2017 Greenwich Wine & Food Fest Locked In & Looming: Sat. Sept. 23

Greenwich, CT – The 2017 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival, presented by Serendipity magazine (www.greenwichwineandfood.com) and benefitting the Mario Batali Foundation, the Friends of James Beard Benefits and the Town of Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation, has announced the final schedule and list of participants for both Friday and Saturday’s events:

· The Master Chef Wine Dinner at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park by the water’s edge on Friday, September 22 will honor famed restaurateur and author Scott Conant (“Chopped”, “Top Chef”), with special guest Adam Richman.  The event will also recognize the Serendipity 2017 Most Innovative Chefs:  Carlos Baez (The Spread), Stavros Karipides (Famous Greek Kitchen), Lisa & Steve Maronian (Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes), Mike Pietrafeso (Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee), Brad Spence (Amis Trattoria), Ian Vest (Back 40 Kitchen) and Marc Weber (On the Marc Events).  In addition, Festival Ambassador Chefs including Mogan Anthony (Village Social), Rui Correia (Douro/Gaia), Constantine Kalandranis (273 Kitchen), Brian Lewis (The Cottage), Christian Petroni (Fortina), Debra Ponzek (Aux Délices), Nadia Ramsey (Méli-Mélo Catering), Robin Selden (Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning) and David Snyder (Char Restaurant), will serve innovative dishes alongside carefully selected wines and creative cocktails. The evening will be capped off by a live musical performance by platinum-selling southern rock band Big Head Todd and the Monsters (“Bittersweet,” “Broken Hearted Savior”).

·      Celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli and Adam Richman will be conducting cooking demos, book signings and mingling with festival attendees during the signature day of the festival on Saturday, September 23.

The schedule for Saturday’s events is as follows:

·      12:00-5:00pm - Grand Tasting Tent, hosting more than 150 food and beverage tastings from vendors:

·      12:00-5:00pm – The Market Place will feature vendors showcasing the culinary world’s newest trends, technology and more. Participants include Chef Folio, Chakarr Jewelry, Colby Davis of Boston Co., Cutco, Diane’s Books presented by Barbara Zaccagnini, India Hicks Lifestyle Collection, Mario Batali Foundation, Sea Bags, The Two Oh Three, WineCards and Wooster Street Meats.

12:00-5:30pm – Lawn Games presented by Rhone will include corn hole, giant Jenga and other fun activities.

12:30-5:00pm – Ethan Allen Celebrity Green Room will host celebrities and culinary experts and musicians in a luxury lounge while being interviewed by Serendipity contributing editors Chef Matt Storch and Chef Robin Selden.

12:30-12:50pm – Adam Richman

1:00-1:20pm – Scott Conant

1:30-1:50pm – Alex Guarnaschelli

2:00-2:20pm – Kevin Des Chenes (restauranteur and author), Cody Sperry & Chris Sexton (Hoodoo Brown BBQ)

2:30-2:50pm – Samantha Benjamin (The Dessertist), Bill Taibe (Jesup Hall, Kawa Ni, The Whelk), Brian Lewis (The Cottage)

3:00-3:20pm – Mary Giuliani (Mary Giuliana Catering & Events)

3:30-3:50pm – Lindsay Perkins (Lindsay Culinary, LLC)

4:00-4:20pm – Lisa & Stephen Maronian (Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes)

4:30-4:50pm – Julia Deane (Culinary Works), Renato Donzelli (Basso Café)

12:30-6:00pm – Two stages will feature cooking demonstrations from renowned experts and favorite television network stars.

Dacor Kitchen Stage One presented by NuKitchens

1:30pm – Mary Giuliani: Small Bites, Big Drinks

2:30pm – Scott Conant: Risotto 101

3:30pm – Julia Deane: Party Foods

4:30pm – Mario Batali: Human Touch, The Greatest Gift

5:30pm – Angela Baldanza: French Toast with Caramelized Apples

Dacor Kitchen Stage Two presented by NuKitchens

1:00pm – Kevin Des Chenes: Cuisine & Cocktails with Chef Kev D

2:00pm – Adam Richman: Pulled Pork Egg Rolls

3:00pm – Alex Guarnaschelli: Fun Snacks & Nibbles

4:00pm – Samantha Benjamin: Ordinary to Extraordinary Desserts!

