I adore New York City, especially in the fall. As the crisp autumn season settles over the Big Apple, gorgeous shades of orange, red, and yellow illuminate the entire city, creating the calm before the storm.

I recently returned from an epic food-filled trip to the Big Apple with Buick to attend the New York City Wine and Food Festival (NYCWFF). It was my first time at the Festival and I’m a little shocked how that’s happened. I mean, it literally combines three of my favorite things — New York City, autumn, and food. But something tells me it won’t be my last time.

While the NYCWFF was the crowning glory of the trip, it was great to learn even more about the rebranding of Buick (#ExperienceBuick) as a luxury lifestyle brand instead of just an automotive brand. I love how they’re delving deep into their ethos and mission as a brand and aligning it with lifestyle events and brands around the world such as the Final Four in Indianapolis in April and now the NYCWFF. I never considered how much aspects of my busy travel-fueled lifestyle played into the purchase and experience of a car.

If you’re wondering why an automotive brand such as Buick would sponsor a culinary event like the New York City Wine and Food Festival, here’s some food for thought. I was wondering the same until I spoke to some of the Buick designers and other members of the Buick team. Automotive designers, both interior and exterior, draw inspiration from all parts of life, even the most mundane. So why not food? With the deep rich textures and hues of the culinary world, many of them are literally following their gut as they create tomorrow’s vehicles. From the elegant simplicity of the local farmer’s market to elaborate prix fare dinners on Instagram, Buick designers are using the universal appeal of good food to inspire color and trim choices.

“People make associations with particular hues based on personal experiences,” said Sally Augustin, Ph.D., founder of Design with Science, and an environmental psychologist specializing in person-centered design. “If you have had a positive experience with a particular food, you can develop positive associations with the colors that are clearly linked to that item, translating into preferences and use in creative projects.”

As we waded through the endless stalls of mouth-watering creations, I started seeing food with a completely different perspective and started translating the deep burgundy hues of wine and verdant greens of vegetables into automotive elements. Life is all about connecting the dots and here is one more example of how two seemingly disparate industries are inextricably linked.

Some of the upcoming colors to look out for on Buick vehicles are: 1) Toasted Coconut Metallic exterior on the 2016 Cascada convertible, 2) Choccachino interior of the 2016 Enclave, and 3) Crystalline exterior of the Buick Avenir.

Next time you’re admiring the gorgeous food on your plate, think palate to palette.

Disclosure: I’m part of the Buick Media Influencer program, but all opinions are my own and accurately reflect my thoughts of Buick and the New York City Wine and Food Festival.

Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (October 16-18, 2015); stayed at The Hudson Hotel

Read about my last trip to Detroit as part of the Buick Media Influencer program.