Ment’or, Give back this holiday season!

mentor

As 2015 comes to a close, we want to take this opportunity to share our accomplishments with you, and to extend our heartfelt thanks for being an essential part of our success.

In January, Team USA brought home a Silver Medal win at the 2015 Bocuse d’Or competition in Lyon, France, our first time on the podium in 27 years! Led by Chef Philip Tessier and Commis Skylar Stover of The French Laundry, American cuisine finally proved that it deserves recognition as the extraordinary gastronomic experience that it is.

Our aspiring chefs also made a lasting impression later in the year when they participated in our Young Chefs Competition Series. In four US cities, our young chefs amazed our judges with delectable dishes that showcased an extraordinary array of technical skills, creativity, and flavors.

Finally, we wish to acknowledge the success of our 2015 Grant Program interns, each of whom impressively burnished their skills while working in top restaurants under the tutelage of renowned culinary masters. Our young chefs displayed a vast amount of talent, passion, and commitment to American cuisine.

Cuisine is about giving, as well as paying it forward. Together with our Culinary Council, we founded ment’or so that we could give young chefs the tools they need to succeed at their craft, and so that they, in turn could share the gift of sustenance—great food—with others. And we know that they will take their culinary knowledge and impart it to their colleagues in kitchens throughout the world.

In this season of gift-giving, we hope that you too will be inspired to offer a gift to ment’orso that we can keep funding the educational opportunities we provide to our aspiring gastronomic talent. With your support, in 2016 ment’or will continue to offer educational grants and internships for chefs and sommeliers through its Grants Program; identify rising talent through its Young Chef Competition Series; and recruit, train and financially support Team USA for the 2017 Bocuse d’Or Competition.

At ment’or, we are committed to ensuring that emerging culinary professionals have all the educational and financial resources they need to set the gold standard in American cuisine—and raise that standard even higher.

To make a donation, please click here. Thank you so much for supporting our work.

With gratitude and best wishes for a joyful holiday season,

P.S. – ment’or is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Remember to offer your gift by or before December 31st to receive credit towards your 2015 IRS returns

 

[caption id=”attachment_11767″ align=”alignleft” width=”184″]Maralyn D. Hill Maralyn D. Hill[/caption]

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Luxe Beat Magazine Digital Editions now online at http://luxebeatmag.com/magazine/

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

Member: International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

ment’or – Inspiring Culinary Excellence

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What’s New in Greater Phoenix August 2013

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In this issue….

CITY NEWS
RESORT NEWS
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
SPORTS/GOLF
SPA
DINING

 

What’s New in Greater Phoenix?
August 2013

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH’S EDITION:

  • Spirit Airlines annouces operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
  • Bike Share program is coming is coming to downtown Phoenix.
  • PHX Sky Train reaches the millionth passenger milestone.

CITY NEWS
Phoenix continues to show that it’s a sustainable city by integrating a bike share program through the vendorCyclehop, LLC. Cyclehop’s bikes promise state-of-the-art design, an integrated GPS system and can be customized for each particular bike share. As early as December of 2013 the city hopes to set out 500 bikes and 50 bike stations with possibility for expansion. Stations tentatively will be placed with a focus on the light rail line – and the expansion of its reach. Phoenix plans to begin engagement and outreach in the community to ensure that stations will be placed in ideal locations for both residents and visitorsSpirit Airlines announces that it will begin operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on October 24. This news comes on the heels of the US Airways, now the New American, increasing the presence of the largest airline in the world in Phoenix and of Volaris Airlines announcing nonstop flights to Mexico starting October 19. Spirit will fly nonstop daily to Dallas/Fort Worth beginning October 24 and add daily service to Chicago O’Hare and Denver International beginning November 7.  The move from Mesa airport to Sky Harbor highlights the progression of Phoenix’s vitality and the ways travel to and from the city is becoming more popular and accessible.PHX Sky Train™ reaches the millionth passenger mark this summer. The PHX Sky Train™ opened on April 8 andtransports travelers between the 44th Street Station where riders can connect with the METRO light rail. It operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and is free of charge.  By early 2015, the PHX Sky Train™ will extend to Terminal 3 with a walkway to Terminal 2.  In its final stage of construction, the PHX Sky Train™ will continue to the Rental Car Center. In its first few months of operation, the PHX Sky Train™ has exceeded passenger projections.  Sky Harbor initially estimated that 7,000 people per day would ride the PHX Sky Train™ in its first year.  However, the train has been even more popular than expected, with an average of 10,000 people riding it daily, and one July 15 it celebrated the millionth passenger milestone.Back to Top

RESORT NEWS
The Arizona Biltmore is making it possible to take a trip back in time to the roaring ‘20s with the re-creation of the legendary resort’s original “Mystery Room,” the secret speakeasy that was hidden in the resort’s main building.  In true prohibition-era style, guests will need a password to enter the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed historic room – in which the Arizona Biltmore will post weekly passwords on Twitter with the hash tag #speakeasy. Jazz, signature bourbon and gin-based cocktails served by dressed-up wait staff will all be true to the time period transforming the room back to a former version of itself. Rum punch and classic cocktails with a more modern twist will also be available. The mystery room is open from 8-11 p.m. on Sunday nights.Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Phoenix encourages guests to stay one more night with the “Sunday Funday Package”. Those not quite ready to let their weekend end can enjoy a stay in downtown Phoenix’s premier boutique property located at CityScape entertainment district. Rooms are $109 per night and available Sundays only. Guests can enjoy one more afternoon at Sunshine Underground, the hotel’s exclusive pool party, and relax a little bit longer.The Westin Phoenix Downtown is offering a “Baseball Package” and a “Park and Stay Package.” The “Baseball Package” features a baseball game in downtown Phoenix during Labor Day weekend and a night stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown – conveniently located a short walk from Chase Field. Guests are required to present the ticket stub from the Diamondbacks game and can then enjoy exclusive rates with complimentary overnight parking. The Arizona Diamondbacks have homes games all weekend long starting on August 30 with the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field and ending with the Blue Jays. Rates start from $99 per night and include overnight parking at the hotel. Valid for stays on Arizona Diamondbacks home games through September 3. The “Park and Stay” package features a relaxing night before a trip by staying at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Eliminate pre-travel stress and enjoy $5 overnight parking and two complimentary light rail passes to the airport. Rates from $99 per night for up to seven days.Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel offers “The Downtown Experience” summer package available through Labor Day (Sept. 2). Travelers from near and far can now book an experiential package that gives guests a key to explore the city. It includes an overnight stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, starting at $129 along with a key to “unlock” special offers, incentives and/or discounts from various partners in the downtown area. Guests will receive a guest room key with instructions and details on how to “unlock” the specials. Specials include, but are not limited to, reduced prices on admission to venues, special offers at local Phoenix restaurants, special pricing on performances, and offers at local retail shops.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa introduces The Mix Up Bar: Stirring Curiosity, a fresh new bar concept to debut with the re-opening of the revitalized T. Cook’s. The Mix Up Bar, an imaginative complement to the treasured legacy of T. Cook’s, is reinventing the original T. Cook’s Lounge by creating inventive mixology and an unexpected mix of the season’s freshest ingredients from garden-to-glass cocktails to new palette-pleasing pairings. Guests will find countless reasons to return to discover what The Mix Up masterminds are stirring up next. Perpetually new and exciting by its very nature, even the ambiance itself will provide a feeling of intrigue upon each visit. The Mix Up Bar will be open at 11:00 a.m. daily and will close at midnight.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa’s “Sip, Shop & Stay” package starts at just $134 per night based on availability for stays through Sept. 8. Upon check-in, guests will receive a $25 Phoenix Premium Outlet gift card, a voucher for a Phoenix Premium Outlet VIP coupon book and a voucher for 2 beverages at the Link Café. Guests can receive complimentary shuttle service to the newly remodeled, nearby Phoenix Premium Outlets. After a full day of shopping, there are many options for locally-sourced dining at one of three on-property venues including Ko’Sin, featuring a fusion of Native American and Arizona comfort food; the resort’s Link Café, Hanyo, or Aji Spa Café. Reservations are required and guests are encouraged to act quickly.

Montelucia Resort is currently offering a $99 rate – encouraging an endlessly relaxing finish to the summer. Guests may choose to add a little extra luxury to their stay by upgrading to $120 in value for only $60, which includes a daily breakfast for two, self-parking, a $25 daily resort charge and a $25 resort credit.

The Lavender and Wine Festival celebrates wines of Matanzas Creek at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale atTroon North. “Weekend of Wine and Lavender” welcomes guests to this Sonoran desert resort featuring a variety of events such as seminars, culinary events and spa treatments. Guests who book the “Lavender & Wine” weekend package will be greeted with welcome amenities of a half bottle of Matanzas Creek merlot and lavender-scented truffles. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North offers a truly handcrafted resort experience and a Five-Diamond service amid the rugged beauty of the lush Sonoran desert; Package and festival available Aug. 16 -18.

The Hermosa Inn has always kept in mind that pets are not just furry friends; they’re part of the family. “Pet-Friendly Pampering” at Hermosa Inn provides all leisure travelers who are dog-lovers to bring them along on the trip. Dog bowls and beds are available for guests to use during their stay and the grounds are welcoming to pets. The signature “Pet Package” includes a one night stay for two in a Casita, Deluxe Casita or Grande Casita, a welcome amenity of fruit and water for humans and dog treats for the canine, Breakfast in Bed for two and breakfast for the dog (excludes alcohol and gratuities), 60-minute massage for humans and canine massage in room, Doggie Tuck me in at Night with a movie (Ex: Beverly Hills Chihuahua, 101 Dalmatians, Lassie, Benji), and a luxurious dog bed and bowl conveniently placed in the room upon guest arrival.

The Adventure Team Family at AOA (Arizona Outback Adventures) and The Four Seasons at Troon North have partnered to provide guests with once in a lifetime experiences including adrenaline-inducing trails, mountains and rafting. Guests may select “Brown’s Ranch Rock ‘n Road Tour”, which includes a bike ride into the Sonoran desert for world-class mountain biking. The mountain bike trails wind through an amazing landscape of stark granite boulders, lush desert plant flora, and offers views of millions of acres of spectacular mountain ranges and river valleys. With the “Birding the Rio Verde via River Raft” package guests travel a short and scenic 25 minutes to the Rio Verde – a truly remarkable place in the middle of the desert. In addition to a tremendous diversity of seasonal bird species there are also muskrats, raccoons, beaver and iconic wild mustangs. This rafting tour is rated Class I, which means there are no rapid requiring no previous experience or swimming ability; all ages welcome.

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain’s popular jade bar is preparing exciting transformation that will set the stage for an upgraded bar experience. Come October, the celebrated bar, known for its creative cocktails and spectacular views, will unveil a major expansion. The new design will almost double seating space both inside and out, and will include floor-to-ceiling windows and a stand-up drink bar made of authentic jade. The outdoor area will also feature a retractable fabric shade on the patio, heaters and an exquisite fireplace for brisk evenings.

Hotel Valley Ho has partnered with Amazon.com and Travelocity to offer their most popular package, the “Stay-2-Play” option, at a great discount. And to make it even better, the discounts will be honored for travel from now through September 30, 2013. Enjoy a one-night stay in a Signature Room, swim in the huge pool, enjoy a $20 resort credit, two drink vouchers, and 10% off in the spa boutique, then drift off to dreamland on a luxurious feather-top bed with 300-thread-count linens.

Recently opened Bespoke Inn, Café & Bicycles offers guests the best attributes of a luxury resort combined with the charming ambience of a B&B. With just four guestrooms, a small restaurant, an infinity-edge pool overlooking a lush courtyard, a bicycle shop, and a fitness studio – the charming Bespoke Inn is ideal for couples, friends or individual travelers. Some of the luxuries that are offered are daily gourmet breakfast, wine at check-in, complimentary use of Pashley bicycles, a fitness center, lap pool, WiFi, laundry facilities, fresh organic fruit, and house-baked cookies. Virtu Honest Craft, an onsite restaurant, offers visitors, locals and guests of the inn contemporary American cuisine for lunch and dinner. Across the courtyard, Bespoke Bicycles is a boutique shop offering guests complimentary city bikes for exploring the local art at nearby galleries and shops. Road bikes and a guide are available for a fee.

 

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ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
The CALA Festival is quickly approaching. The Festival will be held October 6­-November 5, 2013. Audiences can once again look forward to a cornucopia of exhibits, performances and cultural activities showcasing the work of top-notch Latino and Latin American artists throughout various venues in Greater Phoenix.Sundays just got a whole lot more fun in downtown Phoenix with the launch of Sunday Funday at CityScapePhoenix where participating tenants are offering unique specials and outstanding discounts now through August. “Sunshine Underground” at LUSTRE Rooftop Garden (located at Hotel Palomar Phoenix) is the place to be every Sunday for one of the coolest pool parties in the Valley. DJs William Reed, Sean Watson and Deux Yeux spin indie rock beats while patrons soak up the sun and splash around in the rooftop pool that has outstanding panoramic views of the city. Available every Sunday from 2 p.m. -9 p.m. through Labor Day; $10 at the door.Squid Ink Sushi Bar is showcasing “GO DEEP” nights filled with fresh sushi and beats by UK acclaimed DJ Michael Hooker from 7 p.m. until midnight with $3 deep eddy vodka cocktails and a lively social scene. Those in need of a bit of relaxation before the start of the week are encouraged to swing by and check out the extensive and unique specials at CityScape’s Sundays.Paraguay’s “Recycled Orchestra” debuts Aug. 10 in the US at the Musical Instrument Museum. The passionate individuals behind this orchestra go further to show how an earnest drive to preserve the crucial role of music in life can lead to remarkable innovations such as instruments hewn from trash. In a concert with no parallel, the phenomenal Recycled Orchestra will share their incredible stories, passion, and joyful music. Visitors may interact with Phoenix-based multimedia artist and musician Joe Willie Smith and view a performance on his musical sculptures made from recycled objects. Kids are invited to choose from a variety of recycled objects to craft an instrument of their own. A Paraguayan-inspired menu of white fish stew, grilled beef and rice pudding will be available for lunch at Café Allegro, and the Museum Store will feature handmade jewelry and crafts, DIY books and music.Predator Zip Line debuts this summer at Out of Africa Wildlife Park. A special introductory rate of $99.99 is being offered to experience this world-class adventure, offering a thrill ride over Arizona’s wildest predators. The experience includes breathtaking views of the majestic red rocks, the San Francisco peaks, and the Sonoran desert. This high-flying adventure explores a never-before-seen side of the park – one that showcases the grandeur of the safari park as wild animals roam underneath zippers. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

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SPORTS/GOLF
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is offering the Championship Golf Package. This package offers the opportunity to play like a pro on some of the top rated courses in the Phoenix area. With this package one will receive a round of golf, complimentary use of practice facility prior to the round of golf, transportation to and from the courses and complimentary golf concierge services. This golf package is offered all year round.Unlimited Golf for Two is being offered at the Westin Kierland. Enjoy the best way to experience all of Kierland Golf Club’s 27 holes, Segway golf, climate-controlled golf carts, award-winning ProFIT custom club fitting, FORE-MAX golf fitness training, and the highest level golf professionals with Kierland Golf Academy through the “Unlimited Golf for Two” package: rates from $179 through September 9, 2013, Rates from $349 September 10 – December 31, 2013 and includes “unlimited golf” for two guests. Advanced tee-times required for the first tee time daily, per guest.  Rounds there after are based on availability.The Arizona Cardinal’s Training Camp recently began and is available until August 22 at University of Phoenix Stadium. If fans are planning on attending any of the practices, they should enter through the Budweiser Gate 3 on the east side of the stadium beginning at 1:30pm each afternoon. Following practices, players will sign autographs along the lower field walls for a limited time prior to leaving the field. Season tickets are still being sold for the 2013-2014 season. The first preseason home game is August 17 against the Dallas Cowboys.
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SPA
Guests can indulge in a fresh summer treat for tired feet and hands at Jurlique Spa’s location at FireSky Resort & Spa. The special summer pricing spa menu includes a refreshing Cilantro Soak and a Watermelon-Basil Vodkatini Sugar Scrub from Farmhouse Fresh, followed with a Honeysuckle Custard Double Moisturizer. The Watermelon Slice manicure and pedicure includes nail trimming, cuticle work, moisturizer application, exfoliation and color for $40 (manicure) and $55 (pedicure). Other offers include a luxury Vichy Nirvana 50 minute massage for just $75.Through September 30 spa go-ers can enjoy an 80-minute relaxing, organic Tranquility Facial to smooth and nourish the skin or a 50-minute Golden Harvest Facial at the Golden Door Spa at the Boulders Resort. The Golden Harvest Facial is a luxurious pumpkin treatment that hydrates, heals and protects while providing the most organic, beneficial aromas to calm and soothe the senses. It is being offered for $129 (regularly $225). The hotel is also offering a LAZy Spa Day for $199 which includes $20 spa café credit, 50 minute signature massage, 50 minute facial and a 50 minute mani/pedi combo.Back to Top

