Star-studded Chefs
Greenwich Wine + Food Gala 2022

Luxury Experience attended our first Greenwich Wine + Food event in 2014, and throughout the years they have excelled at bringing exceptional wine, food, chefs, spirits, and fun together with proceeds that benefit local charities. To celebrate their 10^th anniversary in 2022, they did something different. 

Instead of their large event held in outdoors past years at Roger Sherwin Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut, they held select pairings dinners at area restaurants from October 3 - 14, and held a gala dinner on October 7, at Abigail Kirsch at The Loading Dock, in Stamford, Connecticut, where guests had the opportunity to meet and mingle at a pre-dinner cocktail reception, followed by a four-course dinner prepared by Celebrity Chefs for tables of ten. 

Debra C. Argen and Jacques Pépin

It was a star-studded chef night with Jacques Pépin, Michel Nischan, Maneet Chauhan, Rocco DiSpirito, Bun Lai, Chrissy Tracey, and many others on hand, in addition to the chefs preparing the gala dinners. Also making a starring role at the gala were the stunning paintings by Jacques Pépin, who in addition to being a chef, is an author, television personality, and an artist. 

Wine + Cocktails 

As befitting its name Greenwich Wine + Food, there was lots of both flowing all evening, as well as creative cocktails including Jacques' Reverse Manhattan, in honor of Jacques Pépin. 

Jacques' Reverse Manhattan - courtesy of Dale DeGroff
Makes 1 Drink 

Ingredients:
 

Method: Stir the first 4 ingredients with ice to chill and serve in a small cocktail glass. Release the oil of the orange zest over the drink and discard. Garnish with a Bordeaux Cherry. 

Aluez Tequila 

The Gala Chefs  

Carlos Baez - The Spread, El Segundo, Magic Pie
Jes Bengsten - Terrain Garden Café, Amis Trattoria
Franco Camacho - Camacho Garage, Geronimo Tequila Bar, Southwest Grill, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill
Evans Corrales - The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood
Albert DeAngelis - Eastend, Mediterraneo, Terra, Sole
Julio Genao - Prime Stamford
Michael Kaplan - Purdy's Farmer & The Fish
Geoff Lazlo - Geoff Lazlo Food, The Country Table
Stephen Lewandowski - Townhouse
Nick Marschenko - South End, SE Uncorked, SE Back End
Emily Mingrone - Tavern on State, Provisions on State, Fair Haven Oyster Company
Forrest Pasternak - Bailey's Backyard Farm to Table Restaurant
Debra Ponzek - Aux Delices
Jared Sippel - L'Ostral
Matt Storch - Match, Match Burger Lobster
Reneé Touponce - Oyster Club & Port of Call CT
Bill Taibe - The Whelk, Kawa No, Don Memo
Luke Venner - Elm
Chad Welch - Coterie Table One 

The Gala Menus 
 

Jacques Pépin and Chef Debra Ponzek

Chef Debra Ponzek Menu - Aux Delices (Greenwich, Riverside, Westport, Darien) 

First Course
Cauliflower Panna Cotta
Cauliflower parmesan flatbread and shaved truffle cauliflower
Vergelegen G.V.B. white 

Second Course
Black Sea Bass
Row 7 squash pistou with cannellini beans with applewood smoked bacon
Vergelegen Florence rosé 

Third Course
Braised Short Ribs
Maitake mushrooms, celeriac, horseradish crumbs
Vergelegen V1700 

Dessert Course
Apple Tarte Tatin
Salted caramel semifreddo and praline
Vergelegen MMV brut blanc
Petits Fours 

Denis Morabovich and Brendan Hovan
Geronimo Tequila Bar

Chef Franco Camacho Menu - Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill, Shell & Bones Oyster 

First Course
Assortment of Amuse Bouche
Vergelegen brut MMV 2016 

Second Course
Lobster
Citrus poached lobster, coconut water, bergamot juice, aji Amarillo, tender coconut, avocado, malanga crisp
Vergelegen Reserve chardonnay 2019 

Third Course
Surf & Turf
Grilled octopus, short rib, and marrow bone agnolotti, foie gras sauce, shaved white truffles
Vergelegen G.V.B. white 2020 

Fourth Course
Duck Breast
Pomegranate lacquered Bella Bella Farm breast of duck, Manchego-parsnip purée, quince-ginger compote pickled kumquats
Vergelegen G.V.B. red 2015 

Dessert Course
Chocolate Malt Flourless Cake
Caramelized bananas semifreddo, toffee, chocolate dome, rum
Vergelegen V1700 2015 

Chef Emily Mingrone

Chef Emily Mingrone Menu - Tavern on State, Provisions on State & Fairhaven Oyster Co. 

