As Rib King NYC™ gears up to return to Industry City on Saturday, May 24, the hotly anticipated Memorial Day Weekend food festival is set to have a lot more than just championship ribs.
"Ribs remain in the limelight,” says Food Karma Projects founder and Rib King NYC™ producer, Jimmy Carbone, “but true to the grassroots spirit of the event, we’re also bringing in more of the community’s favorite food and drinks.”
Jimmy's No. 43, the iconic East Village restaurant that shuttered in 2017, makes a special comeback for Rib King NYC™. Known for its beer, cider, and locally-sourced food, they’ll fire up the grill with plant-based options available for the day. Brand new for this year’s Rib King NYC™ is Masienda’s station, featuring fresh-made sopes and tortillas made with the chef-favorite heirloom corn masa harina.
DJ Alex Corporan will be on the turntables for the event, dialing up the heat for award-winning hot sauces from Sauce King NYC™. Desserts from MuMsKitchens NYC, Tipsy Scoop boozy ice cream, and Aurelia gelato will keep everyone’s sweet tooth satisfied.
The drinks program at Rib King NYC™ is also phenomenal, featuring The New York Distilling Company, Upstate Vodka, Brooklyn Gin, Fort Hamilton Distillery, Piñaq, Round Table Brewery, Gun Hill Publick House, and zero-proof options.
Rib King NYC™’s main attraction remains the fierce competition between 13 top chefs and restaurants from New York City and beyond for the crown. Defending champion Vincent Mangual of Empire BBQ returns against 2024 runner-up Anthony Scerri of Smoke Sweats and People's Choice winner Darlene Lawrence of Sands Jerk Hut, along with a long list of new competitors throwing their proverbial hats in the ring. The full lineup can be found at ribkingnyc.com.
Tickets are on sale now at ribkingnyc.com. VIP and General Admission tickets are available starting at $45 plus processing fee. VIP Tickets ($85 plus fee) grant attendees early access at noon for first bites and drinks, opportunities to mix and mingle with chefs, and Rib King NYC™ swag.
An image gallery for press use is available here. Interviews with event founders, chefs, and spirits producers are available upon request. For media inquiries, please contact Jimmy Carbone at jimmypotsandpans@gmail.com.
Ticket Options:
Noon Entry - VIP Admission
$85 + processing fee
Early admission at noon with all-inclusive access to food and drinks, mingling with the chefs, and a Rib King NYC™ t-shirt
1:00 PM Entry - Kick-Off Pricing on General Admission
Special pricing for a limited time
$45 + processing fee
All-inclusive access to food and drinks at 1:00 PM
1:00 PM Entry - General Admission
$50 + processing fee
All-inclusive access to food and drinks at 1:00 PM
Saturday, May 24, 2025, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Industry City Courtyard 1/2, 635 2nd Ave., Brooklyn, 11232
Read more about Rib King NYC™ at www.ribkingnyc.com. For all the latest updates, follow Rib King NYC™ on Instagram @ribkingnyc. Rib King NYC™ is a 21+ rain-or-shine event, and the lineup and offerings are subject to change without notice. All sales are final.
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.