DINING
“Small Bites of Summer” offers foodies and those championing through the summer the opportunity to sample 30 unique small bites now until August 31. After purchasing a “Small Bites of Summer” card for $30, users can gain access to 30 phenomenal flavors at 30 different restaurants, such as Bink’s, Market Street Kitchen, Relish andWright’s at The Biltmore. After showing the “Small Bites of Summer” card at each participating establishment, food-lovers receive one complimentary small bite (one per card).Sundays are Fundays at CityScape with participating tenants offering unique specials and outstanding discounts now through the end of August. “Hair of the Hound Brunch” at Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails is offering $13 bottomless brunch cocktails, discounts at Tilted Kilt are offered every Sunday, including $4 Blood Mary’s, Mimosas and Screwdrivers and $5 Jack & Coke and Copper Blues is offering a $3 beer all day.Adventurous dining awaits at Lucky’s King Wah. Foodies and those eager to try new things can find their place at Lucky’s King Wah by ordering Chef’s Special. Diners will be treated to an assortment of Hong King-style Chinese food expertly prepared by Chef Kwok Pat. Upcoming specials at Lucky’s King Wah are Crayfish Festival onSaturday, August 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and The 9th Annual Phoenix Cooks! on Saturday, August 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.August welcomes the grand opening of Coach’s Corner Grill. The new hang out will offer maple pepper wings, decadent nachos and happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Coach’s is an upscale sports bar adjacent to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns’ stadiums. The menu offers a variety of delicious food ranging from burgers to salads complete with tasty sandwiches and fun appetizers. The full bar boasts over 30 specialty cocktails and ten popular beers on draft. Coach’s Corner Grill is great for lunches, parties, pre-game & post-game entertainment.

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For more information on any of these events or updates, please contact the
Visit Phoenix Media Relations Department.

Media Contacts:

Douglas MacKenzie
Director of Media Relations
(602) 452-6250
dmackenzie@visitphoenix.com

Trish Hendrickson
Media Relations Coordinator
(602) 452-6249
thendrickson@visitphoenix.com

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HOTEL OMM CHALLENGES TRADITIONAL DINING WITH NEW RESTAURANTS

HOTEL OMM CHALLENGES TRADITIONAL DINING
WITH NEW RESTAURANTS

Berlin, March 21, 2013 – Situated in the center of the city in Paseo de Gracia, Hotel Omm has become the heart of a cosmopolitan Barcelona. To celebrate its tenth year, Hotel Omm started with a makeover of its one Michelin star restaurant, Roca Moo. And as if that wasn’t enough, this was complemented with the opening of a new hot-spot with the introduction of the Roca Bar, a chic cafeteria offering a full menu and daily specials all made using local produce. http://www.designhotels.com/hotel_omm

New Departure in Gastronomy
Breaking down the barriers between kitchen and restaurant, Roca Moo has combined the two spaces to unite chef and clientele into one central kitchen-bar. Head chef Felip Llufriu, with the support of the celebrated Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi, as gastronomic advisers, has created a selection of tantalizing menus to excite the palate, including a mid-day set menu which changes on a seasonal basis. With several dishes being finished in front of diners, guests can relax in the ambiance of the unique space, while being able to appreciate the skill and care that has gone into their meal.

Reflecting the fast pace of the Barcelona lifestyle, Roca Moo has introduced a central kitchen-bar into the main restaurant, where guests can dine at the bar’s counter. This allows customers on a tight schedule to indulge in award winning cuisine, without having to compromise on flavor or quality, and fitting it all into their lunch break.

Relax in Style
A modern, elegant space, serving an exciting menu of Spanish ‘street food’ the Roca Bar is a welcome addition to Hotel Omm. Situated in the lobby, the Roca Bar is a main focal point within the hotel, offering excellent value for money and a no-frills approach to cooking. The Roca Bar is the perfect location for socializing in a stylish yet informal atmosphere.

The interior design of the Roca Moo and Roca Bar was carried out by Sandra Tarruella Interioristas, who were entrusted to bring the new spaces to life. Ensuring that they maintained the original concept created by Rosa Maria Esteva in 2003, the new spaces reflect the current design trends yet stay true to Esteva’s vision.

From a six-course tasting menu, complemented by handpicked wines through to tapas for two or a simple sandwich, Hotel Omm offers a delicious taste of Barcelona in a contemporary setting any time of the day or night.

About the Hotel
Hotel Omm Barcelona is the exquisite creation of architect Juli Capella and interior designers Sandra Tarruella and Isabel López. Dark halls, flanked with lines of light, lead to the guestrooms and suites, with each room presenting a unique and unconventional space. Fully equipped with 91 rooms, a stunning roof terrace, a luxury spa and its own nightclub, Hotel Omm brings guests a little more of Barcelona’s gracious lifestyle.

-Ends-

NOTE TO THE EDITORS
For additional information, please contact:

Rosina Budhani                               
r.budhani@designhotels.com
tel: +49 30-8849 400 33

Anja Voparil
a.voparil@designhotels.com
tel: +49 30-8849 400 30

High resolution images and a hotel fact sheet are available from our Online Press Office:
www.designhotels.com/press

Design Hotels™ Best Rate Guarantee
For reservations, please refer to the webpage http://www.designhotels.com/hotel_omm
or the appropriate Design Hotels™ toll-free number:

USA & Canada: 1800 337 4685
Brazil: 0021 800 3746 8357
Argentina: 00 800 3746 8357
Mexico: 1800 1233454

If your country is not listed, please refer to the general reservation number: +49 30 884 940040 (regular international rates apply).

ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS™
Design Hotels™ represents and markets a curated selection of 250 independent hotels in over 40 countries across the globe.

More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each “Original” stands for the individual, aesthetic and service driven experience that his or her hotel provides.

Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels™ offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from market trend consultancy to international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore and Perth.

www.designhotels.com and www.madebyoriginals.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload a three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Maralyn D. HillThe Epicurean Explorer

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President

Editor-at-Large, CityRoom

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorldhttp://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

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Sirinun SrimonjuSirinun.S@sukhothai.comhttp://www.sukhothai.comThe Sukhothai Signature Cake: A Precious Culinary Memory of The Sukhothai Bangkok

[caption id=”attachment_7128″ align=”alignleft” width=”640″]Sukhothai Signature Cake Sukhothai Signature Cake[/caption]

The Sukhothai Signature Cake
A Precious Culinary Memory of The Sukhothai Bangkok

The Sukhothai Bangkok takes pride in introducing the Sukhothai Signature Cake which allows guests to take a piece of the precious culinary memory of The Sukhothai Bangkok back home.

The Sukhothai Signature Cake has been created by Executive Pastry Chef Laurent Ganguillet, a Swiss Chocolatier with more than 25 years of experience. Inspired by all-time favourite Ginger Chocolate Truffle, Chef Laurent combines its special composition to create this delightful masterpiece cake.

This moist Ginger Chocolate cake is made unique by virtue of the two main ingredients, the Siamese Ginger Confit, the chef’s own creation, and the finest selected chocolate, which are a fabulously paired and together bring out a mellow taste and texture. The cake is exquisitely topped with delectable Ganache, made from French Cream and Dark Grand Cru Chocolate from cacao beans originating from Venezuela, then coated with a bittersweet chocolate glaze to complete all these delectable layers into something you will long remember.

The Sukhothai Signature Cake is available at Thimian Gourmet Shop & Café in one, two or three pound sizes at Baht 780, Baht 1,500 and Baht 2,400 respectively.

For more information or to make an order, please call 66 (0) 2344 8888 or email to promotions@sukhothai.com.

 

For further information or high-resolution images, please contact:

Chutima Limpasurat Sirinun Srimonju
Public Relations & Communications Manager Assistant PR & Communications Manager
chutima.l@sukhothai.com sirinun.s@sukhothai.com
Tel: +66 (0) 2344 8888 Tel: +66 (0) 2344 8888

Thank you for your continued support to The Sukhothai Bangkok
www.sukhothai.com

Per Karlssoninfo@bkwine.comhttp://www.bkwinetours.comThe new book on organic wines by Britt and Per Karlsson wins Swedish and international awards

[caption id=”attachment_7153″ align=”alignleft” width=”402″] BKWine[/caption]

“Wine and the Environment, Organic, Biodynamic, and Natural”, the latest book by Britt and Per Karlsson (of BKWine), has won two prizes. It was first named “Best Wine Book for Professionals” in Sweden. Then it was awarded silver, second place, in the category “World’s Best Educational Wine Book 2012”. Both awards were given by the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

”Wine and the Environment” is the third book by Britt and Per Karlsson. It describes in detail organic wine growing and wine making and what organic wines are. It also explains other related concepts like biodynamic wine, natural wine, sustainability and fair trade. The book also contains a number of producer profiles of wine makers that the authors recommend. It is lavishly illustrated.

The text in the book is written by Britt and the photographs are by Per in this husband and wife author couple. It has taken the authors a year and a half to complete the book. Over that time they have visited and talked to hundreds of wine producers all over the world. Britt comments on the awards: “To make a book like this, full of facts and details, you need a lot of energy and drive. It is perhaps a little trite to say but we have really put our soul into it. Then it is fantastic to be acknowledged like this for all the work that you have done, both in Sweden and internationally.”

Gourmand World Cookbook Awards is the world biggest competition for wine and food literature. The first phase of the competition awards national prizes. These are then presented at the world finals where they compete for the international awards. The awards ceremony took place in Paris at the end of February. More than 10,000 books participate every year.

The motivation of the jury for “Wine and the Environment”:

“The wine world ferments with new and old philosophies and bold ideas. With great ambition and in detail Britt and Per Karlsson guide both the professional and the wine enthusiast to organic, biodynamic and natural wines.”

More on the book Wine and the Environment, Organic, Biodynamic, and Natural:
http://www.bkwine.com/our-books/wine-and-the-environment-organic-biodynamic-and-natural/introduction/

More on the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards:
http://www.cookbookfair.com/

Note 1: The previous book by the authors, The Creation of a Wine, won a first prize in the Gourmand Awards in 2010 as The World’s Best Wine Book for Professionals.

Note 2: The books are currently published in Swedish. The authors welcome enquiries from publishers in other countries for international editions.

Note 3: Photography for illustration is available.

– – – – –

More information:
– About the company: http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/bkwine/
– Press photos: http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/press-room/. Additional press photos from our 20,000 pictures photo library are available on request.

Press contacts:
– Britt Karlsson, ph 00 33 6 80 45 35 70, email: info at bkwine dot com
– Per Karlsson, ph 00 33 6 83 51 12 53, email: info at bkwine dot com

About BKWine AB:
51, rue du Chevalier de la Barre, F-92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux (Paris), France, + 33 6 80 45 35 70, email: info at bkwine dot com, http://www.bkwinetours.com and http://www.bkwine.com

BKWine AB is run by Britt and Per Karlsson and has four main activities:
– Wine & food tours
– Wine journalism
– Wine photography, wine stock image library: http://www.bkwinephotography.com
– Wine consulting

BKWine was founded in the 90s by Britt Karlsson, a Swede living in Paris. In the early ‘00s she was joined by her husband Per Karlsson in the business that now encompasses several different wine related activates. The main business is organising wine tours for wine enthusiasts and wine professionals who want to visit wine regions to learn more about wine. Each year BKWine organises some 30 wine tours. BKWine also publishes an online newsletter on wine, The BKWine Brief, which reaches some 20,000 subscribers. Britt and Per are members of the British Circle of Wine Writers (CWW), the International Wine Writers Federation (FIJEV), the French Wine Press Association (APV), the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) and several other wine and gastronomic organisations.

Frankfurt Rhine-Main regioncharlotte.jakobsen@tourcomm-germany.comhttp://www.frankfurt-rhein-main.deMirror, mirror, on the wall, who`s the fairest of them all?

[caption id=”attachment_7166″ align=”alignleft” width=”610″] The skyline of Frankfurt[/caption]

Information about the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region and amongst others the Brothers Grimm Anniversary in Hanau and Kassel.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?In the case of holiday destinations, the answer is simple: 

REGION FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN!

Some might think that characters like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood were invented by Walt Disney – but no! They were first brought to life 200 years ago by the famousBrothers Grimm, who were born in Hanau, a little pearl in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region in the heart of Germany. 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the publishing of their first volume of “Children’s and Household Tales”, and brings with it various events that celebrate the work and life of the Brothers Grimm. Upon visiting the region, its connection to the fairy tales becomes immediately clear – not only because of the many anniversary events, but also because of the fairy tale-like landscape, castles, and an unmistakably magical atmosphere. The region offers cultural, historical, and culinary delights, and is home to vibrant cities like Frankfurt, Wiesbaden,Aschaffenburg or Mainz, and traditional villages like Seligenstadt, Bad Homburg or Rüdesheim. This is one region that can enchant visitors without the help of a magic potion!

  • Brothers Grimm Anniversary 2013
  • From Apple Wine and Bavarian Beer to Imposing Architecture
  • Fairy Tale Castles along the Rhine and Main Rivers
  • Sports, Spa, Spectacular!
  • NEW: Highlights 2013 Brochure
  • Tour Ideas
  • Service

Brothers Grimm Anniversary 2013

Once upon a time, two boys by the name of Grimm were born inHanau, and would one day become very famous. Hanau remembers their sons, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, with two fantastic guided tours that explore the various local sites connected to their history. Hanau is where the rivers Main and Kinzig meet, inviting visitors to enjoy some absolutely amazing scenery. At the market square, in front of the Baroque Neustädter Rathaus (town hall), stands the impressive Brothers Grimm memorial, which commemorates the famous sons of Hanau and marks the starting point of the 373 mile-long Fairy Tale Route.

 

 

For almost 30 years, the Brothers Grimm lived in Kassel, which now plays host to the highlight of the Grimm 2013 Anniversary – the “EXPEDITION GRIMM” exhibition, located in the documenta-Halle and sponsored by the State of Hessen. From April 27th until September 8th, some of the brother’s most precious manuscripts and personal mementos will be on display. This unique exhibition also sheds new light onto who the Brothers Grimm really were: far from being mere fairy tale collectors, they were also language scholars, legal historians, and politicians.