First Course
Leeks Vinaigrette
With potato mousse and caviar
Vergelegen brut MMV 2016 

Second Course
Shrimp Pane
With watercress, roasted garlic, and preserved lemon
Vergelegen G.V.B. White 2020 

Third Course
Rabbit Ballotine
With wild fennel, pearl onion, baby carrots and rabbit jus
Vergelegen V 2015 

Dessert Course
Chocolate Roulade
With Raspberry and cacao nibs
Vergelegen V1700 2015 

Chef Forrest Pasternack

Chef Forrest Pasternack Menu - Bailey's Backyard 

First Course
Local Beet & Citrus Cured King Salmon Carpaccio
Lemongrass, hibiscus tea vinaigrette, sea salt potato crisps
Vergelegen brut MMV 2016 

Second Course
Warm Seared Diver Scallops with Lobster Ceviche
Compressed local apple salad, corn shoots, yuzu-pomegranate molasses
Vergelegen G.V.B. white 2020 

Third Course
Braised Wagyu Beef Short Rib
White truffle-infused ricotta gnocchi, roasted and crispy parsnips, white wine gelée, parmesan
Vergelegen V1700 2015 

Dessert Course
Chocolate S'mores Cake
Toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crunch, applewood smoke 

Chef Chrissy Tracey and Chef Renee Touponce

Chef Reneé Touponce Menu - Oyster Club & Port of Call CT 

First Course
Venison Tartare
Cured egg yolk, nasturtium, sour gherkins, shallot, smoked beef fat
Vergelegen G.V.B. red 

Second Course
Oyster Chowder
Celery, potatoes, leeks, tarragon, parsley oil
Vergelegen chardonnay reserve 

Third Course
Dry Boat Scallop Grenobloise
King trumpet mushrooms, lemon, caper, sourdough
Vergelegen G.V.B. white 

Dessert Course
Egg Custard
Apple caramel sauce
Vergelegen brut MMV 

Bringing the Experience of the Greenwich Wine + Food to You 

VIDEO - Chef Nick Marschenko of South End, SE Uncorked, and SE Back End, describing his menu for the gala dinner: https://youtu.be/-ZF9jO_SALw  

VIDEO - Chef Debra Ponzek of Aux Delices, describing her menu for the gala dinner: https://youtu.be/iz_6JuzS1cU 

The gala was one of the many special event dinners that took place from October 3 - 14, 2022 at various area restaurants. Their large event, The Big Easy, will take place on March 4, 2022, at The Capital Theatre in Port Chester, New York, making their 10^th anniversary an ongoing feast for the senses throughout the year. 

Until next time, Cheers and Bon Appetit! 

Debra C. Argen and Chef Maneet Chauhan

About Greenwich Wine + Food 

"Founded in 2011, Greenwich Wine + Food was created by Unger Publishing (a women owned, women run business) in order to create unique in-person experiences unlike anything else. At the heart of the weekend was the core mission of GWF: to continue to shine a light on the incredibly rich culinary landscape in our area, the people that are innovating the way we think about wine, food, and drinks all while raising important funds for causes that lift-up those in need. Over the last decade, the GWF team has been dedicated to bringing unforgettable experiences to foodies and fans alike." 

About the 2022 Greenwich Wine + Food Event Beneficiaries 

Jacques Pépin Foundation 

"The Jacques Pépin Foundation supports community kitchens that offer free life skills and culinary training to adults with high barriers to employment, including previous incarceration, homelessness, substance abuse issues, low skill and education attainment and lack of work history. Become a JPF Member to support our educational programs and grants. For more information, visit www.jp.foundation" 

Wholesome Wave 

"Wholesome Wave is a national non-profit established on the belief that everyone, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, or income, has a fundamental right to choose healthy food. Wholesome Wave's mission is to address disparities in diet-related disease and enhance nutrition equity by making fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable to low-income community members through systems change. Founded in 2007 by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michel Nischan and former USDA Undersecretary of Agriculture Gus Schumacher, Wholesome Wave successfully established the legal framework and advocated funding the doubling of SNAP benefits when spent on healthy fruits and vegetables - a program that has reached millions of community members across the country and has been established as a permanent program in the 2018 Farm Bill, named the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.  Today, Wholesome Wave is leveraging our 15 years of experience and relationships supporting successful fruit and vegetable access programs to advocate for their inclusion as a covered healthcare treatment through government-sponsored health plans. For more information, visit: www.wholesomewave.org" 

To learn more about the upcoming Greenwich Wine + Food celebration, "The Big Easy" at The Capitol Theatre, taking place on Saturday, March 4, 2022, please visit: www.greenwichwineandfood.com   

Jacques Pépin Foundation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefjacquespepin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacquespepinfoundation/  
Website: www.jp.foundation 

Wholesome Wave
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wholesomewave
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wholesomewave
Website: www.wholesomewave.org  

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