One of our favorite charitable festivals will be returning this weekend, The 2019 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival presented by PepsiCo. This year’s festival will benefit Food Rescue US and the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Foundation. This marks the ninth year of the annual event. The 2019 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival will take place on Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 at the Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, CT.
So what’s happening at this year’s festival? A whole lot! Mike’s Organic Market will kick things off with a pre-event on Thursday, welcoming hometown legend Pete Francis (founder of Dispatch) to perform a special concert at the company’s warehouse in Stamford, including his brand new song “Belong to the Band,” whose music video was shot in New Orleans. Chef Geoff Lazlo will prepare signature New Orleans cuisine for the event, accompanied by craft beers and rosé from Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquor.
On Friday, the legendary lifestyle queen, Martha Stewart will be honored at the Opening Night Gala, presented by “The Big Easy.” Stewart will be honored for her contributions to the culinary, entertaining and lifestyle worlds, in addition to the 2019 Serendipity Most Innovative Chefs. The evening, hosted by Gary Dell’Abate and Rob Burnett, will showcase the culinary and music scene of The Big Easy aka New Orleans, featuring the cuisine of this year’s talented chefs, as well as a number of Festival Ambassador Chefs, accompanied with cocktails and carefully curated wine and beer selections. A special silent auction will directly benefit Food Rescue US. The evening will include performances from GRAMMY award-winning Rebirth Brass Band and Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers.
On Saturday, the grande dame of the festival will commence, the full-day Culinary Village event. This is where the tastings and samples from more than 300 food, wine, spirits, and product vendors will be provided to ticket holders. Guests will enjoy culinary and sommelier/cocktail demonstrations by celebrity chefs and national/local talent, celebrity book signings, the 8th annual Burger Battle, the 6th annual Top Bartender Showdown presented by Ketel One, chef interviews in the Celebrity Green Room, Beer & Burgers, Ultimate Taco!, The Tailgate, Lawn Games presented by Tanqueray and live performances on the Pepsi Music Stage by Michael Franti & Spearhead and Little Big Town. The LIFEWTR VIP Tent will offer VIP ticket holders private bars, secluded seating areas, a private concert viewing area, priority parking, and a special VIP Ambassador Dinner. The Lawn + Stage Table Dinner, a separate ticketed event, includes a Cocktail Party with celebrity talent, a four-course seated dinner with table service from Chef Carlos Baez (El Segundo, Norwalk, CT and The Spread, Greenwich and Norwalk, CT) and the best seats in the house for the evening’s musical performances.
For more information on the schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.greenwichwineandfood.com or by calling 203.588.1363. Ticket options include a new add-on for Friday’s Opening Night Gala ticket, offering an intimate pre-event Cocktail Party with Martha Stewart at 6:30pm, in addition to the All Weekend Pass ($700), Friday’s Opening Night Gala ($275), Saturday All Day Pass ($200), Saturday VIP Pass ($500) and more.
Remember, your ticket purchases will benefit Food Rescue US and the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Foundation. Who doesn’t love an event that gives back, we sure do!
Cheers to a wonderful weekend in Greenwich!
Photos: Sara Lucke