The Greenwich Wine + Food Festival presented by PepsiCo announced that Greenwich couple Elizabeth and Traver Hutchins will be honored with the “MMRF Spirit of Hope Award” at the event’s Master Chef Wine Dinner, taking place Friday, Sept. 21 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), a charity dedicated to finding a cure multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, is the festival’s main beneficiary this year.
“We are so thrilled to honor Traver and Elizabeth at this year’s Greenwich Wine + Food Festival,” said Anne Quinn Young, MPH, MMRF Sr. VP of Marketing and Communications. “They are committed, longstanding advocates and friends of the MMRF. They embody strength and hope and are always willing to serve as a support system for other myeloma patients by sharing their journey and bringing awareness to the disease and the Foundation.”
“We are honored to be able to place a spotlight on this couple, who generously advocates for the benefit of others, works tirelessly to help cancer patients and inspires hope through their perseverance,” said Suni Unger, founder and CEO of Unger Media, the parent company behind Greenwich Wine + Food and Serendipity magazine. “Our hosts for the evening, Gary Dell’Abate and Rob Burnett, special guests Alex Guarnaschelli, Scott Conant and Adam Richman and this year’s class of Serendipity Most Innovative Chefs will round out the evening dedicated to bringing awareness to such a worthy cause.”
The event’s Saturday festivities have also added Kathie Lee Gifford, newly-minted Next Food Network Star (and festival Ambassador Chef) Christian Petroni and singer-songwriter Caroline Jones to Saturday’s event line-up.
“Kathie Lee Gifford has been involved in our event for several years, and we’re happy she’ll be back again this year hosting our Meet the Masters panel, moderating a conversation with culinary celebrities Daniel Boulud, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli and Adam Richman,” added Unger. “We’re also excited to welcome back Christian Petroni fresh off of his Next Food Network Star win, as he has also supported our event for several years as an Ambassador Chef with his Fortina brand. Christian will join the Meet the Masters panel, serve as one of our Burger Battle judges and meet and mingle with guests at our VIP Cocktail Party ahead of the On-Stage and Lawn Dinner.”
Jones, who was raised in Greenwich, was recently named by “Billboard” magazine one of “15 Country Artists to Watch in 2018.” She will be opening for music superstar Tim McGraw, who will close out this year’s festival with his performance on the Pepsi stage on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Tickets for the event are available via greenwichwineandfood.com or by calling 203-588-1363. Ticket options include the All Weekend Pass ($775), Friday’s Opening Night Master Chef Wine Dinner ($325), Saturday General Admission ($210) and Saturday VIP ($500), which is nearly sold out. Tickets for the Lawn Table Dinner and On-Stage Table Dinner are sold out.
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.
