Kentucky Derby, Cinco De Mayo, Brooklyn Sake Beer Collab: This Week In Food Events

Are you ready for a drink-filled weekend? Between the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo, we're sure you've got your fun cut out for you. Let us suggest some fine spots to watch races, eat tacos and more. After the weekend's done, enjoy a stimulating panel discussion about the cultural appropriation of food — does it exist or not? Senior Editor Jess Kapadia will investigate. And if you find yourself in Chicago for the James Beard Awards, head over to the next Speed Rack competition to continue the fun.

  • Starting today, the New Jersey Wine and Food Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary with help from Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Gavin Kaysen, Bryan Voltaggio and more. The festival has partnered with Men'tor, the organization that helps train young American chefs for the Bocuse d'Or competition. Find tickets here for the festival that will run through the weekend.
  • New York's Empellon is hosting its first annual Cinco de Mayo party this Saturday. At the Midtown location from 8 p.m. to midnight, the restaurant will be turned into a complete party zone. Tickets are $95 and will include tacos, a raw bar, an open bar and entertainment.

  • The Williamsburg Hotel in Brooklyn is bringing the Derby party up north on Saturday. Food and drink specials will be available all day while you watch the races. Forgot your fancy hat? Don't fret. Goorin Brothers will be there as a pop-up to cover you.
  • New York's first craft sake brewery, Brooklyn Kura, has teamed up with neighbor Five Boroughs Brewing Company to make Sunset Kura, an unfiltered lager. The beer clocks in at 4.5% ABV and is comprised with half extra pale pilsner malt and half fermented American-grown rice. The brew will debut at the Five Boroughs taproom on May 5 with Kings Kolache at the ready for hungry drinkers.
  • Our very own senior editor, Jess Kapadia, will be speaking on panel addressing cultural appropriation of food presented by Pineapple NY on Monday, May 7 at Lee's in New York City. She'll be joined by Dr. Jessica B. Harris, Fany Gerson, Priya Krishna and Kimberly Chou Tsun An who will act as moderator. Plus, there will be food from Caviar and drinks from Ramona. Tickets can be found here.
  • Speed Rack, the all-female bartending competition that supports breast cancer research, is heading to Chicago on Tuesday, May 8 for the next round of national finals. Women from all over the country will be competing for the title of Miss Speed Rack 2018 at Revel Fulton Market. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to cancer prevention, education and research. Find tickets here.

  • North and south Italy meet at Barano in Brooklyn on Tuesday, May 8 for a one-night-only dinner collaboration between Cesare Casella and Ai Di Meglio. For $75, guests can enjoy a six-course menu. Reservations can be made via OpenTable, Resy or by calling 347-987-4500.
  • Tickets are now available for the second annual Serving Up Home, a fundraiser that provides housing and services for New York's homeless. Michelin-starred chefs Emma Bengtsson, Carlo Mirachi, Christopher Engel, Cosme Aguilar, Aaron Bludorn and Melissa Rodriguez will be dishing up their best on Monday, June 25 at Breaking Ground.