Mexican spirits expert Arik Torren of Lot001 Brands, Mezcal de Leyendas partner and La Lonchería chef Danny Mena, and Food Karma Projects founder Jimmy Carbone are proud to present the return of Bowl of ‘Zole™ to Brooklyn on Thursday, October 23, at Industry City. Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn is an immersive celebration of pozole and agave spirits, both with centuries of history and each still inspiring chefs, distillers, and modern menus today. The highly anticipated New York stop of the touring festival features incredible all-inclusive tickets with special spirits and pozole tastings for VIP ticketholders for an industry-style experience found only at Bowl of ‘Zole™.
Bowl of 'Zole™ brings over 300 expressions of vibrant agave spirits to Brooklyn. Mezcals, tequilas, raicillas, and lechuguillas pair with pozole and classic Mexican cuisine from Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard Award nominees, New York Times standouts, and emerging chefs and restaurants from New York and beyond. The festival’s impressive chef and restaurant lineup features Cosme Aguilar of Casa Enrique, Justin Bazdarich of Oxomoco, and Johnny Curiel of Denver's Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma. They join Fany Gerson of La Newyorkina and Mijo, Yara Herrera of Hellbender, and more than 20 chefs and restaurants serving up pozole and even more classic Mexican cuisine.
The full Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn Chef and Restaurant Lineup includes:
Cosme Aguilar of Casa Enrique
Justin Bazdarich of Oxomoco
Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma
Fany Gerson of La Newyorkina and Mijo
Yara Herrera of Hellbender
Hugo Orozco of Cuerno and Cruz del Sur
Danny Mena and Luis Jiménez of La Lonchería
Luis Arce Mota of La Contenta Oeste
Jose Luis Flores of de Mole
Tomas De La O of Marcela Cocina Mexicana
Jaime Bravo of Jajaja Mexicana
Felipe Mendez-Candelas of La Superior
Julian Bovasso and David Gonzalez of Maya
Iván Vazquez of Mayahuel
Ivy Stark of MÉXology
Julian Medina of Toloache
Alex Valencia of Vallarta Tropical
and more
At Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn, each chef and restaurant approaches pozole in their own style, from classic pork and chile pozoles to vegetarian, seafood, and cross-cultural versions, among many others. Bowl of 'Zole™ Brooklyn also offers even more classic Mexican cuisine; artisanal Mexican salsas, moles, escabeches, and adobos from Brooklyn-based Xilli; chapulines from Merci Mercado; and paletas from La Newyorkina.
As part of a partnership with City Harvest, all participating chefs will contribute additional pozole for donation. City Harvest exists to end hunger in communities throughout New York City through food rescue and distribution, education, and other practical, innovative solutions. This year, City Harvest will rescue 81 million pounds of high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it free of charge to hundreds of food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs, helping to provide food for New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity.
Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn also celebrates the ancient tradition of agave distillation, pouring over 300 expressions of vibrant agave spirits throughout the evening, like top-shelf mezcals and tequilas, raicillas, and lechuguillas to go with every spoonful of pozole. Standouts from the Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn Spirits Lineup include:
Mezcal Vago
Tequila Ocho
Don Fulano
Sotol Parejo
Tequila Fortaleza
Dos Pasiones
Cardenxe Sotol
Mezcal de Leyendas
Mi Casa
Cruz del Fuego
Flor Del Desierto
Los Siete Misterios
Amatiteña
Cazcanes
Arette
Volans
Ensueño
Malasanta
Alma Del Jaguar
and many, many more
The Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn beverage program extends beyond agave spirits to more specialty spirits like sotol, whiskeys from Maiz Nation, rums from Pelacañas, Mexican wines from Zev Rovine Selections, craft-made beer from Cerveza Monopolio, and zero-proof options from Topo Chico.
All-inclusive tickets for Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn are on sale now at bowlofzole.com. Bowl of 'Zole™ Brooklyn's VIP Tickets ($75 plus processing fee) feature VIP-only experiences, including a Tequila Ocho and Mezcal Vago blind tasting led by experts, an extra hour of food and spirits tastings with early admission at 5:00 PM, first access to Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma pozole, the opportunity to meet and mingle with chefs and beverage producers, and Bowl of ‘Zole™ Swag Bags. General Admission Kick-Off Pricing tickets ($55 plus processing fee) feature all-inclusive tastings of pozole and spirits at the event with 6:00 PM admission.
