Interactive Events Announced for The 2014 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is offering a variety of hands-on culinary experiences and educational seminars to complement this year's program, which includes more than 100 events that take place October 16 19, 2014 throughout New York City. Featuring some of the world's greatest artisanal producers, trade professionals and wine, spirits and culinary personalities, the Festival offers vast opportunities for those passionate gourmands looking for an immersive culinary experience.

"Learning is an important part of any wine, spirits or culinary experience," notes Festival Founder & Director Lee Brian Schrager; who also serves as Vice President, Corporate Communications & National Events for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. "Partnering with institutions like the International Culinary Center, Home Studios and more allow us to bring a wide variety of educational and interactive options to the table."

Attendees looking to accent their weekend of Festival tastings with a more hands-on experience can choose from master classes like: The Art of Canning & Preserving hosted by Martha Stewart, Bread Making with Jim Lahey, Sausage Making 101, Candy Making hosted by Jacques Torres, Levain Bakery Bread and Pastry hosted by Pam Weekes & Connie McDonald, Ample Hills Ice Cream Making hosted by Brian Smith & Jackie Cuscuna, and more. Additionally, Anolon Cookware presents the Artisanal Cooking Series at Home Studios, including:

• The Art of Cake Decorating with Billy's Bakery NYC
• Hot or Not: Pumpkin Possibilities
• The Art of Pickling with Rick's Picks
• The Art of Couscous Making with NYShuk
• Biscuit Making 101 with Pies 'n' Thighs
• Classic Canaps with Great Performances
• Terrine Making 101 with Dickson's Farmstand Meats
• And more!

More opportunities to expand one's culinary prowess throughout the Festival weekend exist at the Celebrity Cruises Wine and Pairing Seminars hosted by FOOD & WINE taking place at Hudson, Morgans Hotel Group's celebrated property, which also serves as the Festival's headquarter hotel. Seminar offerings include:

• Salted, Smoked and Cured: An Italian Specialty Foods Seminar hosted by Lou Di Palo and Anthony Giglio
• Riesling Revival hosted by Eric Hemer
• Brilliant Bubbles hosted by Ray Isle
• Burgundy: The True Terroir hosted by Laurent Drouhin
• The Antinori Family's Interpretation of Sangiovese hosted by Audrey Herd-Smith
• And many more!

Tickets for these events and more can be purchased online at nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933 (phone sales open 9:00 AM 5:00 PM ET). To date, the Festival has raised more than $7.5 million for the nation's leading hunger-relief organizations, Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign and Food Bank For New York City.

About the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign, with 100% of the Festival's net proceeds helping fight hunger. Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival. More information about the Festival can be found at www.nycwff.org.

About Food Bank For New York City
Food Bank For New York City recognizes 31 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization workingto end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, 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 community-based member programs citywide, Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need.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. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.

AboutNo Kid Hungry
No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. No Kid Hungry connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join us atNoKidHungry.org.