Event Highlights:

Grimm Fairy Tale festival, Hanau (from May 1st – July 1st)
Brothers Grimm Museum in the Castle Bellevue, Kassel
Brothers Grimm Festival, Kassel (from July 18th – August 18th)

From Apple Wine and Bavarian Beer to Imposing Architecture

Traces of the Brothers Grimm can also be found in Frankfurt, where they were politically active. Today, the city offers whatever the heart desires: delicious apple wine and great food, a row of unique and culturally significant museums along the romantic banks of the river Main, and the most impressive skyline in Germany. In the city of Aschaffenburg, situated on the Bavarian side of the region, guests can enjoy not only traditional, Bavarian beer, but also interesting events and locations all year long. For example, the Pompejanum, an idealized replica of a Roman villa from Pompeii, is nothing you would expect to find in Germany and truly unique. The city of Seligenstadt has a lovely historic old town with many carefully restored half-timbered houses and impressive architectural monuments, like the Einhardbasilika. In Darmstadt, you can find lovely specimens of Art Nouveau architecture left over from the city’s role as the center of this famous German artistic movement. The former artist colony, Mathildenhöhe, is a must-see for anyone interested in culture and architecture.
Further information

Fairy Tale Castles along the Rhine and Main Rivers

The region was once a patchwork of small, independent states and territories – that’s the reason why there are so manystrongholds, castles, and residences decorating the banks of the rivers today. Nowadays, they are not only a feast for the eyes, but are often home to fantastic restaurants in which guests can feast upon delicious local foods and wines.
In Bingen, for example, well-known for the Mäuseturm (Mice Tower) that stands in the middle of the river Rhine, guests can visit the Klopp stronghold and enjoy a fabulous view of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley”. Because one cannot survive on romance alone, there is also a restaurant where guests can eat and drink like a king.
One of the most significant Renaissance castles in Germany, theJohannisburg Castle, with its front of bright red sandstone, is the landmark of the city of Aschaffenburg, and a spectacular sight along the shores of the river Main. There is no better place for seeing breathtaking, historical castles than right here in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region!

Further information

Sports, Spa, Spectacular!

Sport enthusiasts and recreation seekers visiting Germany will find themselves in their element. Whether hiking through the beautiful Hochtaunus or Rheingau, golfing at one of the picturesque courses, like the one in Bad Homburg, Germany’s first golf course, canoeing or sailing on the Main or Rhine rivers, or biking one of the many cycling paths, like the Volcano Biking Trail, one thing remains certain: the possibilities to explore the region and enjoy a panorama view are practically endless. The region also has many renowned spa towns. Wiesbaden is one of the most famous of the many health resorts thanks to its 26 hot springs and long spa tradition, which can be enjoyed at different thermal spas, such as the Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme andAukammtal thermal baths. Visitors can also recharge their batteries in Bad Nauheim, Elvis Presley’s German “hometown”, which is home of some of Germany’s loveliest spa facilities. Combine the trip to Germany with pure relaxation and enjoy the variety of spas in the region.

Further information

NEW: Highlights 2013 Brochure

In 2013, there are not only many interesting highlights connected to the Brothers Grimm Anniversary, but also many other events, from exhibitions, concerts, and folk fairs to markets and festivals.
Some of the highlights in the first half of 2013 include:

– Rheingau Gourmet Festival (February 21st – March 6th)
– Art Views 2013 in Offenbach (April 24th – 28th)
– Darmstadt Art Nouveau Festival (May 24th – 26th)
– Skyscraper Festival in Frankfurt (May 25th – 26th)
– International Jazz Festival “Bingen swings” (June 28th – 30th)

Further events are listed in the new Highlights 2013 Brochure.  

Tour Ideas

Due to its superb transportation infrastructure, the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is also a prime destination for short stays or to make use of the time between flights. To inspire you in your search for a good travel story, we have developed a set of tour suggestions for a stay in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region.
For more inspiration, take a look at our 24-hour, 48-hour and 72-hour tour suggestions.

Service

We would be happy to provide you with more information about the hidden pearls of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region. You can find press releases, highlights, and our image brochure, as well as a complimentary photo gallery (accessible and free of use after a brief registration) at www.frankfurt-rhein-main.de.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!

Contact:

TourComm Germany GmbH & Co. KG
(on behalf of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region)
Charlotte Jakobsen
P: +49 (0) 6201 60208-21
F: +49 (0) 6201 60208-29
E: charlotte.jakobsen@tourcomm-germany.com

Meryl Pearlsteinmeryl@mdppublicity.comhttp://www.italiaoutdoorsfoodandwine.comGet Road-ready for the Giro d’Italia – or just a Short Spin around the City – with Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine’s May and June 2013 “Train like a Local” Cycling Tours

[caption id=”attachment_7329″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Biking in Italy – Train Like a Local, Credit: Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine[/caption]

Biking in Italy – Train Like a Local, Credit: Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine

Biking in Italy – Train Like a Local, Credit: Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine

Newburyport, MA, April 2013 – Ever wonder how top cyclists get ready for a race? (Hint: It doesn’t always involve doping.) From May 26 to June 1 and June 16-22, Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine offers “Train Like a Local,” an immersive, six-night steroid-free bike tour exploring the foothills south of the storied Dolomites, an area widely considered to be the preferred training ground for local and race teams. Focusing on the mid-mountains – climbs ranging between 900 and 1700 meters – the tour is an ideal introduction to riding at higher elevations, preparing cyclists for more challenging ascents. The tour attracts adventurists who share a passion for cycling and culinary pursuits, pairing challenging climbs with opportunities to sample the Germanic/Hungarian-influenced cuisine of Northeastern Italy. The tour is priced $3,695 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes accommodations, all ground transportation, guide services, all breakfasts and three dinners.

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Expert cyclist and mountain guide Vernon McClure – recently named one of the “Great Tour Guides in Northern Italy” by Dream of Italy magazine — and cooking instructor and chef Kathy Bechtel ( also an avid biker) lead the tours, which feature cycling routes unknown to mainstream tour companies and introduce guests to magnificent regional cuisine and local wines.

[caption id=”attachment_7331″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Italiaoutdoors food and wine dolomites cycling tour2 Biking in Italy – Train Like a Local, Credit: Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine[/caption]

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Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine is an owner-operated private guide service, creating and guiding active culinary tours in Northeastern Italy. Unique in their ability to combine active biking, skiing and hiking adventures with world-class culinary programs — including tours with James Beard award-winning chefs — Italiaoutdoors customizes vacations for groups of 4 to 12 people. Italiaoutdoors has more than 15 years of recreational programming experience in the region, plus formal culinary and wine training. For more information or to receive Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine newsletter, recipes and wine information, visit www.italiaoutdoorsfoodandwine.com or Chef Kathy Bechtel’s blog at www.chefbikeski.com.

Meryl Pearlstein MDP Publicity I 21 East 87th Street  #5A I New York, NY 10128

T: 917.359.3512 I F: 212.534.3227 I meryl@mdppublicity.com Twitter: merylpearlstein

www.mdppublicity.com I Blog: www.travelandfoodnotes.com

Ed Placidipg@p-gcommunications.comhttp://www.hotelmatilda.comWORLD’S LARGEST STREET FESTIVAL IS THE THEME OF HOTEL MATILDA’S ‘SUPPER CLUB’ APRIL 26

[caption id=”attachment_7338″ align=”alignright” width=”314″] Chef Echeverria Photos Courtesy of Hotel Matilda[/caption]

 

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – April 1, 2013: The tantalizing flavors and titillating sounds of Miami’s annual blockbuster Latin-Caribbean street festival will be recreated at Hotel Matilda (www.hotelmatilda.com) at a ‘Supper Club’ evening on April 26, 2013.

Calle Ocho, Little Havana’s lively main thoroughfare, is the setting each March for the largest street party on earth. Covering 24 blocks, it is attended by than a million people who come to sample the mouth-watering tastes of Latin America and the Caribbean and gyrate to the region’s popular and beloved musical rhythms. Miami’s Little Havana today is not only home to Cubans but also many immigrants from the Caribbean and Central America.

At the Supper Club, a master of island-Caribbean fusion cuisine, Chef Rafael Eduardo Echeverria, will prepare a multi-course feast served in Hotel Matilda’s Moxi restaurant to the pulsating sounds of Carribbean music.

[caption id=”attachment_7339″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Moxi Restaurant Patio Photos Courtesy of Hotel Matilda[/caption]

“Each Supper Club is a dynamic, multi-faceted sensual experience that wows our guests with exciting tastes and trendy art or music,” explained Hotel Matilda Director Bruce James. “On April 26, we are going to immerse Hotel Matilda in the most exciting Caribbean odyssey with an extraordinary menu and vibrant sounds.”

Chef Echeverria creates one-of-a-kind, over-the-top culinary experiences for food lovers in private settings, from ultra-luxurious mega yachts to special events in restaurants.

“I consider myself a free cook who is more instinctive rather than limited by rules,” said Chef Echeverria, explaining his philosophy for creating innovative fusion dishes. “The kitchen has to be a place of expression where you prepare food with love and passion for the enjoyment of your guests.”

For the Calle Ocho Supper Club he is planning an exotic multi-national menu. Among the dishes will be:
– Florida Blue Crab Soup with Fresh Herbs and Squash.
– Mangu Dominicano (a popular mashed plantain dish) with Catalan-Style Shrimp Picatta and Sweet Tropea Red Onion Marmalade.
– Churrasquito (mixed grilled meats) with Cuban Mojito, Yucca and Roasted Peppers.
– Calle Ocho Pork Belly “Congri” (Cuban beans and rice) with Mashed Sweet Potato.
– Zacappa Rum-Fried Pineapple with Coconut Cream and White Chocolate.
– “Dramatic Figs Miami” with Frozen Yogurt and Pepper Rain.

The multiple courses will be complemented with a wine pairing and live music in a variety of Caribbean genres and styles. Ten Cane, the super-premium Trinidadian rum, will be poured. A street festival ambiance will be created in Moxi with kitschy sunny tropical décor.

[caption id=”attachment_7340″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Hotel Matilda Entrance
Photos Courtesy of Hotel Matilda[/caption]

The Calle Ocho Supper Club will start at 7:00 p.m. The cost per person is 1,500 pesos, or about US$121. Seating is limited to 100 persons. For more information and reservations: eventos@hotelmatilda.com.

Hotel Matilda hosts Supper Clubs several times each year in Moxi that feature famous and accomplished guest chefs, who prepare original menus with wine pairings. The extravagant dining experience is always combined with an art exhibition, live music or other cultural event. The combination of the Supper Clubs and the acclaimed menu in Moxi by Mexico’s most celebrated chef, Enrique Olvera, have fired a reputation in Mexico for Hotel Matilda as a culinary innovator and gourmet destination.

Hotel Matilda is a dynamic contemporary hotel celebrated for its chic lifestyle-focused guest experience and one-of-a-kind art and culinary events, from exhibits by noted artists to Supper Club culinary evenings. In November 2012, Hotel Matilda was named the #2 hotel in Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards.

The ‘Matilda lifestyle’ guest experience combines an award-winning holistic spa that was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2011 Hot List of the world’s top new spas; a popular lounge known for its creative mixology; designer rooms and suites; a vibrant art-gallery-like interior – the first and only contemporary ambiance in colonial San Miguel de Allende – filled with a eclectic collection of dramatic contemporary works by noted artists, many specifically commissioned for the hotel; and world-class dining by Enrique Olvera in Moxi.

Hotel Matilda opened in September 2010 in the center of San Miguel de Allende, the crown jewel of Colonial Mexico that is an UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its intact 500-year-old Spanish architecture. Condé Nast Traveler, in its recently announced 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards, named engaging and beautiful San Miguel – with its graceful arches, beautiful bell towers, ornate churches, cobbled lanes and walls aflame with red bougainvillea – the #1 destination in Mexico.

For information and reservations: toll free 855-MATILDA (855-628-4532) or info@hotelmatilda.com.

Media Contact:
Marian Gerlich / Ed Placidi
P&G Communications
Los Ángeles
818-786-8687, pgworld@aol.com, pg@p-gcommunications.com

Anna Acostaannamaria@annflowerpr.comhttp://www.annflowerpr.comAcclaimed Parisian Chef Daniel Rose Brings Spring to AnQi Restaurant In May

[caption id=”attachment_7367″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Chef Daniel Rose[/caption]

(Costa Mesa, CA) – For one night only on May 1, Southern California gourmands and Orange County fashionistas will have an opportunity to experience one of the most sought-after restaurant reservations in Paris when AnQi Restaurant hosts a prestigious James Beard Benefit Dinner on May 1st. Chef Daniel Rose of the celebrated Paris restaurant Spring will be flying in from Paris and collaborating with House of An’s Master Chef Helene An on the special five course tasting dinner. This is Chef Rose’s first appearance in California.

Rose’s approach to cuisine melds the tradition of classic French cuisine with a contemporary, personal approach to fresh market ingredients. His restaurant Spring has been named “One of 10 of the Best Restaurants in Paris” by the Guardian, and “The Trophy Reservation” by Forbes Magazine. Rose and Spring have been profiled in Elle, L’Express, Figaroscope, GQ, International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Wall Street Journal and many others.

Celebrity chef, restaurant owner, and caterer to the stars, Helene An, is known for her innovative use of Asian herbs and spices and her blending of Vietnamese and French cuisine with Western flavors. She opened what is acknowledged as San Francisco’s first Vietnamese restaurant in 1971 and was dubbed the “Mother of Fusion Cuisine” by the San Francisco Chronicle when she opened Crustacean in 1991.

The dinner will be the first James Beard Foundation benefit dinner held in Orange County to feature a top Paris-based chef. Proceeds will benefit the James Beard Foundation and will also fund a scholarship at Art Institute of Orange County’s International Culinary School.

For more information about the dinner and reservations, please call (714) 557-5679. For updates on the May 1st Friends of James Beard benefit dinner, please visit https://www.facebook.com/anqibycrustacean.

About James Beard Foundation
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and preserving America’s diverse culinary heritage and future. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful and delicious food. Today, the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to culinary schools, publications, chef advocacy training, thought-leader convening, and by maintaining the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. In September of 2012, the Foundation launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. For more information, please visit www.jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter.

About AnQi Restaurant
AnQi is a gourmet bistro and noodle bar located at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Founded by Elizabeth An, CEO, House of An, the name “AnQi” is derived from the family name “An,” and the different translations of “Qi,” meaning tasty in Thai, flavorful in Korean, and energy in Chinese. Ms. Elizabeth An designed the restaurant and has received many awards, lauding the creative space and respect for green principles. For more information visit www.anqibistro.com.

About House of An
Founded in 1971, House of An, a luxury hospitality group, owns and operates AnQi Gourmet Bistro & Noodle Bar at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa; Tiato Kitchen Bar + Garden Venue in Santa Monica; Crustacean and Thanh Long Restaurants in San Francisco; and Crustacean Beverly Hills as well as and An Catering. Their five restaurants are renowned for their celebrity clientele, and their famous ‘Secret Kitchen,” and have been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bon Appétit, USA Today, InStyle, Town & Country, People magazine, and many others, for their culinary innovations and unique décor. For more information visit www.houseofan.com.

About Daniel Rose
Chef Daniel Rose’s food melds the tradition of classical French cuisine with a contemporary, personal approach to fresh market ingredients. His restaurant, Spring, at which he is Chef and Owner, has been at the forefront of the Paris and international dining scene since opening his first 16-seat location in 2006. A Chicago-native, Daniel Rose landed in France to study at The American University of Paris. In an effort to improve his French, he found himself at the Institut Bocuse in Lyon, nourishing a passion for the restaurant business that would turn into a vibrant career. Rose credits his post-college work at Auberge des Abers in Brittany and Le Pre du Moulin in Serignan du Comtat, near Avignon as providing him with the culinary foundation that he often relies upon in mentoring his present day team. Rose cooked for some the world’s most esteemed Michelin three-star restaurants and chefs including Paul Bocuse in Lyon, Jean-Pierre Bruneau in Brussels and Yannick Alleno at the Le Meurice in Paris. He traces his turning point from cook to chef to a life-changing year spent in Panajachel, Guatemala in 2003 – Rose’s first experience as a Head Chef, running a kitchen and managing a team. Following that experience, Rose moved back to Paris in 2004, joining the restaurant team at the five-star Hotel Meurice. In 2006, the first iteration of Spring was born. By July 2010, Spring’s five month waiting list became the impetus for a move to a larger space near the Louvre in the lively Les Halles neighborhood. Rose’s Spring has since earned the distinction as The Guardian’s “One of 10 of the Best Restaurants in Paris,” Forbes’ “The Trophy Reservation,” and has become the Paris restaurant of choice for an international culinary elite including Gail Simmons, Alan Richman, Tim and Nina Zagat, Danny Meyer, and Alain Ducasse. Rose and Spring have been profiled in the Chicago Sun Times, ELLE, L’Express, Figaroscope, Forbes, The Guardian, GQ, International Herald Tribune, New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Wall Street Journal and many others. For more information, visit www.springparis.fr.

