Volunteer for WGBH's Food & Wine Festival 10/11/18

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Calling all food and wine enthusiasts!

WGBH is excited to host the seventh season of The Taste of WGBH Food & Wine Festival October 11-14, 2018. We are again collaborating with the best chefs, producers, wineries and breweries to deliver the finest food and wine in the region. The multi-day festival will include an Opening Chef’s Gala Reception, The Artisan Taste, Brunch Bar and the return of the WGBH Food Fight. Thousands of guests are expected to join us for a weekend full of delicious festivities.

We need your help to ensure this year’s festival is even bigger and better than last year’s. Volunteer positions range from set-up crew, on-site event assistants and breakdown crew. This will be an amazing opportunity to get on-site events/festival experience and help produce one of Boston's most fun food festivals!

Please review all Taste of WGBH: Food & Wine Festival volunteer activities listed below and email me at jaime_reese@wgbh.org no later than Friday, September 28, 2018 if you'd like to help. Please make sure to include the following information in your email response:

- Your full name

- Preferred activity including date (e.g. Chef’s Gala Set-Up - 10/11)

- Preferred shift (if there are multiple shifts)

- Prior related experience (e.g. volunteer work, customer service and food-related experience, etc.) **Please share if you’ve had prior customer service, culinary and/or food service experience!

Please note that volunteers should be comfortable standing for 4-6 hours. Volunteers working with set-up and/or breakdown must be 16+, and volunteers working during the event must be 21+.

Taste of WGBH Food & Wine Festival Volunteer Opportunities:

Wednesday, October 10 and Thursday, October 11: Chef’s Gala Set-Up

Position: Set Volunteer

Shift: Wednesday: 11am-3pm; Thursday: 12-4pm

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Set Volunteer include setting up tables, steaming tablecloths, deploying materials to different vendor stations and placing signage around Calderwood Studio. Set volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

Thursday, October 11: Chef’s Gala

Position: Registration, Ticket Taker, Greeter, Glass Distributor, Floor Service (keep areas tidy, empty trash, dump buckets, distribute ice, pour water), Wine Pourers (must be TIPS certified), Volunteer Photographer and Photographer Assistant. Volunteers must be 21+ to participate.

Shift: 5-10:30pm (Floor Service volunteers will receive a FREE ticket to the Artisan Taste on 10/13 from 5-9pm)

Event Description: The Festival kicks off with the Chef’s Gala featuring the cuisine of 21 award-winning chefs. This magical evening features select pairings of wine and craft beer for each enticing dish; live music; beautiful décor and dazzling lights. Those with VIP access will enjoy special experiences including tastings in the VIP Lounge and an exclusive gift.

Thursday, October 11: Chef’s Gala Breakdown

Position: Breakdown Volunteer

Shift: 10pm-12am (Breakdown volunteers will receive a FREE ticket to the Artisan Taste on 10/13 from 5-9pm)

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Breakdown Volunteer include folding and stacking tables, removing tablecloths, returning materials to catering kitchen, taking down signage around Calderwood Studio, etc. Breakdown Volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

Friday, October 12: Artisan Taste Set-Up

Position: Set Volunteer

Shift: 1-6pm or 6-10pm

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Set Volunteer include setting up tables, steaming tablecloths, deploying materials to different stations and placing signage and festive décor around the Artisan Taste tent in the back lot. Set volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

Saturday, October 13: Artisan Taste Set-up and Exhibitor Welcome

Positions: Set & Greeter Volunteer

Shift: 12-2pm

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Set & Greeter Volunteer include last-minute set-up tasks and greeting and leading Artisan Taste exhibitors to designated area within the tent. Volunteers will also assist the festival vendors in finding their spots. Set volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

Saturday, October 13: Artisan Taste

Positions: Ticket Sales/Will Call, Bag Check, Glass/Program Distributor, TIPS Certified Pourer/ID Check, Table Runner (refill water pitchers, replace ice, clear trash around booths), VIP Lounge Assistant (restock magazines, replenish water station, keep area tidy), Volunteer Photographer and Photographer’s Assistant. Volunteers must be 21+ to participate.

