Guy’s Garage Party Closes NYC Wine & Food Festival
By Kristen Oliveri 
October 21, 2011 
1 Comment
All good things must come to an end. But that doesn’t mean things can’t go out with a bang!
On Sunday evening, the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival came to an official close with its final event, Party in Guy’s Garage presented by Pucker Flavored Vodka. Right in the heart of the Meatpacking, at 440 West 15, food lovers and charity supporters alike gathered together at the Highline Stages to bid a fond farewell to the four-day long festival dressed as their favorite 1980s stars, munching on some of the city’s best pub grub.
Lee Schrager—founder and organizer for both New York’s festival as well as the South Beach Wine & Food Festival—addressed the crowd before bringing out the man of the hour, Guy Fieri. He thanked the event’s sponsors and attendees but quickly moved on to the true reason the festival was created and has been such a success. “We’re here eating and drinking tonight to help those who have no food,†remarked Schrager. He explained that 100% of the net proceeds go to the two charities, Food Bank For New York City and Share our Strength and that his call to help the hungry has become his life-long mission.
The king of the evening, Guy Fieri, entered to blaring ‘80s tunes and warmed the crowd up with his signature charm. He was extremely concerned that the crowd sampled some of the culinary delights that were being passed around over the course of the evening, with one popular bite being the signature Artichoke pizza slices form Artichoke Basille’s Pizza. This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef was also doling out signature roast beef sandwiches and pastrami on rye and for something sweet, guests flocked to the Levain Bakery stand that doled out brownie bites and cookies in individual spoons, perfect for easy eating.
Other highlights included the photo booth sponsored by Bing, where party-goers were able to take crazy poses complete with a wind machine to make your hair also fit the part, ‘80s-style. And the evening was not complete until the Ronald Reageans ‘80s Tribute band took to the stage to belt out some of the decades biggest hits including tunes by Bon Jovi, Poison, Guns and Roses and Rick Springfield.
Fieri is no stranger to charity work and has supported additional programs like – The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), a program that promotes and provides career opportunities in the food service industry for underserved youth through culinary arts education and employment.
He most recently lent his talents to host the recent – BR Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival this past September, which benefited local charities including, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Glide Memorial, Santa Rosa Memorial Trauma Center and Local & National Veteran Organizations.
Photos by Alexander Kok for Appetite for Good.
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.
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Sounds like the place to be. Great food, good tunes, interesting people. Nice!