Photo: By Toasterb at the English language Wikipedia project.<\/figcaption><\/figure> \nOrtiz recently launched a line of wines with the local Ianniello and DeCrescente families. “Arias” is named after David\u2019s mother, Angela Rosa Arias, who tragically lost her life in a car crash in 2002. The multi-colored wine label illustrates two hands raised with index fingers pointing upwards, a salute Ortiz often made to his mother after hitting a home run and now is a symbol to encourage the human spirit to rise against adversity. The Arias portfolio includes a merlot, chardonnay, cabernet and sauvignon blanc. <\/p>\nHe has also introduced a cigar line, “Big Papi David Ortiz Cigars,\u201d crafted by “El Artista Cigars” based out of the Dominican Republic. Its band displays a red silhouette of Big Papi also pointing upward, as in his post-home run stance.<\/p>\n
Ortiz will headline the following Friday evening events: a 7 p.m. \u2013 7:45 p.m. meet\/greet and photo signing for 100 Fired Up! ticketholders who donate a minimum of $50 or more per person to the David Ortiz Children\u2019s Fund; brief remarks to all Fired Up! guests in the main tent, followed by a video presentation on the Children\u2019s Fund; and a 90 minute \u201cBig Papi\u2019s Arias Wine + Cigar Bar\u201d experience for 100 people that will take place in the Hall of Springs Jazz Bar from 8:30 to 10 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from each event will benefit the David Ortiz Children\u2019s Fund, a charity which funds pediatric services for children in New England and the Dominican Republic. <\/p>\n
Presented annually at the end of its classical season, the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival is an epicurean showcase featuring two days of gourmet events showcasing fine international wines, innovative chef-prepared menus, cooking demonstrations and wine seminars, expansive tastings, upscale auctions and a luxury auto show. Held under elegant tents on SPAC\u2019s lawn, the weekend is anchored by three events: an Adirondack Road Tour and Luncheon; Friday\u2019s Fired Up! Grill Competition and Saturday\u2019s Grand Tasting and Concours D\u2019Elegance, the festival centerpiece. Presented in partnership with the Saratoga Automobile Museum, proceeds from the festival benefit education programming at SPAC and the Museum.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Saratoga Wine + Food Festival will be the perfect toast to SPAC\u2019s 2017 season. Throughout this weekend, we will celebrate and savor the artistry of flavor, in wines, spirits and cuisine while enjoying the stunning ambience of the Spa State Park. Our partners at the Saratoga Automobile Museum will offer a feast for the eyes \u2013 a dazzling show of collector cars that will highlight innovation and beauty in automobile design. Also sharing the day will be additional attractions including a VIP experience, live music, a wine auction and chef demonstrations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Home Rangers Competition Finale with Suvir Saran and Jay Hajj<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\nA featured event at Saturday\u2019s Grand Tasting will be the final round of SPAC\u2019s \u201cHome Rangers\u201d Amateur Chef Competition, which includes a cook-off between the competition\u2019s amateur chef finalist and BlueStar celebrity chef Melissa Doney. Chef Doney was a competitor on Season 8 of Fox\u2019s Hell\u2019s Kitchen hosted by Gordon Ramsey. She is the Executive Chef of Brown\u2019s Brewing Company, Adjunct Culinary Arts Professor at Schenectady County Community College, and formerly area chef for ShopRite Supermarkets. The Home Rangers competition is a judged cooking competition for amateur chefs taking place at SPAC over four evenings during the classical season. \nChef Melissa Doney survived the fires of Hells Kitchen; how will she fare in the Home Rangers Competition?<\/figcaption><\/figure> \nAmong the judges for the final round will be BlueStar All Star Chef, Jay Hajj. Hajj is the chef and owner of Mike\u2019s City Diner in Boston and his food has been featured numerous times on Food Network programs such as Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Guy\u2019s Big Bite and Guy\u2019s Grocery Games. Joining him at the judging table will be Ariana Philips Editor of Food Network magazine. Chef Suvir Saran, an accomplished chef, cookbook author, educator as well as a farmer who specializes in bringing Indian cooking to the American kitchen will be the final judge. He has appeared frequently on national broadcasts including Bravo\u2019s Top Chef Masters and on the Food Network\u2019s Iron Chef. The competition will be emceed by Steve Barnes, Times Union senior writer and Table Hopping blogger.<\/p>\nCulinary demos will be hosted both before and after the competition from BlueStar All Star Chefs Jay Hajj, Suvir Suran and Michelle Hines Abram Thibeault. Jay Hajj will be available for a book signing following his demo promoting his new cookbook Beirut to Boston: A Cookbook: Comfort Food Inspired by a Rags-to-Restaurants Story. \n************************ \nFESTIVAL EVENT SCHEDULE \nFRIDAY, SEPT. 8 <\/strong> \n \nAdirondack Road Tour + Gourmet Luncheon | 10:30 a.m. \u2013 2:30 p.m.