Have you ever wondered what food and streetwear have in common? The team behind the Family Style Food Festival says it’s more than you might think.
The all-day food fest touches down in New York City for the first time on Saturday, May 17, taking over Brooklyn’s Industry City with a stacked lineup of chefs, restaurants, streetwear brands and entertainment.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2019, Family Style Food Festival was born from the idea that food and fashion share a deep cultural connection, according to Miles Canares, who co-founded the event in 2019 alongside Ben and Bobby Hundreds of the streetwear brand The Hundreds.
“Food is at the center of all good things,” Canares told Brooklyn Paper. “All good things converge around food — you have meetings, you make big life decisions, you get together with friends and family around food. You can learn so much about people’s culture around food.”
At the time, he said LA was having a moment “reminiscent of streetwear.”
“What was so exciting about food at the time was just how similar it was to streetwear and youth culture,” Canares said. “So many chefs operate out of 500-square-foot locations but garner lines that are down the block. The same person that’s in line for two hours at a Nike drop is the same person in line for two hours at L’Industrie [Pizza] or pop-ups like Shmackwich.”
That cultural crossover gave rise to the festival’s unique format.
“We tried to organize a food festival with an incredible lineup, and then we pair each restaurant with an artist, brand or designer and we memorialize that partnership through merchandise and food that’s exclusive to the event,” Canares said. “In the beginning it was really just, ‘Hey, let’s try this out,’ and we were so overwhelmed by the reaction.”
Since its founding, Family Style Food Festival has only grown. Following its success in Los Angeles, the festival was acquired by Complex Media, a move Canares said helped broaden their reach and bring the concept to new cities.
“I think that what’s special about food is, each city you go to, it’s its own kind of scene — each market has its own best restaurants and places the locals like to go eat,” he said, adding that he grew up watching culinary-travel shows with his father. “I’ve always loved getting to see what it’s like in different cities, and now, that’s my first introduction to a new city whenever I travel.”
Canares said New York — and Brooklyn in particular — had long been a dream location for the team.
“New York has been aspirational for us for some time,” he said. “And there’s something about Brooklyn that just felt right for us.”
Food critic and influencer Keith Lee will return as host, bringing his trusted palate — and massive following — to the table. “His take on food is unique in a way that people just completely trust him — it’s really amazing to see,” Canares said.
Attendees can expect exclusive dishes, limited-edition merch, and unexpected collaborations between culinary standouts and fashion designers.
The 2024 lineup showcases the depth and diversity of New York City’s food and fashion scenes, featuring favorites like L’Industrie Pizzeria, Bonnie’s, Lucali, Potluck Club, Russ & Daughters, and Katz’s Delicatessen, alongside brands including Awake NY, Kids of Immigrants, Bricks & Wood, Jae Tips and Martine Ali.
Above all, Canares said, the event is designed to be welcoming to all.
“Family style, it really is in the name,” he said. “With streetwear and food, it’s about inclusivity. We welcome people from all walks of life.”
Family Style Food Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. on May 17, and tickets are on sale now at familystylefest.com.