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Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://phoenix.provincerestaurant.com/PROVINCE CELEBRATES MOTHER’S DAY WITH GOURMET GOODNESS

[caption id=”attachment_7415″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Province Dining Room[/caption]

Featuring a menu filled with bountiful selections created with mom in mind

PHOENIX – (April 4, 2013) – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Province restaurant in an inviting atmosphere that offers delicious cuisine mom is bound to love. The menu features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and ample selections of gourmet cuisine.

Province’s Mother’s Day brunch menu will be available from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. The menu includes many options to customize a delicious brunch featuring: a gourmet eggs benedict station with your choice of bread, fillings and assorted hollandaise sauces. The fillings are plentiful and include: smoked salmon, shaved filet, chorizo, bacon, country ham, avocado, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and piquillo peppers. This is served with a mixed green side salad, fingerling potato hash or fresh fruit.

The brunch menu also features a scrumptious build-your-own waffle station including golden buttermilk waffles served with assorted seasonal fruits, toppings and gourmet sauces such as a vanilla whipped cream and dulce de leche house made preserve or a whipped cinnamon-honey sweet cream butter!

Mother’s Day brunch prices are very reasonable at $29 per adult, $12 for kids five to 12 years old, and kids under five years old eat free. Every mother will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. Bloody Mary and Mimosa drinks are $5 per drink. Regular menus will resume after brunch. A limited a la carte menu will be available.

Parking validation is available for Province restaurant patrons. Reservations are required for Mother’s Day brunch by calling Province at (602) 429-3600 or phoenix.provincerestaurant.com.

Province, The Westin Phoenix Downtown
333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix AZ 85004

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

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Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.comCELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH AT DISTRICT AMERICAN KITCHEN

Special moments are better when shared. Treat mom to a memorable and delicious Mother’s Day brunch at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 12. The menu features traditional favorites inspired by mom’s homemade recipes that includes local ingredients and herbs from the restaurant’s garden.

Start Mother’s Day brunch with endless champagne and then enjoy a menu featuring: chilled sea salted gulf shrimp on shaved ice; marinated flank steak over roasted rosemary fingerling potato casserole; baked cod accented with toasted corn and wild mushroom hash; hand-carved Vermont maple glazed ham studded with cloves; rooftop herb marinated chicken breast with creamy, sun dried polenta; fresh fruit scented with wild spearmint and natural fruit mist; empanadas filled with spring berries and Crow’s Dairy sweetened quark drizzled with flavored syrup; an omelet station that includes crumbled cheeses, spinach, roasted garlic, tomatoes, onions, sprouts, spiced nuts, fig jam, foraged mushrooms, popcorn shrimp; and bacon and sausages from local purveyors; artisan breads and pastries; Caesar salad with garlic croutons; spring vegetable cobbler; whipped Yukon gold potatoes; Greek yogurt shots; bacon and sausages; a mac n’ cheese station; and special desserts from the pastry chef. To top it off, every mom will be presented with a beautiful rose.

Mother’s Day brunch prices are very reasonable at $32 for adults and $16 for kids 12 years old and younger. Kids 3 years old and younger eat free.

[caption id=”attachment_7453″ align=”alignright” width=”610″] District American Kitchen Main Dining Room[/caption]

Looking for more? Create your very own bloody Mary at The Bloody Mary Bar with ingredients like pickled celery, Arizona spices and seasonal condiments for an additional $5.

The District bar will have an a la carte menu available during the day, and the regular menu will be available after 3 p.m. Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available. Restaurant reservations are required. Please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)

About District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/district.kitchen

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://www.westinphoenixdowntown.comTHE WESTIN PHOENIX DOWNTOWN LAUNCHES NEW WESTIN WEEKEND PROGRAM

Make Mondays better with 3 p.m. Sunday check-out, extended breakfast and more

PHOENIX – (April 10, 2013) – The Westin Phoenix Downtown is tackling the Monday blues head-on with the introduction of a new, dedicated weekend program that gives guests more flexibility and time to make the most out of their weekend getaway. As part of the global brand-wide initiative, The Westin Phoenix Downtown invites guests to personalize their Westin Weekend experience with a 3 p.m. check-out on Sundays, extended breakfast hours until 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, a special cocktail recipe so guests can enjoy a taste of Phoenix back at home, and a token (amenity) of appreciation for enjoying the Westin Weekends program.

To set the stage for the new program, The Westin Phoenix Downtown will signal the weekend has arrived through a variety of subtle sensory cues including changes in lighting, music and décor. The Westin Phoenix Downtown associates are also part of the transformation, leaving behind weekday ties and customary uniforms for a more relaxed and casual weekend look.

A longer weekend means a more relaxed, more positive perspective on the days ahead. Guests will discover complete well-being in downtown Phoenix at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Whether they are looking to explore the Sonoran desert’s flora and fauna by strolling through the Desert Botanical Garden, visiting the Phoenix Zoo’s wildlife, or discovering Native American art and culture at the Heard Museum, Phoenix has something to offer everyone. And now with the new Westin Weekends program, guests can take time to discover new sites, or linger longer in a Westin Heavenly Bed® while soaking in panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows available in each guestroom. Westin Weekends are designed to inspire well-being via the many offerings available at the hotel: a good night’s sleep on the Heavenly Bed; SuperFoodsRX menu selections; and convenient exercise options like the WestinWORKOUT, RunWESTIN and New Balance Gear Lending programs.

[caption id=”attachment_7481″ align=”alignleft” width=”640″] Westin Weekend[/caption]

LAUNCH EVENT
To kick off the new Westin Weekends program, Province at The Westin Phoenix Downtown will offer half-off breakfast when enjoyed in the restaurant from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 19. Breakfast items include modern classics like breakfast tacos, cinnamon oatmeal, assorted omelets, eggs Benedict, and much more.

Province will also extend an all-day happy hour menu that day that includes Latin-inspired tapas like pumpkin croquetas, spiced shrimp tacos, Venezuelan empanadas, Havana flatbread, and ceviche, and will also feature the hotel’s Westin Weekends tequila sunrise, a specialty cocktail available for only $5 during the launch event.

WESTIN WEEKENDS COCKTAIL
When you enjoy a Westin Weekend, you can enjoy a taste of Phoenix sipping on a modern-day tequila sunrise – a specialty cocktail to complement The Westin Phoenix Downtown’s Westin Weekends program. The tequila sunrise is a cocktail that resembles a sunset and has its roots dating back to the ’30s when it was invented by a Phoenix local. As is customary with Arizona hospitality, a bartender of the time exceeded a guest’s expectation by creating a refreshing tequila drink that could be enjoyed pool side. Success was had that day as the guest sipped the beverage on a warm Phoenix afternoon, enjoying a sunset that only Arizona can provide. The tequila sunrise will be available in the hotel’s restaurant, Province for $11 beginning April 20 for the duration of the Westin Weekends program.

TEQUILA SUNRISE RECIPE
Ingredients:
• 1 ¼ ounce of tequila
• 1 ¼ cup of fresh squeezed orange juice
• ¾ ounce of grenadine
• Ice and soda water
• Orange slice and cherry for garnish

Preparation:
1. Add ice to a Collins glass.
2. Pour tequila and orange juice over ice.
3. Pour in grenadine, it will settle at the bottom.
4. Top with soda water.
5. Add orange slice and cherry for garnish.
6. Enjoy your refreshing cocktail!

OFFER
Make the most of your stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel with the new Westin Weekends program that allows you a chance to relax and rejuvenate with signature Westin amenities that will leave you feeling refreshed. Stay two weekend nights and receive a complimentary third night’s stay available April 1 through Dec. 31, 2013. To make a reservation, call (800) 937-8461 and mention “Complimentary Night,” or visit www.westin.com/weekends.

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province
333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts offers innovative programs that transform every aspect of a stay into a revitalizing experience. All Westin signature services – like the Heavenly Bed, delicious SuperFoods and WestinWORKOUT studio – have been designed with the guests’ well-being in mind. Westin hotels, with more than 190 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload a three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Margie Palkompalko@pechanga.comhttp://www.pechanga.com18th Annual Pechanga Pow Wow

[caption id=”attachment_7487″ align=”alignright” width=”654″] Pechanga Pow Wow[/caption

[/caption]DATES: Friday, June 28, Saturday, June 29 & Sunday June 30

18th Annual Pechanga Pow Wow

951/693-1819; pechanga.com

Experience authentic native culture as thousands from throughout the Americas celebrate their heritage with Native American dancing, drumming, and performances. Saturday night features an amazing fireworks display against the majestic mountains. Fireworks on Saturday, June 29th AND Saturday, July 6th!

 

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://phoenix.provincerestaurant.comPROVINCE PARTNERS WITH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE DÍA DE LOS NIÑOS

[caption id=”attachment_7489″ align=”alignright” width=”299″] The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

Month-long literacy awareness campaign in downtown Phoenix honors the children

PHOENIX – (April 10, 2013) – Province, the Latin-inspired American restaurant at The Westin Phoenix Downtown, partners with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix to launch a bilingual literacy celebration on April 30, 2013, in honor of Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros (Day of the Children/Day of the Books).

Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros is a celebration that originated in 1997 and embraces childhood literacy. The partnership between the restaurant and Museum will celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books and stories.

Instead of having a one-day event on Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros (April 30), the celebration will last for an entire month. From April 30 through May 30, 2013, kids under 12 years old will eat free from the selections available on the kids’ menu at Province when they bring new or gently used children’s books to the restaurant as a donation to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Kids and families are encouraged to bring books that are written in Spanish and/or English.

To receive the complimentary meal in Province, kids must be accompanied by an adult and only qualifies with the purchase of an adult entrée. This offer is available during all mealtimes throughout the month-long campaign.

Additionally, those participating in this effort will receive a coupon for two-for-one admission into the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. These two-for-one admission coupons will be given to qualifying patrons at Province in exchange for the new or gently used books.

Province will collect and display all donated books in the restaurant’s main dining area for all to see! The books will be delivered to and then used throughout the Museum including the Museum’s Book Loft. They will also be distributed to families in need through the Museum’s Every Child Program, which provides free or reduced Museum admission to families battling financial, emotional or circumstantial challenges.

Parking validation is available for Province restaurant patrons. Reservations are recommended by calling Province at (602) 429-3600 or visiting phoenix.provincerestaurant.com.

Province, The Westin Phoenix Downtown, 333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

About Province

[caption id=”attachment_7490″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Province[/caption]


In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

About The Children’s Museum of Phoenix
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix, one of the top 10 Children’s Museums in the Country (Parents
Magazine, 2011), is located in the historic Monroe School Building at 215 N. 7th Street in downtown
Phoenix. The Museum opened to the public on June 14, 2008 and offers 48,000 square feet of hands-on, fun and educational activities for children ages birth to 10. The mission of the Museum is to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $11 per person, children under the age of 1 are free.

AzTAP Department of Services for Persons with Disabilities conducted an accessibility evaluation in
August 2008 and summarized, “the Children’s Museum of Phoenix is the most exceptionally disability-aware arts institution this evaluator has ever surveyed.”

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For more information visit ChildrensMuseumOfPhoenix.org.

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Sarah Essarysessary@augustineideas.comhttp://www.riverfrontofnapa.com/Napa’s Riverfront Supports Arts in April with First-Ever Chalk Festival

[caption id=”attachment_7520″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Napa’s Riverfront Chalk Festival[/caption]

NAPA, Calif. – In support of Napa’s Arts in April, Riverfront businesses are hosting the first-ever Napa’s Riverfront Chalk Festival, April 21, 2013, featuring local artist Amy Gallaher Hall. Watch several local and student artists create works of art along the walkways from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival is free and those attending are encouraged to begin their art walk at the Fourth Street overhang. Attendees may also choose to participate in creating works of art by pre-registering online to reserve sidewalk space.

On Saturday April 20, Amy Gallaher Hall will painstakingly create her 9-feet by 12-feet original work of art. Hall will begin chalking her design throughout the day on Sunday April 21 which will remain on display until April 27 or until weather permits. Other local artists joining Hall include Don Judah, Kate Salenfriend, Kristina Young and many more.

Additionally, students will design various chalk drawings on 4-feet by 8-feet MDO board, a chalk paintable surface made of plywood. Student drawings will be judged for a chance at earning cash prizes: first place awarded $350 and second place awarded $150. All student chalk drawings will be for sale and on display throughout Napa’s Riverfront. Attendees and children can also purchase chalk sets to join in on the fun inside the Children’s Chalk Area. All art-booth proceeds go to New Tech High School.

“Arts in April is a program that is very important to us in Napa,” said Sara Brooks, general manager at Napa River Inn. “Napa’s Riverfront Chalk Festival is a great way to bring the community together to celebrate the arts and to give back to local programs. Amy Gallaher Hall designs some phenomenal pieces, so we’re very excited to have her involved in the event.”

Arts in April is an annual program supported by the Arts Council Napa Valley and Visit Napa Valley. The program is a tasty blend of wine, art and local culture. For more information about Arts in April, visit www.ArtsCouncilNapaValley.org.

For more information on Napa’s Riverfront Chalk Festival, click here. You can also “Like” Napa’s Riverfront on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NapasRiverfront.

About Napa’s Riverfront
Located in downtown Napa’s South Main Street, Napa’s Riverfront is a special district that unites to create the perfect combination of old and new. Once the site of coal and produce warehouses, a skating rink and secret society meeting rooms dating back to the 1880’s, the historic Napa Mill buildings were completely refurbished in 2000 and offer rustic elegance to compliment the classic architecture of the more recent Riverfront buildings constructed in 2009. Offering historic accommodations, a variety of dining and shopping options, high-end living and more, Napa’s Riverfront is a truly one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other in the Napa Valley. This district is home to nearly 20 premier merchants that include: Amelia’s Gifts; Angele; B.Real Women’s Apparel; Celadon; Fish Story; Frati Gelato Café; Helen Lyall Clothes for Women; Ivy, Twigs and Twine; Liken; Morimoto Napa; Napa General Store, Napa River Inn; Napa River Velo; Napa Valley Welcome Center; Scott Lyall Clothes for Men; Silo’s; Sweetie Pies; The Pear; Vintage Sweet Shoppe; WineTasting.com.

###

Austin Gambinoausting@cruiseweb.comhttp://cruiseweb.com/Cruise Infographic: Breaking Down the Norwegian Breakaway

 

By, Austin Gambino

 

In honor of the brand new Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Breakaway arriving at her homeport of New York City this week, The Cruise Web Marketing Team put together this free cruise infographic which highlights the new features of the ship.
You can check out the ‘Breaking Down the Breakaway’ infographic here.
View and book 2013 Norwegian Cruise Line cruise deals here.
Or, browse The Cruise Web Homepage.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@Sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Raises a Glass to Global Roll-out of Premium Wine Program Celebrate 24-Hour “Toast Around the World”

[caption id=”attachment_7819″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Toasating with Wine[/caption]

Sheraton Social Hour Now featured at more than 400
Hotels around the World

From Asia to Europe to the Americas, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
is raising a glass and betting big on its premium wine program, Sheraton Social Hour.
Sheraton Hotels, in cooperation with Wine Spectator magazine, today announces the global roll-out of its ignature wine program to 430 hotels around the world. In celebration of the program’s success, Sheraton, Wine Spectator and its valued wine partner Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is hosting a 24-hour “Toast Around the World” at Sheraton hotels and resorts across the globe incuding:
Edinburgh, Mexico City, Bali, Phoenix, Bangalore and New York.

