Le Fooding Meets New York

Adina Fleming writing for VINGT Paris

Two weeks ago, Le Fooding held it’s first event in the United States with a benefit at P.S. 1 Contemporary Arts Center in Queens.  For New Yorkers, who love their burgers and noodle bars as much as any four-star restaurant, Le Fooding’s urban picnics might not be such a revolutionary idea. But as French chef Yves Camdeborde (of Le Comptoir du Relais) told me at September 25th's event: “New York has trends, but Paris has the quality.”  

Such was the thinking behind the event, which, over the course of two nights, brought together ten notable French chefs, including Stéphane Jégo of L’Ami Jean, and ten New York chefs, like David Chang of Momofuku. Equal parts food festival and cultural exchange, the event aimed to introduce New Yorkers to Le Fooding’s new kind of French cuisine – less haughty and more accessible – and proceeds from the event benefited Action Against Hunger.  

It might be said that Paris has the quality, and New York has the organizational skills, but after an hour-long wait and a confusing check-in process we were nonplussed. Guests then had to wait in another long line to purchase drink tickets (not included if you hadn’t sprung for the V.I.P. ticket which came with 3 drink tickets). Equally long lines snaked throughout the tented outdoor space at each of the food stations. From what I did get to sample, the food was scrumptious. And all the chefs seemed excited to take part in the event. With better crowd management and planning, it could have been a great event. But, unsurprisingly, people will go to great lengths for great food.