Best Bites from the Global Bazaar

This weekend, I was lucky enough to attend the Travel & Leisure Global Bazaar. From the moment I stepped into the Lexington Armory and was handed Biscoff biscuits from Delta flight attendents, I knew we were about to be taken on an adventure. We were greeted with belly dancers and bhangra and brass bands, there was reggae and Rapa Nui, flamenco, salsa, and even a Chinese lion dance. A great way to experience the world, through dance and culture. And I loved every minute of it. There were make-your-own mojitos with personalized muddlers, you could pick an Indian bangle from a tree, get a bindi, take a picture in front of your very own Hampton's beach house, even learn to play a ukelele. All that and much more made the event incredibly fun. But I was really there for the food. Here are some of my favorite bites of the weekend. [Photo Credits: José Gonzalez]

Scott Conant was passing out this Ricotta ravioli with parmesan froth and truffles.

Black River caviar and blinis

Johnny Iuzini put together this grilled pineapple, curry cream, cumin meringue, cilantro

José Andrés had his liquid olives 'Feran Adria' An olive that isn't quite an olive, but a briny olive liquid that bursts in your mouth.

A closer look at the 'olive'

This picture does not do justice to Tim Love's (of The Lonesome Dove in Texas) Elk sausage sliders, with seared foie gras, and blueberry jam

Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine Chocolate praline tart, port confit fig, tangerine scented mascarpone

Masaharu Morimoto was serving this pork belly kakuni with congee and soy scallion

Michael White was on hand with his dish, Astice - Nova Scotia lobster, burrata, and pickled eggplant

Floyd Cardoz's Roasted Beet Salad with homemade orange ricotta and grilled bread

Marriott Hotels offered this Blues Creek Lamb with Pine nuts & Currants Cauliflower Espuma

The Delta Lounge had this take-home treat by Michelle Bernstein, a peanut butter moon pie. One dish that I loved but for some reason did not get a picture of was Chef José Garces' Esquites - Sweet white corn, fresh jumbo lump crab, chipotle, queso fresco, lime, chile de arbol.

Spices in the Moroccan tent. It is hard to express just how much was packed into one weekend. It was an interactive event designed with cultural exploration in mind, and though the armory was bursting with people, the energy was fantastic. From the saiboat in the center of the space, to the wall of Patron cocktails, and the zipline(!) running through the back of the hall, there was just so much to take in, to see, to drink, and eat. A great event, done well, and I am so happy that I got the chance to do it all. Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar September 28-30 The Lexington Armory, NYC