Edible Events: August-September 2014

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!

Battle of the Burger (Thursday, Aug. 7th): For only $40, you can taste your way through over 25 meaty contenders vying to be chosen as “New York’s Best Burger, at this fun, outdoor cook-off at the South Street Seaport, curated by Time Out NY.  Will it be Shake Shack’s ultimate fast food-style slider, or Jeepney’s Filipino-inspired patty?  It’s up to you to help determine the outcome!

Dive in Drink Up Gowanus (Friday, Aug. 15th): Don’t worry, you won’t have to so much as dip a toe in the murky water, in order to support the Gowanus Canal Conservancy.  This event is all about eating, with 20 local restaurants and bars providing delicious dishes and cocktails for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going towards GCC’s environmental programming.  Neighborhood favorites like Littleneck, The Pines, Fletcher’s, and Runner & Stone will all be on hand, so you can stuff yourself silly on clams, BBQ and homemade bread for a great, green cause.

Blues BBQ Festival (Saturday, Aug. 23rd): The culminating event at Hudson River Park’s annual series of summer programs, the Blues BBQ Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.  So expect an especially exciting line-up of musicians and restaurants to pack the waterfront, including Big Sam’s Funky Nation, John Nemeth, Shemekia Copeland and the Slide Brothers, along with Mighty Quinn’s, Delaney and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

West Indian Day Parade (Monday, Sept. 1st): Held on Labor Day each year, the colorful West Indian Day parade celebrates Caribbean culture; meaning music, dancing, extravagant costumes, and yes, lots of terrific food!  Join the crowd of jubilant spectators along Eastern Parkway for soulful specialties such as Goat Curry, Jerk Chicken, Steamed Fish and flaky, buttery Roti.

Pig Island (Saturday, Sept. 6th): The name says it all.  For one afternoon only, Erie Basin Park Waterfront in Red Hook, Brooklyn will transform into an isle of swine, with 25 New York chefs breaking down 80 locally sourced hogs, and transforming them into multiple pork-centric dishes for a hungry, carnivorous crowd.  For a taste: American BBQ will meet French Bistro when Hometown’s Billy Durney and Balthazar’s Shane McBride collaborate on Caribbean Jerk and Cochon au Lait Bao, Martin Høedholt and Pablo Ventura, of Revolving Dansk and Dassara Ramen, respectively, will cook Danish-Asian Crackling Pork, and Ben Schneider of The Good Fork and St. John Frizell of Fort Defiance will serve up a Pit-Roasted Whole “Merpig”!

Craft Beer Tasting Sail (Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer): For $65 a ticket, you can set sail on New York’s largest vessel with the craft beer experts from Urban Oyster, and sample several outstanding local ales and lagers from Kelso, Brooklyn Brewery, Captain Lawrence and Ithaca Beer Co. paired with cheese and charcuterie, while you drink in the magnificent views of the New York skyline!