Best Bites From the New York City Wine & Food Festival

The New York Wine & Food Festival returns for year number six. As if Manhattan wasn't overrun with salivating foodies year-round, the city welcomes the world's leading chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs and culinary experts for a four-day extravaganza Oct. 17-20.

Festival Founder and Director Lee Brian Schrager (Vice President, Corporate Communications & National Events at Southern Wine & Spirits of America) drew upon his vast industry resources and experiences at the South Beach Food & Wine Festival to create a jam-packed (literally) weekend that celebrates culinary diversity and also benefits two hunger-related charities. Food Bank For New York City and Share Out Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign are the recipient of 100 percent of net proceeds from the festival, which to date has raised more than $6 million.

This year the Festival relocates its hub to midtown Manhattan, capitalizing on the explosive gentrification of Hell's Kitchen. The opening night party will be held at Gotham West Market, a new venue showcasing some of Brooklyn's best vendors who have migrated west, including Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, Court Street Grocers and The Brooklyn Kitchen.

While the Festival is known for its over-the-top grand tasting events (who doesn't like to cram into a tent with a wine glass precariously dangling from your neck by a lanyard?) and triple-digit celebrity dinners (an intimate evening with David Bouley and co-host Dr. Mark Hyman will set you back $400), this year's line-up also offers informative seminars and hands-on cooking events for the true gourmand.

Sausage Making 101

Learn the old-world art of sausage making from the famed Bitici family of Macelleria, one of the original Meatpacking District restaurants. President, Violetta Bitici, along with the restaurant's chef, will teach participants the time honored, culinary tradition.

This hands-on class will feature sausage making from scratch, including how to select cuts of meat, grind them, and hand stuff sausages into their own casings. Violetta will even offer helpful tips on curing sausages at home. The class will finish with a taste of Macelleria's homemade sausages, served with wine that has been carefully chosen to complement the homey, backcountry delicacy.

Saturday, Oct. 19
12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Click here for tickets. $95

Unusual Grape Varieties with Jancis Robinson

Leave the chardonnay at home. World renowned wine guru and journalist Jancis Robinson leads a fascinating tasting focused on unusual grape varieties, a recurring theme in her new book, "The World Atlas of Wine."

Jancis Robinson is the wine columnist for the Financial Times and writes daily at www.JancisRobinson.com. Her many award-winning books include "American Wine," "The Oxford Companion to Wine" and "Wine Grapes." She is a widely read critic and wine educator, as well as an advisor on Queen Elizabeth II's cellar. Join Jancis Robinson for an afternoon of insights, tips and tasting into the great grape unknown.

Saturday, Oct. 19
2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Click here for tickets. $85

Hot Bread Kitchen Master Class

Join Hot Bread Kitchen Chief Bread Officer Ben Hershberger and several bakers from around the world who have benefited from the Hot Bread Kitchen incubator program. Participants will not only cultivate their baking skills, but will also learn more about the Hot Bread Kitchen mission and how they can help spread the word in their own communities.

For one day only, you will enter the halls of The International Culinary Center, the city's preeminent culinary institution and become part of a program that may change how the world bakes.

Sunday, Oct. 20
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Click here for tickets. $200

MasterCard Priceless New York Demo Pass

You've got to have a MasterCard in order to purchase, but breaking out the plastic will be well worth it to assure reserved premier seating for all KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard. The Culinary Demonstrations feature two continuously running stages with celebrity chefs & Food Network personalities showcasing their talents.

The MasterCard Priceless New York Demo Pass also includes access to the Priceless New York Fast Pass line into the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite at its new location, the "Culinary Campus" at Pier 94. The Grand Tasting features all-inclusive bites from New York City's top restaurants and chefs, endless samplings of fine wine and spirits from the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio and book signings by favorite culinary personalities. Scheduled chefs include Bobby Flay, Anne Burrell, Michael Symon, Andrew Zimmern, Giada de Laurentiis and others.

Sunday, Oct. 20
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Click here for tickets. $225

Master Sushi Rolling Class with Morimoto

Join world-renowned Chef and Food Network star, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and his executive and sous chefs for an intimate sushi rolling class in his flagship restaurant, Morimoto. Wine will flow while participants learn this time-honored tradition straight from one of the world's most notable Japanese chefs.

Born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan, Chef Morimoto trained under master chefs before opening his own restaurant and eventually traveling to the U.S. to explore western cooking styles. His culinary talents have been appreciated worldwide for nearly 20 years.

Sunday, Oct. 20
1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Click here for tickets. $200