Casa Barilla

Immerse yourself in Italian culinary culture at this $5 food fest. Attendees can check out free workshops on topics like olive oil, food-and-wine pairing and even table design; instructors include Massimo Bottura (Italy's Osteria Francescana), Scott Conant (Scarpetta) and Sara Jenkins (Porchetta). In addition, the Academia Barilla—a culinary academy based in Parma—will run pasta-cooking classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. (Register online to secure a spot.) If cooking’s not your bag, make a beeline for the gratis sampling stations for whole-grain penne with roasted vegetables and pecorino cheese, or farfalle with tomato and basil sauce. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank for New York City.