Wesley Heights residents in Shelton learn about food, beverage pairing

From left: Toni Gaites, Chef Richard Scaife, and Rebecca Montreuil designed the event, made the food, and created the pairings./ Contributed photo

SHELTON- Chef Richard Scaife and the dining team at Wesley Heights created what they called a “decadent experience of food and beverage pairing” for residents of the community. 

Residents enjoyed wine and beer samplings coupled with suggested food pairings. 

The culinary team worked together with local liquor store owner Linda Borgia from Linda’s Wine & Liquors on Bridgeport Avenue, a friend and sommelier Christian Carrone, and researched recommended pairings, such as serving a German Pilsner with a cranberry, cinnamon, and goat cheese roll. 

“There is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with chocolate and wine,” Scaife said. “But in true Wesley Village style, we wanted to bring something extra special to our residents and share an experience to remember.”

Other combinations included a Dill Havarti cheese with a Beaujolais, Smoked Gouda with a Bourbon Barrel Aged Chardonnay, and everyone’s favorite, Rose’ champagne with hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries.

Cook supervisor Rebecca Montreuil and Sous Chef Toni Gaites, worked alongside Chef Scaife to create the food and appropriate sampling displays.

The Thomas Hooker Chocolate Truffle Stout, which is brewed with locally made Munson’s Chocolate, was paired with chocolate covered bacon, a sweet madeira wine was served to complement the chocolate mousse cups, and a Bourbon Aged Cabernet was served with a sharp cheddar cheese.  
The residents were invited to enjoy a bubbling chocolate fountain with fruit, pretzels, and other dippables.

“It was wonderful,” said resident Pat Baker. “They had quite a selection, bacon with chocolate was different but good.”

It seems the chocolate-covered bacon garnered the most attention at the event.  

Fellow resident Nancy Lenoce was impressed by the overall elegance and delicious samplings, but definitely found the chocolate covered bacon “too good to be true!” 

The Wine & Chocolate Extravaganza was held in the dining room at Wesley Heights. 
Wesley Heights is part of the Wesley Village senior living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. It is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The campus offers assisted and independent living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
To learn more, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.