It was another amazing year at the 2016 Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival presented by Serendipity in Greenwich, Connecticut benefitting The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, Wholesome Wave, and the Greenwich Department of Parks and Recreation. Great wines and spirits, delicious food from area restaurants along with celebrities Kathie Lee Gifford, Michel Nischan, Adam Richman, Marcus Samuelsson, Marc Murphy, Alex Guarnaschelli, and more, with music by Grammy award winners Ziggy Marley and the Old Crow Medicine Show made it an event to remember.
Kathie Lee Gifford and Edward F. Nesta
GIFFT Wines
Greenwich WINE + Food Festival presented by Serendipity is an annual 4-day celebration, with a Grand Tasting culmination held in September in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, Connecticut where the emphasis is on wine and spirits, food, special dinners, music, and culinary and cocktail demonstrations from top industry professionals and celebrity chefs. Greenwich WINE + Food Festival celebrated its sixth anniversary in 2016, and Luxury Experience celebrated its third consecutive year in attendance.
Stella Artois
Held on a beautiful fall day on September 24, 2016, there was much to experience with a vast selection of wines, beers, spirits, and specialty cocktails to sample throughout the day and into the evening. Stella Artois did brisk business all day and into the evening pouring beer and cidre into their signature glasses, and Greenwich’s Kathie Lee Gifford was on hand pouring samples of her GIFFT wines, along with many spirits and wine distributors.
Patrick Martin of The National Juan Meyer of Eastend
Empire City Casino brought their gaming tables for a bit of fun and hosted the Top Bartender Showdown where top bartenders competed for prizes with judges looking for creativity and taste. Juan Meyer of Eastend won the Judge’s Choice for his cocktail served in a copper pineapple, and Patrick Martin from The National took home the People’s Choice award for his cocktail where he had used a torch to add aromas and visual appeal to the fresh rosemary garnish.
Debra C. Argen and Patrick Martin
Food was in abundance in the Grand Tasting with delectable samplings from area restaurants, catering companies, and food vendors. We enjoyed sampling our way through the tent and tasting the many delicious offerings.
"The Devil Made Me Do It"
Also interesting was the diverse culinary demonstrations throughout the day. We took a break in our tasting schedule to attend demos by Michel Nischan, CEO and Founder of Wholesome Wave, and Samantha Mittler, owner of The Dessertist.
Dan Rooney Burgers
Michel Nischan demoed how to make a delicious and easy Seared Wild Striped Bass with Tomato Basil Fondue. (Watch the video to learn tips and techniques.) (Read Chefs’ Recipes where Chef Michel Nischan graciously shares his recipe.)
Chef Michel Nischan
Samantha Mittler, owner of The Dessertist, returned for her fifth year at Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival and gave a tasty demonstration on how to make her dessert popover named "Southern Gentleman."
Samantha Mittler "The Dessertist" and Debra C. Argen
In the evening, there was more wonderful food to sample in the Bud & Burgers tent, Ultimate Sandwich Tent, South of the Border tent presented by Don Julio, and the Grill Masters tent presented by Veal Made Easy.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Grilling at the Greenwich WINE + Food Festival
In keeping with its theme for excellence, there were culinary competitions: the Burger Battle, and The Ultimate Sandwich Takedown.
Debra C. Argen and Chef Bill Rosenberg
Burger Battle winners: Cask Republic won the Judge’s Choice and Bareburger won the People’s Choice. The Ultimate Sandwich Takedown winner: Judy’s Bar + Kitchen.
Chef David DiBari and Edward F. Nesta
As a grand finale to the Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival 2016, multi- Grammy® award winner, Ziggy Marley and his band brought their energetic reggae to the Greenwich stage, followed by the 2 time Grammy® award winner, the Old Crow Medicine Show. This was another amazing year celebrating wine, food, and music to benefit local charities, and we look forward to attending Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival 2017.
Ziggy Marley
For information on attending the Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival 2017 presented by Serendipity, please visit the website: www.SerendipitySocial.com/Greenwich-Wine-Food
Greenwich Cheese Company
Greenwich WINE + FOOD Festival
Greenwich, Connecticut
United States
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About the Charities
"The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman with one simple premise in mind, that every child, no matter their illness, could experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand in hand with camp. Paul Newman, while a successful actor, was also a visionary with the heart of a child. His personality, playfulness and mischievousness are infused within every corner of Camp, from the pirate flag he raised on the tree house to the days he spent on the lake fishing with campers. With unobtrusive expert medical care, it was Paul’s dream that Camp would provide seriously ill children with a fun-filled experience defined by compassion, laughter and acceptance."
"The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing a "different kind of healing" to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast free of charge. It’s a community that celebrates the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood where every kid can "raise a little hell."
"To ensure that every child with a serious medical condition has the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer. Through the generosity of others, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp community provides this unique healing experience to kids in need and their families, including those who may not be able to come to Camp."
To learn more about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, please visit the website: www.HoleintheWallGang.org
The Hole in the Wall Gang Fund
555 Long Wharf Drive
New Haven, Connecticut 06511
United States
Telephone: +1-203-772-0522
Fax: +1-203-782-1725
E-mail: info@holeinthewallgang.org
Website: www.HoleintheWallGang.org
Wholesome Wave, whose "mission is to improve access and affordability of fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce to historically underserved communities. Doing so creates economic viability through local food commerce that can rebuild our nation’s food system. Their vision is to help lead the way in developing a more vibrant and equitable food system for everyone by fostering stronger relationships between local and regional agriculture and under-served individuals from both urban and rural communities."
Debra C. Argen and Chef Michel Nischan
"Wholesome Wave is a national 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting small and midsize farms, and making fresh, healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables available to all people, regardless of income. Wholesome Wave partners with farmers markets, community leaders, healthcare providers, like-minded nonprofits and government entities to implement programs that benefit both consumers in underserved communities and the farmers who provide for them."
To learn more about Wholesome Wave, please visit the website: www.WholesomeWave.org
Wholesome Wave
855 Main Street, Suite 910
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
United States
Telephone: +1-203.226.1112
Email: info@wholesomewave.org
Website: www.WholesomeWave.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WholesomeWave
Wholesome Wave DC Office:
110 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 209
Washington, District of Columbia 20002
United States
Wholesome Wave CA Office:
1900 Addison Street, Suite 350
Berkeley, California 94704
United States
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