Edible Events: September

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.

Pig Island (9/10): Get ready for NYC’s biggest pig-out (literally).  This popular pork-fest is taking place at Erie Basin Park on the Red Hook waterfront, and will feature 25 chefs crafting carnivorous dishes from locally sourced hogs; we’re talking pizza, tacos, sliders, sweets and more, from restaurants including Fletcher’s Brooklyn BBQ, Palo Santo, Cookshop and Fleishers Craft Butchery.

Taste Talks (9/9-11): Northside Media (behind the music and film-centric Northside Festival as well as Brooklyn magazine) effectively turned their focus to food with this national series of celebrations, the first of which will kick-off in Brooklyn beginning September 9th.  Spanning the length of the weekend and curated by Sean Brock, notable events include a Low Country Boil, panel discussions such as “Empowering People Through Food” with Claus Meyer, workshops including an exploration with chilies with Enrique Olvera, and an All-Star BBQ, with 12 grills manned by unlikely culinary duos; think SNL’s Sasheer Zamata and the Snowday food truck, and Momo Sushi Shack and A Tribe Called Quest’s Jarobi White.

NYC Vendy Awards (9/17): “The Oscars of Street Food” returns to Governor’s Island this September, with standout mobile vendors competing in categories like Rookie (Harlem Seafood Soul, Mr. Bing), Market (MatzaBrei, Big Mozz), Dessert (Raindrop Cake, The Good Batch), Vegan (Bamboo Bites, Jerk Shack), and of course, the all-important Vendy Cup for best overall — nominees to be announced soon!

Taste of Williamsburg Greenpoint (9/18): This block party-style tasting event showcases some of the most notable eats throughout Williamsburg and Greenpoint, with ticket sales benefiting The Firehouse North Brooklyn Community Center.  And considering both neighborhoods are major dining destinations, you’ll won’t want to miss the opportunity to sample fare from Extra Fancy, Zona Rosa, Brooklyn Winery, Oddfellows and Maison Premiere; just to name a few!

Autumn Harvest Dinner for Share Our Strength (9/19): Taking place at North End Grill, proceeds from tickets to this elaborate cocktail reception, five-course dinner and auction go towards Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign.  And it will undoubtedly be worth every penny, featuring a tasting menu prepared and donated by Abram Bissell of The Modern, Karen DeMasco (formerly of Locanda Verde), and John Karangis of Union Square Events.

21st Annual Harvest in the Square (9/22): Highlighting the very best that the neighborhood has to offer, Harvest in the Square (now in its 21st year) is a reliable harbinger of fall; raising funds for Union Square Partnership’s extensive beautification and community programs, by serving tasty restaurant dishes showcasing produce from the seminal Greenmarket, paired with local wines and microbrews.