Greenwich Wine and Food Festival 2017 Recap

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This year's 7th Annual Greenwich Wine and Food Festival was absolutely amazing! 

I honestly don't know how they do it - but every year it keeps getting better and better. From the delicious gourmet food served by some of New England's best restaurants and restauranteurs -- to the fine wine and libations - and consistently getting top notch entertainment, it truly is the best way to spend a fall weekend in Connecticut.

Greenwich Wine+Food Fest Gift Bags

This year was no exception, and on a beautifully sunny and warm September Saturday, over 5,000 people agreed with me and attended  the Greenwich Wine+ Food Festival. This year a portion of profits supported the year's host Mario Batali's own Mario Batali Foundation, as well as the Friends of James Beard Benefits and the Town of Greenwich Parks and Rec Foundation.

The festival opened on Friday evening with Scott Conant serving as MC of the 2017 Serendipity Magazine's "Most Innovative Chefs" Wine Dinner.  This dinner honors the area's most innovative chefs as well as the festival's ambassador chefs. Each group of chefs prepares their specialty dishes along with select wines and signature cocktails.

• Most Innovative Chefs: Carlos Baez (The Spread), Stavros Karipides (Famous Greek Kitchen), Lisa & Steve Maronian (Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes), Mike Pietrafeso (Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee), Brad Spence (Amis Trattoria), Ian Vest (Back 40 Kitchen) and Marc Weber (On the Marc Events).  
• Festival Ambassador Chefs: Mogan Anthony (Village Social), Rui Correia (Douro/Gaia), Constantine Kalandranis (273 Kitchen), Brian Lewis (The Cottage), Christian Petroni (Fortina), Debra Ponzek (Aux Délices), Nadia Ramsey (Méli-Mélo Catering), Robin Selden (Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning) and David Snyder (Char Restaurant).

Saturday is the showcase event, the Grand Tasting where over 150 vendors meet under the Grand Tasting Tent. In addition, contests, demonstrations and interviews are taking place outside the tent. Guests were treated to demos and interview with Celebrity Chef and this years GWFF Chef Host, Mario Batali, Chopped judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Scott Conant, Man V Food host Adam Richman, as well as many locally renowned chefs! Here local Chef Matt Storch interviews Chopped's  Scott Conant. 

Matt Storch and Scott Conant

We started our day visiting the vendors and sampling some of the great food and drink before moving on to the contests, like this one of the Bartender's Showdown!

Bartenders Showdown
Photo Courtesy 2017 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival - Sara Luckey

• Burger Battle Winners: Hapa Food Truck – Judge’s Choice and Darien Butcher Shop – People’s Choice
• Top Bartender Showdown Winners: Juan Meyer from Eastend in Greenwich – Judge’s Choice and Jamie Johel from Craft 14 Kitchen + Bar in Wilton – People’s Choice

Here are some of our pictures from throughout the day

Small bites from The Lodge at Woodloch

Wine Pour with AIX Wine

Delicious offerings from Back 40
featuring their delicious Sunday Brunch

More Delicious Wine from Greenwich Wine + Food Fest

Del Frisco's Grille at Greenwich Wine + Food Fest

Bom Bom is the Bomb!

The highlight of my night was staying for the first time to see the entire entertainment act of the evening - with headliners TRAIN closing out the evening!

Train
Photo Courtesy 2017 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival - Sara Luckey

We had a wonderful time again this year at Greenwich's premier food festival and can't wait to return next year to see what Serendipity Magazine has in store for us all!

Hope we see you there!

For more photos of our day 

visit our Facebook page HERE 

and while you're there - don't forget to "like" us!

Greenwich Wine and Food Festival

Sponsored by Serendipity Magazine

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park

100 Arch Street

Greenwich CT 06830

https://serendipitysocial.com/greenwich-wine-food/

Disclaimer: Portions of our weekend at the Greenwich Wine and Food Fest were sponsored.