MEATOPIA and other upcoming Summer NY Food Events!

MEATOPIA.

The word alone seems magical.  This weekend, over 30 chefs will be gathering on Governor's Island to host one of New York's bigger BBQ festivals.  Using local produce and meat from regional farms, the festival will be supporting the local community and promoting the spirit of sustainability.  There will be tastings, live entertainment and lots of beer by Sixpoint Craft Ales (July is Mayor Bloomberg's proclaimed "Good Beer Month.")

The event is being hosted by [controversial, free loading] writer Josh Ozersky and Good Beer's Jimmy Carbone.  Chefs to look out for include Fatty 'Cue's Robbie Richter and Convivo's Michael White.  Meat suppliers include New York's favorite Pat LaFrieda Meats and Flying Pigs Farm, and part of the proceeds will go to the selected charities Just Foods and Slow Food NYC.  The event will include a BBQ competition in which attendees will get to vote on their favorite piece of flesh.

What: MEATOPIA - BBQ NYC
When: Sunday, July 11, 2010 (raindate July 18, 2010) / 11:30am - 4:30pm
Where: Governors Island, New York Harbour
Cost: FREE entry, but if you want to taste it will cost you anywhere between $25-$150, depending on how many tastings you're going for.
Menu: Meatopia's Menu

ASIAN FEASTIVAL

Queens, New York is finally getting its well-deserved spotlight this September.  Queens is home to some of the best Asian cuisine in all of New York.  As wonderful as most cuisines are in Manhattan, even Chinatown and Koreatown have nothing on Queens in terms of value for money, specialty dishes and quality.

Asian Feastival intends to show some of the best of Queens in a series of tastings, bike tours (awesome idea!), culinary lessons and book signings.  Attendees will learn where to find the best Asian farmers markets, how to understand Southeast Asian cuisine in NY, and the secrets of rice.  Chef appearances include Pichet Ong (Sweet Spot), Lee Ang Wong (Top Chef) and Eddie Huang (Baohaus). 

Asian Feastival is still constructing the rest of its program, so keep up to date with their growing list of restaurants and guest appearances on their website.

What: ASIAN FEASTIVAL

When:  September 6, 2010 / 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Where: Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel (135-20 39th Ave, Queens)

Cost: $55 advance, $60 door
Program: Asian Feastival's Schedule

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend either event, but if any of you end up attending... please update me with your experiences here on Gastronommy.com or on Gastronommy's Facebook Page!

Thanks Jenn Joo and Mrs. Won for the leads.