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
