2019 Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival presented by PepsiCo (GW+FF) celebrated its 9^th year at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut and Luxury Experience was there to help celebrate! Delectable food, as well as wine, beer, and spirits tastings, cooking demos with top chefs, celebrity book signings, and a concert to culminate an amazing day by Michael Franti and Spearhead and Little Big Town created a very memorable 2019 GW+FF experience.

Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta
Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival 2019

Luxury Experience brings you some of the many highlights from the 2019 Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival.  

Meet the Talent, September 21, 2019 

Matt Storch and Jessica Tom

The Food Network was well represented with celebrity chefs Christian Petroni, David Burkta, David Rose, Erik Ofgang, Geoffrey & Margaret Zakarian, Jessica Tom, Lindsay Perkins, Marc Murphy, Mary Giuliani, and Valerie Bertinelli.  

Celebrity Green Room 

The Celebrity Green Room provided attendees with an opportunity to be front and center as their favorite cooking show chefs answered questions from hosts Matt Storch and Robin

Valerie Bertinelli 

When asked to name her favorite ingredients, Valerie Bertinelli replied, "celery salt and butter" and suggested substituting regular salt for celery salt in recipes. As for Geoffrey Zakarian, chef, restauranteur and judge on the cooking show, Chopped, when asked the same question, he replied, "vodka, vermouth, and olives!"  

Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian

NUKITCHENS Celebrity Book Signings 

Chef Marc Murphy
Season with Authority

Celebrity Chefs were on hand to meet and greet as well as sign their cookbooks, including David Burtka & Marc Murphy, Geoffrey & Margaret Zakarian, Mary Giuliani & Jessica Tom, Valerie Bertinelli, and Michel Nischan & Erik Ofgang.  

Mary Giuliani

On the Kitchen Stage - Chef Demos 

Attendees had the opportunity to watch their favorite chefs in action throughout the day including Christian Petroni, David Burtka, David Rose, Geoffrey & Margaret Zakarian, Jessica Tom, Lindsay Perkins, Little Big Town's Kimberly Schapman, Mary Giuliani, and Valerie Bertinelli. 

Chef David Rose

We attended two of the fabulous chef demos: Chef David Rose who demonstrated how to create Oxtail Fried Rice, and Chef Christian Petroni, who demonstrated how to create Stracciatella Soup.  

Chef Christian Petroni

Read the Gastronomy section for Chef David Rose's Oxtail Fried recipe and Chef Christian Petroni's recipe for Stracciatella Soup. 

Tastings 101 

Rums of Puerto Rico

Spirits aficionados had the opportunity to attend a variety of master classes by Rums of Puerto Rico, Ketel One, Don Julio, and Glyph Molecular Whiskey. 

Ketel One Class

Recipe from Ketel One Class 

Ketel Soda with Cucumber Mint  

Method: Add the Ketel One Vodka to a glass, top with club soda. Garnish with cucumber and a sprig of mint! 

#KetelOne #KetelSoda 

Cheers! Edward F. Nesta sampling Ketel One Cocktail

Spirits Tastings 

Litchfield Distillery

Mad River Whiskey

There was adiverse selection of spirits to appeal to all palates including Bourbon, Gin, Mezcal, Tequila, Vodka, and Whiskey (including Mexican Whiskey). We worked our way around the offerings and made a few new discoveries during our travels. Some of the spirits brands included cocktail recipes which made it nice for attendees to create the luscious libations at home.  

Don Julio Tequila

Tuck Gin

A few of the many tastings included Broken Shed and Ketel One Vodka, Lyon Rum, Mad River Whiskey, Litchfield Distillery, Tuck Gin, Sierra Norte Mexican Whiskey, Don Julio Tequila, Smuggler's Notch Distillery, Glyph Molecular Whiskey, Rums of Puerto Rico, Monkey 47 and many more.  

