HARLEM EATUP! Celebrating Food, Culture & Art of NYC's Vibrant Community Announces All-Star Line-Up & Tickets On Sale

Harlem EatUp! (HEU) festival co-founders Marcus Samuelsson and Herb Karlitz are pleased to announce the festival line-up and that tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual festival, May 14 - May 20, 2018: http://www.harlemeatup.com. Tickets to Harlem EatUp! range from free and pay-as-you-go in the Marketplace and Harlem Stroll to ticketed Dine In dinners.

As part of its mission and dedication to Harlem, the festival's net proceeds will be donated to Harlem Park to Park, Citymeals on Wheels and Historic Harlem Parks, and will be disbursed by the Harlem EatUp! Foundation, whose mission is to strengthen the community by supporting the people, cultures and non-profit organizations that empower Harlem.

Harlem EatUp! is a celebration of Harlem's rich and rapidly expanding culinary, culture and art communities. The multi-day festival takes place throughout Harlem's diverse neighborhoods, with new and returning events throughout the week.

"Harlem EatUp! combines the spirit of a block party and a family reunion where everyone is invited," says co-founder Marcus Samuelsson. "We created Harlem EatUp! to celebrate one of the most storied neighborhoods. From the food and drink to music and culture, there's nothing like it," says co-founder Herb Karlitz.

This year's Dine In Harlem dinner series will again showcase local and guest chef culinary mash-ups at some of Harlem's most beloved restaurants, featuring menus paired with wines from Bordeaux. Harlem EatUp! will also include the annual Harlem EatUp! Luminary Award Dinner honoring Dapper Dan & Bevy Smith. New to the HarlemEatUp! line-up is a free, early-morning yoga session, Mantras & Mimosas, featuring Harlem's own Land Yoga and DJ Taela. Guests can meditate to a funky beat and enjoy tastings of delicious Prosecco cocktails.

The festival will also showcase The Harlem Stroll, a two-day outdoor event at Morningside Park, one of the neighborhood's most celebrated parks, consisting of the Ultimate Grand Tasting (ticketed), and the Harlem Marketplace (free admission). Harlem restaurants and culinary stars will welcome their peers from New York City and across the country for a delicious, dynamic and memorable week. Citi is returning for its fourth year as a founding partner of Harlem EatUp!

"Harlem is one of the most vibrant, culturally diverse and delicious communities in the country," says Andrew Zimmern. "I can't wait to cook alongside some of the neighborhood's pioneers and most iconic culinary voices, including the inimitable Melba Wilson, and eat my way around the globe without leaving the island of Manhattan."

This year's Harlem EatUp! line-up includes: Yvette Leeper-Bueno (VINATERIA); Carlos Swepson (BLVD Bistro); Karl Franz Williams (Solomon & Kuff Rum Hall); Melba Wilson (Melba's); Leticia "Skai" Young & Chef Raymond Zamanta Mohan (LoLo's Seafood Shack); as well as Janine Booth & Jeff McInnis (Root & Bone); Laila Ali (author of cookbook, "Food for Life: Delicious & Healthy Comfort Food from My Table to Yours!"); Daniel Boulud(Restaurant Daniel); Josh Capon (Mercer Street Hospitality); Floyd Cardoz (Top Chef Masters winner, Bombay Bread Bar); Maneet Chauhan (CHOPPED judge); Dapper Dan (Dapper Dan's Boutique); Leah Cohen (Pig & Khao); Jose Garces (Ortzi); Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat, Chicago); Bevy Smith (SiriusXM Radio Andy); Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolates); Jernard Wells (The Chef of Love); Jarobi White (chef and founding member, A Tribe Called Quest); Andrew Zimmern (TV personality and author); and more.

Among the many restaurants to be featured this year include: BLVD Bistro, Chaiwali, Clay, Ginny's Supper Club, Harlem Shake, Harlem Tavern, Lady Lexis Sweets, LoLo's Seafood Shack, Melba's, Settepani, SpaHa Soul, Tastings Social presents Mountain Bird, The Edge Harlem, and more. Participating local vendors from the Harlem Park to Park Local Vendors Program and Harlem Business Alliance include Aromas Boutique Bakery, Clean Plate Co., Essie Spice, Limation Beverages, Mama's One Sauce, The Egg Roll Queen, The Little Hot Dog Wagon as well as Uptown Grand Central (NHEMA) and East Harlem Community Alliance members AFineLyne, Sprinkle Splash, Uptown Roasters and more.

Additional festival programming, participating chefs & restaurants and local vendors will be announced throughout the spring.