5:00pm – Lindsay Perkins: Cake Decorating 101

12:45-6:30pm – Meet the Master’s Stage will host tasting seminars with mixologists, brew masters and sommeliers and a celebrity panel.

12:45-1:15pm – Constellation Wine: Internationally Acclaimed Favorites Crafted by some of the Most Esteemed Winemakers

1:45-2:15pm – Woodford Reserve:  Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

3:45-4:15pm – Meet the Masters Panel hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford, featuring Scott Conant, Mary Giuliani, Alex Guarnaschelli and Adam Richman

5:45-6:15pm – Ketel One: A Vodka with Character

12:00-10:00pm – Festival VIP Tent, offering private bars, secluded seating areas, private restrooms, private concert viewing area and a special VIP Ambassador Chef Dinner at 6:30pm, featuring cuisine from Ambassador Chefs including Samantha Benjamin (The Dessertist), Arturo Franco-Camacho (Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill), Zach Campion (Bailey’s Backyard), Renato Donzelli (Basso Café), Joe Giordano (Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse), Anthony Goncalves (Kanopi), Michael Kaphan (Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish), Geoff Lazlo (Mill Street Bar & Table), Stephen Lewandowski (Harlan Social, Harlan Public), Forrest Pasternack (Bianco Rossi, Craft 14 Kitchen and Bar), Gregory Peña (The National), Matt Storch (Match, nom-eez), Bill Taibe (Jesup Hall, Kawa Ni, The Whelk) and Luke Venner (Elm) (Open to VIP Ticket Holders only).

1:00-6:00pm – Diane’s Books presented by Barbara Zaccagnini, offers attendees the chance to meet the authors behind favorite cookbooks, and purchase a copy for book signings.

1:00-1:30pm - Buzzed: Beers, Booze, & Coffee Brews: Where to Enjoy the Best Craft Beverages in New England with Eric Ofgang

1:30-2:00pm - The Scarpetta Cookbook with Scott Conant

2:00-2:30pm - The Home Cook: Recipes to Know by Heart with Alex Guarnaschelli

2:30-3:00pm - Beyond My Chef Coat: Cuisine & Cocktails with Chef Kev D with Kevin Des Chenes

3:00-3:30pm - Straight up Tasty: Meals, Memories and Mouthfuls from my Travels with Adam Richman; The New Milks with Dina Cheney

5:15-5:45pm - Mario Batali—Big American Cookbook with Mario Batali; The Cocktail Party with Mary Giuliani

2:00-8:30pm – The Empire City Casino will offer friendly competition at gaming tables, with dealers offering prizes.

3:30-4:15pm – Fourth Annual Bartender’s Showdown presented by Ketel One, gives area mixologists including Kristina Freitag (Baldanza), Jeff Hodson (Hub & Spoke), Jaime Johel (Craft 14), Juan Meyer (Eastend), Sean Nye (The Spread) and Scott Studwell (Washington Prime) the opportunity to win judge’s and people’s choice awards for the cocktails they create.

4:00-6:15pm – Bud & Burgers celebrates the area’s best artisan burgers. Participants include tastings from Bareburger, Brown Dog Fancy, Budweiser, Coals, Dan Rooney’s, Darien Butcher Shop, Hapa Food Truck, Simply Delicious and Westchester Burger Co.

5:00-5:45pm – The sixth annual Burger Battle, hosted by Adam Richman presented by Angela Swift, will crown the top burger in the area, judged Scott Conant, Kevin Des Chenes Alex Guarnaschelli, Robin Selden, Angela Swift and Bill Taibe. Contestants include Bareburger of Rye, Coals, Dan Rooney’s, Darien Butcher Shop, Hapa Food Truck, Simply Delicious and Westchester Burger Co.

