NYC has more food festivals than stomach space. Sometimes it’s hard to pick the one that will not only be tasty but be manageable. We’re not promising elbow room but with 50+ restaurants curated from all boroughs, the ninth annual Village Voice Choice Eats is one you should attend. Start those stomach aerobics, down some kombucha and grab tickets before they are gone. They sold out last year. Friday, March 11th @ Metropolitan Pavilion from 6-10pm.
For the fourth year in a row their will be more capscium concentrated in North Brooklyn than any where else on earth. With names like Naga Morich, Madame Jeanette, Dorset Naga, Bhut Jolokia and Moruga Scorpion, you might think it’s a South American ex-con reunion. The NYC Hot Sauce Expo burns their home into Greenpoint for two days this weekend with representation from India to Africa to Trinidad with sauces highlighting the hottest of the hot. With events like the Torch Bearers Gacumole Eating Contest and Defcon Sauces Chicken Wing Eating Competition, there is something for everyone. Even if you’re not a hot sauce enthusiast you can come down and watch people compete to burn their face and insides to win a pepper topped trophy. April 23rd and 24th from 10am-6pm in Brooklyn.
Coffee, Tea, Ham? Ok. No ham That’s my buddy Joe’s mom’s standard offering when at his house. Regardless, You can find the best Joe, Mud, Arbuckles, Battery Acid, Bean Juice, Brewtus, Cuppa, Java, Wakey Juice and Tea (turns out there is not a lot of nicknames for tea) in one spot. Cuppings, food pairing and bulk buying is all encouraged at the Coffee and Tea Festival NYC edition. Skip the weekend barista, snap up a VIP ticket for early entrance and make it a Saturday or Sunday morning first hit. March 19+20. 10am-5pm @ Brooklyn Expo Center.
There’s been a lot of breakfast for dinner this year and it’s only March. Building on the success of Choice Eats, the Village Voice peeps bring us Brunch Eats. As you’d expect, breakfast is prepared one evening by 20+ top restaurants and bakeries. Your ticket gets you a taste of all of them as well as breakfast cocktails and music. Note on the cocktails, since breakfast IS at dinner time, the 2 mimosa rule is lifted allowing you to indulge as if it was dinner time. Wait…it is dinner. If it’s anything like Choice Eats this will sell out. Snap your tickets up quick. May 11th from 8pm-10pm @ the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in NYC.
We love barbecue competitions when smashed into music festivals but Hogs for the Cause adds a charitable component. that makes it a no brainer. Add that it’s in New Orleans and if you are not in a cab to an airport (or your car if local) I’m not sure you have tastebuds. The 90 team, 2 day, competition and party raises money for children fighting pediatric brain cancer. Teams range from pro’s to backyard warriors to fun loving eaters trying their hand with the masters. Each team raises money for the cause and so it really is an incredible way to support a great cause bite after bite. Unlike some other competitions, every team sells food. Of course at $2 to $6 for dishes teams will sell out. Go early and go hungry. April 1 from 3:30-9:30 and April 2 from 11:15am to 9:45pm @ The Festival Grounds in New Orleans.
