On the Saturday before the world soccer finals, Eater turned Pier 36 in New York City into a busy showcase of international eating and sports fandom. Despite rainy weather, thousands of guests arrived in team jerseys and moved from stall to stall tasting dishes from dozens of countries, making the event feel like a lively cross between a food festival and a global match-day gathering.
More than 30 of New York’s most talked-about chefs and restaurants took part, joined by a few names from outside the city as well. The lineup included banh mi from East Village favorite Bánh Anh Em, burritos from Park Slope’s Vato, and pizza from Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe in New Haven. The mood stayed upbeat as attendees tried to score goals through an inflatable Lifeway Kefir bottle and sampled the brand’s probiotic drinks and cheeses.
Elsewhere, visitors stopped for photos beside a giant Maruchan ramen cup installation and tasted a ramen trio created by Seattle chef Shota Nakajima, inspired by Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Guests then voted on the version they liked best. At A Taste of NYC, presented by Square, diners tried free bites from Gourmega, the new restaurant from the founders of Ghetto Gastro, along with sweets from Edible such as cheesecake, brownies, and chocolate-covered fruit. Morton Salt tote bags were on hand for carrying extras home.
A Taste of Asia, presented by Cathay Pacific, leaned into travel and culinary discovery with a photobooth and a live demo from Bonnie’s chef Calvin Eng, who made Hong Kong-style French toast. Other offerings there included Filipino beef adobo short rib and Thai massaman duck croquettes. In the VIP lounge, also presented by Cathay Pacific, guests sampled bites from Dominique Ansel, South Philly Barbacoa, Jose Andres’s Mercado Little Spain, and Sushi Noz, while an open bar kept drinks flowing. S. Pellegrino and Aqua Panna served spritzes and seltzers, Dole offered fruit cups and pineapple juice mocktails, and Manhattan Beer Distributors and Milagro tequila added more options to the mix. According to the report, the event underscored how food and sports can bring people together, with everyone leaving a winner at World’s Fare.
Source: eater.com