DINE IN HARLEM DINNER SERIES
Have dinner at some of Harlem's hottest restaurants, each hosting visiting guest chefs from NYC and abroad, during the Dine In Harlem Dinner Series, Wednesday, May 16 - Thursday, May 17. Each Dine In will offer a collaborative multi-course culinary experience featuring a breadth of cuisine, from Northern Italian to Southern soul. Each course will be paired with wines from Bordeaux, beer and cocktails. Dynamic performances from Harlem artists will round out the experience.

"I'm excited to spend the weekend in Harlem," says Dine In participant, chef Stephanie Izard. "It's a part of New York City that I don't know well, but a place that I have heard such great things about. Of course, cooking and hanging out with a bunch of fun chefs is a nice bonus, too!"

The Dine In Harlem Dinner Series tickets are priced individually, available via http://www.harlemeatup.com, and are scheduled to include:

-Wednesday, May 16: Chef Gustavo Lopez of Clay (553 Manhattan Avenue at 123rd Street) with guest chef Leah Cohen of Pig & Khao - New to the Harlem food scene, Clay is serving seasonal, locally sourced food in a modern and monastic space that was formerly Harlem's Perks Jazz Club. Chef and co-owner Gustavo Lopez welcomes chef Leah Cohen of Pig & Khao and Piggyback Bar into his kitchen for a Spanish-Italian-Southeast Asian collaborative menu.

-Wednesday, May 16: Chef Melba Wilson of Melba's (300 West 114th Street (114th Street and F. Douglass Blvd) with guest chef Andrew Zimmern - Melba Wilson, who was "born, bred and buttered in Harlem" hosts Andrew Zimmern of Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods to throw down in the kitchen at Melba's. This Dine In promises to offer delicious and unconventional comfort food... with a party that only Melba's throws. Bring your dancing shoes!

-Wednesday, May 16: Chefs Nino Settepani & Leah Abraham of Settepani (196 Lenox Avenue, New York (at 120th Street) with guest chef Floyd Cardoz of Bombay Bread Bar - Two originals walk into a kitchen... one from the Lenox Avenue contemporary Harlem food scene, the other a legendary Indian-American chef. Settepani owners, chef Nino Settepani and Leah Abraham, welcome chef Floyd Cardoz of newly opened Bombay Bread Bar into their Northern Italian kitchen. Come taste what happens when these dynamic cultures collaborate!

-Wednesday, May 16: Host Karl Franz Williams, owner & chef Christopher Faulkner of Solomon & Kuff Rum Hall (2331 12th Avenue at 133rd Street) with guest chef Maxcel Hardy of Detroit's River Bistro - The West Indies meets West Detroit at this Dine In when Solomon & Kuff Rum Hall owner Karl Franz Williams welcomes Motor City's finest, chef Max Hardy of River Bistro. Together with S&K chef Christopher Faulkner, the evening promises to deliver a pan-Caribbean soul-food-filled meal. It might be "so cold in the D," but it will be red hot in Harlem!

-Wednesday, May 16: Hosts, Chef Carlos Swepson & Markisha Swepson of BLVD Bistro (239 Lenox Avenue at 122nd Street) with guest Chef Maneet Chauhan, CHOPPED Judge - If you are a fan of Food Network's Chopped and wondered what it would be like to meet a judge AND taste their food, this Dine In at Harlem's BLVD Bistro is your jam. Owners Carlos and Markisha Swepson are hosting Nashville chef Maneet Chauhan at their intimate brownstone soul food eatery. No need to yell, "get it on the plate!" These chefs promise that each dish will show up just right!

-Thursday, May 17: Chef Jelena Pasic of Harlem Shake - East Harlem (2162 Second Avenue at 111th Street) with guest chef Josh Capon, Mercer Street Hospitality - Harlem EatUp! Grand Tasting favorite Harlem Shake joins the Dine In series for the first time at the East Harlem location. Owner Jelena Pasic welcomes guest chef Josh Capon of Lure Fishbar and Bowery Meat Company to create a classic all-American menu, with that Harlem twist!

-Thursday, May 17: Host Leticia "Skai" Young & Chef Raymond Zamanta Mohan of LoLo's Seafood Shack (303 W. 116th Street between F. Douglass Blvd. & Manhattan Avenue) with guest chefs Janine Booth & Jeff McInnis, Root & Bone

It's couples night in the kitchen when LoLo's Seafood Shack owners Leticia "Skai" Young and chef Raymond Zamata Mohan host chefs Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis of Root & Bone. This foursome will be talking shop and creating a menu fit for everyone from the northeast to the south to the Caribbean.

