New York City-dwelling food lovers, we hope you’re hungry because there’s much to feast on by way of food events this week. SAVEUR hosts the perfect cookout, KLM flies in to give you a bit of Dutch culture, cheesemongers go to war, and Jessica Fechtor celebrates her new food-centric memoir. Behold, our food event picks for this week:

SAVEUR Summer Cookout

Photo courtesy of SAVEUR

Imagine a sumptuous cookout in Central Park featuring the country’s hottest chefs. You can stop imagining now, because that’s exactly what you get with the 6th Annual SAVEUR Summer Cookout. Taking place at the Boat Basin Cafe, this mother of all cookouts is expertly prepared by the likes of Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter, Ivan Orkin of Ivan Ramen, Matthew Rudofker of Momofuko, Scott Conant of Scarpetta, Sarah Simmons of Birds and Bubbles, and many more. To compliment the feast, some of the most talented mixologists on the scene today will be coming up with speciality cocktails. Beer and wine are also available.
Event details:
Tuesday, June 23rd
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Boat Basin Café, Central Park
Tickets: $93, 21+ Purchase your tickets here.

Stir Launch Party and Book Signing

Join Jessica Fechtor for a party celebrating the release of her new memoir Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals that Brought Me Home. When Fechtor was 28 years old she nearly died when an aneurysm burst in her brain. A newly married grad student at the time, she lost her sense of smell, the sight in her left eye, and was forced to take a step back from her life. Being back in the kitchen and standing at the stovetop stirring played a large role in her path to recovery. In Stir, she recounts her journey and weaves into the story recipes that have inspired her. Tonight, she discusses the book with Wall Street Journal book review editor, Bari Weiss. Dessert and wine will be served. The event is free, be sure to RSVP.
Event details:
Wednesday, June 24
7pm
BookCourt 163 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Tickets: Free. RSVP here.

KLM Pop Up Shop

This week, you can get a taste of Amsterdam without leaving New York City. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is hosting their first-ever pop-up store in SoHo. Running three days, the exclusive KLM staycation experience features music, food, art and design. Visitors can sample Dutch waffles, cheeses, and coffee, as well as imbibe Heineken during happy hour. You may also score a free trip to Sensation in Amsterdam or cycle your way to more rewards miles. DJs will be spinning in the evening hours, and on Saturday, artist Merijn Hos will be doing live illustration. And, as far as we know, KLM won’t be importing any space cakes for the occasion (sorry). Be sure to RSVP if you want in. Click here for a complete schedule.
Thursday, June 25-Saturday, June 27
Thur & Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-7pm
Openhouse Gallery 201 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
Tickets: Free. RSVP here.

Cheesemonger Invitational

You’d be hard pressed to find a cheesier event than this one. Now in its sixth year, the Cheesemonger Invitational is the equivalent of the Miss USA pageant for cheesemongers and cheesemakers. During the afternoon, a private event finds over 50 cheese experts from across the country going head-to-head in timed challenges that test their skills and knowledge. Come 5pm, the public are invited to join the fun, which features all you and eat and drink from the best cheese makers in the world. Fondue, raclette, and basically anything cheesy you can imagine, plus a few things you didn’t realize possible, will be available for your consumption. Those in attendance will also witness the final round of the day’s showdown and the crowning of the Master Cheesemonger. You may want to get to this feast early, because the 5,500 perfect bites that the cheesemongers curated for the competition will also be served. $5 of the admission ticket will go to further cheesemonger education via the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award.
Saturday, June 27
5pm
Larkin 47-55 27th street, Long Island City, NY 11101
Tickets: $75. Buy them here.