Let the Feasting Begin: Fall Food and Drink Fests

From a burger bash to beer and brats, fall into one of this season’s diverse food festivals in the New York-area.

Food Network’s Food and Wine Festival: “Eat, Drink and End Hunger” at this year’s event, which brings together world-renowned culinary figures and Food Network TV personalities to raise money for the Food Bank of New York City.  The four-day festival, located in the Meatpacking District, is filled with demonstrations, panel discussions, tastings, tours and competitions with names like “Burger Bash” and “Pancake Party.” Events range in price from $20 to $500. For a complete listing of events, click here. Meatpacking District in Manhattan, Sept.  29-Oct. 2

Chef and Restauranteur Bobby Flay. He will be among 20 competitors in the Food and Wine Festival's Blue Moon Burger Bash. Photo/Flickr Chase McAlpine

Harvest Fest

The Harvest Festival in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.,  is a great one-day fest for both farmers and foodies celebrating the rich fall bounty in the  Hudson Valley. The festival brings together a diverse group of local producers, purveyors, farmers and chefs offering seasonal food and beverages. The day also offers a collection of fall entertainment, including live performances, hayrides, a pig roast and a chance to compete  in the ”farming Olympics.” Tickets are $35, with proceeds benefitting the Stone Barns education programs for farmers. For tickets, and more information, click here. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Queens County Farm Apple Fest

No bad apples here, just delicious apple goodies.  At Queens County Farm,  guests are invited to enjoy a variety of apple-inspired foods, from apple sauce to apple pie. Additionally, take your turn at apple-cider pressing and experience apple history in the form of the nations largest apple cobbler. A corn maze, hayrides and apple-bobbing complete the day. For more information, click here. Queens County Farm Museum, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Boot drinkin' at NYC Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest tradition of drinking beer from a boot comes from claims that German soldiers drank from their boots in WWI before heading into battle. Photo/Flickr Sebastien Barre

NYC Oktoberfest

Cheers to Munich at this day-long celebration of  Bavarian beer and brats. Local breweries will offer a variety of German lagers and restaurants will serve up authentic Oktoberfest dishes like hendl, kriek cabbage and schweinsbraten. When you’re full on German grub, oom-pah your way down Lexington Ave. for shopping and live entertainment. For more information, click here. Lexington & 42nd Street, Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Good Food Fest

From the farm to the festival, it’s a day-long celebration of  traceable food from over 50 local farmers and artisans. Twenty restaurants will be offering festive tastings prepared with this season’s bounty. In addition, a marketplace will offer regional gourmet treats, from bread and butter pickles to beef jerky. Admission is free, but tickets, priced $20-50, are required for tastings. For a list of vendors, and more information, click here. Gansevoort Square in Manhattan, Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

NYC Food Film Festival. Moviegoers can feast on pizza from Di Fara while watching a portrait of the eatery's owner, Domenico DeMarco, in "The Best Thing I Ever Done." Photo/Flickr Adam Kuban

Edible dresses on display at last year's chocolate show. The New York Chocolate Show is the largest in the United States. Photo/Flickr istolethetv

New York Chocolate Show