Festival Review: New York Food Film Fest Is Delicious Viewing
I STAND BY THE NEW YORK FOOD FILM FESTIVAL as one of the best food fests you can attend. It was what every single person assured in the coolly extravagant after-party catered by various, local New York/ US restauranteurs and chef. Luckily, I went to Thursday and Friday’s Deep Flavor Dive and Hometown Heroes, which was amazing.
You watch short films and docs that promote a certain chefs and restaurants, and then eat the food the film features. From delicious pastries that melted in your mouth to acclaimed street food, HELLO GYRO!, there was a camaraderie built in the 42nd street theater as you made friends with the people next to you by, literally, breaking bread. Strangers became friends over local brews and delicious tacos, and it all felt so easy and natural. I sweat the New York Food Film Fest could end war if it were held more often and around the world. Yet, admittedly, I had a different approach this year.
Right before entering the New York Food Film fest, my good friend said he got diagnosed with diabetes. The news felt tragic because he is so young, and he was feeling the effects. Naturally, the whole day my excitement to go eat was turned. I was, literally, going to a food fest after finding out my “brother” was sick from a disease that is caused by how you eat. Yet, the news made more attentive to the healthiness of each food, and helped me appreciate the Food Film festival as one that giddily explains the ingredients and even the measurements in every food. There are no airs to how this festival nose-dives into what makes your plate. Instead, they portray ingredients as cinematic; with each one uniting like Avengers against Thanos.
You should know I am a horrible cook surrounded by family and friends that are, literally, award-winning chefs and bakers. NOT KIDDING! While I can happily eat food, according to them, the house smells like burnt every time I try to make a salad. I laugh at the constant, same joke with shame, but eating will, because they cook, has given me a high, grateful palette. Each restaurant featured in the New Food Film Fest was absolutely, cosmically delicious. I had dishes that were so good I did not believe a chef made them like, Llama Inn’s Peruvian-Japanese fused ceviche. I was waiting Jesus in an Apron to come from the back and turn all the boxed waters, left us in our seat’s cup-holders, into boxed wine. I fully expected God to say, “Everything you are today was made from my body, for you!”
In terms of friendliness, tastefulness, and pure, casual fun, New York Food Film fest is unbeatable. As I spoke to my new, food friends, we reminisced on how other food festivals can feel like a Lord of The Flies situation. There you are in a “line” of sorts waiting to get a pork-belly sandwich while contemplating whether to just go to the empty restaurant across the street. After all, you are lining up for a sample. There were no line at this food fest, and people were more than full. I truly was thankful. For More Information On The Upcoming New York Food Film Fest Click Here.
Here is what I enjoyed:
• an assortment of dishes inspired by the diverse neighborhoods of NYC prepared by Chef Stephen Yen
• Queens’ Favorite Ramen Shack to return for One Night Only
• Signatures dishes from Chef Erik Ramirez’s Llama Inn
• Edible Insects from Chef Joseph Yoon
• Coconut Pancakes from Chef Nigel Sielegar of Moon Man
• Delicacies from Breads Bakery
• an assortment of dishes from Chef Justin Bazdarich of Speedy Romeo and Oxomoco
• Specialties of Chef Christophe Bonnegrace
• Ensaimada by Baker Tomeu Arbona all the way from Mallorca
• Garlic Bread by America’s Test Kitchen
• Sushi by Chefs Kan Morieda from Tokyo and David Israelow from New York City
• Delectable dessert from Maya Erickson, Pastry Chef of Langbaan in Portland
• Takoyaki by Karl’s Balls
• Mochi Waffles by The Moffle Bar
• Singaporean Coffeeshop Favorites from Lion City Coffee
