Edible Events: June 2017

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.

Scooper Bowl New York (6/1-3): New York’s own Bryant Park is the first stop on the nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival; benefiting pediatric and adult cancer research.  So fork over $20 (and bring an extra-large spoon) for unlimited tastes of creamy, frozen goodness from dairy luminaries like Ben & Jerry’s, Coolhaus, Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Vice Cream and Graeters.

Taste of Times Square (6/5): Think there’s no decent food in Times Square?  Abandon your preconceived notions of the area as a tourist trap, and embrace its greatest culinary hits during this al fresco celebration, featuring vendors like Le Rivage, Burger and Lobster, Barbetta, Toloache, Blue Fin and La Pulperia selling $1 “tastes.”

Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party (6/10-11): This annual, finger-licking, smoked meat celebration essentially kicks off the unofficial start of summer, gathering preeminent pitmasters, such as Billy Durney of Hometown, Scott Roberts of Salt Lick, Sam Jones of Skylight Inn and Rodney Scott of Scott’s Bar-B-Que, slinging whole hog, sticky rib, succulent brisket, and mounds of pulled pork.

Taste of Bushwick (6/13): Williamsburg may be considered the heart of North Brooklyn’s restaurant scene, but industrial Bushwick is totally nipping at its heels —  as evidenced by this now four-year-strong gathering of destination bars and eateries; think Cape House, Braven Brewing Company, El Cortez, Guadalupe Inn, Sally Roots and Faro.

Pinknic on Governor’s Island (6/24-25): The libation of the season (i.e., rosè) gets its very own festival in this two-day, Governor’s Island-situated affair; featuring live music, a food court curated by Chris Santos, guests clad in pink and white, and most importantly, rosé wine from Château D’Esclans in Provence, rosé Champagne from Pommery and, of course, frosé cocktails!

Summer Fancy Food Show (6/25-27): The largest specialty food industry trade event in North America is returning to the Javits Center for three days of exhibitions, pitch competitions, workshops, awards ceremonies and of course, unlimited samples of bespoke, pinkies-up products, from blue cheese stuffed olive tapenade, to curried cashew chocolate bars.