-Thursday, May 17: Host Yvette Leeper-Bueno of VINATERIA (2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 119th Street) with guest chef Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat - Vinatería is the only Dine In restaurant to have participated every year of Harlem EatUp! This year, proprietor Yvette Leeper-Bueno blends her Italian-Spanish perspective with that of Top Chef winner, chef Stephanie Izard of Girl & The Goat in Chicago. Together they will create an experience filled with bold, globally influenced food and the je ne c'est quoi of Vinatería that we can't get enough of! Salud! Saluti! Cheers!

"We at Vinateria are so excited to be participating in Harlem Eat Up for the fourth consecutive festival," says Yvette Leeper-Bueno. "Each year we look forward to May when the entire neighborhood comes together for a week of amazing food, drinks and camaraderie. It just gets better and better every spring! This year, we're particularly excited to welcome Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard who will join our very own Chef Mimi Weissenborn for an incredible female-driven dinner (including wines from female producers in Bordeaux!). It's not to be missed!"

HARLEM EATUP! LUMINARY AWARD DINNER
On Thursday, May 17, join host chef Marcus Samuelsson with guest chefs Adrienne Cheatham (Sunday Best Pop-up and season 15's runner up on Bravo's "Top Chef") and Geoffrey Zakarian (The Lamb's Club), for the third annual Harlem EatUP! Luminary Award Dinner at Ginny's Supper Club honoring legendary fashion designer Dapper Dan of Dapper Dan's Boutique and Bevy Smith, host of SiriusXM Radio Andy. The Luminary Award was established to recognize and thank distinguished culinary, arts or cultural leaders in the Harlem community. Ginny's Supper Club (310 Lenox Avenue, between 125 & 126 Streets) will host this intimate and magical celebratory dinner. Tickets are $250 per person and available at http://www.harlemeatup.com.

FREE YOGA IN MORNINGSIDE PARK
Lara Land of Harlem's Land Yoga turns up the volume on morning yoga in Morningside Park to the beats and rhythm of DJ Taela while event sponsor, Cavicchioli Prosecco 1928, serves up tastings of your favorite "brunch" cocktails. Tree pose amongst the trees with a mimosa and get your life in Lotus position. It's all in you. Namaste. This event is free and open to the public but pre-registration is required at http://www.harlemeatup.com. Limited capacity and all guests must be 21 years or older.

THE HARLEM STROLL
Featuring the Marketplace & EatUp! Performance Stage + the Ultimate Grand Tasting Experience the best of Harlem in one place at The Harlem Stroll on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. This outdoor event brings together a wonderful sampling of the sights, flavors and sounds of Harlem from artists of the kitchen, canvas and stage. On Saturday, May 19, The Harlem Stroll is presented by Citi, and throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy a seating area and surprise giveaways presented by Citi in the Harlem Marketplace, as well as special card offers and an exclusive lounge for all Citi cardmembers at The Taste.

The Harlem Stroll offers the following:

-The Marketplace (Free Admission with pay-as-you-go options) features an a la carte selection of food from notable Harlem restaurants, food vendors, a wine and beer garden and the EatUp! Main Stage presented by Macy's, where you can catch local and visiting chefs cooking up live demos, as well as performances from musicians; and a Kids Zone presented by Whole Foods Market offering fun and games for the family. Attendees will have the option of purchasing a Marketplace Package for $25 (a $30 value) good for food and beverages purchases at the Marketplace. The Marketplace Package is available for purchase onsite and does not give guest entry to the Ultimate Grand Tasting. Food and beverages are subject to availability.

-The EatUp! Main Stage presented by Macy's: Join an eclectic and acclaimed group of culinary and musical artists for interactive demos on the EatUp! Main Stage presented by Macy's, located in the Marketplace (free admission) at Morningside Park, including: Leticia "Skai" Young & chef Raymond Zamanta Mohan (Lolo's Seafood Shack) with guest chef Jose Garces (Ortzi); chef Darryl Burnette (Belle Harlem) with guest chef Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat); Melba Wilson (Melba's) with guest chef Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolates) on Saturday, May 19. On Sunday, May 20, catch demos from: Jernard Wells (The Chef of Love) and Melba Wilson (Melba's); Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem, Ginny's Supper Club) with Jarobi White (chef and member of A Tribe Called Quest); and Adrienne Cheatham (Sunday Best Pop-up) with cookbook author Laila Ali.

-The Ultimate Grand Tasting (Ticketed $85-$110) is a taste-around of over 20 of Harlem's favorite restaurants accompanied by an assortment of fine wines, beers and cocktails, in an all-you-can-eat format. 21+ years required to enter.

