Sampling & Cooking Permits
Cultivated is the exclusive catering company at the Javits Center and is responsible for the safety of all food and beverage consumed, prepared, and dispensed on property.
All exhibitors sampling and/or cooking must submit a sampling form and gain approval for the cooking method. The sampling form can be found in your exhibitor dashboard under order forms. Exhibitors must be the manufacturer and/or distributor of the actual product in order to sample and the booth must be under their name.
The use of fry equipment must include a grease-shield for the machine as well as a fire extinguisher. For an Open Flame Permit email mhilton@specialtyfood.com(Opens in a new window).
No CBD Products
- No products containing CBD are permitted.
- No marijuana-based CBD products are permitted.
- Hemp based CDB products are not permitted.
Sample size portions should be as follows:
- Food: 2oz portion
- Non-Alcoholic Beverage: 4oz portion
- Alcoholic Beverage:
- Beer: 2oz
- Wine/Wine Cooler/Spirit Coolers: 2oz
- Liquor /Liqueurs: 0.25oz
- All alcohol must be purchased through Cultivated
- Alcohol cannot be served prior to 11:00am on Sundays, per city ordinance.
- All alcohol must be served in plastic, disposable cups. No cans or bottles will be permitted.
- Distribution of alcoholic products must be monitored & overseen by a staff bartender from Cultivated in compliance with New York Liquor Laws. Fees will apply for the bartender. Guests must be 21 years of age to participate in the sampling with a picture I.D.
- Alcoholic products cannot be hand-carried and must be shipped to Cultivated at 655 West 34th St New York, NY 10001 for UPS/FEDEX/USPS shipments and 369 12th Ave New York, NY 10001 for distribution companies. Please label as "Attention CULTVIATED + Show name + Company name/Shipper.
For sampling questions, please contact services@cultivatedNY.com(Opens in a new window)
NYS Liquor License Requirement for Summer Show
- Marketing Permit
- The Marketing Permit is required if you are a manufacturer, supplier, wholesaler, or importer of alcohol. If the permittee is from outside of New York State then a current copy of the state license and a copy of the Federal Basic Permit are also required.
- Broker Permit
- The Broker Permit is required if you are a broker representing an exhibitor who is a manufacturer, supplier, wholesaler, or importer of alcohol.
- In order to obtain either a Marketing Permit or Broker Permit, please visit: NYSLA Online Permit Applications(Opens in a new window).
For further details regarding the permit requirements, please visit the following two links: - Information about Tasting (Marketing) Permits – Video(Opens in a new window)
- Marketing and Representative Permits Terms & Conditions(Opens in a new window)
If you have any questions about the permits, please call (518) 474-3114 and select option 1 or send an email to Licensing.Information@sla.ny.gov(Opens in a new window)
Please note:
- Both the Marketing and Broker Permits must be filed with the NYSLA by June 23, 2025.
- Once completed, please forward a copy of the license to services@cultivatedny.com(Opens in a new window)
- A Cultivated certified bartender must be arranged and hired for all hours of the event.
- Upon receipt of your permit and order form, Cultivated will send you a confirmation with further details
Food Safety Guidelines(Opens in a new window)
- The use of home-prepared food is strictly prohibited.
- Limited on-site preparation of food is allowed within your exhibit space.
- All prepared food must be cooked in a local commercial facility, which has been approved in advance by the local health department. Food from unapproved sources will be condemned by the health department. The use of the convention center kitchen is not permitted.
- Please use designated Clean-Up Stations for all cleaning of utensils.
- Close supervision by an Exhibitor staff member is required at all times during sampling.
- The use of L.P. gases such as propane & butane are prohibited.
- All electrical equipment must be U.L. approved (Underwriter’s Laboratories).
Equipment-Washing
Exhibitors must use the designated “Clean-Up Stations” on the Show floor for washing utensils & equipment. THE USE OF REST ROOMS FOR WASHING UTENSILS OR DISPOSING OF FOOD IS PROHIBITED.
Garbage and Refuse
Exhibitors serving sample foods must dispose of garbage or other wastes in a sanitary manner. Grease bins will be provided in each of the “Clean-Up Stations” located around the Show floor. Food Scrap bins will also be located within these Clean-Up Stations.