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThis spirited 1 \u00bd hour, professionally-led road rally for auto collectors winds through beautiful Adirondack roads to finish at the historic Lake George Club, where a delicious cocktail reception and three course wine-paired luncheon will be served. Event price: $100. \n \n Fired Up! Grill Competition featuring Special Guest David Ortiz | 7-10 p.m.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\nAt Fired Up! Presented by Stella Artois and Certified Angus Beef Grill Competition, the kick-off event to the weekend\u2019s events at SPAC, chefs from the Capital Region\u2019s finest restaurants will battle it out for the Fired Up! title as guests enjoy great music, gourmet food, BBQ, a cold refreshing Stella Artois, wines and spirits. \nUltimately, guests will sample the inventive grill-off creations, helping judges to name the 2017 Saratoga Grill Master. Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz will make a special guest appearance at the event. \nThe event is held under an oversized tent on SPAC\u2019s lawn. \nEvent price: $85 \n \nLocal restaurants featured at Fired UP! will include: 15 Church, Ama Cocina, Angelo\u2019s 677 Prime, Campagna Restaurant, [Forged], Henry Street Taproom, Morrissey, Salt + Char.<\/p>\n
David Ortiz Meet and Greet | 7 \u2013 7:45 p.m. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nDavid Ortiz will host a meet and greet for 100 people who will have their pictures taken individually with the baseball hero and receive a signed promotional photograph. This opportunity will be available to the first 100 people who purchase a specially priced Fired Up! ticket of $135, which includes a $50 donation to the David Ortiz Children\u2019s Fund. \nEvent price: $135<\/p>\n
\u201cBig Papi\u2019s Arias Wine + Cigar Bar\u201d | 8:30 – 10 p.m.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\nDavid Ortiz will host a VIP experience for 100 people that will take place in the Hall of Springs Jazz Bar from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will feature an opportunity to mingle with the baseball legend and other guests while enjoying Arias wines, gourmet hors d\u2019oeuvres and cigars. All of the guests will receive an autographed bottle of Arias. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the David Ortiz Children\u2019s Fund. \nEvent price: $175<\/p>\n
\nGrand Tasting and Concours D\u2019Elegance | Saturday, Sept 9, noon \u2013 4 p.m.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nSaturday\u2019s Grand Tasting and Concours D\u2019Elegance event is centered on unparalleled wines, spirits, local foods, and the region\u2019s top restaurants. All guests will have the opportunity to savor exquisite foods created by more than 20 chefs in the Capital Region; a mystery wall, and cocktails, wine and beer. In addition, The Saratoga Automobile Museum will present a show of luxury collector cars including classes of Shelby Cobra, Porsche, Lancia, Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, among others. \nEvent price: $85. \n \nA VIP Grand Tasting ticket, which allows earlier entry to the Grand Tasting and exclusive access to the VIP area, is available for $175. <\/p>\n
Local restaurants featured at the Grand tasting will include: Ama Cocina, Adam Humphrey\/ Harvey\u2019s Restaurant, Barcelona, Campagna Restaurant, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Friends Lake Inn, [Forged], Henry Street Taproom, IL Faro Restaurant, Jacob & Anthony\u2019s American Grille, Karavalli Saratoga, Prime at Saratoga National, Simpson\u2019s at the Desmond Hotel, Sperry\u2019s Restaurant, The Brook Tavern, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, Three Vines Bistro, Wings Over Saratoga.<\/p>\n
Tickets to the festival and more information about the complete festival schedule are available at spac.org<\/a>; by calling 518-584-9330; or in person at the SPAC Box Office.<\/em> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Red Sox Legend David \u201cBig Papi\u201d Ortiz Highlights Saratoga Wine and Food Festival, September 8 + 9 SARATOGA SPRINGS – A special guest appearance by Boston Red Sox baseball legend David Ortiz will be among the highlights of this year\u2019s Saratoga Wine and Food Festival, September 8 and 9 in Saratoga Springs, at SPAC. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":7233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,158,139,8],"tags":[4,91,576],"class_list":["post-7235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","category-gala","category-outdoors","category-sports","tag-saratoga-springs","tag-spac","tag-spac-wine-food-festival"],"yoast_head":"\r\n
Big Papi to Get All Fired Up! - The Daily Planet Arthur<\/title>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\t \r\n\t \r\n\t \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \n\t \n\t \n\t \r\n