Let the Eating Begin!

As night fell over the foodie mecca that is Chelsea Market, the epicures descended en masse. Marking the kickoff of the inaugural New York City Wine & Food Festival, tonight's open house at the home of the Food Network was a culinary extravaganza (and a sold-out one at that). Bobby Flay caused a paparazzi-like stir as he passed out burgers and posed for pictures. Simultaneously, purveyors including Ronnybrook Farm Dairy (which was freely distributing brandy-flavored milkshakes); Chelsea Thai Wholesale, (which delighted palates with a spicy papaya dish); and Yellow Tail, (which offered a glass of the good stuff around every corner) kept patrons happy on a night that foretold great things for this four-day bonanza. Apsen Food & Wine and South Beach Wine & Food....eat your heart out! All proceeds from the smorgasbord of events over the next few days go to support the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength. For a list of the (sadly) mostly sold-out activities, click here.