Emeril Lagasse’s 1st NYCWFF Event Takes Over Chelsea Market
By Karen Ko 
October 11, 2011 
2 Comments
This year’s Chelsea Market After Dark was hosted by Emeril Lagasse. This was Emeril’s first appearance at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.
I started my night with a delicious glass of chardonnay from Joseph Carr and began browsing around. Apparently the first vendor was not ready yet so I went straight to Buddakan’s table where they were serving Tuna Tartare Spring Rolls with Crispy Shallots and Ponzu.
Buddakan’s Tuna Tartare set the bar quite high for the rest of the vendors. Their spring rolls were simple yet elegantly light and delicious. If I didn’t have to walk around to explore the other vendors, I would have just parked myself at their table and continue nibbling away at their spring rolls. (Yes they were that good!).
I did discover the Macy’s Lounge where Emeril Lagasse was signing his Thanksgiving cookbook. In the Macy’s Lounge, there were hors d’ourves being served such as Spiced Shrimp and Spinach in a Filo Dough Pastry and there was also a buffet table serving chicken pot pie, lasagna, salad, corn, beans and beef brisket. There was definitely a southern influence in the food offering but the best dish hands down was the beef brisket – absolutely flavorful and well spiced.
Back in the main pathway, I passed by some mini grilled cheese sandwich and tomato red pepper soup made by The Cleaver Co. Both dishes were delicious and hot, straight from the kitchen; however The Cleaver Co. had a slight disadvantage being situated right next to the Lobster Place. The minute I spotted the Lobster Place serving oysters, I rushed over and hopped right in line.
The oysters on menu for the night were fresh Beau Soleils and Barron Points oysters, 1 each on a plate and they were SO fresh and delicious! I went back for 3 more servings… to make a total of half a dozen oysters. If you are ever tired of those Long Island Blue Point oysters, check out the Beau Soleils and Barron Points.
The Lobster Place also served clam chowder and lobster bisque. The clam chowder was fantastic however the lobster bisque did not even come close.
I moved on to explore the Jacques Torre’s chocolate shop, passing by mobs of people clamoring for a cookie or flowers from the florist shop right next door. The pathways were narrow but I eventually made my way around and stumbled upon then table serving Yellow Tail Bubbles and Muscato wine.
The Yellow Tail Muscato wine was FANTASTIC- a well balanced sweetness with a light fizz, a perfect girly wine for those with a sweet tooth. The Yellow Tail Bubbles were a pleasant surprise, a sparkling wine that was smooth and light, not too dry or acidic with decent sized bubbles. It’s definitely a bottle that would pair well with most dishes and even better, Yellow Tail has designed the bottle to be resealable!
There were many other vendors that I passed by and tested but none of them made a strong impression until I reached the very last vendor at the end: Morimoto. Morimoto was serving Raw Hamachi Bun that was superb -a light and fluffy bun that sandwiched a thick slab of raw hamachi dressed with a spicy mayo sauce. No wonder the line was so long! I got there just in time before they ran out of their last round of buns. If they hadn’t run out, I would have been back for round 2.
Overall the Chelsea Market After Dark event was just the right size, with the right amount of vendors to feed the guests, and plenty of alcohol from Palm, wineries, Svedka Vodka flowing freely.
The Macys Lounge was where the party was rocking for the rest night with a DJ spinning top 40s and Svedka cocktails flowing until midnight.
If you missed this NYCWFF party, remember to get your tickets early next year!
100% of the proceeds benefit the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®
About the Food Bank For New York City
Food Bank For New York City recognizes 28 years as the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 community-based member programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank’s hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. 94% of donations go directly toward food distribution, acquisition and programs in all five boroughs of New York City. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.
About Share Our Strength®
Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry® Campaign—a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015—Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved.
Photos by Karen Ko for Appetite for Good.
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Wow, the food looks amazing! I wish I could’ve sampled everything!
Yummm. Mormimoto’s hamachi buns were sooo GOOD!