2008 NYC Wine & Food Festival: Kick-off party

Lee Schrager at the media preview

Festival creator Lee Schrager kicked off the event with a brief pre-party speech, in addition to Food Network president Brooke Johnson. At the main event, crowds mobbed celebrity host Bobby Flay as he doled out signature burgers and chips to hordes of hungry onlookers, while other Food Network stars like Giada de Laurentiis, Anne Burrell, the Neelys and Nigella Lawson dodged cameras behind him.

Amid the madness, tasting booths were also stacked with high-profile local chefs and restaurteurs offering up some seriously tasty grub.