October 8, 2014 – With the New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) fast approaching, we sat down with its founder and director Lee Schrager, a Food Bank For New York City board member, to talk about the festival’s past, its present and the important role it plays in helping Food Bank fight hunger citywide.
Q: NYCWFF is now in its seventh year. How has the festival grown over the years? And what makes this year’s festival different from those in years past?
A: We have evolved quite a bit. We used to be centered around the historic charm of the Meatpacking District, but found that our signature events became so popular that we needed to find larger venues for them. A couple of years ago we moved our central hub into Midtown West, to Piers 92 & 94, or our “culinary campus” as we sometimes call it, where we now hold some of our most iconic events.
Q: Some NYCWFF events, such as Burger Bash and Grand Tasting, are staples. How do you develop such a full roster of other unique and different events from year to year?
A: We try to keep up on industry trends and highlight things that people are excited about in any given year. Some events are developed because a chef or a sponsor has a great idea. Others come out of brainstorming with industry contacts, publishers, media, etc. The full program is constantly evolving up until the minute we unveil it for the year!
Q: As a consummate foodie, what is your favorite part of the festival?
A: I think all of our events are unique in some way, but I really enjoy some of the smaller, more intimate dinners that we host with renowned talent from around the world. These dinners truly allow passionate consumers the opportunity to experience world-class cuisine without having to hop on a plane.
Q: Let’s go back to the beginning for those who may not know the origins of NYCWFF. Why did you decide to start the festival and how did its genesis come about?
A: In 2007 we hosted a single event called SWEET that served as our anchor event for the Festival’s full launch the next year. New York City is such an incredible dining destination, it seemed fitting to create a weekend that would really pull together and highlight the incredible talent here, as well as introduce critically-acclaimed talent from around the globe to such a passionate audience.
Q: The proceeds from the Festival benefit Food Bank For New York City. How did you first become involved with Food Bank?
A: I met with a few charitable organizations before fully launching NYCWFF and decided that Food Bank For New York City was the one that I liked most. Not just because of the services that Food Bank provides, but because of the team of people helping to provide those services. I’m honored to be a part of Food Bank’s board, which consists of an impressive roster of individuals. Their commitment to Food Bank and the work that each and every one of us does for the organization is a key factor. I’ve found that chefs really enjoy giving back, especially to support hunger-relief efforts.
Q: What is the most critical aspect of your role as a Food Bank board member?
A: For me, it’s critical that the festival raises significant funds and draws as much attention as possible to the hunger-relief efforts of Food Bank For New York City. Food, and specifically nutritious food, is a basic necessity that not everyone has access to on a daily basis. No one should go to bed hungry, anywhere, anytime.