Take a break from the August heat with Grand Central’s 2nd annual “Life’s a Picnic in Grand Central” event featuring a free indoor, public picnic space in a reimagined Vanderbilt Hall. Visitors can relax in air-conditioned comfort with live entertainment, free Wi-Fi, and food they bring or purchase from Grand Central retailers with outposts in the hall.
There will be plenty of live entertainment at “Life’s a Picnic in Grand Central,” including live food demonstrations by Grand Central Chefs and live performances from partners Big Apple Circus (Peety the Clown of Big Apple Circus will dazzle you with yo-yo tricks and other crazy circus skills…and maybe a lucky member of the audience will star in their first circus act. Amazing!), Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, Music Under New York, WICKED, ON THE TOWN, FINDING NEVERLAND, CHICAGO, SOMETHING ROTTEN!, and A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER. The following will be providing live demonstrations:
Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C.: Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C. will debut their new “Bar Burger” starting Monday, August 24th. Available only at Michael Jordan’s popular bar located in the iconic Grand Central Terminal. The “Bar Burger” is introduced by Executive Chef Cenobio Canalizo who initially created the burger during a recent benefit for City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization. The “Bar Burger” includes melted cheddar cheese and onions braised in New York State Ommegang Nut Brown Ale, served with homemade potato chips for $12.00. After the demonstration, spectators will have a chance to try a bite of this new creation!
Shiro of Japan: Chef Hiro Isikawa will wow the crowds with a demonstration of basic sushi making and allow select spectators to try their hand at rolling!
Murray’s Cheese: Dan Belmont is the Education & Events Manager at Murray’s Cheese! His love of cheese and wine has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Playboy.com (fully clothed), CBS, Culture Magazine, HuffPost and more. He’ll be leading a Mozzarella Making class and will allow spectators to sample the cheese afterwards. Yes, please!
Magnolia Bakery: Amy Tamulonis joined the Magnolia Bakery family last April as a cake icer, icing beautiful house cakes, birthday cakes, sheet cakes and more. Amy’s passion for baking and cake icing is clearly demonstrated through her work. She frequently comes up with beautiful cake designs that are on display at the Magnolia Bakery location right here in Grand Central. Amy will demonstrate some of Magnolia Bakery’s most famous icing techniques, including their signature swirl and rosette cake. After the demonstration, lucky spectators will get to taste mini cupcakes.
Grand Central Terminal is located at 89 E. 42nd Street at Park Avenue in New York, NY. There are also entrances at 42nd Street at Vanderbilt Avenue, Vanderbilt Avenue at 43rd Street, 45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Madison Ave, Lexington Avenue at 43rd Street, 48th Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, 47th Street at Madison Avenue, and the east and west sides of 230 Park Avenue. The Terminal is accessible to visitors with disabilities. It has public elevators and ramps to help visitors get around without the use of stairs. The Terminal does not provide wheelchair rental at this time.