Smuggler's Notch Distillery

Monkey 47 

Cocktail Recipe from Sierra Norte Mexican Whiskey 

Sierra Norte Mexican Whiskey
Barbara Sweetman, Edward F. Nesta
Robert Wolf

Sierra Norte Mexican Whiskey - Smokin' Chocolate 

Siera Norte Yellow Whsikey
Abuelita Mexican Chocolate
Milk
Fee Brothers Axtec Chocolate Bitters
Hot Coffee 

Method: Mix all ingredients together. 

Wine, Beer, and Other Beverage Tastings

Mionetta

Wines flowed throughout the day from Clement Vigne, Four Cellars by Little Big Town, Brotherhood - America's Oldest Winery, Talbot Vineyards, Mionetta, Whitehaven, Lillet, and many more, as did the beer from Stella Artois. There were also non-alcohol selections as well from bubbly^TM Sparkling Water, Pure Leaf Tea, and a host of PepsiCo assorted beverages. 

 
Four Cellars                           Whitehaven   

Stella Artois                           Talbot Vineyards  

Sangria Recipe from Lillet 

Lillet 

Lillet SangriaLe Blanc Spritz 

Lillet Blanc
Brandy
Peach Schnapps
Pear Nectar
Club Soda 

Method: Mix all ingredients together. 

Food Tasting Highlights

There was an incredible selection of food from area restaurants and caterers, as well as a diverse selection of culinary products to sample. We thoroughly enjoyed sampling our way through the grand tasting.  

Citarella

A few of the many tasting highlights included the Pumpkin Bisque topped with Sour Cream and Apple Strudel from Citarella, the artisan gelato from Gelatissimo whose amazing flavors included Hazelnut, Crème Brulee, and Goat Cheese & Caramelized Fig, chocolates from Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti, and the Avocado, Tuna Tartar, Cilantro Lemon Ginger Dressing Micro Green Dijon Mustard from Renaissance Westchester Hotel. 

Gelatissimo 

Little Beet Table offered Sunflower Hummus with za'atar, herbs, and radish paired with a Lemongrass Gin & Tonic with lemongrass infused gin, beet syrup and lime, and The Lodge at Woodloch presented Nordic Nut & Seed Bread with Smoked Trout Mousse and Root Vegetable Salad & Citra Hop Vinaigrette.  

The Lodge at Woodloch

There was also delectable food from the Little Pub, Eastend, Benjamin Steakhouse, Green & Tonic, South Bay, OKO Westport, Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, American Cut, Embody, Fin & Brew, Park City Honey Co., Fjord Fish Market and Catering, Argana Restaurant & Bar, Wild Shrimp Poke Bowl, Aqui Es Santa Fe, Jacob's Pickles, Panko Peruvian Bistro, and others.  

Green-and-Tonic

There was an ample selection of BBQ and Burgers to sample including tasty offerings from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Kow Steaks, Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Beyond Meat, and Bedford Hall, and BBQ Sauces to sample from The Palmetto Sauce Company. 

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Bedford Hall

Kow

The Concert 

After a great afternoon of sampling wonderful wine, beer, spirits, and amazing food, as well as attending chef demos, the evening culminated with a world-class concert! Michael Franti & Spearhead was the opening band to get the attendees in the mood to party, followed by the GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, and AMA Award-winning band, Little Big Town, comprised of Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook. (Read more about the concert in the Performances section.) 

Michael Franti

Once again,the Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival presented by PepsiCo was an amazing experience of wine, spirits, food, friends, music, and much more! We cannot wait to see what 2020 will bring. 

Little Big Town

Until next time! 

ABOUT THE 2019 GREENWICH WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL  

"The 2019 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival presented by PepsiCo is a multi-day event highlighting the area's rich culinary landscape and showcasing innovation in the food and beveragei ndustries. It benefits multiple charitable organizations. All tickets include food, wine + live music!" 

For information on attending the next Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival presented by PepsiCo, please visit the website: www.SerendipitySocial.com/greenwich-wine-food/ 

Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival 
Greenwich, Connecticut, United States
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