Greenwich Wine+Food Festival 2014 Recap - #GWFF2014

The 4th Annual Greenwich Food+Wine Festival featured a stellar line up of Celebrity Chefs, Food Demonstrations and Competitions, and, of course, their usual line up of amazing vendors, sponsors, and entertainment.

Welcome to the Greenwich Wine+Food Festival!

Presented by Serendipity Magazine and Unger Publishing in support of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, this year's event drew over 5000 culinary enthusiasts, and close to 200 vendors featuring wine, beer, beverage and food tastings, and culinary related merchandise. The Greenwich Food+Wine Festival is the ultimate three day foodie adventure!

Over the course of the weekend participants experienced specialty dining events, competitions, and extravaganzas, such as oyster night, innovative chefs gala (hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian and John Georges) and tostadas and tequila pairing dinner  (hosted by Aaron Sanchez) and more!

In addition, there were concerts in the evening featuring the Marshall Tucker Band and Alabama! But the highlight of the event each year is the Culinary Village where over 175 restaurants and beverage distributors, as well as culinary product distributors, showcase their wares.

Here's some sights and experiences from this year's Culinary Village event!

Chipolte Scallop Bisque - Parallel Post
Pictured above L-R: Kenny B and Chef de Cuisine Ali Goss

From Barcelona Wine Bar Greenwich
Clockwise L-R, Chef Lucente carves Mangalica, chick pea pancake, gazpacho

Cook and Craft - Old Greenwich CT

Fairfield Cheese Company

Harvest Vodka

MW Coastal Goods

One of the highlights of my day were the interviews in the CTbites lounge, which featured many of the celebrity and local chefs participating over the weekend. 

I honestly felt like I was transported to the Food Network studios as I met some of my favorites from Chopped (judges Aaron Sanchez and Geoffrey Zakarian), Anne Burrell from Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America, as well as two contestants from the Next Food Network Star (season 10) Nicole Gaffney and Emma Frisch.

In addition there were also some local chefs and restaurant teams, as well as the Travel Channel's Adam Richman (Man V Food).

Anne Burrell discussed her joy of preparing food and spoke about her upcoming cookbook  Own Your Kitchen. Chef Burrell explains, "give someone joy with what you create with your own hands".

The interviews were conducted by Danielle Dubin Manion of Serendipity Magazine and Chef Matt Storch, owner and chef at South Norwalk's Match Restaurant.

Chef Anne Burrell
Interviewed by Danielle from Serendipity and Chef Storch from Match Restaurant.

Click the arrow below to hear a portion of Chef Burrell's interview.

Another favorite, Geoffrey Zakarian explained how his life path was changed by a summer vacation. He was on the track to acheive his MBA with an emphasis on economics when a trip to France changed his career path.

Geoffrey Zakarian with Chef Storch (L) and Danielle Manion (M)

Hear a portion of Chef Zakarian's interview with Adam Richman and Chef Matt Scorch of Match SoNo.
Click the arrow to play.

Adam Richman was another fun interview and began by talking about one of his favorite restaurants in New Haven, and one of mine as well, Bentara on Orange Street in my beloved 9th Square! His favorite menu item there?  Mee Soup Istimewa peanut based soup. My favorite too!

Adam Richman
Pictured with Matt Storch owner/chef of Match Restaurant and Danielle from Serendipity

In the mini-clip below Adam talks about his favorite spice Sirichia and some other favorite places to eat Bayo Hot Wings, Brasa Rotisserie, and the Pig and the Lady. Click the link below to hear more.

And another Food Network favorite, Aaron Sanchez joined us to talk about his new restaurant in Stamford CT, Paloma, the chefs who inspire him (starting with his mom!), and more! Unfortunately I wasn't able to capture any video of his interview - but suffice it to say he was such a humble 'regular' guy.

Aaron Sanchez
Interviewed by Danielle from Serendipity and Chef/Owner Storch of Match Restaurant in South Norwalk.

We also met up with the Next Food Network Star's competitors Nicole Gaffney and Emma Frisch! I kept looking around for TV cameras thinking they were still competing!!

Nicole Gaffney
Check out her blog Too Full for School - all about Coastal Cuisine!

Emma Frisch - bottom right Emma's Mom joins the interview
Read Emma's blog at Frish Kitchen - Did you know Emma is from CT?

Here, local celebrity chef Rafael Palomino shares his thoughts on favorite ingredients, social media reviewers, and how to deal with unhappy customers. Click the arrow below to hear more.

So much food to eat, wine to drink, cocktails to sample, and products to hear and learn about. The Greenwich Wine+Food Festival is a foodie paradise!

For more pictures of the event visit the Home Place facebook page HERE and while you're there, don't forget to "like" us!

The Greenwich Wine+Food Festival is a must for anyone who loves food. Be sure you put it on your calendar next fall!

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park
Site of the Greenwich Wine+Food Festival
Arch Street Greenwich CT

Greenwich Wine+Food Festival

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park‎

Arch St, Greenwich, CT 06830

On the Web: http://greenwichwineandfood.com/

Like them on facebook: Here

Follow them on twitter: @GWFOODandWINE

Special Thanks to Shelley from Splash PR for the opportunity to participate again this year!

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Did you attend the Greenwich Wine and Food Festival?  

Who are your favorite chefs and what are your favorite dishes?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.