 

The global festivities kick off in Asia with celebrations at the
Sheraton Hong Kong and Sheraton Shanghai. A celebratory toast will be passed virtually, including Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel,
around the world until it reaches The Sheraton New York Times Square and The Sheraton Waikiki for the conclusion of the day-long global celebration.

Hotel guests and brand followers will be invited to join in on the virtual celebration

[caption id=”attachment_7818″ align=”alignright” width=”271″] Shearton Lobby[/caption]

with the brand’s new dedicated Social Hour mobile platform,
Sheraton.com/socialhour, where they can browse through hundreds of toasts
shared around the world for the special occasion or create their own using #SheratonToast.
Want to raise a glass? Consumers and guests are invited to join the
conversation and celebration at #SheratonToast.

 

“Following tremendous early success, we’re proud to offer guests at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel and at all Sheraton Hotels aroun the world the opportunity to experience this award-winning premium wine program,”
said General Manager Mike Ehmann. “As the World’s Gathering Place we are continuously looking for ways to elevate our guest experiences with new social interactions and believe Sheraton Social Hour to be a great program for both business and leisure guests.”

 

The program, developed by today’s premier wine experts and the
brand’s global food and beverage team, offers guests a specially curated menu
of premium wines and weekly tasting events. At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, guests
can participate in Social Hour tasting events that feature two highly rated
wines from the Sheraton Selects menu, many of which are rated 90 and above,
from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays in the hotel’s Park Lounge. Each
tasting is $5 and includes a pairing of two 2-ounce pours – perfectly poured in
Riedel stemware, which is used exclusively in the Park Lounge for the Sheraton
Social Hour wine program.

 

Social Hour Success

Nearly one year following the award-winning program’s limited
debut, hotels that participated in Sheraton Social Hour have higher bar RevPOR
(revenue per occupied room) than non-participating hotels, have better
year-over-year (YOY) performance in bar and food and beverage RevPOR and saw an
average 20% increase in YOY beverage revenue at the Park Lounge lobby
bar.   

 

Cheers! SPG Members can now redeem Starpoints® for Chateau St. Michelle Premium Wines

Sheraton Hotels and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), in
partnership with Chateau Ste. Michelle, is proud to introduce the Chateau Ste.
Michelle Premium Rewards Wine Club for U.S. customers. SPG members may now
redeem Starpoints for membership in this Wine Club which features specially
chosen red and white wines with a history of high acclaim.

 

A six-month membership is offered for 12,000 Starpoints and
includes two quarterly shipments of two bottles each – one red and one white. A
12-month membership is available for 24,000 Starpoints and includes four
quarterly shipments of two bottles each – one red and one white. Wine club
members also receive an exclusive 20% discount on all purchases made at www.ste-michelle.com (some exclusions may apply). Visit www.sheraton.com/wineclub for more information.

 

For more information on Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, please
visit www.sheraton.com or on Facebook.  Follow Sheraton
on Twitter.

 

 

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as
the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features
signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the
Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban
oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck
with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000
square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District
American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the
heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For
additional information or for reservations, please visitwww.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com. 

 

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 hotels
in nearly 70 countries around the world and recently completed a $6 billion
global revitalization and is now in the midst of a $8 billion global expansion
over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most
global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the
leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,146 properties in
nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels,
resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St.
Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four
Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the
industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing
members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights,
with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a
premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style
resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please
visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Maralyn D. Hill, The Epicurean Explorer

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President

Editor-at-Large, CityRoom

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorld, http://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

 

 

Mark Longpendownmark@gmail.comhttp://www.nilons.com/Nilon’s – Ultimate Guide for Indian Spicy Masala

Indian spices and turmeric powder

It is a bit difficult to create a perfect guide for every Indian spicy masala you
can think of. Why? Because there are very many different types that you will
come across in the market. There are a number of spices that you will never
fail to get on any recipe used to prepare masala. If you are talking about chicken
masala, you will get these spices in them. If you place an order for most
Indian dishes, you will probably discover that they are made using some very
common spices. If you have ever wondered why you taste turmeric powder in your
Indian dishes, then this is the reason.

 

If you want to make Indian spicy masala, you will discover that they all include
or contain turmeric powder. Pepper powder and jeera will most probably also be
included in these dishes. Depending on the Indian spices you are most
comfortable with, you will need to place an order for them from the right
sources. Some of these spicy masala dishes are made after you take all the Indian
spices you require and then mixing them together. It might appear a very simple
exercise but if you don’t know how to make such types of dishes, you should
leave it to experts.

 

By nature, masala is used to describe a number of Indian cuisines which include Indian
spices as part of their main ingredients. There is no way you will taste these
Indian cuisines and fail to notice the inclusion of the spices. They have a
very sharp taste which will longer in your mouth for a very long time. These
spices could either be dried or in a paste format. Whichever option you go
with, one thing you won’t fail to notice is that their taste. The use of chilli
powder is perhaps one of the attributes that sets Indian dishes or cuisines
apart from others.

 

A few of the ingredients that you are also likely to get in all types of Indian
spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, mustard seed, cardamom, cloves and
cinnamon. Fennel is also commonly used by many top chefs to prepare different
types of Indian spicy masala. These are the ingredients that are responsible
for making some of the tastiest Indian cuisines in the land. Any Indian
restaurant you go to for such meals, will generally include these types of Indian
spices while making special dishes for their clients.

 

[caption id=”attachment_7891″ align=”alignright” width=”210″] Nilons-Turmeric-Powder[/caption]

The Indian spices are the main ingredients that are used to add flavor, color and
fragrance into any Indian dish you make, or order from a restaurant. Moreover,
if you feel that the dish you are currently preparing is quite bland, you can
make it as tasty as you want by adding these spices and herbs.

 

Nilons has wide range of experience in making Indian
cuisines using http://www.nilons.com/5/indian-spices-masala.php
Nilons been involved in this industry for a very long time and has
served in some of the best Indian restaurants, being asked to make some great chicken masala using chilli powder and http://www.nilons.com/30/indian-spices-masala/turmeric-powder.php turmeric powder. 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

 

Mariano Pelizzaripress@travelgenio.comhttp://blog.travelgenio.comTravelgenio Improves Its Customer Service

 

[caption id=”attachment_7894″ align=”aligncenter” width=”560″] Travelgenio headquarters[/caption]


With the extended hours for the customer service and the creation of the new jobs, Travelgenio
intend to give a better service for our operations and to give customers the
peace of mind that Travelgenio is the agency to trust. Travelgenio will make
our best to solve any issue. Travelgenio intention is to get the loyalty and
satisfaction of our customers in each of their reservations
 

Travelgenio, in its effort to improve the customer service, has increased
all the resources allocated to assist the travelers.

 

Before, the time for this service covered
conveniently every operation issue but, since in the last year they have
doubled the operations, the online travel agency increased it significantly. 

Since last February, the customer service hours are:
Monday through Friday from 9 to 21h. and on Saturday, Sunday and holidays,
from 10 to 19h.

In this way, Travelgenio
will give answer every day of the year to any contingency that may happen to
their customers during their travels. 

At the same time, following Travelgenio’s growth over last year and in line with its policy
of improved customer service, the agency staff has increased about a 111%.

 

Mariano Pelizzari, CEO and co-founder of the online travel agency explains:
“Our goal is the final customer satisfaction, as it always has been.
With the extended hours for the customer service and the
creation of the new jobs, we intend to give a better service for our operations
and to give our customers the peace of mind that Travelgenio is the agency to
trust.We will make our best to solve any issue. Our intention is to get the
loyalty and satisfaction of our customers in each of their reservations”. 

With all these changes and its current
international expansion, Travelgenio ranks as one of the online travel agencies
with higher growth and customer commitment.

Thus, Travelgenio wants to continue being one
of the online travel agency that has faster response to incidents and,
with the extended hours, now is among the leaders sector.

 

 

ABOUT TRAVELGENIO

Travelgenio is an online travel agency, founded
in 2010 in Spain by Mariano Pelizzari.

With presence in main European countries, this
company is specialised in flights, hotels and rent cars.

Actually, Travelgenio is in its international expansion process looking
for its consolidation in Europe and also in Latin America.

One of its current goals this year is to complete its portfolio´s expansion to answer
the real needs of the customer and travelers.

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie Brashearkatie.brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.com$22 for You Launches at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

[caption id=”attachment_7926″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Corn Soup[/caption]

Introducing a new
menu of your favorite American comfort foods infused with local ingredients

PHOENIX – (May 20, 2013) – With
a $22 dinner menu showcasing creative new American-inspired entrées launching May
22 at District
American Kitchen and Wine Bar
,
summertime
is spicing up and looking hotter! The new dinner menu features innovative
culinary creations, locally sourced ingredients and dishes infused with flavor.
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
consistently incorporates artisan products, herbs from the restaurant’s rooftop
garden, and sustainably farmed items from local growers into each and every
menu item.

As recently debuted during Spring 2013 Arizona Restaurant
Week, District American Kitchen and Wine
Bar’s
new summer menu highlights include: Fried Green Tomatoes with crispy pork belly, arugula,
shaved radish, tarragon and avocado cream fraîche ($8); “Street Corn” Soup with grilled corn,
crispy Fritos®, cotija cheese, sweet smoked paprika and chipotle lime
crema ($6); Hudson Valley Duck Carbonara

[caption id=”attachment_7927″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Hudson Valley Duck Carborna[/caption]


with sugar snap peas, pancetta, charred pearl onions and shaved
locatelli cheese; Pan Roasted Salmon with
roasted cauliflower, sautéed greens, fennel, Arizona citrus and a salad made of
fresh herbs from the restaurant’s rooftop garden; and for dessert, the Arizona Citrus Mint Gelati that
includes a variety of fresh mint plucked from the restaurant’s rooftop garden,
and  the Salted
Caramel Chocolate Bar.

“Every new dinner entrée on
our summertime menu is infused with passion and features delicious seasonal dishes
with the freshest ingredients at an unbelievable $22 price,” said Chef de
Cuisine Jay Bogsinske, District American
Kitchen and Wine Bar.
“Salmon, ribeye, grilled tenderloin, Berkshire pork
chops – it’s all priced at $22 without sacrificing the portion size, quality or
flavor.”   

Other new items on the dinner menu worth mentioning
include: a Shaved Melon Salad with
seasonally fresh assorted melons, local greens, avocado, pistachios from Pinal County,
honey from local sources and chocolate mint infused vinaigrette made with herbs
from the rooftop garden ($9); and the Grilled
Beef Tenderloin
with blue cheese, bacon and caramelized onion crust,
heirloom tomatoes, local greens, and MJ Breads marble rye crostini with basil
oil. 

Two gluten free all-time favorite menu items are the 3rd

[caption id=”attachment_7928″ align=”alignright” width=”198″] AZ Citrus Mint Gelati[/caption]


Street Spinach Salad
with
strawberries, Marcona almonds, golden beets, Crow’s Dairy peppercorn feta and
honey mustard vinaigrette ($9); and the infamous Bacon Wrapped Yuma Dates stuffed with scallion cream cheese and
drizzled with Vermont maple syrup ($8).

In addition to
the new Arizona Citrus Mint Gelati and
the Salted
Caramel Chocolate Bar
, the dessert menu features a Neapolitan Whoopie Pie with vanilla fluff stuffed between two chocolate
whoopie cakes and topped with strawberry pomegranate sherbet and dried
strawberry chips ($6); Cheesecake Berry Brulee
($6); a Peach Melba Cobbler featuring
a deconstructed  version of a cobbler
with Crow’s Dairy goat cheese pecan ice cream and raspberry gelee ($6); and a Cherry Upside Down Cake with pistachio foam and coconut sherbet
($6).

A list of five new cocktails
perfectly complements the dishes from the new menu. All featured libations
include house made infused ingredients such as bitters or vinegars, or herbs
from the restaurant’s rooftop garden.

The new “$22 For You” dinner menu
will be available during the summertime and features all entrées at $22. Complimentary
three-hour parking validation is available. For
restaurant reservations, call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

More: District American Kitchen and Wine Baris open daily for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s lunch menu features “Nothing Over Nine at Noon,” where high-quality menu offerings and seasonal favorites are
available for no more than $9. Happy hour is available Monday through
Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and reverse happy hour from 10 p.m. to close
featuring $5 sangria, $3 draft microbrews, and happy hour pricing on select
menu items. Live jazz music or DJs perform most nights.

 Culinary pictures available.

Cocktail recipes and
pictures available.

 

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in downtown Phoenix)

 

About District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

District
American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the
downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio
seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch,
happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American
heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American
Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and
offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons
can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites
reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest
corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For
restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/district.kitchen

 

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Kirsten Texlerkirsten@keylinkinc.nethttp://www.studio8100comm8100 Dance Studio to Host Internationally Acclaimed Teachers Summer Dance Intensive Workshops Welcome Famous Dancers to Teach at the Vail Valley’s Newest Studio

May 22, 2013-Vail, Colorado-Studio 8100, located near Vail, Colorado welcomes students to learn from the very best dance teachers in the nation this summer at the newest dance studio in the area.  The “Summer Dance Intensive” series allow participants of all levels to take classes led by invited dance luminaries and Studio 8100’s own high-profile dance instructors in the heart of one of the Rocky Mountain’s most charming resort areas.  The intensives are one to two week long programs (in addition to the studio’s regular schedule of class offerings) in ballet, hip-hop and other dance styles.  Guest teachers includes Principal Dancers from national ballet companies, choreographers with resumes that include movie, stage and broadcast experience and winners of national dance competitions.

[caption id=”attachment_7942″ align=”alignright” width=”610″] Students enjoy practice at new Vail area dance studio[/caption]

“We think this is the trifecta of the way a dancer can take a week in the summer to train:  they get high-altitude training, access to the best teachers in the world, and time to enjoy the charming atmosphere of world-famous the Vail resort area,” states Studio 8100 owner Hilde Falk.  “We are excited to show a wide audience our new studio, since we invested in the highest level of professional floor materials, a light and bright setting with floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcasing the mountains, and space to really move and express dance.”
A wide variety of evening activities are scheduled, such as meet-and-greets, excursions to other local visiting professional performances, and more all listed on the www.vaildanceintensive.comwebsite.
A potential line-up of teachers includes:

    • Corina Kinnear, Los Angeles based Emmy nominated dancer
    • Sharon Wehner, Principal Dancer with The Colorado Ballet Company
    • David Taylor, Choreographer and Director of one of Denver (and the nation’s) most recognized dance companies for forty years, whose troupe has toured all over the world every year
    • Joanna Curley, Youth America Grand Prix Winner dancer
    • Rachel Elliott, Contemporary Dancer, LINES Ballet, San Francisco
    • Chase Evered, featured performer on tour with LeAnn Rimes, Destiny’s Child, Ciara and others
    • Audrey Gibson, Los Angeles’ Revolution Company and dancer in television’s popular show, “Bunheads”

Dance intensives are intended for ages 11-25, from intermediate level dancers and above.  Lodging packages are available.  Prices start at $750 for one week; lodging add-ons from a reduced rate of $375 per week.  For more information about the Summer Dance Intensive, visit www.vaildanceintensive.com or Studio 8100’s website, www.studio8100.com or call 970-306-3395.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Trisha Coletrisha@wagstaffworldwide.comhttp://www.ranchopescadero.comRancho Pescadero Endlesss Summer Package Now Available

 

FOR:              

RANCHO PESCADERO
                           

Parcela #53

San Juan de Dios

El Pescadero, BCS, Mexico

011.52.1.612.135.5849
(Mexico)

910.300.8891
(U.S.)

www.ranchopescadero.com

Rancho Pescadero on Facebook

 

CONTACT:   WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE

                        Trisha
Cole

323.871.1151

                        trisha@wagstaffworldwide.com

 

[caption id=”attachment_7947″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Rancho Pescadero[/caption]

 

SUMMER MAY BE THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
RANCHO PESCADERO—

WITH THE ENDLESS SUMMER PACKAGE BOOK

FOUR NIGHTS AND THE FIFTH IS FREE FROM
JUNE-SEPTEMBER

 

Near-perfect weather,
crowd-free surf breaks, fresh seafood and cocktails made with ingredients from
the garden are just a few things to look forward to

 

(PESCADERO, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR; May
2013)— Rancho Pescadero is happy to
once again offer the Endless Summer Package beginning June 1st.
Book a four-night stay any consecutive nights from June 1-September 30, 2013
and the fifth night is free. Summer in Pescadero, just south of the charming
town of Todos Santos, is one of the best times to visit and a secret to most. With
great weather and  virtually empty surf
breaks, the resort is prime a getaway in the truest sense of the word. Enjoy
daily complimentary yoga; coffee, pastries and fruit delivered each morning;
weekend dinners in the garden, and more.

