Festival Brings Michelin-Starred and Award-Winning Chefs to Brooklyn Bowl of 'Zole Brooklyn, a touring pozole and Mexican spirits festival, has announced its 2026 chef lineup for October 22 at Industry City in Brooklyn. The event will feature more than 30 chefs and restaurants serving pozole and classic Mexican dishes alongside over 300 pours of mezcal, tequila, raicilla, lechuguilla, sotol, and other regional Mexican spirits. The lineup includes Michelin-recognized restaurants Casa Enrique, Oxomoco, Covacha, Sobre Masa, For All Things Good, and Mesa Coyoacan. James Beard Award nominees Eric See and Fany Gerson, as well as StarChefs Rising Stars Award winners Justin Bazdarich, Matt Diaz, Carlos Macías, and Yara Herrera, are also participating. Additional participants include chefs from Alma, Barbaco Tío, de Mole, Dolores, Don Perea, El Vez, Frijoleros, Hellbender, Jajaja Mexicana, La Contenta Oeste, La Newyorkina, La Superior, Marcela Cocina Mexicana, Maya, Mayahuel, MÉXology, Panzón, Puerto Vallarta, Rinconcito Familiar, Sabor A Mexico II, Santa Fe BK, Toloache, Ursula, and Vallarta Tropical.

Spirits Curation and Community Partnership Arik Torren of Lot001 Brands, a 35-year industry veteran and early promoter of mezcal in the U.S., has curated the spirits program. Featured brands and portfolios include Mezcal Vago, Los Siete Misterios, Mezcal de Leyendas, Heavy Métl Premium Imports, Cardenxe Sotol, Tequila Fortaleza, Tequila Ocho, Don Fulano, and G4 Tequila. The festival is presented by Torren, Danny Mena of La Lonchería and author of Made in Mexico, and Jimmy Carbone of Food Karma Projects. As part of a partnership with City Harvest, a nonprofit focused on food rescue and distribution across New York City, all participating chefs and restaurants will prepare additional pozole for donation to the organization's network of food pantries and soup kitchens.

Event Details and Ticketing The festival runs Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Industry City 52A Venue (33 35th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232). VIP tickets at $75 plus processing fees include 5:00 PM entry and early admission for an extra hour of tastings, a swag bag, and chef meet-and-greets. General Admission tickets are $65 plus processing fees with 6:00 PM entry, or $55 plus processing fees for limited-time "Kickoff Pricing." All tickets include all-access food and spirits tastings for the evening.

Why It Matters

For operators and industry professionals, Bowl of 'Zole represents a growing market for curated food and spirits events that highlight regional cuisine and craft producers. The festival's emphasis on pairing traditional Mexican dishes with artisan spirits—and its partnership with a major food-rescue organization—reflects broader industry trends around experiential events and community engagement. The participation of Michelin-recognized and award-winning chefs signals both the credibility and commercial appeal of these festivals to New York's hospitality community.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors