Month: November 2015

Now Accepting Applications For the 2015-16 ment’or Grant Program!

Applications are now being accepted for the 2015-2016 ment’or Grant Program! The ment’or Grant Program is designed to provide opportunities for working culinary professionals who are looking to expand their training and skills. This unique opportunity helps place up-and-coming chefs among the ranks at Blue Ginger, minibar, Juni, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Mélisse, Qui, Saison and many more. “This experience was hugely validating. I am grateful for the opportunity to step away from my day-to-day and see myself professionally in a different light. An important part of growing from a cook to a chef is having confidence in your own ability. After returning from my stages at Bar Tartine and Manresa, I was promoted to a junior chef position at Betony in NYC. I felt ready for that challenge largely because of my grant experience.” Daniel Moccia-Field, 2014-2015 grant recipient Qualifications include: At least 3 years of work experience, at a restaurant At least 1 year with your current restaurant Have valid US working credentials Grantees have an exceptional opportunity to immerse themselves in a different setting and gain exposure to techniques and skills to help raise them to the next level. Check out what last year’s grant recipients are up to through our hashtag #mentorgrants. If you, or someone you know, are interested in learning more, click HERE. If you would like to support the Grant Program for Continuing...

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Grand Pacific Resorts Donates $2,400 to Men and Women’s Health

Hosts Southern California Media Tour to Raise Awareness Carlsbad-Based Timeshare Management Company Reaches More than 50,000 Potential Customers with New Media Campaign CARLSBAD, CA, November 11, 2015 – In October, Grand Pacific Resorts hosted four travel bloggers and their families in Carlsbad and Coronado as part of a media campaign to drive awareness to the destinations, resorts, and two important causes. The tour included a scavenger hunt during which bloggers competed to raise money for the Movember Foundation and Send Me On Vacation. In the end, the teams tied and both non-profit organizations received a $1,200 donation from Grand Pacific Resorts. The four-day media event included popular bloggers with a combined influencer reach of more than 50,000 families. Grand Pacific Resorts invited the bloggers to experience the timeshare lifestyle at Coronado Beach Resort in Coronado, Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort & Hotel in Carlsbad, and Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel, also in Carlsbad. Vanessa McGill from SanDiegoVille, a San Diego-based lifestyle publication, says, “Coronado offers visitors a little oasis within Southern California, and Coronado Beach Resort captures its spirit perfectly with a breezy, relaxed atmosphere and prime location across from the Hotel Del. We enjoyed the amenities and being surrounded by Coronado’s bustling downtown.” Read more about SanDiegoVille’s staycation at http://bit.ly/1OzLVF2. In between dining at some of Coronado’s most iconic restaurants, Lewis joined Stephanie Sheaffer from Tuscontopia to raise money for Movember, a foundation...

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Five Must-Sees in San Francisco This Holiday Season

San Francisco loves the holidays so much that it can’t limit itself to a single giant Christmas tree. There are actually dozens: Macy’s soaring 80-foot-plus tree in Union Square, an officially nondenominational tree at City Hall, and another majestic tree at PIER 39. But once you’ve wished for peace on Earth and goodwill to all, there’s still plenty to do besides sip an eggnog latte at the nearest third-wave coffee shop. Between major art shows, musical events and big performances, winter is brimming with culture. A Pip of a PPIE San Francisco is still celebrating the centennial of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) and the de Young Museum marks this grand exposition which covered 76 city blocks with “Jewel City: Art from San Francisco’s Panama-Pacific International Exposition” through Jan. 10, 2016. At the heart of the PPIE was one of the most ambitious art exhibitions ever presented in the U.S., encompassing more than 11,000 works. To mark this anniversary, “Jewel City” reassembles more than 200 works by major American and European artists, most of which were on display at this defining event. Purchase tickets. www.ppie100.org Westfield San Francisco Centre From Nov. 19-Dec. 31 Westfield San Francisco Centre’s iconic dome will come to life each night with “Nutcracker Under the Dome,” a one-of-a-kind animated 3D show. The San Francisco Ballet’s “Nutcracker” is the inspiration for this extraordinary visual experience crafted by local technology...

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Virginia Moonshine Festival

Tickets are running out, so don’t wait! Moonshine, Live Music, Great Food and More!  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   RICHMOND, VA (November 9, 2015) – Get your shine on at the second annual VA Moonshine Festival, a moonshine and high-end whiskey tasting, on November 21, 2015, at the Richmond International Raceway.   The moonshine-tasting event is proud to add a high-end whiskey tasting tent sponsored by Jim Beam.  The festival will feature tastings and full pours from local craft beers and wine as well. Several master distillers will provide information about many of the 15+ moonshines present, including RVA’s own Belle Isle Craft Spirits.   Tickets for the event are available online for $35.00. The event opens to general admission at 2pm in the Old Dominion Building.  Early Shiner’s passes will admit a limited few into the event two hours earlier at noon, and are also available online for $49.00. Tickets for designated drivers are available for $10.00.   Metro Bar and Grill will be featuring 804ork chef Sean Murphy, who will be treating attendees to specialties from his upcoming restaurant, Murphy’s Table. You can expect to find Deltaville Oysters, prepared both Rockefeller and grilled. Murphy is also bringing his shepherds pie with a moonshine herb demi glaze and Andouille oyster corn pudding.   Small plates from RVA staples, ranging from $3-10, will be also be available. Mama J’s will be providing their Southern classics like...

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Special dinner with Chef Thomas Keller at The French Laundry

  Join Chef Thomas Keller, President of ment’or, for a special celebration at The French Laundry!  This unique dinner is hosted by Chef Thomas Keller to honor and celebrate Team USA’s journey to the 2017 Bocuse d’Or. The evening begins with a champagne and canapé reception in the Courtyard. There, guests will meet Chef Keller who will provide guided tours of the state of the art temporary kitchen. Guests will then be seated at the elegant setting of The French Laundry dining room for an exclusive seven course dinner crafted specially for the evening by Chef Keller and his Chef de Cuisine David Breeden. Special wines and champagnes from Dom Pérignon, Patz & Hall, Larkmead and others will complement each unique course. This exclusive experience is limited to 60 guests. All guests will depart with a special The French Laundry gift and a limited edition 2015 Bocuse d’Or Team USA poster designed by Chef Jacques Pepin. Thursday, November 19, 2015 6:00 PM reception, 7:00 PM dinnerThe French Laundry 6640 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599 $1,000 per personAll proceeds of this event go toward supporting the ment’or organization and the next Team USA as they prepare for the 2017 Bocuse d’Or. Your contributions ensure we can deliver the right tools and resources for them and provide once in a lifetime educational opportunities for aspiring young culinary professionals in the US for years to come.  To purchase tickets and learn more about ment’or, please click here. Share Tweet Forward +1...

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