An image gallery for press use is available here. Interviews with event founders, chefs, and spirits producers are available upon request. Read more about Bowl of ‘Zole™ Brooklyn and the entire Bowl of ‘Zole™ Tour at bowlofzole.com. For all the latest updates, follow Bowl of ‘Zole™ on Instagram @bowlofzole.
For media inquiries, please contact Jimmy Carbone at jimmypotsandpans@gmail.com.
Ticket Options:
5:00 PM Entry – VIP Ticket - $75 + processing fee
Early admission at 5:00 PM for an extra hour of pozole and spirits tastings
Bowl of ‘Zole™ Swag Bag
Meet and Mingle with chefs and beverage producers
All-access pozole and spirits tastings for the whole evening
6:00 PM Entry – General Admission Ticket - $65 + processing fee
6:00 PM admission
All-access pozole and spirits tastings all evening
6:00 PM Entry – General Admission Kick-Off Pricing - $55 + fee
Available for a limited time
General Admission ticket at a special price
6:00 PM admission
All-access pozole and spirits tastings all evening
Bowl of 'Zole™ - Brooklyn Tickets
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Industry City 5 2 A Venue, 33 35th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
About Food Karma Projects: Food Karma Projects events are grassroots-style celebrations that bring together award-winning and rising star chefs, restaurants, artisan producers, and distributors. Founded by Jimmy Carbone, Jimmy made his mark with Jimmy’s No. 43, an iconic bar in New York City’s East Village known for its approach to craft beer and local food. He expanded his dedication to regional food communities with the founding of Food Karma Projects, and under his direction, Food Karma Projects gatherings are recognized for their collaborative success stories.
Food Karma Projects’ diverse portfolio ranges from long-standing events to fresh new soirees, including Brisket King® NYC, Rib King NYC™, Pig Island NYC™, Bowl of ‘Zole™, and CiderFeast™. Each festival offers immersive experiences that attract food enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. For more information, visit foodkarmaprojects.com and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
About Danny Mena: Danny Mena is one of New York City’s top Mexican chefs, acclaimed for the traditional Mexican food he served at his restaurant Hecho en Dumbo for over 10 years and now at La Lonchería and Conejo in Richmond, VA. After forgoing an engineering career for culinary school and stints at restaurants Blue Hill and The Modern, Mena started Hecho en Dumbo in 2007. He and his team quickly outgrew that space and opened their Manhattan location in 2010.
In 2018, he opened La Lonchería, a rustic Mexican-style luncheonette offering a modern take on traditional dishes. Another Mexican tradition close to Mena’s heart is mezcal. In 2022, he partnered with local restaurateurs in Richmond, VA, to open a new concept called Conejo. Named after a varietal heirloom corn, they opened the pre-eminent Mexican restaurant in the region, focusing on the base of Mexico’s cuisine; the corn, the bean, and the chile. He partnered in two mezcal distilleries, Mezcal de Leyendas and Pelotón de la Muerte, whose mezcals are considered among the very best available in both the U.S. and Mexico and beyond, showcasing mezcal from all over the country. As a trained chef, now working his way to become a sommelier, his knowledge from production to final distillation is unparalleled.
In September 2019, he launched his debut cookbook, Made in Mexico. Inspired by the best restaurants, fondas, loncherías, and taco stands in Mexico City and adapted for the home cook, Made in Mexico is a delicious blend of classic regional and contemporary Mexican cuisine.
About Arik Torren: Arik Torren has 35 years of industry experience, with the last 14 years as an importer and brand developer. He was one of the pioneers of mezcal in the U.S. and a visionary of Mexican spirits beyond mezcal, including Raicilla, Tutsi, Cucharilla, Palmilla, and Lechuguilla. In 2020, he co-founded Bowl of ‘Zole™, creating an environment where traditional and authentic spirits from Mexico connect with industry and consumers alongside pozole made by some of the most exciting chefs. In 2023, Arik launched Lot001 Brands, importing amazing spirits from Mexico.