NYCC 24 Spotlight: Nibble and Graze
As fans of pop culture, we marvel at the show floor and bask in the glow of cosplay, comics, and gaming. But at the heart of every pop culture convention lies something deeper and affects every fan...hunger. Let’s be honest: conventions are a sensory overload, but the truth, something all fans know deep down, is that every pop culture con has a secret superhero – the food.
Eventually, you’ll get hungry, and for some con-goers, leaving the convention center can be a bit troublesome, problematic, and, well, exhausting.
If you were at NYCC 2024, you probably downloaded the app of the famed clown prince of fast food and grabbed the newly created item born from the brains of those in marketing... the Chicken Big Mac. For a while, it felt like no fast-food item could top it. But then, within the basement level of the convention center, you spot a line stretching for what seems like miles, and you realize: something serious is cooking...Nibble and Graze’s Chicken Tenders.
Fried, golden brown, served with or without fries… many stood in line for these mighty chicken tenders, refusing to budge for any mere burger or lone batch of fries. What was it about these crispy bites that had fans waiting, hungry and loyal to the cause?
Sr. Sous Chef Frank Casabianca,
As I glimpsed this line, I could see why. CUILTIVATED’S Nibble and Graze, headed by Sr. Sous Chef Frank Casabianca, was in charge of this magical gathering and did not disappoint. A chef with the swagger of a rockstar, they knew their audience well. Armed with a loudspeaker and serving guests with a smile, they provided not only the food. but the energy and, for some, entertainment.
For these fans of pop culture, eating at the convention wasn’t just about convenience; it was part of their own personal ritual. And within that lower level, Casabianca contributed to their ritual by offering a golden, crispy homage to comfort food at its finest.
When patrons finally made it to the front of the line, as the chefs served them that golden fried goodness, it was clear that Nibble and Graze had something special that con-goers understood collectively. Casabianca was providing a culinary experience, tailor-made for the pop culture faithful and gods alike, with the line itself serving as a tribute to their craft.
Respect.
