2015 New York City Wine & Food Festival

It's that time of year again: when the red carpets are rolled out and New York becomes even more of a culinary wonderland than it already is, when the Food Network and Cooking Channel New York City Wine and Food Festival Presented by Food and Wine comes to town.

The annual festival, which is returning to the city for its eighth year, brings together the world's best chefs, winemakers, spirits producers, and culinary personalities, who are ready to educate, entertain, and most importantly, feed the eager public. More than 100 events are set to take place in dozens of locations, including two piers overlooking the Hudson River.

From epic walk-around tastings like Jets + Chefs, Meatopia, and the legendary Blue Moon Burger Bash to intimate dinners, seminars, brunches, demos, and classes, there's really something for everyone at NYCWFF. Tickets for most of the events are sold out, but if you weren't able to secure yours, don't despair! The Daily Meal team is on the scene, and will be filing reports of all the action all weekend long. Check in here throughout the festival for a front-row seat to one of the country's most exciting food festivals. Stay up-to-the-minute by following The Daily Meal on Twitter, and by following the participating chefs. 

Friday, October 16

11 p.m.: The Burger Bash has come and gone, and nearly 30 different burgers were on offer.Standout burgers included The Ainsworth's Mac n' Cheese Burger (topped with cheese sauce, a fried mac and cheese patty, and bacon jam), Shake Shack's afore-mentioned Crackle Shack, Smith & Wollensky's Dry-Aged Cheeseburger (with bone marrow and mushroom marmalade), and Emily's EMMY Burger (dry-aged beef, special sauce, sautéed onion, Grafton Cheddar, and cornichons on a pretzel bun). Two relative dark horses ended up taking home the evening's awards: BBD's, which is located in Rocky Point, Long Island (one of the few participants from outside the city), won the Judges' Choice Award for their steamed cheeseburger topped with diced onions and pickles on a soft white bun, and the prestigious People's Choice Award went to Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, who served a loosely-packed burger topped with blue cheese, buttermilk sauce, and arugula on a potato bun. For the full event recap, click here.

Saturday, October 17

12:00 p.m.: Bobby Flay fans got to eat brunch with the man himself at "Brunch at Bobby's" at the Capitale on Bowery Street.

12:30 p.m.: "The Spark! With Dana Cowin of Food & Wine," brought together three leading culinary professionals, Dominique Ansel, inventor of the cronut and James Beard Award winning pastry chef; Kristen Kish, winner of Bravo's "Top Chef" season 10 and co-host of "36-Hours" on the Travel Channel; and Carla Hall, former contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef" and co-host of ABC's "The Chew."

The panel, led by Cowin the Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine since 1995, discussed the constant creative pressure chefs feel, that "aha" moment that kept them going, and their greatest success, which were often born out of failure. For the full event recap, click here.

Sunday, October 18

2:00 p.m.: Chef Dale Talde of Talde Brooklyn hosted Dumplings and Dim Sum at Buddakan in Chelsea. The event featured chefs from restaurants like Pig & Khao, Javelina, and Buddakan.

4:00 p.m.: At Meatopia, guests were encouraged by host Michael Symon to participate the way the event's late founder, Josh Ozersky, would have wanted: by eating "until your face is blue and having three more drinks than you should." We also learned from chef Charles Grund Jr. about the festival's roots over a decade ago.