 

WHAT:           Book four consecutive nights and get
the fifth night free with Rancho Pescadero’s Endless Summer Package

 

WHEN:           Available June 1-September 30, 2013

 

WHERE:         Rancho Pescadero

                        Pescadero,
Mexico

1 hour north
of Cabo San Lucas, and just south of Todos Santos on the Pacific Ocean in Baja
California, Mexico

[caption id=”attachment_7948″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Rancho Pescadero[/caption]

 

RESERVATIONS:    Rooms start at $185 night. Reservations can
be made by visiting www.ranchopescadero.com or calling (910)
300-8891.

 

About Rancho Pescadero:

Rancho Pescadero is located just an hour
north of Cabo San Lucas in Baja, Mexico, just six miles south of Todos Santos.
Rancho Pescadero is bucking the trend of the traditional boutique beach hotel
with a simple motto: “We want them to squeal when they get here and cry when
they leave.” The hotel features 27 suites, an ocean view restaurant, an organic
garden and outdoor kitchen, Tres Hermanas Spa specializing in local and indigenous
ingredients, a 2,000 square foot yoga and Pilates pavilion, and a two-mile
stretch of white sandy beach. Activities include surfing, fishing, beachfront horseback
riding, swimming with Whale Sharks, hiking, mountain biking, environmental
education, cultural tours, conservation opportunities such as turtle rescuing,
and more. Rates range from $185-425 per night. For more information on Rancho
Pescadero, please visit www.ranchopescadero.com or call
910.300.8891 or in Mexico, 011.52.1.612.135.5849. Rancho Pescadero is also on Facebook.

 

###

For more information and photos, please
contact Trisha Cole at Wagstaff Worldwide:
trisha@wagstaffworldwide.com or 323.871.1151

 

       

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner. 

 

Kristin Welshkristin@allynmedia.comhttp://www.dallaszoo.comDallas Zoo first Zoo in North America to Mix Elephants with Hoofed Animals

[caption id=”attachment_7951″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Photo: Dallas Zoo[/caption]

Dallas, Texas, May 15, 2013 – The Dallas
Zoo announced that it is the first zoo in North America to combine African
elephants with zebras, giraffes, impalas, ostriches and guinea fowl in the same
habitat, where these majestic animals can explore the award-winning Giants
of the Savanna habitat side by side, just as they would in the wild.

The Dallas Zoo’s innovative exhibit is a key player in Dallas’ recent
advancement as a world-class cultural destination, attracting visitors to Dallas
along with the Dallas Arts District – the largest arts district in the nation
(spanning 68 acres and 19 contiguous blocks), the Perot Museum of Nature and
Science and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

The Giants of the Savanna habitat was built, in part, in response to national
attention the Dallas Zoo received in 2009 regarding Jenny, an African elephant
that has been in the Dallas Zoo’s care since 1986. Today, Jenny, along with
fellow African elephants Mama, Gypsy, Kamba and Congo, live in the Giants of the
Savanna habitat and like all elephants, are naturally social, intelligent
animals with strong personalities. They’re older, female elephants, but very
active. That’s why the Zoo started calling them their “Golden Girls.”

[caption id=”attachment_7950″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Elephants Photo: The Dallas Zoo[/caption]

“The Giants of the Savanna continues to be a game changer for the Dallas Zoo,”
said Gregg Hudson, president and CEO of Dallas Zoo Management, Inc. “It is two
decades of vision, a dream of what could be, finally becoming reality. Today,
the Dallas Zoo is recognized as an innovator and a national and international
leader in elephant care. We have zoos and elephant experts from all over the
world coming here, asking us how we are doing it . . . telling us they plan to
do exactly as we have done. We are extremely pleased with Giants of the Savanna,
how we navigated the journey it took to get here and the great team we have in
place. Most of all, we’re proud of how this habitat has provided a caring,
comfortable and stimulating environment for our elephants, our Golden Girls.”

“The Giants of the Savanna is a mentally and physically stimulating habitat for
the animals,” said Lynn Kramer, DVM, vice president of animal operations and
welfare for Dallas Zoo Management Inc. “The design is based on field research.
In the wild, elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas all move around a lot because
they are looking for food, water, and companionship. We created an
activity-based, multi-species habitat with the same incentives to encourage them
to travel throughout the entire space. The elephants are the largest – so the
other animals move around the Savanna based on where the elephants choose to go.
The Giants of the Savanna habitat, with over four acres open to the elephants,
gives the animals room to roam. We’re observing how they use their space and how
an active lifestyle impacts their health and then we share that information with
our fellow zoos and researchers studying elephants in the wild.”

[caption id=”attachment_7952″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Photo Dallas Zoo[/caption]

“What the animal experts here at the Giants of the Savanna are doing is bringing
different kinds of animals together in one habitat as these animals would live
on the savanna in Africa,” said Michael L. Meadows, president and chief
executive officer of the Dallas Zoological Society. “But the addition of
elephants has never been done before here in the U.S. and that makes the Dallas
Zoo a must-see, destination zoo. Our peers from other zoos in the Association of
Zoos and Aquariums are coming to the Dallas Zoo and calling us a leader . . .
With the Giants of the Savanna continuing to thrive and evolve, we truly believe
the Dallas Zoo is poised to become one of the best zoological parks in the
country. Our donors say they are excited to be associated with one of the
premier elephant care leaders in the country and to help the outstanding
veterinarians, scientists and keepers here take advantage of unprecedented
opportunities to learn about and from these animals.”

“The new elephant facility at the Dallas Zoo may represent the future of
elephant habitats in zoos in North America,” said Jack Hanna, director emeritus
of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, conservationist, television personality and
author. “Over the last 30 years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world to
learn about many awe-inspiring creatures. I’ve been blessed to see animals in
the wild, but I know many people will not have that opportunity. The good news
is that if you can get to Dallas, you can see elephants, giraffes, and zebras
all living together – just as you would on safari in Africa!”

The Dallas Zoo is located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, 75203.
Admission is $15 for ages 12-64, $12 for ages 3-11 and 65+, and free for ages 2
and younger.

Web: www.dallaszoo.com, Phone: (469)
554-7500

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Michael C. Rostancemork3@prodigy.nethttp://www.umbriantable.comExplore The Green Heart of Italy: Umbrian Harvest 2013

Edina, Minnesota, May 9, 2013 – Chef Michael Rostance and The Umbrian
Table have been delighting small groups of travelers with food and wine
tours since 1999.  An exploration of Umbria’s culture, architecture, art
and daily life are experienced though food and wine tasting during the early
November harvest season.  Hunt for black truffles, taste freshly pressed
olive oil minutes from the press, learn cooking tips from local chefs and taste
a vast array of the world famous Sagrantino Montefalco wines from the best small
producers.  Stay at the historic Palazzo Leti in Spoleto and travel via
small air-conditioned bus to various nearby towns and tour locations. Visit
historic town, churches and palazzi; meet the local farmers, vintners and chefs
and celebrate with local towns people. Fully bi-lingual guide and travel
professionals are part of our team. Space is limited to 14 like-minded
travelers. Join with a $400 non-refundable deposit by June 15th and receive a
$150 discount. 

[caption id=”attachment_7954″ align=”aligncenter” width=”300″] I Love My Farmers Market Celebration[/caption]

Web: www.umbriantable.com, Email: mork3@prodigy.net

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Leigh Cortleighcort@bellsouth.nethttp://www.LeighCortPublicity.comChef Poinard Celebrates Fifth Anniversary at Bistro de Leon – A New Rhythm of French Cuisine

 

Chef Poinard Celebrates FIFTHAnniversary

 

At Bistro de Leon

 

A NEW RHYTHM OF FRENCH CUISINE

 

Classic & Contemporary – French
Comfort Food

 

[caption id=”attachment_7971″ align=”aligncenter” width=”222″] Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

St. Augustine (May 2013) June 2013 is the FIFTH
Anniversary for Chef/Restaurateur Jean-Stephane Poinard and his well-liked French
restaurant Bistro
de Leon
. His arrival in St. Augustine, Florida realized his
childhood dream of living and owning a restaurant in America. The City’s
European atmosphere lured Jean-Stephane to the ‘ancient city’. Bistro de Leon
is within steps from the famous Bridge of Lions on Cathedral Place. “For five years I’ve enjoyed creating a restaurant
that fits into its neighborhood – Bistro de Quartier. It’s a small cozy café in
a cozy town, like at home in Lyon”.

 

 

 

JUNE CELEBRATION SPECIAL

 

 

 

To celebrate the Bistro’s anniversary throughout the month
of June, Chef Poinard is extending his popular Happy Hour until 8:00pm each
night (menu and pricing) and is presenting guests with a complimentary Kir
Cocktail – a perfect summer drink of Champagne and Chambord Liqueur.  

 

 

 

VIEW CHEF
JEAN-STEPHANE POINARD:

 

 

 

YouTube
– Bistro De Leon- Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard

 

 

FRENCH HOME
COOKING
la cuisine de meres
is what propelled Poinard to the top of the elitist gastronomic scene since
1998.  Proud of being a 5th
generation chef , Jean-Stephane is delighting international patrons  with his exuberant youthful passion and
pleasure in cooking.

 

AS A MEMBER
of the exclusive Les Toques Blanches
Lyonnaises
, Poinard is one of the honored chefs invited into the rare fraternity of only 100 members. The Bistro
closely resembles the style and spirit of restaurants he owned in France in his
native town, where he has been awarded by the Michelin and other prestigious Culinary
Guides. 

 

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS in
America have been numerous.

 

    • Chef Poinard was invited
      to the James Beard Foundtation
      November 2011 as the honored Chef to prepare a 70-guest Beaujolais Nouveau
      7-course Dinner
  • He is on the Steering
    Committee for the First Coast
    Technical College Culinary Division
    in St. Augustine, Florida

 

  • The Navy Training Program for all national Navy food service
    divisions enlists Chef Poinard to judge events and mentor Navy personnel
    from around the USA

 

  • International Food Wine
    & Travel Writers Association has bestowed a Culinary Honorarium on
    Chef Poinard – inviting him also to be the international celebrity chef at
    their 2010 Conference at Sea. He received the IfWTWA Award of Distinction in the Epicurean Arts

 

  • The City of St. Augustine chose Chef Poinard to represent them
    in Tallahassee, Florida and on numerous television promotions throughout
    the State

 

 

 “When you cook, you have to love people. My cuisine is
like a symphony; I cook to the rhythms of music – and it’s fun. I don’t make my
food adapt to me…I get a feeling for the food that’s the freshest I can
procure. The menu changes often, serving only homemade breads & pastries,
entrees, salads, ice cream and sorbet…everything authentically from home”.

 

 

 

BISTRO DE LEON AND
CHEF POINARD HAVE RECEIVED:

 

    • 3-diamond rating from AAA
  • December 2009 ‘Silver Spoon Award’ from Orlando Home & Leisure
    Magazine as BEST RESTAURANT WORTH A DRIVE.

 

  • ‘Snail of Approval (Slow Food USA), actively participating  in NE Florida Slow Food Movement

 

  • Voted in the Top 25 Best Restaurants (Jacksonville Magazine)

 

  • Selected by the Editors of “Where the Locals Eat” three years in a
    row, received the famous banner “BEST OF ST. AUGUSTINE” for French Cuisine
    (2009. 2010. 2011) 

 

 

HISTORY in France:

 

Jean-Stephane Poianrd is a 5th generation French
chef, born and baptized in his parents’ restaurant. He lived 20 years in a
Hotel room upstairs from the restaurant. He attended an international school in
Lyon which prepared him to be very open to travel and adventure. His mother was
a culinary pioneer, creating “Le Panier a Salade” in 1972, one of the very
first restaurants in the historic town of Lyon. 

 

Chef Poinard took over The Panier A Salade (traditional
French cuisine) in 1998 and then others:

 

    • Un Deux Trois (Bouchon
      Lyonnais)
  • Les Ventres Jaunes
    (specializing in cuisine of Alps and Bresse)

 

  • Lyon Bouchon de Liege
    (Belgian and Lyonnaise Cuisine)

 

  • Finally Restaurant de
    Paris (in Rochetaillee) in. This restaurant won Michelin Awards under
    Jean-Stephane’s tutelage

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

 

Leigh Cort

 

Leigh Cort Publicity

 

904-806-3613

 

leighcort@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

Bistro de Leon

 

#12 Cathedral Place

 

St. Augustine, Florida 32084

 

904-810-2100

 

www.bistrodeleon.com

 

 We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Connellyrconnelly@farmland.orghttp://lovemyfarmersmarket.orgAmerican Farmland Trust’s I Love My Farmers Market Celebration; pledge your support at www.lovemyfarmersmarket.org

[caption id=”attachment_7980″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Farmers Market[/caption]

Washington DC, May 28, 2013 — Tomatoes, potatoes, squash and strawberries are a few

products, of so many, brought fresh to local markets by farmers who represent the true heritage of
America. Yet, the fresh delicious bounty found at farmers markets each week might be at the
greatest risk of being lost as farmland is consumed by sprawl and development.

I Love My Farmers Market Celebration marks the fifth year American Farmland Trust has hosted
a summer-long event to honor our nation’s hardworking family farmers and to raise the national
awareness about our bountiful farmers markets.

The celebration encourages consumers to pledge to support family farmers by shopping directly
from them this summer. A pledge is a commitment to spend $10 at your farmers market that
week.

The goal is to collect 1 million dollars in pledges to shop at farmers markets before the
celebration concludes at midnight on September 9, 2013.

The first time a consumer pledges they will receive one of American Farmland Trust’s free No
Farms No Food® bumper stickers to show support for struggling family farmers and raise
awareness about development that is paving over America’s farm and ranch land. Once an acre of
farmland is paved over, it is lost forever.

Farmers markets provide the vital link between shoppers and the family farmers growing our food
and as such highlight the importance of protecting farmland. “The I Love My Farmers Market
Celebration is about celebrating the unique qualities of farmers markets throughout the nation and
the important role that these markets play in keeping family farmers on the land,” said American
Farmland Trust Vice President of External Affairs, Susan Sink.

I Love My Farmers Market Celebration is part of the American Farmland Trust’s No Farms No
Food® Campaign. Nationwide, the food and farming system contributes nearly $1 trillion dollars
to our national economy. According to the most recent National Resources Inventory, we have
been losing nearly one million acres of farmland every year. For all of these reasons and more,
conserving and protecting farmland for future generations is something we can all celebrate.

For more information on the I Love My Farmers Market Celebration or to pledge, visit
www.lovemyfarmersmarket.org.

###

American Farmland Trust is the only national conservation organization dedicated to protecting
farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. Since its founding
in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect more than 5 million of acres of farmland.
AFT’s national office is located in Washington,

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.nemediaassociates.comThe Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Announces 11 Windjammers Will Sail into the Harbor for Windjammer Days!