The Harlem Stroll is located at Morningside Park (112 Street & Manhattan Avenue). General admission runs 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Citi offers early access at 12:00 noon each day exclusively for Citi cardmembers and one adult guest. Guests must have admission tickets to enter the Ultimate Grand Tasting at the Harlem Stroll. 21+ years required to enter The Ultimate Grand Tasting.

The 2018 Harlem EatUp! Festival is made possible, in part, by Founding Sponsor, Citi; and Platinum Sponsors: Bordeaux Wines, EY and Macy's. A full list of Festival sponsors is below.

Tickets are available for purchase starting Friday, March 16, 2018. For a list of free and ticketed events, please visit http://www.HarlemEatUp.com, where additional festival programming announcements will be made throughout the spring.

For media credentials or more information, please contact heu(at)baltzco(dot)com.

Twitter: @HarlemEatUp // Instagram: @HarlemEatUp // Facebook: Facebook.com/HarlemEatUp

About Harlem EatUp!
The fourth annual Harlem EatUp! festival, taking place in Harlem, New York, celebrates the food, culture, arts and spirit of Harlem from Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20, 2018. This highly anticipated weekend festival represents the spirit of Harlem while paying homage to its roots. Founded by award-winning chef and cookbook author Marcus Samuelsson of Ginny's Supper Club, Marcus B&P and Red Rooster Harlem, and Herb Karlitz, President of the event marketing firm, Karlitz & Company, Harlem EatUp! is committed to highlighting the distinct culinary experiences, music, history, culture and art of Harlem. A variety of events, both free and ticketed, will be held throughout the weekend. Website: http://www.HarlemEatUp.com

Harlem EatUp! Foundation

The Harlem EatUp! Foundation's mission is to strengthen community by supporting the people, cultures and non-profit organizations that empower Harlem.

Citymeals on Wheels
Citymeals on Wheels (citymeals.org) provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to New York City's homebound elderly. Working in partnership with community-based organizations and senior centers, Citymeals prepares and delivers over 2 million weekend, holiday and emergency meals for more than 18,000 of our frail aged neighbors each year. Last year, over 21,000 volunteers gave nearly 68,000 hours of their time.

Since its founding in 1981, Citymeals has relied on the generosity of its Board of Directors, the City of New York, sponsors and other designated gifts to cover administrative costs. This ensures that 100% of all public donations will be used entirely for the preparation and delivery of meals.

Harlem Park to Park
Harlem Park to Park (HP2P) is a social enterprise representing 200+ entrepreneurs committed to cultural preservation, small business and economic development in Central Harlem, NYC's premiere cultural, dining, shopping, lifestyle and nightlife hub north of 110th Street. Formed in September 2009, HP2P's membership is comprised of premiere businesses located within the geographic area of Central Park North to 145th street and Morningside Park to Marcus Garvey Park. Our mission is to encourage commerce that successfully sustains small businesses; promotes the community and culture of the Village of Harlem and celebrates the neighborhood's historic CHARM.

Historic Harlem Parks
Shaped by the steep and irregular topography of northern Manhattan, Jackie Robinson Park, Marcus Garvey Park, Morningside Park, and St. Nicholas Park are collectively known as "Historic Harlem Parks." Venerable members of the NYC parks system that range in age from 75 to 150 years old, the four parks total over 85 acres and make up more than 40% of the open space in Harlem. The parks are much needed public spaces and each unique for its vibrant history, spectacular natural landscapes, recreation facilities, and historic landmarks.

Founding Sponsor
CITI
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transactions services and wealth management. Additional information may be found at http://www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/citi.

Platinum Sponsors
Bordeaux Wines
The Bordeaux Wine Council, Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB), was created in 1948 as the official inter-professional body representing the Bordeaux wine industry-winegrowers, négociants (merchants) and brokers. It has four main missions: marketing and promotion of Bordeaux wines, technical development, economic and statistical data collection and analysis (production and sales of Bordeaux wines worldwide) as well as the protection against counterfeiting of the Bordeaux wine brand and its diverse terroir.

Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 670 locations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores - including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California - are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $54 million each year, plus 180,000 hours of volunteer service, to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

Platinum Sponsors
Bordeaux Wine Council
Macy's

Gold Sponsors
Savencia Cheese USA
Manhattan Beer Distributors

Bronze Sponsors
Barilla
Dynamic Productions
Great Performances
Whole Foods Market
Hendricks Gin

Media Sponsors
Food Network Magazine
iHeartmedia
NY Amsterdam News
NY Daily News
O, The Oprah Magazine
Univison
USA Today
WABC - TV

Festival Friends
Absolut Art
Con Edison
Fresh Origins
HBO
Mama Foundation for the Arts
Sofitel New York
Weinberg Zareh Malkin Price LLP

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Harlem EatUp!

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