A Hamptons Foodie at the New York City Wine & Food Festival

Martha Stewart was there. Giada De Laurentiis was there. Whoopi Goldberg was there. And so was Dan’s Papers intrepid foodie and Hamptons Epicure columnist, Stacy Dermont, who went to the Big Apple to check out the New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine Magazine. Here are her impressions:

•It was HUGE! and very crowded and it raised a lot of money for the Food Bank of New York City and Share Our Strength, No Kid Hungry.

•It was thick with celeb chefs, including Anne Burrell— I almost banged into her while grabbing a sample.

•I tried ALMOST everything—it was all so good.Favorite restaurant tastings included: The Hurricane Club’s crab and avocado corn cake; Waffle, Waffle’s waffles; Gemma’s Yellow Fin Tuna with Tuscan Beans; Weinbar’s smoked salmon; and Benjamin Steakhouse’s steak and cocktail sauce–like steak sauce.

•Brand name product samples were also on offer, including the amazing Garlic Expressions from LarMar Foods. I’ve never had anything that offers such bright, clean garlic flavor in liquid form before! Other new-to-me goodies included Twinings’ instant Chai and Knorr’s homemade stock (very condensed = space saving).

•There was also a whole lot of wine. That’s one, big, happy blur…I was sober enough to watch some demos in the stage kitchen.

•Every attendee was given a goodie bag that included Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt (which I use in everything I cook— thanks!); the classics—Welch’s grape juice and Nutella; plus some cool bamboo spatulas.

The New York City Wine & Food Festival made me long for Dan’s Taste of Two Forks annual event! I can’t wait to see all of our own top chefs and food pros—and those delicious local food and wine samples—under a huge tent on the East End of this island!