On Saturday, on the eve of the world soccer finals, Eater hosted a lively celebration of food and sports in New York City, bringing thousands of attendees to Pier 36 to taste their way through cuisines from dozens of countries. Over 30 of NYC’s most in-demand chefs and restaurants — plus visitors from beyond the city — served a diverse sampling of their signature dishes, including banh mi from the East Village’s Bánh Anh Em, burritos from Park Slope’s Vato, slices from Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe in New Haven, and many more.
Despite the rainy weather, the vibes were upbeat as attendees, clad in jerseys of their favorite teams, took their shot at scoring goals through an inflatable bottle of Lifeway Kefir and tasted samples of the brand’s probiotic drinks and cheeses. Others posed for photos alongside a giant cup of Maruchan ramen — faux noodles overflowing — and mingled with Seattle chef Shota Nakajima, who provided a ramen trio inspired by Japan, South Korea, and the United States. (Guests could then vote on their favorite in a neck-and-neck competition.)
Diners visiting A Taste of NYC, presented by Square, sampled free bites from Gourmega, the new restaurant from the founders of the Ghetto Gastro collective. From Edible, guests found sweet treats in the form of bites of cheesecake, brownies, and chocolate-covered fruit. Luckily, cute tote bags from Morton Salt were available to carry any extra goods home.
A Taste of Asia, presented by Cathay Pacific, was a travel-inspired section that featured a popular photobooth installation and a live demo with chef Calvin Eng of Brooklyn hotspot Bonnie’s, who prepared Hong Kong-style French toast. Other samples included Filipino beef adobo short rib and Thai massaman duck croquettes. In the VIP lounge, presented by Cathay Pacific, guests tried exclusive bites from Dominique Ansel, South Philly Barbacoa, Jose Andres’s Mercado Little Spain, and Sushi Noz, and sipped drinks (many drinks) at an open bar.
Spritzes and seltzers from S. Pellegrino and Aqua Panna paired perfectly with the wide range of dishes on offer, and the brand’s tastings of caviar bumps and Parmesan offered an elevated experience in the VIP lounge. Refreshing fruit cups and pineapple juice mocktail from Dole helped guests stay cool amid the summer heat; a selection of beers from Manhattan Beer Distributors and cocktails made with Milagro tequila kept the party vibes going.
It was a festive celebration and a reminder of the communal power of both food and sports — even better when the two come together. The competition may be fierce in global soccer competitions, but everyone was a winner at World’s Fare.
