Greenwich Wine + Food is returning this October for its 10-year anniversary celebration. The multi-day event will feature a completely re-imagined Gala, festivities that recreate the most memorable experiences from the past decade and more. Beneficiaries include two national non-profit organizations with roots in Connecticut – The Jacques Pépin Foundation and Wholesome Wave.
The GWF 10th Anniversary Celebrity Chef Gala on Friday, October 7, honoring legendary chef Jacques Pépin, will include renowned chefs cooking and mingling with guests throughout the evening. The evening will begin with a 6:00pm VIP reception with Pépin, Michel Nischan (Wholesome Wave), Rocco DiSpirito, Maneet Chauhan,Bun Lai, Mary Giuliani and Spike Mendelsohn (for special ticketholders only). A cocktail reception will follow at 6:30pm, followed by the Chef’s Table dinner at 7:30pm. Confirmed chefs who will prepare a four-course meal in front of guests at their designated tables include:
- Carlos Baez (The Spread, El Segundo, Magic Pie);
- Jes Bengtson (Terrain Garden Café, Amis Trattoria);
- Arturo Franco-Camacho (Camacho Garage, Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill)
- Evans Corrales (The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood);
- Albert DeAngelis (Eastend, Meditteraneo, Terra, Sole);
- Julio Genao (Prime Stamford);
- Michael Kaphan (Purdy’s Farmer & The Fish);
- Geoff Lazlo (Geoff Lazlo Food, The Country Table);
- Stephen Lewandowski (Townhouse);
- Nick Martschenko (South End, SE Uncorked, SE Back End);
- Emily Mingrone (Tavern on State, Provisions on State, Fair Haven Oyster Company);
- Forrest Pasternak (Bailey’s Backyard Farm to Table Restaurant);
- Debra Ponzek (Aux Delices);
- Jared Sippel (L’Ostal);
- Matt Storch (Match, Match Burger Lobster);
- Bill Taibe (The Whelk, Kawa Ni, Don Memo);
- Renee Touponce (Oyster Club);
- Luke Venner (Elm);
- Chad Welch (Coterie Table One).
In addition to this multi-course dinner, the evening will feature special programming to celebrate the incredible contributions that Pépin has made to the culinary world, as well as honor the 2022 class of Serendipity’s Most Innovative Chefs: Steven Chen (MIKU, Greenwich, CT), Will Friedman (Kawa Ni, Westport, CT), Jared Sippel (L’Ostal, Darien, CT) and Renee Touponce (Oyster Club, Mystic, CT). The evening will be capped off with dancing and music from DJ April Larken. Held at Abigail Kirsch The Loading Dock in Stamford, CT, this limited ticket event will allow guests to purchase pairs of seats or full tables for groups of 10 and select their preferred award-winning chef.
In addition to the Gala, unique, one-of-a-kind events will take place throughout the week at famed local restaurants and venues, such as a Seven Course Truffle Dinner at Greenwich-based Rosina’s, Mezcal Tasting and Dinner at Fairfield-based Geronimo Tequila Bar and Southwest Grill, Prohibition Pairing Cocktail Class at SONO 1420, Champagne and Chocolate Master Class at Fairfield-based BE Chocolat and more.
The 10-year anniversary celebration will continue in March 2023 with “The Big Easy,” honoring the sights, sounds and flavors of New Orleans with a mini–French Quarter at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, featuring legendary New Orleans Chef/Restaurateur Dickie Brennan as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Special guests in attendance will include Michel Nischan, Mary Giuliani and more. The event will begin at 5:00pm with a private reception for special ticket holders, with doors opening to the dine-around event at 5:30pm. Celebrity and acclaimed area chefs will be serving traditional NOLA eats from 5:30pm-8:30pm; local craft brews, wine and iconic Bourbon Street cocktails will be served from 5:00pm-10:45pm. Adding to the evening’s celebration will be music beginning at 6:00pm from Dumpstaphunk (featuring Cyril Neville performing the music of The Meters), Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.
For details, tickets and the full line-up of talent and events, visit https://serendipitysocial.com/greenwich-wine-food/.