The 2019 Greenwich Wine + Food Festival announced on Wednesday that the Grammy Award-winning band Little Big Town is this year’s musical headliner.
The ninth annual charitable event, which has donated nearly $1 million to various causes since it began, commences Friday, September 20 when the Master Chef Wine Gala will be emceed by Gary Dell’Abate (Executive Producer of The Howard Stern Show “Baba Booey”) and Rob Burnett (Five-time Emmy Award-Winning Writer-Director).
The experience then unfolds on Saturday, September 21 into a full day of eating, drinking, chef demos, book signings and more, with the weekend closing out with a performance by Little Big Town whose latest album debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and Top 5 on the Billboard 200 All Genre chart.
In the past seven years they have won over 20 awards, including Grammy, CMA, ACM, People’s Choice Awards and also an Emmy.
The opening band will be announced on June 12.
The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival, which is held in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, offers ticket holders a unique, up close encounter with nationally-recognized and regional stars of food, wine, spirits and entertainment.
From food trucks to fine dining, attendees gain access to some of their favorite food stars while also discovering new regional favorites.
The first round of chef talent includes: Emmy Award-winner Valerie Bertinelli (Food Network’s Valerie’s Home Cooking), Geoffrey Zakarian (Chef/Partner The Lambs Club at The Chatwal and Point Royal at The Diplomat Beach Resort, Co-Host of Food Network’s The Kitchen and Judge on Chopped), Margaret Zakarian (President of Zakarian Hospitality), Marc Murphy (Food Network’s Chopped), David Burtka (Life is a Party cookbook), Jessica Tom (Food Network Star season 14 winner), David Rose (Food Network Star season 13 finalist) and caterer to the stars Mary Giuliani (Mary Giuliani Catering & Events).
More will be announced in the coming weeks.
After the intimate Friday night Master Chef Wine Gala showcasing the culinary and music scene of New Orleans, including performances from GRAMMY Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band and Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers, Saturday features the Culinary Village. This will be 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, cooking demos with Special Guest Chefs, a celebrity green room with live interviews and an exclusive Meet the Masters panel discussion.
The 8th Annual Burger Battle will return with David Burtka as this year’s host, as will the 5th Annual Top Bartender Showdown, providing friendly competitions between area restaurants. Additional events include The Tailgate Party and South of the Border Fiesta. The Festival Ambassador Chefs will also prepare an exceptional dinner for VIP ticket holders on Saturday at the water’s edge.
This major undertaking is the vision of Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine.
Unger comments, “I’m excited to be working with so many amazing chefs—many returning, but some great new ones this year—as well as welcoming the Grammy award-winning band Little Big Town,” Unger said. “I’m also honored to be raising money for so many great charitable organizations including Food Rescue US, which is at the heart of our festival.”
Tickets for the event are available via www.greenwichwineandfood.com or by calling 203.588.1363. Ticket options include the All Weekend Pass ($700), Friday’s Opening Night Master Chef Wine Gala ($275), Saturday All Day Pass ($200) and Saturday VIP Pass ($500). To get on the waitlist for On-Stage and Lawn Dinner Tables, please call 203-588-1363. The festival will benefit Food Rescue US, a national non-profit organization committed to reducing both hunger and food waste across the country.
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.