Edible Events: April 2015

There are all manner of fun, food events taking place in New York on a daily basis — from lavish, charity-driven galas to crowded, walk-around tastings and an endless array of pop-ups.  But unless you have the time and money to party seven days a week, you’ll have to be somewhat discerning about what goes onto your calendar.  So here are just a few worthy food celebrations we recommend getting tickets (or making reservations) for now.

Food Book Fair (April 10th-12th): Founded in 2012, the Food Book Fair is back for its third go-round at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, for two days full of panel discussions, workshops and more, celebrating achievements in food publishing, and examining the intersection of food culture and systems.  Highlights include “Vegetable Forward,” a conversation on the new face on carnivorism with Dirt Candy’s Amanda Cohen and Tosca Café’s April Bloomfield, “1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die,” a showcase of former Times critic, Mimi Sheraton, and her latest, best-selling book, and an Oyster Hour with Island Creek Oysters and Brooklyn Brewery — because what culinary event is complete without terrific food and drink?

New York Culinary Experience (April 11th-12th): It’s one thing to read about ridiculously talented chefs, watch them on TV or (best of all) visit them at their restaurants, but during this intimate weekend of hand-on master classes, you can actually cook side by side with 30 of the world’s most renowned gastronomes. Participants include Bryce Shulman, who’ll educate attendees on how to make some of Betony’s most craveable vegetable dishes, Kerry Heffernan, who’ll lead a program on sustainable seafood, Chris Jaeckle, who’ll head up a class on pasta, and Jacques Torres, who’s two-hour course will focus on — what else — chocolate!

Women Chefs and Restaurateurs National Conference (April 18th-20th): Through education, promotion, connection and inspiration, WCR seeks to advance the careers of women in the food and beverage industry.  And key programs include this yearly conference, featuring panel discussions that explore issues historically plaguing females in the food world.  Also expect workshops, such as a butchering demo with Sara Bigelow of the Meat Hook, and a cocktail session with top mixologist, Pam Wiznitzner, as well as offsite tours of Eataly, Chelsea Market and Noble Experiment; the city’s first female-owned distillery.

Beer and Bacon Classic (April 25th): It’s an afternoon at Citi Field fueled by bacon and beer; what else needs to be said?  Each three-hour session allows ticketholders to taste hundreds of craft brew samples as well as porky nibbles from some of New York’s most indulgent restaurants, including Landhaus, Pig Guy NYC, Delicatessen, Potatopia, and of course, BarBacon.

3rd Annual Hot Sauce Expo (April 25th-26th): Think your taste buds have what it takes to brave the no-holds-barred Hot Sauce Expo?  Planned activities include a Spicy Taco eating contest, a Bloody Mary mix-down, a Buffalo Wings face-off, and Smokin’ Ed’s Reaper Pepper eating challenge – a Guinness World Records event!

Taste of the Nation (April 27th): The big daddy of all tasting events, proceeds from Taste of the Nation benefits Share Our Strength; which works to put an end to childhood hunger.  And the biggest names in the business reliably show up in droves; expect bites from Huertas, Javelina, Telepan, 21 Club, August, The Clam and Bar Chuko, and drinks from Maison Premiere, PDT, Pouring Ribbons and Death & Company.