New York Wine and Food Festival wEEKEND - jet tila
It has been since 2019 that we had been to NYC and 10 years since we had attended NYCWFF. I have 38 write ups on New York City Food Events and Restaurants it is by far our favorite food city. We were very excited to get back and attend brunch hosted by Jet Tila and Christopher Arellanes at Chris’s restaurant KYU. We were on our way to Europe and the timing was great to pick one event at NYCWFF. Over the last 4 years watching Food Network our favorite chef and personality became Jet Tila. He exemplifies what hard work and dedication results in, add that to a terrific personality and you become a Chef every foodie wants to meet. NYCWFF is one of the greatest foodie events in the United States every celebrity chef and chef of notoriety is featured in one or more events. It is an opportunity to enjoy great food experiences and to meet great chefs.
Prep Time
Food Network Star is hard work. You don’t just show up you are on the line making sure the food is great
KYU is located in Noho and opened in 2022, the cuisine is a wood fired Asian influence. Their executive Chef is Chiris Arellanes. KYU took over Bobby Flay’s Gato Restaurant. KYU is an open restaurant with views of the bar and the kitchen.
The day of the event it was pouring rain, we all queued in front hoping for some awning prior to the event opening. Once in we were put in a great location which allowed for a view of the entire restaurant including the translucent back of the bar and the kitchen. When we sat down we saw the chefs standing with Chef Marc Murphy just having a fun paparazzi moment. KYU has very tall brick exposed ceiling with bright modern lighting.
Once everyone was seated we indulged in Sparkling Rose and wonderful hors d’oeuvres. Chef Tila had made a Moo Shoo Roasted Duck and Chef Arellanes made a Chai Tea Youtiao (Donut). Both wonderful and were great intros to start off the brunch. Both Chefs came out to greet the guests and to kickoff the 2 hour eating adventure.
What a good Guy
Chef Tila went to every table and spent 5 minutes answering questions and taking pictures. Even his wife Ally came over to chat
Moo Shoo Duck
We had a couple of great appetizers each one a creation of our 2 hosts Jet Tila and Christopher Arellanes
Each course was paired with a wine from the Gerard Bertrand Vineyards or your choice of a yummy mocktail. One of the best parts of these events is getting to meet the other folks that have the same passion for food and have travelled from all over the world to be there.
Our favorite dish was the first course was Chef Tila’s Congee creation with Quail Egg and Fried Garlic. Congee is a savory rice porridge a perfect dish for a rainy cold day. This was paired Cigalus Blanc Biodynamic, which is a great Chardonnay. I typically not the fan of an egg incorporated into any dish let alone a quail egg, but we are in Chef’s house so we eat what we are given. It is at this point that I realize that I really do love the egg and it is paired perfectly with the Pork Congee and Garlic.
Pork Congee
This was a first for both of us and Chef Tila hit it out of the park
Hong Kong Egg Tart
Great way to finish the meal
We had a great time in NYC, it is roaring again and we promise we will be back for NYCWFF next year. 2024 we will definitely stay longer and go to other events
