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New York's food scene is about to get a serious upgrade. On Thursday, October 23, 2025, Brooklyn's Industry City transforms into the epicenter of Mexican culinary culture as Bowl of 'Zole
returns for what promises to be the most exciting pozole and agave spirits festival the city has ever seen.
Event Details: Mark Your Calendars
When: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Industry City 5 2 A Venue, 33 35th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232
VIP Entry: 5:00 PM ($75 + processing fee)
General Admission: 6:00 PM ($55-$65 + processing fee)
This isn't your average food festival. Bowl of 'Zole Brooklyn brings together over 20 top-tier chefs and restaurants with more than 300 vibrant agave spirits for an immersive celebration that honors centuries of Mexican culinary tradition while showcasing modern innovation.
Michelin-Star Chefs Meet Street Food Soul
The 2025 lineup reads like a who's who of New York's most celebrated Mexican cuisine scene. Leading the charge are culinary heavyweights including Cosme Aguilar of Casa Enrique, Justin Bazdarich of Oxomoco, and Johnny Curiel of Denver's acclaimed Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma.
The full chef and restaurant lineup showcases the diversity of modern Mexican cuisine:
- 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
Each chef brings their unique interpretation of pozole: from classic pork and chile versions to innovative vegetarian, seafood, and cross-cultural creations. Beyond pozole, attendees can sample artisanal Mexican salsas, moles, escabeches, and adobos from Brooklyn-based Xilli, chapulines from Merci Mercado, and paletas from La Newyorkina.
300+ Agave Spirits: A Liquid Journey Through Mexico
The beverage program at Bowl of 'Zole Brooklyn is nothing short of spectacular. With over 300 expressions of agave spirits, this festival offers one of the most comprehensive tastings of Mexico's liquid heritage available anywhere in the United States.
The spirits lineup includes premium brands and artisanal producers:
Mezcals & Tequilas:
- Mezcal Vago
- Tequila Ocho
- Don Fulano
- Tequila Fortaleza
- Mezcal de Leyendas
- Los Siete Misterios
- Cazcanes
- Arette
Specialty Spirits:
- Sotol Parejo
- Cardenxe Sotol
- Dos Pasiones
- Cruz del Fuego
- Flor Del Desierto
- Volans
- Ensueño
- Alma Del Jaguar
The program extends beyond agave to include sotol, whiskeys from Maiz Nation, rums from Pelacañas, Mexican wines from Zev Rovine Selections, craft beer from Cerveza Monopolio, and zero-proof options from Topo Chico.
Community Impact: Feeding Those in Need
Bowl of 'Zole Brooklyn isn't just about great food and drinks: it's about giving back. Through a meaningful partnership with City Harvest, all participating chefs contribute additional pozole for donation to communities throughout New York City.
City Harvest's mission to end hunger through food rescue and distribution aligns perfectly with the festival's values. This year alone, City Harvest will rescue 81 million pounds of high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste, delivering it free to hundreds of food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs.
Meet the Masterminds Behind the Magic
Danny Mena: Culinary Authenticity
Danny Mena stands as one of New York City's most respected Mexican chefs, with over a decade of experience bringing traditional Mexican cuisine to discerning palates. After leaving his engineering career for culinary school and stints at Blue Hill and The Modern, Mena opened Hecho en Dumbo in 2007, quickly outgrowing the space and expanding to Manhattan in 2010.
His Richmond, VA ventures: La Lonchería and Conejo: showcase his commitment to Mexican culinary traditions. As a partner in Mezcal de Leyendas and Pelotón de la Muerte distilleries, Mena brings unparalleled knowledge of agave spirits to the festival. His cookbook "Made in Mexico" further demonstrates his dedication to sharing authentic Mexican cuisine with home cooks.
Arik Torren: Agave Spirits Pioneer
With 35 years of industry experience and 14 years as an importer and brand developer, Arik Torren pioneered the mezcal movement in the United States. As co-founder of Bowl of 'Zole in 2020 and founder of Lot001 Brands in 2023, Torren has introduced American audiences to Mexican spirits beyond mezcal, including Raicilla, Tutsi, Cucharilla, Palmilla, and Lechuguilla.
Jimmy Carbone: Event Innovation
Jimmy Carbone of Food Karma Projects brings grassroots-style celebration expertise to Bowl of 'Zole. His background with the iconic Jimmy's No. 43 in NYC's East Village and his portfolio of successful events including Brisket King® NYC, Rib King NYC, and Pig Island NYC demonstrates his ability to create memorable culinary experiences that attract both food enthusiasts and industry professionals.
VIP vs. General Admission: Choose Your Experience
VIP Ticket Holders ($75 + processing fee) enjoy:
- Early admission at 5:00 PM for an extra hour of tastings
- Bowl of 'Zole swag bags
- Meet-and-greet opportunities with chefs and beverage producers
- Exclusive Tequila Ocho and Mezcal Vago blind tastings led by experts
- First access to Johnny Curiel's special pozole preparation
- All-access pozole and spirits tastings for the entire evening
General Admission ($55-$65 + processing fee) includes:
- 6:00 PM admission
- All-access pozole and spirits tastings throughout the evening
- Full access to all participating restaurants and beverage producers
Limited-time kick-off pricing offers General Admission tickets for just $55, making this premium culinary experience accessible to a broader audience.
The Cultural Significance
Bowl of 'Zole celebrates more than food and drink: it honors the cultural traditions that make pozole a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine. This ancient dish, with its roots in pre-Columbian Mexico, represents community, celebration, and cultural continuity. Paired with agave spirits that showcase Mexico's diverse terroir and artisanal production methods, the festival creates an authentic cultural bridge between Mexico and New York.
The event's focus on education alongside tasting allows attendees to understand the stories behind each dish and spirit, creating deeper appreciation for Mexican culinary heritage. This approach aligns with the growing food and beverage industry trend toward cultural authenticity and storytelling in dining experiences.
Industry Impact and Trends
Bowl of 'Zole Brooklyn represents several key trends in the food and beverage industry. The focus on regional Mexican cuisine reflects the ongoing sophistication of American palates and the move beyond generic "Mexican food" toward specific regional expressions. The extensive agave spirits program capitalizes on the explosive growth of mezcal and premium tequila in the U.S. market.
The festival's all-inclusive format appeals to experience-driven consumers who value curated, educational dining experiences over simple consumption. This trend toward immersive culinary events continues to grow as restaurants and event organizers seek to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
Ready to experience NYC's most authentic Mexican food and spirits festival? Tickets are available now at bowlofzole.com. Follow Bowl of 'Zole on Instagram @bowlofzole for the latest updates, and learn more about Food Karma Projects at foodkarmaprojects.com.
Don't miss your chance to taste the best of Mexico in the heart of Brooklyn this October 23rd: this is one festival that truly delivers on its promise of culinary authenticity and community celebration.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