Boothbay

[caption id=”attachment_7985″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Windjammers in Boothbay Harbor, Photo Credit-Steve Demeranville,[/caption]

 

Harbor, Maine  (May 31 , 2013)— The Boothbay
Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce has announced that 11 tall ships will be
at this year’s Windjammer Days Festival. The 2013 Windjammer Days is scheduled
to take place June 25 & 26, with the schooners appearing in Linekin Bay
on Tuesday the 25th and in the harbor on Wednesday the 26th.

The Windjammers include:

·
American Eagle- A deep draft vessel designed to be safe and stable in open water. John
Foss is the Captain. This schooner offers four and six night cruises with a few
shorter weekend cruises. www.schooneramericaneagle.com

·
Alert
–The  schooner was the last New England
fishing schooner engaged in commercial fishing and is now Captained by Perry
Davis and Bethany Mcnelly-Davis. This schooner does 2, 4 and 6 hour charters
along with “Island Adventure” trips to explore islands in Casco
Bay from Bailey Island.   

·
Bowdoin-
The Bowdoin is the official vessel of the State of Maine and a national
historic landmark.   It was was built in East Boothbay by Hodgdon Brothers (now Hodgdon Yachts) in 1921. Owned and operated by Maine Maritime Academy, the schooner provides a platform for students to demonstrate competencies in vessel operations and technology. Captain of the Bowdoin is
Eric Jergenson. www.mainemaritime.edu

[caption id=”attachment_7986″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Antique Boat Parade[/caption]

 

Antique Boat Parade

·        
Nathaniel Bowditch- Built as a racing yacht in 1922 in East Boothbay, this 82′ schooner won special class honors in the Bermuda Race in 1923, andserved in the Coast Guard during World War II.  Owen and Cathie Dorr are the Captains.

sc    This schooner offers may specialty cruises such as Sail and State Parks Package.
www.windjammervacation.com

·

Eastwind-Herb and Doris Smith sailed around the world twice with their three
children on schooners they built by hand; Eastwind is one of the schooners they
built. Tomand Jennifer Smith are the owners and Captains of the Eastwind.  The Eastwind offers two-hour voyages out ofBoothbay Harbor. www.schoonereastwind.com

·        
Lazy Jack- A topsail schooner when fully rigged can carry up to eight sails;
LazyJack sailed for 20 years from Massachusetts to Cuba carrying various cargo for her master.
Joe Tassi is the Captain.  The Lazy Jack offers a two hour day sail or private charter adventures.
www.schoonerlazyjackcruises.com

·        

[caption id=”attachment_7987″ align=”alignright” width=”224″] Parade, Pirates of the Dark Rose[/caption]

Lewis R. French- Launched in 1871 in Christmas Cove, Maine,
the Lewis R. French is the oldest vessel in the fleet and the oldest commercial
sailing vessel in the USA.
Garth Wells and Jenny Tobin are the Captains. This schooner offers 3, 4, 5 and 6 night excursions.
www.schoonerfrench.com

·
Timberwind-
This schooner is family-owned and operated and last year raced in “Jammers
& Joggers.” Bob Tassi is the Captain. The Timberwind offers 3, 4, and 6 day windjammer cruises. www.schoonertimberwind.com

·
Heritage-
This ship was designed and built by Captains Doug and Linda Lee. The Heritage offers 3, 4, and 6 day windjammer cruises. www.schoonerheritage.com

·

Sherman Zwicker- Built in 1942, this schooner is the last remaining auxiliary fishing
schooner and has all of its main original features still intact and operational. George McEvoy is the Captain of this fully operational, traveling museum. www.schoonermuseum.org

·

Windfield Lash- The two-masted schooner was launched in 2000 after 18 years of hard labor
to bring it to fruition. The Captain is Dave Clarke.  This schooner’s homeport is Friendship, Maine
and cruises in Maine in the summer.

The annual Windjammer Days Festival will feature its classic line-up of events, whichinclude a One Design Boat Race; Windjammer Days Golf Tournament fundraiser for Community Fireworks, the hometown street parade; an antique boat parade of more
than 30 boats; 2nd Annual Artists Alley; 10 waterfront concerts; tours of the
USCG and Maine State Aquarium; Kid’s tent; 2-day craft show; boat excursions; and a spectacular firework display over the harbor. Visitors can enjoy a complimentary 2-day shuttle during the festival.

To learn more about Windjammer Days and to track updates, visit the Chamber’s Website at
www.boothbayharbor.com or find us on Facebook.

Windjammer Days 2013 is presented by Maine Magazine and The Brand Company and includes the following sponsors: Fisherman’s Wharf Inn, Tugboat Inn, Boothbay Harbor Inn members of the Lafayette Group, 94.9 WHOM, WMTW News 8 ABC, Pepsi, Amtrak Downeaster, Lincoln County Healthcare, Boothbay Harbor
Country Club, First Federal Savings, The Thistle Inn, McSeagull’s Restaurant, Rocktide Inn, KeyBank, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Hall Funeral Homes, The First, Flagship Inn & Suites, Boothbay Region Land Trust, BRCTV Channel 7, Marshall Tent and Event Rental, Hannaford, Brown’s Wharf Restaurant Motel and Marina, Cabbage Island Clam Bakes, O’Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips, LLC, Capt. Terry Arford & Jon R. Doyle, Esq., Boothbay Harbor House of Pizza, Bath Savings Intuition, PFBF, Kaler’s Restaurant, Paul E. Luke Boatyard, Southport Island Marine, LLC, Ocean Point Marina, Edgecomb Boat Works, Inc.,
Boothbay Region Boatyard, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, Topside Inn, A Maine Wedding, Five Gables Inn, Harbour Towne Inn on the Waterfront, Lee & Michael Wygant, Atomic Studios, Maine State Aquarium, Hodgdon Island Inn,Wiscasset Ford, Tile Connection & Cottage Connection, Pat Farrin & Sons, Good n’ You Fuel & Service, Spruce Point Inn, Maine Made and More,Gray’s Homestead Oceanfront Campground, The Boothbay Register, Central Maine Pyrotechnics, Boothbay Region Y-Arts Chorus, Boothbay Playhouse, Boothbay Fire
Department, US Coast Guard, Coastal Shipping, Captain Peter Ripley, Tidal Transit Kayak, Hay Val Charters, Town of Boothbay, Town of Boothbay Harbor,Town of Southport, Balmy Days Cruises, Lincoln Arts Festival, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Blake Builders, Cap’n Fish’s Whale Watch & Cruises and Waterfront Inn, Maine Island Trail Association, The Boothbay Sea & Science Center, The Life Flight Foundation, The Rowe Family Bowling Alley, Barbara Rumsey, Boothbay Region Historical Society, Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club,
Boothbay Harbor Police Department, Boothbay Harbor Fire Department and Pottle
Realty.

For more information about this year’s Boothbay Windjammer Days Festival, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce at 207-633-2353 or visit the Chamber’s website: www.boothbayharbor.com.

 Hope to see you there!

 

 Media
Contact:

Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates

(207) 653-0365

nema@maine.rr.com

 We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

 

 

Brigitte Belanger-Warnerwarnerb@charlottesville.orghttp://www.visitcharlottesville.orgCharlottesville Celebrates Summer with Staple Festivals

[caption id=”attachment_8041″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau[/caption]

It’s all about the arts with LOOK3 – Festival of the Photograph,
the Heritage Theater Festival and Ash Lawn Opera Festival

 

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (May 29, 2013) – The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB) invites visitors and locals alike to take part in amazing festivals this summer.

 

 

 

Presenting gallery shows, outdoor exhibits, nightly projections, and on-stage interviews along the historic Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, LOOK3 – Festival of the Photograph celebrates the art of photography in all its forms.  An important component of this festival is Education Week, which offers professional and creative courses, portfolio reviews, and editing sessions from June 11 to the 15.  Gallery exhibitions are free and open to the public from June 7 – 29, unless otherwise noted.  Visitors can already admire gorgeous poster-size photographs hanging from the trees on the historic Downtown Mall. The banners feature images of the colorful and spectacularly ornamented Birds of Paradise created by National Geographic photographer and 2013 TREES Artist Tim Laman.  Photography enthusiasts can attend “Birds of Paradise: An Evening with Tim Laman” at the Paramount Theater on June 12, to hear the stories behind this artist’s incredible images.  More details can be found at http://www.look3.org/.

 

 

 

Theater lovers are in for a treat, as the 39th edition of the Heritage Theater Festival (HTF) kicks off a five-show season on June 27.  Filled with classic audience favorites and fascinating contemporary works – and featuring two shows in the new $14 million, 300-seat Ruth Caplin Theatre, the HTF will present the all-time classic Irving Berlin musical Annie Get Your Gun, John Logan’s 2010 Tony Award-winning play Red, a nostalgic mini-musical that has charmed audiences across America The Marvelous Wonderettes, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next To Normal.  Heritage audiences will also have a chance to renew a longtime love affair with the wackiest little Texas town there never was with Tuna Does Vegas.  A performance schedule and tickets are available at http://www.virginia.edu/heritagetheatre/.

 

 

 

Another staple event will return for its 36th season; the Ash Lawn Opera Festival will be presented at The Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville. On July 12th, the Festival will open with four performances of Puccini’s La Bohème, sung in Italian with English surtitles, and accompanied by a full orchestra of symphonic musicians drawn from across the country.  The season continues on August 3, with five performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic hit, Carousel, named the Best Musical in 1945 by the New York Drama Critic’s Circle and recently affirmed the Best Musical of the Twentieth Century by TIME.  The ‘two-hankie season’ features major artists, including five who have worked at The Metropolitan Opera.  More information can be found at http://www.ashlawnopera.com/ and tickets can be purchased at http://www.theparamount.net/.

 

 

 

For travel information, packages and hotel room reservations, please visit the official destination website for Charlottesville and Albemarle County www.visitcharlottesville.org.

 

 

 

About CACVB
In addition to serving as the global resource for marketing the tourism assets of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, through www.visitcharlottesville.org, the CVB assists tour operators, meeting planners, reunions and other groups in planning visits to the destination.  CACVB’s mission is “to enhance the economic prosperity of City and County by promoting, selling and marketing the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle, as a destination, in pursuit of the meetings and tourism markets.”  CACVB operates the Downtown Visitor Center (610 E Main St) which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a satellite Visitor Center in the Albemarle County Office Building (401 McIntire Rd) which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as a touch-screen kiosk at Monticello’s Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center.

 

 

 

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Austin Gambinoausting@cruiseweb.comhttp://cruiseweb.comMeet The Royal Princess

By, Austin Gambino The Cruise Web Team

In honor of Princess Cruises’ brand new vessel, the Royal Princess, The Cruise Web Marketing Team put together this free cruise infographic that details and depicts all the new and exciting features of the ship.
 
The Royal Princess will be christened by her godmother, none other than Her Royal Highness The Dutchess of Cambridge, Catherine (formerly known as Kate Middleton)

Fun fact: the original Royal Princess  was christened in 1984 by the beautiful and elegant Princess Diana of Wales.

You can check out the ‘Meet The Royal Princess’ infographic here.

View and book 2013/2014 Princess Cruises’ special offers and cruise deals here.
Or, browse The Cruise Web Homepage.

Stay tuned for a monthly infographic featuring diverse topics in the cruise industry!

 
Austin Gambino
Austin Gambino works on the marketing team at The Cruise Web. The Cruise Web is a travel agency that specializes in cruising. The expert cruise consultants focus on providing travelers with the best value for their time and money in finding and booking a cruise vacation!
We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner. 

Marti Mayneinfo@HistoricinnsofRockand.comhttp://www.HistoricInnsofRockland.comHistoric Inns Of Rockland Create The Perfect Way To Savor The Flavors Of Midcoast Maine

NEWS FROM HISTORIC INNS
OF ROCKLAND, MAINE – June, 2013

[caption id=”attachment_8106″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Savor the Flavor, Photo; P. J. Walter[/caption]

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331 or info@maynelymarketing.com

Exclusive tastings, a Midcoast Maine wine tour and coupons pack Savor
the Flavors package with value

Rockland, ME – Rockland, Maine is quickly gaining a reputation
as a foodie town; often described as a more compact version of Portland,
Maine.  Recently, TheDailyMeal.com named
Rockland among the nine best small foodie towns in the country. Offering award
winning restaurants, specialty food producers and a bourgeoning wine region, the
Penobscot Bay Region’s culinary adventure abounds, so Historic Inns of Rockland
have packaged the best of the foodie elements into one fantastic package.  Culinary explorers, foodies and those who
love to explore local foods will enjoy the Savor
the Flavor  fun-filled itinerary to
explore and savor the flavors of Midcoast Maine accompanied by the finest
accommodations from the four Historic
Inns of Rockland.

Celebrating an early spring, the
Historic Inns of Rockland offer this exciting package starting May 13 through
October 3, 2013.  Get ready for a long
list of inclusions because this is one hearty lodging package guaranteed to find
the way to your mate’s heart through his or her stomach. With so much happening
on the Penobscot Bay Region’s culinary scene, the Historic Inns of Rockland
have packed a three day/night package with locally sourced foods and exclusive
tours and tastings topped off with accommodations at award winning LimeRock Inn, Captain Lindsey House, Granite Inn and Berry Manor Inn. You’ll need all three
days and nights to explore all that’s offered in the food scene here. The
package is offered Sunday through Tuesday, with scheduled features and
self-guided fun on the agenda for three days and nights.

Here’s the itinerary for the three
day package:

Sunday:           3:00- 5pm Check in at your inn (times vary by inn).

4pm                       Primo
Garden Tour (in September Only):
Tour of Gardens of Primo Restaurant.  Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the award
winning gardens of Primo Restaurant who has pioneered the “Farm to Table”
philosophy in what she calls a “Full Circle Kitchen”.  The gardens include herbs, greens, and vegetables
and the farm’s own bees, pigs, hens, ducks and chickens that are raised and
slaughtered on premise.  What is not
produced by the restaurant is purchased locally from sustainable farms.  In 2013, Chef Melissa Kelly was named one of
the top 20 chefs in the US to influence the restaurant world; in 2012 the
restaurant was named the top restaurant in the US by 2008 by Andrew Harper, and
in 2008 was named by Bon Appetit Magazine
as the most eco-friendly restaurant in the country for their sustainable
practices.

5:30 pm on          Dinner:
Enjoy dinner at the tavern upstairs at Primo Restaurant (if day of garden tour)
or ask your innkeeper to make advanced reservations (closed Tuesday evenings).  Or enjoy dinner at your choice of any of the
area’s other fabulous restaurants. Package includes one $50 dinner voucher
toward a meal during the three day package. Advanced reservations strongly
suggested at several of the restaurants so let your innkeepers know your
preferred restaurants and times in advance and they will secure them for
you.   Days and hours of operations will
vary throughout the season.

Monday:

[caption id=”attachment_8107″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Berry Manor Breakfast – Jumping Rocks Shot[/caption]

8-9 am                  Enjoy a
delicious breakfast at the inn and head off to discover the specialty food
and Kitchen shops of the Rockland/Camden area with Historic Inns of Rockland’s
exclusive self-guided Foodies map. Enjoy samples, a brief expert discussion and
samples and/or discount off products as you sate your senses through the
Penobscot Bay region.

11am                     Tour and
discussion on Cheese Making at State of
Maine Cheese Company. Store also has a wide variety of Maine made foods,
chocolates, jams, t-shirts and wines from many of the Maine vineyards.  Enjoy an exclusive deal with your coupon.
Please confirm your participation with your innkeeper for a headcount.

1pm                       Tour
the Breakwater Vineyard
in Owls Head and sample their fine wines. Please confirm your participation
with your innkeeper for a headcount.

