Greenwich Wine + Food Festival Announces Tim McGraw as Headliner

The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival presented by PepsiCo will welcome music superstar Tim McGraw to this year’s festival. The iconic performer will headline the festivities on Saturday, September 22 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich and his performance will cap the eighth annual event – which is held on September 21 and 22 – and will also feature appearances by culinary celebrities Daniel Boulud, Scott Conant, Mary Giuliani, Alex Guarnaschelli and Adam Richman.

“Our event celebrates the best in food and beverage in our area and beyond and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the best in country music – Tim McGraw! – to perform at this year’s festival,” said Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine.

“We are so proud of our friends in the culinary and entertainment world who will be joining us this year. We are also honored to raise money for a number of well-deserving charitable organizations, including the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Foundation and Ment’or, which is the very heart of our festival,” she added.

McGraw’s performance, held on the Pepsi Stage, will close out an entire day of festivities on Saturday, September 22 in the Culinary Village.

“We are so thrilled and honored to be the main beneficiary of the Greenwich Wine + Food Festival this fall. The MMRF has deep roots in this community and we are so grateful for all of the support we have received and continue to receive from our friends,” said Anne Quinn Young, MPH, MMRF Sr. VP of Marketing and Communications.

The event will also honor the 2018 Serendipity Most Innovative Chefs – nine Connecticut and New York chefs recognized for their creativity, passion and expertise in culinary arts. This year’s class (*as of 6/29) includes:

  • Ben Pope, Mr. Koo’s Kitchen, Irvington, NY
  • Ben Freemole, The Tavern at Gray Barns, Norwalk, CT
  • Julio Genao, Prime Stamford, Stamford, CT
  • Cedric Lamouille, Bistro V, Greenwich, CT
  • Susanne Berne, Bianco Rosso, Wilton, CT
  • Jay LeBlanc, Knot Norm’s Catering Co., Norwalk, CT
  • Armando Sanchez, Washington Prime, Norwalk, CT
  • Antonio Selendic, Dubrovnik, New Rochelle, NY
  • Brad Stewart, Flinders Lane, Stamford, CT

“I know that the Town of Greenwich joins me in welcoming the Greenwich Wine + Food Festival for its 8th annual event,” said Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei. “This gastronomic feast is an opportunity for foodies and oenophiles to enjoy the best of not Greenwich’s culinary landscape but the region’s as well. I look forward to this event every year as do the thousands of visitors who come to waterfront vista of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park to eat and to learn about food from master chefs, and to enjoy the entertainment. I hope this year’s Festival is even more successful as it benefits the Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Foundation and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.”

The event kicks off on Friday, September 21 when these honored chefs, in addition to Festival Ambassador Chefs, will prepare their gourmet cuisine at the Opening Night Master Chef Wine Dinner. The dinner will honor special guest Guarnaschelli, who will be celebrated for her innovation and contributions to the culinary world; Conant and Richman will also be in attendance as special guests.

On Saturday, guests can enjoy tastings and demonstrations at the Culinary Village, which is home to the Grand Tasting tent, where guests can enjoy tastings and demonstrations from more than 150 of the area’s finest food, wine and spirits experts. Other tents in the Culinary Village will feature the best in burgers, BBQ, tacos and more. Guests will also experience sommelier, mixologist and brew master presentations, celebrity book signings, Q&A sessions and cooking demos with top culinary experts, a celebrity green room with live interviews and an exclusive Meet the Masters’ Panel discussion.

The 7th Annual Burger Battle will return, as will the 4th Annual Top Bartender Showdown, providing heated competition between area restaurants.  Ambassador Chefs will also prepare an exceptional dinner for VIP ticket holders on Saturday.

Tickets will go on sale Monday, July 2 at 10:00am via www.greenwichwineandfood.com or by calling 203.588.1363.  Ticket options include Friday’s Opening Night Master Chef Wine Dinner ($325), Saturday General Admission ($210), Saturday VIP ($500), Gold VIP (Saturday VIP + Lawn Table Dinner for concert – $8,000) and Platinum VIP (Saturday VIP + On-Stage Table Dinner for concert – $12,000).  The All Weekend Pass ($775) is currently available at pre-sale pricing through July 2.

The festival weekend will be held rain or shine, and anyone under 21, including infants or strollers, will not be admitted. Pets are also not permitted.