Westchester Magazine is joining forces with Westchester County Office of Economic Development to give a much-needed boost to restaurants and food
trucks with an expanded 2021 Wine & Food Festival this fall. This marks the county’s first large-scale event of 2021 and a return of hundreds of local chefs
and restaurants contributing to the massive food festival.
The festival is a not-to-be missed experience recognizing the culinary spirit of Westchester County with 100-plus top local restaurants and a selection of
world-class wines. The one-week wine and food extravaganza will take place Sept. 21-26 and serve as a salute to the finest food, exceptional spirits, and award-winning chefs from throughout the county. The festival will require all attendees to be fully vaccinated and show the New York Excelsior Pass or vaccination card and ID upon entry.
“Westchester has come back stronger than ever from the pandemic, so this is our salute to all chefs and restaurants who persevered and found ways to stay
open during the pandemic,” said Sam Wender, publisher of Westchester Magazine. “We look forward to celebrating all our favorite dining establishments
this Fall.”
Adding to the popular Burger & Beer Blast and the iconic Grand Tasting Village is the new Party on the Pier at Rye Playland, celebrating the best bartenders
in the county.“We are thrilled to welcome back Westchester Magazine’s Wine and Food Festival this year, and what better place to kick off the celebration
than at Party on the Pier at Rye Playland,”Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. “Our County’s eateries struggl ed through the pandemic, and we
want this week-long festival to symbolize the return of the finest foods, spirits, and award-winning establishments that Westchester County has to offer.”
Guests will sip, savor and enjoy the county’s finest plates and pours while mingling with Westchester’s top chefs, sommeliers and specialty food purveyors as
they attend exclusive dinners, tastings and demos.
“This year’s Wine & Food Festival is a very positive sign the County is bouncing back,” said Bridget Gibbons, director of the county Office of Economic
Development. “We welcome our neighbors and new visitors to see the beauty of Playland, the County’s historic gem, while sampling new flavors including from our food trucks, an industry on the rise of re-emerging from this pandemic, like so many other local businesses.”
For additional information or to purchase tickets visit westchestermagazine.com/winefood
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Italian Wine Experience with Kevin Zraly
Tuesday, Sept. 21 | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with special dinner at 8 p.m.
Location: Kanopi, 1 Renaissance Square, White Plains, NY 10601
Price: $95 per ticket; with dinner $150
Experience a wine tour of Italy up on the 42nd floor of Opus Hotel at Kanopi restaurant and event space, with tastings
provided by Chef/Owner Anthony Goncalves. In addition to sampling fine wines highlighting different regions of Italy,
renowned author and wine educator, Kevin Zraly will hold condensed wine seminars throughout the event. Stay after
the event for a special dinner offered by Chef Anthony.
Party on the Pier & Bartender Shake-Off at Rye Playland
Wednesday, Sept. 22 | 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Playland Park Pier, 1 Playland Parkway, Rye
Price: $50 per ticket
The brand-new Party on the Pier at Rye Playland will salute our county and the restaurants who made it through the
pandemic. Get ready to savor the end of the summer at the Playland Pier. Sample flavorful favorites, sip delicious
cocktails and cheer on your favorite bartender during the third-annual Bartender Shake-Off.
Burger & Beer Blast
Thursday, Sept. 23 | 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Price: $75 per ticket
Burgers, beer, music, wine, spirits, food trucks and the best grilling on this side of the Hudson River come together
at Westchester’s ultimate block party. Top local chefs present their unique take on the all-American burger as they
compete for the Best Burger Award. Piccinini Bros is the official beef sponsor.
First Annual Wine Collector’s Dinner—Finally Open That Bottle
Friday, Sept. 24 | 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Location: X20 Xaviars on the Hudson, 71 Water Grant St., Yonkers
Price: $185
The first annual Wine Collectors’ Dinner—Finally Open that Bottle is an ultra-exclusive event where guests are asked
to bring that best bottle of wine they have been saving to present and share with other guests. Renowned Chef
Peter Kelly will serve an extraordinary four-course dinner and awards will be given for wine “superlatives.” (i.e.,
Most Expensive, Oldest Bottle, Best Story related to the Bottle, Cheapest Bottle, etc.) The event is a tribute to Ralph
Martinelli, founder and publisher of Westchester Magazine, and is sponsored by Carl Petrillo. A special live Wine
Auction will be held. This memorable event is not to be missed.
Grand Tasting Village
Saturday, Sept. 25 | 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Location: Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla
Price: $85 per ticket; $125 Connoisseurs Tent
The signature event of the Wine & Food Festival, the Grand Tasting Village features live Chef demos, tastings from
40-plus local restaurants and more than 200 wines and spirits. Chef demonstrations and a variety of food trucks create
a gastronomic delight for food and wine lovers.
For those looking for something a little more personal, there is the Connoisseurs Tent. The private area features an
exclusive lounge for relaxing while you sample the event’s highest quality wines along with dishes from the area’s top
restaurants. Wine expert, author and educator Kevin Zraly will be leading Wine Seminars throughout the day focusing
on the vintages being served in the Connoisseurs Tent. Entrance to this exclusive area and the wine seminars are only
for guests purchasing Connoisseurs Tent tickets, which includes access to all Grand Tasting Village
