Edible Events: December 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!

Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square (Dec. 1st): Lincoln Square transforms into a winter wonderland during this beloved holiday event; the largest in New York City.  Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m., and include entertainment, family fun, and delectable bites (costing a mere $1-4 each) from a number of top, local restaurants.  Be sure to try A Voce’s Borlotti Bean Soup, Masa’s Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls, Landmarc’s Orecchiette alla Norcina, Bar Boulud’s Frenchie Burger Sliders, Lincoln Ristorante’s Zeppole con Zucca, Tavern on the Green’s Polenta with Wild Mushroom Hash, Telepan’s Coconut Cupcakes, and much, much more!

Brooklyn Cookie Takedown (Dec. 6th): What’s the top sweet of the holiday season?  Cookies, of course!  A number of Brooklyn’s most talented amateur bakers will face off at the Bell House during this Christmas cookie-focused event, hoping to take home the honors as a judge or audience favorite.  For only $15, you can gorge yourself Santa-style on gooey delights such as Meyer Lemon Curd Macarons, Sweet and Salty Chocolate Chip Snowflakes, and Fluffer Nutjobs — and maybe even take away inspiration for your own array of holiday baked goods!

Saveur Holiday Social (Dec. 13th): Talk about a fun way to finish your last-minute holiday shopping — enjoying craft cocktails and seasonal bites, while picking up presents for those finicky foodies in your life, from purveyors like VerTerra, Brooklyn Slate, Eataly, Holy Schmitt’s, Liddabit Sweets, Morris Kitchen, and Salt of the Earth Bakery.  You can also purchase tickets to a variety of workshops held throughout the day, including “Hanukkah Brunch” with Mile End’s Noah Bernamoff, “A Southern Christmas” with Hugh Acheson, and “Fancy Desserts” with Brooks Headley, Del Posto‘s James Beard Award-Winning Pastry Chef.

4th Annual Slow Food Show (Dec. 15th): Taking place at the DUMBO Spot in Brooklyn, the Slow Food Show showcases local food entrepreneurs who are committed to building our regional food and farm economy.  All of the participants are small-scale and hands-on, maintain production facilities in New York City or New York State, and share a commitment to good, clean, and fair food.  So if you’re looking for hyper-local gift ideas, stop by from 4-8pm in order to sample and purchase artisanal products, from fantastic businesses such as Black Dirt Distillery, Irving Farm Coffee Roasters and Dickson’s Farmstand Meats.

6th Annual Latke Festival (Dec. 15th): Can’t stomach the thought of eating latkes for eight straight nights during Hanukah?  Join some of New York’s most talented chefs as they offer super creative takes on potato pancakes, during this highly anticipated festival, competition and tasting event.  This year’s participants include Michael Ferraro from Delicatessen and his Sweet Potato Latke with duck rillette, Mokbar’s Esther Choi and her Pork Potato Pancake with kimchi crema, and Toloache’s Julian Medina, serving Potato Pancakes topped with beef short rib chorizo.  After a spread like this, how can you go back to run-of-the-mill latkes with sour cream and applesauce?