I returned to the Hartford Club on November 19th, the second day of the Connecticut Wine & Food Festival held to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. I was greatly looking forward to experiencing the V.I.P. Grand Cru Tasting. The presenting sponsor of the event was Hoffman Auto Group, while the producer was Michael Guinan of 360 Marketing & Events.
My friend and I checked in at the reception table, which on this occasion was located on the first floor.
The first floor had interesting booths set up, but they seemed mostly to be on hiatus during the V.I.P. Grand Cru Tasting.
Around the corner from these booths, we enjoyed a glimpse of how the other one percent lives.
Then we headed straight for the second floor, because that was where the V.I.P. Grand Cru Tasting was taking place. A sign there indicated that seminars were taking place on the third floor.
We weren’t surprised to run into hard-working Heather Schold, regional development director of the Arthritis Foundation.
We poked our heads in the Yachts Room, where a number of booths and displays had been set up.
My friend headed straight for wine,
while I had to circulate and take photographs.
But I still managed to juggle both my camera and a little food,
including this tasty offering from Firebox in Hartford.
Then my friend and I headed into the large and busy space that had hosted the Physicians’ Award Dinner the prior night.
The area to the left of the door was devoted to art work,
and a number of artists were actively working on projects.
Beyond the artwork was a booth devoted to the 2011 crop of Beaujolais Nouveau, staffed variously.
For those looking to taste freely and still stay sober, there was plenty of water available across the aisle.
And around the corner was Jason Sobocinski from Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro in New Haven,
who has also taken over the kitchen (but not ownership) of Park Central Café in Hamden.
Not much further along, we encountered a Hartford Club display
and its talented executive chef, Christopher Kube,
who had treats, both savory
and sweet for the taking.
We circulated through the room, checking out all of the booths and displays.
The co-chairs of the Connecticut Wine & Food Festival, I. Bradley Hoffman
and Lawrence J. Kucharski,
addressed the crowd.
Created by master baker Mike Elder, an incredibly “lifelike” cake commemorating the festival was showcased.
There was also a knife skills demonstration
that drew a rapt audience.
Here I found Hoffman speaking with Jaime Seltzer, the Arthritis Foundation’s vice president of philanthropy for the New England region.
Finally, my friend and I took a quick tour of the downstairs booths and displays, even though many were unoccupied.
Although those who manned the booths and displays downstairs may have had little to do during the hiatus between the afternoon and evening Grand Tasting sessions, some were incredibly nice and fun-loving.
If you wish to contribute to the cause or have questions about arthritis, you can contact Arthritis Foundation, New England Region
35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 411, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, 860-563-1177
www.arthritis.org