This is the second year for the festival founded by Rich Baumer. Friday evenings event in White Plains included the Battle of the Chefs with Rocco DiSpirito & Graham Elliot among the contestants. Saturday from 11AM-5PM the festival moved to Mamaroneck with several large tasting villages. Since I did not attend either event I can only write about Sundays event in downtown Scarsdale (11AM-5PM). In less than 40 minutes from Grand Central on Metro North I arrived at the festival, conveniently located across from the train station.
I have attended many similar festivals but probably had the best time here. Admission was free and one could buy food sampling tickets 10 for $50. The purchase of a wine & beer tasting braclet was $30. Editors Note- I was comped for the bracelet and 6 food tasting coupons. There were over 90 restaurants represented, with a mixture of national chains and local favorites. In the wine pavilion here were 33 tables with 200 wines available to sample. That does not count the beer sampling tables. Many of the vendors were also giving out free samples without the need of a ticket.
The Chef demo area had Wally Malouf and Sam Talbot among others doing cooking demonstrations. They handed out a free food sampling of their prepared dish. The far end, past the tasting villages, had a kid zone and live music. Since the event took place in downtown Scarsdale there were lots of places to sit and law enforcement was ever present. I did not notice any problems with alcohol abuse. There were families of all ages and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
I can't wait until year three. I hope I get invited back.
www.sowefwf.com
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