Above: Padma Lakshmi and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, this year’s NYCWFF host at The Seaport. Photo via NYCWFF Instagram.

By Chris Russo

The 2025 New York City Wine & Food Festival returned this weekend, this year it was held at The Seaport District.

Chef Danielle Sepsy, with her team from The Hungry Gnome cookie bakery. Photo courtesy of Danielle Sepsy.

Now in its 18th year, the festival showcased more than 50 unique events, from intimate dinners and walk-around tastings to cocktail parties, brunches, and the ever-popular FoodieCon, spotlighting the vibrant energy that defines New York’s food scene.

Brooklyn Beckham. Photo via NYCWFF web site.

A highlight of the weekend was the beloved Burger Bash, a fan favorite for over 16 years. This year, the event was hosted by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Beckham. 

Guests enjoyed Pat LaFrieda’s legendary custom burger blend elevated by top chefs, complemented by beer, wine, and cocktails. A panel of judges including Ja Rule (rapper & musician and Ana Navarro (ABC’s “The View”) crowned the evening’s burger champion, Skinny Louie, who also won the South Beach Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash back in February. 

Highlights from this year’s NYCWFF. Photo via NYCWFF Instagram.

The excitement continued at The Grand Tasting: After Dark, hosted by Food Network icons Bobby Flay and Brooke Williamson. Against the glittering backdrop of the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge, attendees sampled hundreds of wines and spirits from Southern Glazer’s portfolio and dishes from NYC’s hottest restaurants. 

The highlight of the night: warm cookies from The Hungry Gnome. Chef Danielle Sepsy, owner of the Long Island City-based bakery, was on site handing out her famous One-Toff cookies, featuring salted toffee and dark, white, and semisweet chocolate disks. 

Danielle Sepsy. Photo courtesy of Danielle Sepsy

Sepsy and her team distributed more than 1,000 cookies throughout the evening, with guests raving that it was their favorite bite of the night. Fans recognized Sepsy from HBO Max’s The Big Brunch and her popular social media channels, making her booth one of the most memorable stops of the festival.

With live demos, cookbook signings, and lively music, NYCWFF 2025 once again proved to be the city’s ultimate celebration of flavor, fun, and culinary passion.