May 21, 2025
Industry City, Brooklyn, NY – Thousands flocked to Industry City on Saturday for the inaugural New York City edition of the Family Style Food Festival, a groundbreaking event that successfully blended culinary innovation with the pulse of streetwear culture. This highly anticipated festival, hosted by renowned food critic and influencer Keith Lee, transformed the sprawling Sunset Park campus into a vibrant hub of flavors, fashion, and community.
The all-day event featured a star-studded lineup of top chefs, beloved local restaurants, and leading streetwear brands, drawing a diverse crowd eager to experience this unique fusion. Special guests added to the excitement, including music icon André 3000, comedian and TV personality Eric André, NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash, singer and TV personality Ray J, streetwear creative director Angelo Baque, and artist and stylist Bloody Osiris, among many others.
"I think it's great to bring together local businesses," remarked one enthusiastic attendee, who discovered the festival through Keith Lee's influential Instagram promotions. "This is just a great start to the summer."
Keith Lee Takes Center Stage, Launches FamiLee Merch
Returning as the festival's official host, Keith Lee ignited the crowd before the highly anticipated launch of his new FamiLee merch line. Taking to social media, Lee shared his excitement, stating, "Family Style Food Festival, not only our first food fest, but also we’re finally releasing our merch that we’ve worked on for over 2 years. This is such an overwhelming day, I can’t say it enough how appreciative and thankful I am to be here."
In a delightful turn of events, Lee temporarily stepped away from his viral TikTok food reviews to be interviewed by Jazzy, the talented 15-year-old reporter from Bushwick who runs Jazzy's World TV.
The Roots of a Cultural Phenomenon: Food & Streetwear Collide
The Family Style Food Festival's journey began in Los Angeles in 2019. Co-founder Miles Canares explained the genesis of the idea, highlighting the inherent overlap between food and streetwear culture. "Food is at the center of all good things," Canares told Brooklyn Paper, emphasizing how food facilitates meetings, major life decisions, and cherished gatherings with friends and family. "You can learn so much about people’s culture around food."
Canares drew a compelling parallel between the long queues for viral restaurants and food pop-ups and the eager crowds lining up for exclusive streetwear drops. "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," he noted, illustrating the shared passion and dedication of both communities.
Following its success on the West Coast, the festival's acquisition by Complex Media paved the way for expansion into new cities, with New York – and particularly Brooklyn – being a natural and fitting choice for the team. "It’s about inclusivity," Canares reiterated. "Family style, it really is in the name. We welcome people from all walks of life."
