Smorgasburg Saturdays

Buttermilk Channel fried chicken

Smorgasburg 2012 is the summer's Must Eat event. It's the best of NY's feverish food scene, the motherlode for good grub lovers.

Each Saturday, up to 100 artisanal food vendors - serving everything from crispy fried chicken to spicy bulgogi on a bun - descend on Williamsburg's East River waterfront, transforming it to an all day, family-friendly food orgy.

Besides the quality and variety of food, there's a palpable level of passion from the vendors. It's as much fun to get to know their stories as it is to sample their fare. Meet Steve Blanco, who will tell you how his Moroccan mother's recipe for cookies inspired his creation of Black and Blanco Sandcastles, an addictive selection of crumbly, organic sandies. Or Neill and Renae Holland, a husband and wife team whose mutual love of anchovies and heavy metal spawned Bon Chovie, and a cult following (including me).

Here's the complete vendor directory. Saturdays 11am - 6pm.

Bon Chovie delectable fried anchovies

Fried whiting from Handsome Hank's Fish Hut

We Rub You beef bulgogi

Right Tasty ramp vinaigrette

Take me home

A fest with a view

Gourmet Sausage Fest at 5 Boro PicNYC

As noted last month, I'm a huge fan of the humble sausage, which deserves far more respect than it often gets. That's why it's so exciting to suddenly see more chefs getting creative with signature dogs.

I spoke with Jimmy Carbone of Food Karma Projects (and Jimmy's No. 43) about the Memorial Day weekend 5 Boro PicNYC and his decision to give sausages a starring role.  

So big NYC food festivals have gone one of two ways lately: amazing with lots of food and drink available, or abysmal with endless lines and runs on food. How’s 5 Boro PicNYC shaping up?

Food Karma Projects is an experienced NYC food event producer. This will be our third year on Governors Island. We've learned a lot! 5 Boro PicNYC is a manageable food fest. We won't oversell. And our lineup is interesting but straightforward: grilled sausages, tacos, grilled cheese, hot sauce tastings, sides, snacks and desserts. Plus free ferry rides, bicycle rentals, and historic buildings all on a beautiful, kid-friendly island.

And craft beer and live blues are key too! 

The gourmet sausage is such an ideal picnic food. I’m thrilled you are showcasing it this year. How did you make that choice?

It is an ideal picnic food and our partners are creating some incredible varieties. Fossil Farms out of New Jersey has an amazing lineup of wild game sausages and specials like Kobe beef dogs! Chef Jason DeBriere at Peels has been smoking his own sausages in preparation. I visited our sausage partners this week for a preview. What can be better for a summer Memorial Day weekend event?        

Tell me more about what meat lovers can expect to taste.

Grilled kielbasa from East Village Meat Market, custom smoked sausages from Peels, BBQ chicken from Jimmy's No.43, kimchi chicken tacos from Dave Miss (with Tortilleria Nixtzamal in Queens), chili from Lucky 777, and more!

What will my vegetarian friends feast on?

Grilled cheese! Jarlsberg is sponsoring a grilled cheese cook off! We'll have side stations with potato salad, pickles, and cole slaw. And organic rooftop garden salads from Brooklyn Grange.

 Are tickets still available?

Yes, tickets are still available online. There will be tickets for sale day of too. General admission is $25 and premium tickets are $55.

I know Food Karma Projects likes to have a charitable element to your food events. Are you working with any community charities this weekend?

It's true. One of the key components of our events is that we always have charitable/community non- profit partners. We're trying to make a "happening" that brings a lot of people together. Our charitable partners for 5 Boro PicNYC include: Slow Food NYC, Earth Matter (compost center on Governors Island),and Teen Battle Chef (teen culinary program created by Family Cook Productions). Many of the food stations will have teens cooking alongside chefs too!

5 Boro PicNYC takes place on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27th. 11:30 am - 4:30 pm