The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE and MasterCard today announced a new multi-year partnership in which MasterCard will become a platinum sponsor and official card of the Festival.
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE will become a cornerstone of MasterCard’s Priceless New York culinary offering.
Starting Monday, June 11, MasterCard cardholders will enjoy presale access to over 120 events for this year’s Festival, taking place October 11 – 14, 2012. To date the Festival has raised over $5 million to help fight hunger, with 100% of its proceeds benefiting Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with MasterCard to create ‘priceless’ experiences for their cardholders,” said Lee Brian Schrager, founder and director of the Festival who also serves as vice president of corporate communications and national events for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. “There is a great synergy to our relationship – their card holders are passionate about unique wine and culinary experiences; it’s exactly who we want to reach.”
“Dining out at one of the city’s 23,000 restaurants is a quintessential New York experience for both New Yorkers and visitors,” said Cheryl Guerin, senior vice president, U.S. marketing, MasterCard. “Our relationship with the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is certain to provide our cardholders with priceless experiences and memories during this truly iconic event by providing unique access to world-renowned chefs and phenomenal food. At the same time, it extends our work with the restaurant industry to support important causes.”
In addition to presale access to purchase tickets to all Festival events, MasterCard cardholders enjoy a variety of benefits such as discounts on select events and access to premium ticket opportunities, including:
- MasterCard Priceless Fast Pass Access – Any cardholder using their MasterCard to purchase tickets to the Festival’s signature tasting event, the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite with KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations, will receive expedited entry to the event on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14.
- MasterCard Priceless Demo Passes – Cardholders can also choose to upgrade their experience to premier, reserved seating at the KitchenAid Culinary Demonstrations presented by MasterCard taking place at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite, while supplies last.
The Festival is celebrating its fifth year of featuring the best of the Big Apple with renowned chefs, winemakers, spirit producers and culinary talent over four days of parties, tastings, seminars, intimate dinners, and more unique lifestyle experiences.
Priceless New York is part of a global program that provides MasterCard cardholders extraordinary experiences, exclusive offers and privileged access to the things they are most passionate about from travel, sports and shopping to culinary and arts and entertainment.
Eat. Drink. End Hunger. MasterCard cardholders can get tickets for the 2012 Festival beginning Monday, June 11 through Sunday, June 24 online at www.nycwff.org <http://www.nycwff.org> or by calling 866.969.2933 (phone sales open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST). General public ticket sales open on Monday, June 25. Stay up-to-date with the excitement by following the Festival at www.Facebook.com/NYCWFF <http://www.Facebook.com/NYCWFF> or follow founder and director Lee Brian Schrager at www.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager <http://www.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager> .
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About the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE
The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign, 100% of the Festival’s net proceeds go toward helping these community based organizations fight hunger. Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival. More information about the Festival can be found at www.nycwff.org <http://www.nycwff.org> .
About MasterCard
MasterCard <http://www.mastercard.com/index.html> (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com <http://www.mastercard.com> , is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews <https://twitter.com/#!/MasterCardNews> , join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog <http://newsroom.mastercard.com/blog/> and subscribe <http://newsroom.mastercard.com/subscribe/> for the latest news <http://newsroom.mastercard.com/> .
About the Food Bank For New York City
Three million New Yorkers have difficulty affording food. The Food Bank For New York City is there with a solution. The Food Bank helps by offering a meal today, resources for a more secure tomorrow and nutrition education to help them lead healthy lifestyles. Food Bank For New York City is the only hunger-relief organization to take this integrated approach. The Food Bank tackles the issues of hunger on three fronts: food distribution, through soup kitchens and food pantries; income support, by connecting those in need to benefits available to them, such as food stamps and earned income tax credits; and nutrition education, helping individuals and families make healthful food choices on limited budgets. Get more information at foodbanknyc.org <http://www.foodbanknyc.org/> .
Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign
More than 16 million children in America struggle with hunger. The No Kid Hungry® Campaign catalyzes innovative coalitions among governors, mayors, businesses, chefs, teachers and community leaders to connect children at risk of hunger with the programs that can help them. We also invest in community organizations that fight hunger and teach families how to cook healthy, affordable meals through our Cooking Matters® program. Get involved at strength.org <http://strength.org> .
