New York City’s Wine & Food Festival Wraps Up Today With Closing-Night Cookout at Pier 17
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is preparing to close its 2026 edition on Sunday, October 18, with a rooftop celebration featuring Black cuisine, live music, and culinary talent. The final scheduled event, The Cookout, will bring the festival’s four-day program to a close at the Rooftop at Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan.
The evening event is scheduled from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m., with chef JJ Johnson and radio personality Angela Yee hosting. Organizers have also advertised a special appearance by Whoopi Goldberg and a live performance by rapper Method Man.
Unlike the festival’s earlier daytime tastings and cooking demonstrations, the closing-night celebration places Black chefs, restaurants and culinary traditions at the center of the experience. It is designed to celebrate the relationship between food, music and cultural expression.
The Festival Reaches Its Final Evening After Four Days of Food Events
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, presented by Invesco QQQ, began Thursday, October 15, and concludes Sunday, October 18.
According to the festival’s official announcement, the 2026 edition marks its 19th year, with organizers promoting more than 50 events across the four-day program.
Those events covered different corners of the culinary world, from restaurant tastings and cooking demonstrations to conversations with food creators and entertainment-focused dining experiences.
The Sunday schedule reflected that variety. Earlier programming included the Grand Tasting at the Seaport and FoodieCon at a separate Manhattan location, while the Cookout was scheduled to provide the festival’s closing-night celebration.
For New Yorkers following the festival, the distinction matters because Sunday’s culinary activities were spread across different venues and time slots rather than taking place at one continuous event.
Sunday’s Daytime Events Featured Chef Demonstrations and Food Creators
The Grand Tasting was scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Invesco QQQ Festival Campus in the Seaport, located at 89 South St.
According to the official Grand Tasting schedule, the program was hosted by chefs Ayesha Nurdjaja and Michael Symon. The advertised activities included restaurant tastings, wine and spirits, culinary demonstrations, and appearances by food personalities.
Among the scheduled demonstration participants were Andrew Zimmern, Rocco DiSpirito and Rachael Ray, alongside Nigel Ng, known to many viewers as Uncle Roger. Michael Symon and MGK were also listed in the demonstration lineup.
The event was designed to connect restaurant food with the techniques and personalities behind it. Rather than centering on one meal or cooking style, the Grand Tasting offered a broader look at different culinary approaches through its advertised tasting and demonstration program.
Elsewhere in Manhattan, FoodieCon was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Storied NYC, 547 W. 26th St.
As outlined on FoodieCon’s official event page, its program featured conversations with food creators, demonstrations, tastings, photo opportunities, and interactive experiences.
The event highlighted another side of contemporary food culture: creators who share cooking ideas, restaurant experiences and culinary content with online audiences.
While the Grand Tasting centered on restaurant experiences and demonstrations, FoodieCon brought food-focused digital creators into the festival’s programming. Both daytime events had advertised closing times before the evening Cookout.
Related: 8 Best Food Festivals in The World
What to Know About the Closing-Night Cookout at Pier 17
The Cookout, presented by Mike’s Amazing, is scheduled to take place from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rooftop at Pier 17, located at 89 South St.
According to the Cookout’s official event listing, chef JJ Johnson and Angela Yee are scheduled to host the evening. Johnson is the chef and founder of FIELDTRIP, while Yee hosts the radio program Way Up with Angela Yee.
The advertised entertainment program includes a special appearance by Whoopi Goldberg and a live musical performance by Method Man.
Organizers have also listed a 5:30 p.m. early-entry option for eligible Bank of America cardholders. That earlier admission time applies to the designated ticket category rather than all attendees.
The event’s official description outlines a walk-around tasting experience featuring food from Black chefs and restaurants, accompanied by drinks and entertainment.
Unlike a traditional seated dinner, the advertised format emphasizes exploring different offerings within a shared celebration. This allows the culinary portion of the event to remain a central attraction alongside its musical program.
The official listing does not establish actual attendance or confirm that scheduled appearances have taken place. Ticket availability and any last-minute program changes also require separate confirmation.
A Closing Celebration Centered on Black Food and Culture
Food is the main attraction at the Cookout, but the event’s cultural focus extends beyond the dishes being served.
Festival organizers describe the celebration as an opportunity to highlight Black cuisine through the work of Black chefs and restaurants. Its advertised purpose is to recognize food as an expression of storytelling, creativity, and cultural identity.
That emphasis gives the closing event a distinct character within the broader festival.
Cooking traditions are often connected to family histories, communities and the exchange of ideas across generations. By placing Black culinary talent at the center of the celebration, the Cookout aims to draw attention to those connections and the creativity that continues to shape contemporary food culture.
The organizers’ description also emphasizes the ingredients, preparation techniques, and culinary traditions represented by participating chefs and restaurants.
Specific dishes and participating restaurant menus have not been established in the reviewed information, so the emphasis remains on the event’s announced culinary purpose rather than unconfirmed food offerings.
The pairing of food and music is also part of the evening’s advertised identity. Method Man’s scheduled performance adds an entertainment element, while the featured chefs and their cooking remain essential to the celebration’s theme.