Two Shifts Available: 1-6pm or 5:30-10pm

Position Description: This event showcases tasty bites from nearly 30 of New England’s best chefs and more than 100 premium adult beverages from around the world. Live musical guests will be featured along with book signings from popular chefs and cookbook authors. Guests will enjoy a live demo in the culinary theater and the Marketplace with goods from 14 vendors, all while supporting WGBH, the local culinary community and small farmers.

Saturday, October 13: Artisan Taste Breakdown

Position: Breakdown Volunteer (Breakdown volunteers will receive a FREE ticket to the Food Fight event on 10/14 from 5-7:30pm).

Shift: 9pm-12am

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Breakdown Volunteer include folding and stacking tables, removing tablecloths, returning materials to catering kitchen, taking down signage, etc. Breakdown volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

Sunday, October 14: Brunch Bar Set-Up and Exhibitor Welcome

Position: Set & Greeter Volunteer

Shift: 7:30-11am

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Set & Greeter Volunteer include last-minute set-up tasks and greeting and leading Brunch Bar exhibitors to designated area within the tent. Volunteers will also assist festival vendors find their booths. Set volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

Sunday, October 14: Brunch Bar

Positions: Ticket Sales/Will Call, Glass/Program Distributor, Certified TIPS Pourer/ID Check, Bag Check, Food Prep, Table Runner (refill water pitchers, replace ice, clear trash around booths), VIP Lounge Assistant (restock magazines, replenish water station, keep area tidy), Volunteer Photographer and Photographer’s Assistant. Volunteers must be 21+ to participate.

Shift: 10am-2:30pm

Event Description: This brunch showcases an impressive array of popular restaurants and award-winning chefs serving up delicious dishes side-by-side with refreshing wines, special craft beers and ciders and juicy cocktails made with local spirits. The event features live cooking demos, panel discussions and talks from national and local celebrity chefs. The event also includes the 2018 WGBH Youth Culinary Award.

Sunday, October 14: Food Fight

Positions: Event Flipper, Ticket Sales/Will Call, Ticket Taker, Bag Check, Glass/Program Distributor, Certified TIPS Pourer/ID Check, ID/Wrist Band Greeter, Table Runner (refill water pitchers, replace ice, clear trash around booths), VIP Lounge Assistant (restock magazines, replenish water station, keep area tidy), Volunteer Photographer and Photographer’s Assistant. Volunteers must be 21+ to participate.

Shift: 4-8:30pm (Event Flippers start at 2:30pm)

Event Description: If our Chef’s Gala takes you down the Red Carpet, our Food Fight moves you with a Magic Carpet! Let these diverse and talented chefs transport you through the streets of Bangkok, alleyways of Oaxaca, and the dusty roads of the East Bank to enjoy delicious bites from 20 chefs competing in 10 categories. Our panel of pro judges onsite will choose the winner in each category, culminating in awarding one chef the title of champion, chosen as the "best bite" by the crowd! Located on the WGBH Television and Recording Studio lot in Boston.

Sunday, October 14: Food Fight Breakdown

Position: Breakdown Volunteer

Shift: 8-11pm (Breakdown volunteers will receive a FREE ticket to attend the upcoming Stories from the Stage event on 11/1)

Position Description: Responsibilities of a Breakdown Volunteer include folding and stacking tables, removing tablecloths, returning materials to catering kitchen, taking down signage, etc. Breakdown volunteers must be able to lift at least 20 pounds and be able to be on your feet for extended time.

The seventh annual Taste of WGBH Food & Wine Festival helps to support the great educational and cultural programming on WGBH. WGBH members, community friends, and a host of celebrity chefs will mix and mingle around their favorite topic: good food. Be sure to join us this year! Think your friends and family may also want to volunteer for this event? If so, feel free to pass this information on to them, too!

Cheers!

Jaime

Volunteer & Marketing Manager, WGBH