Entertainment

Experience the ultimate fusion of flavors and entertainment at the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival! Our esteemed lineup features renowned chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and musicians ready to delight your senses. Immerse yourself in live cooking demos, cocktail masterclasses, and wine seminars on our dynamic indoor stage. Delve into exclusive discussions and tastings at our VIP tent.

And don’t miss the electrifying performances by the versatile Carrie Zazz band, spanning genres from classic rock and pop to country and Motown. Join us for a celebration of culinary excellence and musical harmony.

Woman smiling while pouring red wine into a glass, standing in a living room with a bouquet of colorful roses on a table in front of her.

  • Debbie Gioquindo, a wine connoisseur, entrepreneur, and Poughkeepsie, New York native, whose zest for life will leave you both informed and entertained! This former radio marketing and community relations pro is now affectionately known as the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess, and her passion for all things wine is nothing short of contagious.

    From owning a successful travel agency for two decades to her leadership roles with the Shawangunk Wine Trail and Executive Director for Hudson Valley Wine Country, Debbie’s diverse background perfectly marries her love for wine and travel. A true renaissance woman, Debbie is a Certified Travel Counselor, Certified Specialist in Wine, Wine Location Specialist in Port & Champagne and a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist.

Photo of three band members, Larry Bassen, Carrie Zazz, and Bob Curiano, with text 'The Carrie Zazz Band' at the top.

  • Chef Vincent Tropepe is a Brooklyn, New York native. His deep Italian roots as well as the influence of his grandmothers have inspired him to become a chef. Vincent Tropepe has worked in every avenue of the food business. He has also had his work featured in numerous newspapers, magazines, online magazines, and blogs.

    Vincent is also a published cookbook author with his first release titled: “From Behind the Kitchen Doors”. His other works include “SLAUGHTERED: How Inconsistent Lockdowns Collapsed the Hospitality Industry During COVID-19” and “Roasted, Chopped, & Beaten: When Cities Declare War on the Restaurants That Feed Them.

  • Ric Orlando is one of Hudson Valley’s OG chefs, often called the godfather of Farm to Table.. He is former Best Chef of the award winning New World Bistro Bar and New World Home Cooking in Saugerties. With his colorful personality and quirky story telling, he is always in demand for speaking engagements and cooking demonstrations.

    He currently owns Taste Maker Market, home of the Ric-ter scale brand of his signature sauces, seasonings, and he imports and sells organic ancient grain pasta, and olive oil from Sicily

    He is currently president of the Good Neighbor food Pantry in Woodstock, New York.

    He also holds cooking classes in the capital region and also does consulting for many local restaurants.

  • Chef Greg DeMichiel has spent more than 30 years building a career across restaurant kitchens, hospitality groups, private events, culinary education and television. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he began his career in Las Vegas, where he became a sous chef at the Rio Hotel and Casino and worked under respected chefs including Joseph Cisneros and Jean-Louis Palladin. He later stepped into the role of Executive Chef at China Grill, China Grill Management’s flagship restaurant at Mandalay Bay. From Las Vegas, deMichiel moved to Los Angeles and launched Maison Events. What began as a boutique catering company grew into a full-service hospitality business producing corporate and private events while expanding into restaurant consulting. During his 12 years in California, he also taught Culinary Arts at the Art Institute of North Hollywood and made more than 30 television appearances. He competed on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen and was also featured on VH1’s Famous Food and WE tv’s My Fair Wedding with David Tutera.