A food festival rooted in elevating nostalgia is expanding to a new coast.
ChainFEST, the Los Angeles-based food festival will have its first ever East Cast event at Randall’s Island Park in New York City on Saturday, September 21.
Founded by actor and writer B.J. Novak and Michelin – starred chef Tim Hollingsworth, ChainFEST serves up gourmet renditions of classic American fast food dishes.
In partnership with Chrissy Teigen, ChainFEST New York will serve over 10,000 guests, with new culinary renditions on dishes from KFC, Panda Express, RedRobin, Portillo’s, Krispy Kreme, Red Lobster, Chuck E. Cheese, and more.
Think: Sweet and Sour Chili Crunch Fried Oyster Mushrooms and a Panda Freeze frozen drink from Panda Express, a sneak peek of a spicy new gourmet burger with five layers of heat from Red Robin, a preview of a new KFC item with curated sauces, a one-of -a-kind gourmet Portillo’s Chicago hot dog, a Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit with butter poached lobster, and more.
“It’s like that full circle moment,” Chef Hollingsworth said at a press conference to promote ChainFEST at Per Se in New York. “You’re creating this new memory based on an old memory and it’s reinforced.” Chain restaurants are in hometowns all over the world, and though many have left their home cities, they can reminisce on childhood whenever they taste a familiar fast food.
For Hollingsworth, who worked at Per Se early in his career, this festival is also a return to his roots in multiple ways. He recollected making beurre monte in the Thomas Keller-led kitchen to gently poach lobster in, a technique now used in ChainFEST’s Red Lobster dish.
“Even though many of the dishes are exclusive to the festival, I want every bite at ChainFEST to unlock a cherished memory,” Hollingsworth said.
Tickets for unlimited tastings at the festival will go on sale on Friday, August 9, starting at $99.99 for an afternoon and an evening session. All-Inclusive VIP Tickets start at $399.99 and include unlimited bites from all Chain restaurant partners, early festival entry, an open bar, and more.
Games and immersive experiences will be accessible to all guests during the Saturday festival.
The world’s largest Chuck E. Cheese arcade pop-up, complete with prizes, access to the iconic Ticket Blaster, and an appearance by the one and only Charles Entertainment Cheese himself will be at ChainFest.
More into luxury than lines? Reserve a seat at ChainFEST’s exclusive Chef’s Tasting VIP Table. The seated, full service, non-stop chain food buffet will offer a never-ending supply of exclusive menu items from each of the participating chain restaurants, with pricing starting at $1,299.99.