by Davinia Buckley

I can’t help but think about all the times I sat at home watching Food Network shows, wishing I could actually taste the food that I saw being prepared. Could all of my wishes have come true for a weekend of events where people gather, watch films about food, then actually taste the food they see on screen? Absolutely, and this was the primary purpose behind the Fourth Annual NYC Food Film Festival, which took place the last weekend of June.

With seven completely different events, the festival had something for everyone, including southern belles like myself with the It’s Grits event. The event names themselves left you intrigued and wanting to know more — Edible Adventure #001: Smokes, Ears and Ice Cream and the World’s First Food Truck Drive-In were among the titles.

The festival began with Shuck n’ Suck. This event highlighted people’s sincere love of all things oysters, including an oyster eating contest, and of course a few films featuring oysters. This event was followed by the South East Asian Food Festival and Florent: Queen of the Meat Market. A major highlight of the weekend took place at the Queens Water Taxi Beach, where guests were taken on an edible adventure with spicy peanut butter ice cream, rhubarb soda and pig ear sandwiches!

The weekend wrapped up under the Brooklyn Bridge, where, for a change, you did not have to go on a scavenger hunt to find your favorite food trucks: instead they all gathered in the same place. Special guest Mayor Bloomberg attended the final event, Burger N’ Beer Garden, a double dose of food and fun showcasing locally crafted beers along with the longest condiment table ever. Guests could choose burger toppings that ranged from the usual ketchup to pimento cheese!

Despite the variety, there was one thing each event had in common: everyone left with a full stomach and knowledge about the chow that put them in their food coma. Food Bank For New York City was the proud beneficiary for the festival, and I want to take this chance to thank everyone who made it possible, including our wonderful volunteers who helped make each event a delicious success!

Stay tuned for photos from the 2010 NYC Food Film Festival — coming soon!