Food & Wine magazine has discovered and celebrated the country’s best new chefs. At their anniversary party, join editor-in-chief Dana Cowin and publisher Christina Grdovic and best new chef alumni including Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Andrew Carmellini, Dan Barber, Mario Carbone, as the magazine takes a look back at 25 years of delicious food. Don’t leave without stopping into the dessert lounge and toasting with Perrier-Jouët Champagne.

Next, what’s happening on Saturday…

Saturday, October 19

Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite, 12 pm

This is the festival’s signature tasting event. An all-day, all-inclusive event, watch culinary demos and catch book signings from top Food Network and celeb chefs, grab bites from New York City’s top restaurants, and sample fine and wine spirits. Two stages feature two continuously running demos. Today, don’t miss: Rick Bayless and John Besh.

Porktastic Pours: Top Choices for Artisanal Charcuterie, 3:45 pm

Know what to pair with pork? Us either. Join Taylor Boetticher & Toponia Miller of The Fatted Calf and Josh Wesson for a lesson on how to pair wine with pork.

Times Talks: Alex Atala and David Chang, 5 pm

Catch Alex Atala and David Chang as they talk about their inspiration, their style, and what they love to cook and eat. Atala, the only chef on Time’s 2013 list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People, is chef and owner of D.O.M. in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Chang is the founder of the Momofuku restaurant group and the journal Lucky Peach.

Olmeca Altos Tequila presents Tacos & Tequila hosted by Bobby Flay, 7pm

Join Bobby Flay and more than two dozen of his culinary friends for a walk-around tasting of tacos, tacos, and more tacos, all paired with cocktails feature Olmeca Altos Tequila. Cheers and buen provecho!

Next, what’s happening on Sunday…

Sunday, October 20

The Art of Chocolate Making, 10 am

Join Aditi Malhotra, chocolatier and owner of Tache Artisan Chocolates, as she gives you a hands-on tutorial to chocolate making, from cultivating and tempering, to tasting, coating and decorating.

Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite, 12 pm

Come back for round two of the festival’s signature tasting event, an all-day, all-inclusive event of demos, book signings, and food samples. Two stages feature two continuously running demos. Don’t miss: Justin Warner, Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant, Bobby Flay, and Michael Symon.

The Lobster Place presents Oyster Bash sponsored by Negro Modelo hosted by John Besh, 12 pm

Get a taste of the sea at The Lobster Place, with the best oyster purveyors in the Biergarten at The Standard. Hosted by John Besh, chef and owner of August, Domenica, Luke New Orleans, and Besh Steak, spend the afternoon trying artisanal oysters and oyster dishes prepped by New York City’s best seafood chefs. Wash it all down with Negro Modelo.