Photo Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Culinary Experience
Called “A Fantasy Camp for Foodies,” the New York Culinary Experience gathers the world’s renowned chefs, restaurateurs, and food lovers for a weekend of culinary adventure. Banfi was the only wine served during the weekend’s main attraction, a series of 35 intimate cooking classes led by chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jacques Pépin, Alain Salhaic, and David Bouley.
The event, organized by New York Magazine, is hosted in the immaculate and fully-equipped stainless steel test kitchens at the French Culinary Institute in SoHo. Approximately 175 food fanatics travel from all over the world and pay $1495 per ticket to get in front of the stove and learn from their favorite chef-idols. According to a spokeswoman for the event, ~75% of the attendees were either return guests, or referred directly by one.
After purchasing their tickets, guests consult with an event “concierge,” who helps them tailor a program that best suits their culinary preferences and goals. Attendees are able to attend four 2-hour classes over the weekend, including both morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday and on Sunday.
During all of these classes, Banfi wines were served to complement the epicurean themes selected by chefs.
For example, Modern Thai cuisine prepared by Chef Andy Ricker (Pok Pok) was paired with the food- and spice-friendly Pacific Rim Riesling 2012.
During the class with Chef Missy Robbins (most recently at the Michelin-starred A Voce and previously named Best New Chef by Food & Wine Magazine), Missy interacted with class participants as she poured Bolla Prosecco to make Aperol cocktails for her “Venetian Cocktail Party.”
Jean-Georges Vongerichten prepared Vegetable Specialties from Jean-Georges’s Kitchen while participants sipped Pacific Rim Solstice Vineyard Riesling 2009.
Photo Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for New York Culinary Experience.
Banfi’s L’Ardi Dolcetto d’Acqui was a beautiful match to the Bold Mediterranean Flavors in Chef Einat Admony’s course, where the wine was served alongside quinoa salad with preserved lemon and chickpeas. (See right)
In another room, attendees put the finishing touches on their charred octopus salad while their glasses were filled with Bolla Prosecco and the ever-entertaining Chef Cesare Casella (Salumeria Rosi) narrated.
The New York Culinary Experience was an extremely special opportunity for Banfi to pour its fantastic wines to true food enthusiasts, while being enjoyed with the world’s culinary giants and their phenomenal dishes. A full list of classes, chefs, and pairings is below the fold. You can also read more at: New York Culinary Experience 2014.
| Chef | Class | Wine |
| Zachary Golper | Vieonnoiserie at Home | Bolla Prosecco |
| Michael Lomonaco | Italian American Classics | Banfi Chianti Superiore |
| Andy Ricker | Modern Thai | Pacific Rim Riesling 2012 |
| Dan Kluger | Tips & Tricks with Spring Vegetables | Novas Sauvignon Blanc |
| Jacques Torres | Chocolate | Rosa Regale 2012 |
| Michael Psilakis | Secrets to the Perfect Greek Menu | Bolla Soave Classico 883 |
| Jean-Georges Vongerichten | Vegetable Specialties from Jean Georges’s Kitchen | Pacific Rim Solstice Vineyard Riesling 2009 |
| Cesara Casella | Tuscan Favorites from Il Ristorante Rosi | Bolla Prosecco |
| Alain Sailhac | French – Lobster & Asparagus | Banfi Principessa Gavia Gavi |
| Dorie Greenspan | Inside Dorie’s Cookie Jar | Pacific Rim Vin de Galceiere Riesling 2012 |
| Harold Moore | A Complete Commerce Meal | Sartori Valpolicella Superiore |
| Seamus Mullen | Cooking for Pleasure, Cooking for Life | San Angelo Pinot Grigio |
| Ghaya Oliveira | Pastry | FloruS |
| Alex Guarnaschelli | American | Rainstorm Pinot Noir 2012 |
| David Bouley | Living Pantry at Home | Novas Pinot Noir |
| Missy Robbins | Venetian Cocktail Party | Bolla Prosecco |
| Ed McFarland | Lobster Bar Favorites | Fontana Candida Frascati Superiore “Luna Mater” |
| Peter Endriss | Baking Baguettes | Bolla Prosecco |
| David Pasternack | Esca Fish Techniques | Novas Sauvignon Blanc |
| Michel Richard | Puff Pastry – Sweet & Savory | Maschio “Cadoro” Moscato |
| Einat Admony | Bold Mediterranean Flavors | Dolcetto d’Acqui L’Ardi |
| Tom Valenti | Classic Ouest Menu | Pacific Rim Dry Riesling 2012 |
| David Burke | Creating David Burke’s Signature Dishes | Rainstorm Pinot Gris 2013 |
| Joey Campanaro | Pasta, Sauce, & Steak | Albinea Canali Lambrusco Ottocentonero |
| Andre Soltner | French Classics | Castello Banfi Fontanelle Chardonnay |
| Shaun Hergatt | Cooking with Fish | San Angelo Pinot Grigio |
| Laurie Jon Moran | Pastry | Rosa Regale |
| Flora Mikula | Provencal Small Plates | Bolla Prosecco |
| Zak Pealccio, Jori Jayne Emde, & Kevin Pomplun | Farm-to-Table | Pacific Rim Riesling Made from Organic Grapes 2012 |
| David Waltuck | A Sneak Peek into elan’s Menu | Sartori Ferdi |
| Daniel Rose | A Complete Meal from Spring’s Cookbook | Maschio dei Cavalierie Prosecco, Novas Pinot Noir |
| Alex Stupak | Empellon Flavors | Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling 2011 |
| Joe Ng | Dumplings Demystified | Pacific Rim Sweet Sparkling Riesling |
| Matthew Lightner | Progressive | Eufloria 2013 |
Rebecca fell in love with wine — Castello Banfi Brunello in particular — on a cliché semester abroad in Italy. A Texas native, she has traveled to wine regions throughout France, as well as to Portugal, South Africa, and across the U.S. In addition to earning a BA from Duke University (Go Blue Devils!) and an MBA from Columbia Business School, Rebecca holds an Advanced with Merit certification from the WSET and was a founding contributor of the popular wine industry blog Terroirist.
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