It almost felt like mid-summer, this weekend, as warm breezes wafted the enticing scents of open air cooking (and the festive rhythms of live music) across the crowd of smiling faces at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park during the Greenwich Wine + Food Festival!
This multi-day event celebrated the area’s rich culinary landscape and showcased innovation in the food and beverage industries with top culinary talent.
There were wine samplings, culinary demonstrations, and celebrity book signings PLUS live music performances by Little Big Town, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers, and Rebirth Brass Band.
Some of the huge hits of the festival included slab bacon on a stick, KOW steak and sausage, the Tanqueray drink cart and game center, lawn games, demo kitchens, and the celebrity green room interviews.
Ticket-holders were also treated to the delicious drama of the Bartender Showdown PLUS the Ultimate Taco and Burger Battle Contests — and the winners were voted on by Greenwich Wine + Food Festival participants!
The eight annual Burger Battle was hosted by David Burtka and featured a panel of judges including Marc Murphy, Jessica Tom, David Rose, Christian Petroni, Matt Storch, Robin Selden and Bill Taibe.
Winners
— People’s Choice: Greenwich Fire Department
— Judge’s Choice: Greenwich Police Department
The sixth annual Bartender’s Showdown presented by Ketel One, hosted by Gary Dell’Abate, featured a panel of six judges including Ted Koppy, Matt Scott, Suzie Hunter, Erik Ofgang, Tina Redwine and Taylor Kinzler.
Winners
— People’s Choice AND Judge’s Choice: Cask Republic
Have a look at our photo gallery from the event to see which food celebrities (and Greenwich-area neighbors) you recognize 🙂
Click any image below for a larger view:
Food Rescue US
From year-to-year, the Greenwich Wine + Food Festival benefits multiple charitable organizations. This year, the main beneficiary of the GWFF was Food Rescue US: ‘The simple solution to ending local hunger and reducing food waste.’
Food Rescue US is committed to ending American food insecurity by directly transferring fresh, usable food that would have otherwise been thrown away from grocers, restaurants, and other food industry sources to food insecure families throughout the U.S.
View a Video About Food Rescue US Below:
Learn more about Food Rescue US: https://foodrescue.us/
Learn more about Greenwich Wine + Food Festival: https://serendipitysocial.com/greenwich-wine-food/
Photos by Pam Grunow.
Writing by Eric Taubert.
