Free Food & Film: I Want This All The Time

On Wednesday I attended the Third Annual NYC Food Film Festival at the new Water Taxi Beach at the South Street Seaport, a location I had yet to visit.

FREE food and film!

Due to the Seattle-like weather conditions (I know it's been said over and over and over...but really? Do we live in Seattle?), it was a bit chilly and not quite as crowded as I had thought it would be, but it definitely had potential. After all, not much can beat free food at a free event on the water in New York City.

...waiting for films to start

Especially when the theme of the free food was 'deep fried'...yum! Food was also available for purchase...but isn't chasing down the tray-of-free-grub-carrying-girl part of the fun? While I wasn't able to stay the whole night, I was able to score some fried cheese curds (not sure what this means...curds sounds icky, but it was like deep fried mozzerella...and it was delicious, curd and all)...

Deep fried cheese curd...not sure what that means, but it was tasty!

Nice man preparing free food for all!

...and I pushed my way through the crowd to score 2 corn dogs, a food that when thinking about, I feel embarrassed that I think they are delicious...but they just are, I don't care how silly I look whilst eating one.

I was happy once I scored my corn dog

There was a free celery-based alcoholic drink...but since I despise eating the vegetable with a passion, I just couldn't stomach drinking it and went for a $6 Peroni Italian beer instead. While I didn't get to stay as long as I'd hoped, here's hoping the Fourth Annual Food Film Festival brings sunny weather and more fabulous food and film.

Wednesday, June 17th
Films:
Come Have An Omelette With Me
Clam Pie
The Sacred Food
Celeriac
Eat Your Fill
24 Hours, 24 Million Meals: Feeding New York City

Free Food Menu:
Fried Cheese Curds
Corn Dogs
Clam Pies

A Wonderful Week of FREE Things!

Free events! Free movies! Free food! Free movies about food! Oh how I love summer...and will love it more when the rain finally ceases. I figured I'd close out the work week with some fun, free things to look forward to in the coming week.

Free Stuff Guide: Jun 13 and beyond
Big Apple Barbeque Block Party
Saturday & Sunday June 13-14
A free event in Madison Square Park, including live jazz and cooking demonstrations, the Big Apple Barbeque Block Party will feature pitmasters from across the nation united to showcase their very best barbequed delights. While the event is free, food will be offered for a minimal price. I'll be there with camera and empty stomach on Sunday. Give me a shout if you're going!

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Every Monday night from June 15 - August 17
A free movie event in Bryant Park, the Summer Film Festival will showcase classic movies every Monday night, starting this coming Monday. Bring your blankets and picnic baskets and set up shop. The films typically start around dusk (8-9pm), and for a bonus you can preorder food from the 'wichcraft kiosk, super chef Tom Colicchio's Craft spinoff. The first film is The Sting, one of my favorite classics starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman (tear). Though it's no Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, who could resist the reuniting of these two quintessential Hollywood stars?

Third Annual Food Film Festival
June 13 through June 19
Could it be that two of my favorite things in this world (food and film) have come together in some sort of alternate perfect universe? And I managed to miss it for the last two years? Apparently the answer is 'yes' on both counts. Filmmakers and foodies collide in this weeklong event, where filmmakers show films they've made...about food! Titles include Mutton: The Movie, Food Cops, and Power of the Peep. (No, I did not make those up). Showing at various locations through the city, screenings will also include free themed food, like clam pie, buttermilk ice cream, and, you guessed it, Peeps. Check their site for full schedule, locations, and food offerings.

Enjoy the week ahead foodies and freebiers! Check back next week for photo, video, and commentary coverage of aforementioned events!