4:00-8:30pm – The Tailgate Party celebrates one of America’s favorite past times, featuring samples from Anheuser Busch, Caffe Bon, Festivities, Fleishers Craft Butchery, Hapa Food Truck, Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Ketel One, Knot Norm’s Catering Co., Mike’s Organic Delivery, NoRA Cupcake Company, Spiked Seltzer, The Blind Rhino, The Granola Bar, The Greatest Blaze & Co., The Whey Station and Woodfood Reserve. The Bar-B-Que Pitmasters Stage with Chris Sexton, Cody Sperry & Friends will feature grilling and cooking tips, butchery and cuts of meat and more.

4:15-4:45pm – Pit Masters! With HooDoo Brown BBQ’s Chris Sexton and Cody Sperry

5:15-5:45pm – Knife Skills 101 with Wüsthof  

6:00-6:30pm - #KnowThyFarmer | #LoveThyButcher with Fleishers Craft Butchery

4:00-8:30pm – The Don Julio South of the Border Fiesta celebrates the bold flavors and festival cocktails from south of the border. Participants include Brasitas, Don Julio, Halstead Ave Taqueria, Little Mexican Café, Pacifico, Sonora Restaurant and Tomatillo Taco Joint.

6:00-10:00pm – Saturday Night Intimate Stage & Lawn Dinner will offer guests the chance to mix and mingle with Mario Batali, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Adam Richman and Mary Giuliana over cocktails and oysters by Saltaire. The seated dinner features a three-course meal prepared by Chef Rui Correia of Douro Group with liquor table service, and the best seats in the house for the evening’s live musical performance (Open to VIP Stage & Lawn Dinner Ticket Holders Only).

6:30-8:00pm – The Ian Murray Band will kick off the evening’s musical performances.

8:30-10:00pm – Platinum-selling rock band Train (“Play That Song,” “Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey Soul Sister” and “Meet Virginia”) will close out the event.

Tickets are now available; visit www.greenwichwineandfood.com for ticket options and to purchase, or call 203.588.1363.

The main beneficiary of this year’s Festival is the Mario Batali Foundation. Founded in 2008, MBF raises funds to provide literacy programs, as well as nutrition information and access to emergency food organizations to underprivileged children and their families. MBF also funds pediatric disease research.  Other Festival beneficiaries include The Friends of James Beard Benefits and the Town of Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation.

The event will be held rain or shine, and anyone under 21, including infants or strollers, will not be admitted.  Animals are also not permitted. Please note this schedule is subject to change.

ABOUT THE 2017 GREENWICH WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL

The 2017 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival is a multi-day event that celebrates the area’s rich culinary landscape, and showcases innovation in the food and beverage industries. The mission is to strengthen our communities’ non-profit partners, local businesses and renowned food culture. It will benefit multiple charitable organizations, including the Mario Batali Foundation, The Friends of James Beard Benefits, and Town of Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation. The Festival is partnered with Serendipitymagazine. Sponsors to date include 1893 Cola, 90+ Cellars, Aitoro, Alfa Romeo, Angela Swift of Houlihan Lawrence,  Ashforth, Blancpain, Bender, Brockman’s Gin, Budweiser, Caesar Stone, Chelsea Piers, Citi, Coldwell Banker, CPG Architects, Culinary Works, Dacor, Deane Rooms Everlasting, Delamar, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Don Julio, Ethan Allen, Empire City Casino, Hospital for Special Surgery, JHouse, Manfredi, Marriott Stamford, Mionetto, New York Post, NuKitchens, Ketel One, PepsiCo, Rhone, Rudy’s Executive Transportation, Starr Tent, Stella Artois, Sysco, Tea House Collection, Val’s Putnam Wine & Liquors, Whole Foods Market, Westy, Woodford Reserve, Wüsthof and Barbara Zaccagnini.*  For more information, visit www.greenwichwineandfood.com.