2:45pm                 Enjoy a
special tasting at FIORE Artisan Olive
Oils & Vinegars with the owner Pat O’Brien.  Sample an exclusive tasting of 12, 18 and 25
year aged traditional balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy. Learn some history,
cooking tips, recipes and the health benefits of this wonderful ingredient.
Please confirm your participation with your innkeeper for a headcount.

4pm                       Primo
Garden Tour (in July and August):  Tour of Gardens of Primo Restaurant.  Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the award
winning gardens of Primo Restaurant who has pioneered the “Farm to Table”
philosophy in what she calls a “Full Circle Kitchen”.  The gardens include herbs, greens, and
vegetables

and their own
bees, pigs, hens, ducks and chickens that are raised and slaughtered on
premise.  What is not produced by the
restaurant is purchased locally from sustainable farms.  In 2013, Chef Melissa Kelly was named one of
the top 20 chefs in the US to influence the restaurant world; in 2012 the
restaurant was named the top restaurant in the US by 2008 by Andrew Harper, and
in 2008 was named by Bon Appetite as the most eco-friendly restaurant in the
country for their sustainable practices.

5:30 pm on          Dinner:
Enjoy dinner at the tavern upstairs at Primo Restaurant (if day of garden tour)
or ask your innkeeper to make advanced reservations (closed Tuesday
evenings).  Or enjoy dinner at your
choice of any of the area’s other fabulous restaurants. Package includes one
$50 dinner voucher that can be used any time during the three day package.  Advanced reservations strongly suggested at
several of the restaurants so let your innkeepers know your preferred
restaurants and times in advance and they will secure them for you.   Days and hours of operations will vary
throughout the season.

Tuesday:

                            8-9am                       Enjoy another delicious breakfast and
get ready for another fun, food filled day.

10-3:00pm           Climb aboard All
Aboard Trolley’s mini-coach for your “Nap-AH Wine Tour”.  Enjoy a tour of three of the area’s wineries
and a trek to the top of Mt. Battie.  The
motor coach will drop you back off at your inn.
Lunch is available at CellarDoor Winery.

5:30 pm on          Dinner:
Enjoy dinner or ask your innkeeper to make advanced reservations.  Or enjoy dinner at your choice of any of the
area’s other fabulous restaurants. Package includes one $50 dinner voucher
toward your meal.  Advanced reservations
strongly suggested as several of the restaurants so let your innkeepers know
your preferred restaurants and times in advance and they will secure them for
you.   Days and hours of operations will
vary throughout the season.

The Savor the Flavors package
includes:

·
Three night’s accommodations for two on Sunday,
Monday and Tuesday at your choice of four Historic Inns of Rockland, May
13-October 3, 2013.

·
A hearty breakfast each morning featuring as
many locally-sourced features as possible.

·
An exclusive garden tour of renowned Primo
Restaurant, with a pioneer in Farm to Table philosophy.  Primo Restaurant was named America’s top
eco-friendly restaurant for sustainable practices in 2008 by Bon Appetit Magazine and the Andrew
Harper Grand Award for Restaurant of the Year winner in 2012.

·
An autographed copy of Mediterranean Women Stay Slim Too by Melissa Kelly, owner of Primo
Restaurant.

·
One $50 Midcoast Money voucher to enjoy dinner
at Primo Restaurant (advance reservation required), in the Primo Tavern or at a
wide range of other fine restaurants in the Rockland/Camden area during your
stay.

·
A self-guided tour and map of the specialty food
purveyors in Midcoast, Maine with tastings and samples provided exclusively to
Historic Inns of Rockland’s guests.

·
Two tickets to the well-loved Nap-Ah guided Wine
Tour provided by All Aboard Trolley, visiting three Midcoast Maine wineries
(Sweetgrass Winery, Savage Oakes Winery and Cellardoor Winery) for tastings and
tours via a comfortable trolley.

·
A special tasting at FIORE Artesian Olive Oils
and Balsamic Vinegars on Main Street in Rockland, sampling a 10-year-old,
15-year-old and 135-year-old Balsamic vinegar, while learning cooking tips and
recipes, history and health benefits of olive oils and vinegars.

·
An exclusive tour and tasting at Breakwater
Vineyards for Historic Inns of Rockland’s guests.

·
A gift bag with an signature Historic Inns of
Rockland apron and a special collection of value offers  for savings exclusive to Historic Inns of
Rockland guests from Rockland and Camden area restaurants (offering free apps,
desserts or special offers), stores (offering discounts), spas  (offering discounts) and attractions (offering
discounted or half price tickets).  The
value collection represents more than $375 in savings.

All this starting
at $645 per couple (plus ME tax).  Price
will vary by date and room selection.
(Holidays and festival weeks are not available).

This package also
offers some optional adventures offered to Historic Inns of Rockland’s
guests.  These are not included in the
package price but have been made available at an additional discounted cost
exclusively to Historic Inns of Rockland guests.

·
Have the camera ready. Take a tour of a working
lobster pound and wharf at Ship To Shore, and then enjoy a real Maine lobster
dinner served harborside overlooking a wonderful view of quintessentially Maine
Owls Head Harbor ($25 per person).

·
Tour Rockland’s local Shag Rock micro-brewery at
Amalfi On The Water in Rockland topped off with a beer and oyster pairing,
sampling four locally brewed beers accompanied by a half dozen fresh shelled
oysters. (Reservations required $20 per person, available after July 9, 2012).

Here’s a partial list of businesses
included on the Savor the Flavors Tasting Tour:

Atlantic Baking Company

Brown Bag Deli & Bakery

Breakwater Vineyards

Chocolatier Blue

Fiore Olive Oils and Balsamic
Vinegars

Rock City Roasters and Café

The Store

Sweet Sensations

Willow Street Donuts

At the end of a long, delicious
day, plan to return to your choice of the four Historic Inns of Rockland, all
located within an easy stroll of downtown Rockland. From historic to
contemporary in décor and all offering the kinds of amenities plugged in
travelers seek from complimentary wi-fi access to guest computers, lavish
private baths and in-room fireplaces, the Berry Manor Inn, Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House and LimeRock Inn all offer the ideal place
to “full down” in comfortable beds with welcoming innkeepers. Then start anew
the next morning with a sumptuous hand-crafted breakfast for two.

For more information on the Savor
the Flavors package, visit www.historicinnsofrockland.com
or call 877-ROC-INNS (1-877-762-4667). This summer, plan your culinary caper to
Rockland and enjoy a three day gastronomic getaway you won’t forget.

#   #   #

About Historic Inns of
Rockland, ME

Historic Inns of Rockland is comprised of four distinctive
inns located in Rockland, Maine’s historic district.  Each offering a unique experience and décor
from modern urban chic to Victorian or European styled, the four Historic Inns
of Rockland offer haute hospitality within easy strolling distance of
Rockland’s thriving downtown restaurant, shopping and museum district and
waterfront.  From luxury to pet and
kid-friendly, Historic Inns of Rockland are the ideal home base for exploring
all that Midcoast Maine has to offer.
Simply put, it’s the Rockland Way To Stay.  For more information, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com, call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667)
or consult each participating inn’s website for more specific pricing and
details of this package: LimeRock Inn (www.LimeRockinn.com), Captain Lindsey House (www.lindseyhouse.com), Berry Manor Inn (www.BerryManorInn.com), or Granite Inn (www.oldgraniteinn.com ).

#
#   #

High res photos available from Marti
Mayne.  Please request by calling
207-846-6331 or visit the online photo library at http://www.historicinnsofrockland.com/photos.aspx.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Marti Mayneinfo@maynelymarketing.comhttp://www.HistoricInnsofRockland.comLobsterpalooza in Penobscot Bay Region, Maine’s Lobster Capitol of the Universe

\Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, info@maynelymarketing.com

Celebrate all things lobster, September 8-14, 2013

[caption id=”attachment_8109″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Lobster Dinner – photo: Tom Plant[/caption]

Penobscot Bay Region: Rockland/Camden – Last year, Cheryl Michaelsen, owner of the  Berry Manor Inn  in Rockland, ME, couldn’t stand to sit by and watch on the sidelines as lobstermen and women in this Midcoast, Maine town caught near record lobster hauls while traditional Canadian markets rejected them.  The result meant prices dropped while lobster remained in abundance.

Michaelsen turned to her fellow colleagues at the Historic Inns of Rockland and
said “Let’s turn lobsters into Lobsteraid!” Thus, last year, Lobsterpalooza was the brainstorm of the four progressive Historic Inns of Rockland who then enlisted support from the Maine Lobster Promotion Council and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce to raise enthusiasm for eating lobster and celebrating an abundant supply in the Midcoast Maine region. This year, Lobsterpalooza is once again a week-long
celebration of lobster taking place September 8-14, 2013 throughout the Penobscot Bay Region.  Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine has joined in with last year’s sponsors, and the event has been expanded to culminate with a Crustacean Celebration in Harbor Park, Rockland. 

Throughout Port Clyde, Owl’s Head, Rockland, Camden Lincolnville, and surrounding Penobscot Bay
towns businesses will celebrate the lobster harvest with everything from a crustacean cash mobs to featured specials, events, lectures, workshops, lobster recipe/dish contests and more.  Lobsterpalooza is just one of the many events of the Maine Lobster Lovers Celebration, a promotion created by the Maine Lobster Promotion Council.

“It makes sense that we’d hold Lobsterpalooza in the Penobscot Bay region,” said Michaelsen, “After all, we
are the self-proclaimed lobster capital of the universe! This is our way of reminding residents and travelers alike how lucky we are to enjoy the abundant supply of lobster here and that lobster season exists well into the fall,” finished Michaelsen.

Last year nearly 45 restaurants, spas and retail stores signed on to feature lobster for the Lobsterpalooza week with everything from a free lobster with special spa treatments at spas to a lobster off the boat.  In 2013 the number of participating businesses is expected to double.  Inns throughout the region will feature lobster on the breakfast menu during Lobsterpalooza week and will create Lobster & Stay packages, while offering specially discounted tickets for lobster adventures.

A number of restaurants will feature new lobster entrees on the menu along with old favorites and will compete  for the honors of “Best Lobster Roll”, “Best Lobster Dish” and “Best Lobster Dinner”.

 

Additionally, Crustacean Cash Mobs will be held at Lobster pounds and fish stores. All Aboard Trolley Company will offer a special “Nap-AH and Lob-STAH” Wine tour and there will be tours of Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Port Clyde lobster processing operation and the chance to pull traps on a working lobster boat in many of Penobscot Bay’s harbors.

Lobsterpalooza will culminate on September 14, 2013 in a Crustacean Celebration to be held near Rockland’s waterfront from 4pm – 7pm. 

In a street-fair setting, those attending the free event will enjoy live music,
lobster boat tours, a lobstermen/women competition for the best lobster recipe,
a hilarious “lobstacle course” and of course the chance to dine on lobster dishes prepared in many ways.

 

Lobsterpalooza will feature a drawing for a Lobster Lover’s Getaway to the Historic Inns of Rockland to be enjoyed in June, 2014. 

Sign up to win at all participating businesses. No purchase is necessary and a winner will be drawn at the close of Lobsterpalooza week. Participating businesses will post Lobsterpalooza posters in the windows. Entry forms will be available at participating businesses and at Camden and Rockland Visitor Centers.

 

The Historic Inns of Rockland
are offering the perfect Lobster & Stay Getaway, combining daily lobster
tastings with all the festivities of the week.  This three day package is packed with lobstericious options including:

 

·A three night stay at your choice of four Historic Inns of Rockland,
including Berry Manor Inn, Captain Lindsey House, LimeRock Inn and Granite Inn.

·
Lobster tastings and treats for breakfast and/or afternoon refreshments daily.

·
Two tickets for a lobster lunch on a working waterfront wharf.

 

·
Two tickets for a lobster boat tour, including the chance to pull traps with a Maine lobsterman.

 

·
Two “Got Lob-Stah” t-shirts

·
Two chocolate lobsters

·
Entries into the grand prize raffle

·
Historic Inns of Rockland’s coupon offers
exclusively for guests of the four inns valued at $375.

The Lobster & Stay package starts at $640 per couple. Prices will vary depending upon inn choice and
days of stay.  Specific policies for cancellations, advanced deposits, check in and check out times vary with individual inn. This package cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Please mention any food allergies or preferences at booking.

Lobsterpalooza
is brought to you by the Maine Lobster Promotion Council, Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce, Linda Bean’s perfect Maine and Historic Inns of Rockland.
For complete information on the 2nd Annual Lobsterpalooza Celebration,
go to www.MaineLobsterpalooza.com.  To learn more about the Lobster and
Stay package at Historic Inns of Rockland, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.

#
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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Leigh Cortleighcort@bellsouth.nethttp://www.LeighCortPublicity.comFrom the Historic Casa Marina Hotel with Love!

 Leigh Cort

Leigh Cort Publicity

 

 

 

[caption id=”attachment_8210″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] The historic Casa Marina Hotel (circa 1925)[/caption]

Media Invitation:

 

From the Casa Marina Hotel with Love!

 

 

 

FOR:              CASA MARINA HOTEL

 

                        www.casamarinahotel.com

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

CASA MARINA

 

“From the Casa Marina with Love”

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Jacksonville Beach, Florida ~ (June 2013)  The historic Casa Marina Hotel invites you to visit Jacksonville Beach, Florida
and experience the legendary Hotel, regional cuisine, history, beauty and
nightlife that makes the BEACHES come alive. 

 

[caption id=”attachment_8211″ align=”alignright” width=”604″] The historic Casa Marina Hotel (circa 1925)[/caption]

 

HISTORY:

 

The Casa Marina Hotel intertwines the area’s rich coastal
history and contemporary award-winning restaurants with late night fun, beach
celebrations, music and the young vibe of northeast Florida. What was once the
playground of the rich & famous during the Prohibition era – is now a
trendy, casual and popular destination for locals and visitors who are drawn to
the Atlantic Ocean’s mystique and splendor.

 

 

 

DINING:

 

Let the Casa Marina Hotel indulge you with an ocean view
room or parlor suite, Chef Aaron Webb’s
Penthouse Tapas and Martini Bar
begins your visit. We’ll arrange lunch & dinner in a few of our favorite
restaurants and 30+ mile beach. We’ll help you trace a path of decades-old
heritage that have lured the paparazzi to Jacksonville Beach since the early 20th
Century.

 

 

 

A.
Our favorite ‘beach scene’ restaurant is ZETA! Its
contemporary atmosphere is fun for lunch, happy hour, a proper dinner or late
night partying!  Trendy tapas, delightful
drinks and a view of relaxing afternoons or bustling nightlife is always
popular in Jacksonville Beach.  Sous Chef
Logan Webb prepares creative and VERY flavorful flats, burgers, sandwiches,
pretzels and tasty tidbits. And the bar is buzzing! www.ZetaJax.com

 

 

 

B.
A short drive north on A1A to Atlantic Beach, Casa
Marina guests and ALL of Jacksonville love Ocean 60.  The
main dining room and ‘Martini Room’ have a blended vibe of chic and comfort ~
stunning artwork, renowned music & entertainment and fabulous food.
Chef/Owner Danny Groshell’s Continental/Island-Inspired Menu consistently gains
acclaim throughout the Southeast US. www.Ocean60.com

 

 

 

C.
How about Lynch’s Irish Pub ~ a tradition since 1994!
Discover 50 beers on tap, homemade Shepherd’s Pie and Keith Doherty’s “All Day
Irish Breakfast” plus entertainment EVERY night til the wee hours. www.lynchsirishpub.com

 

 

 

MEET THE PEOPLE:

 

Meet the people who bring the Hotel’s dining, weddings and
beach getaways into focus. Mark Vandeloo (General Manager), Sterling
Joyce (Maitre D’Hotel) and Rebekah
Blakely (Wedding Director).  

 

 

 

ITINERARY:

 

Visit the Casa Marina Hotel With Someone you Love for 2 or 3
nights (based on hotel availability). We’ll help you:

 

    • arrange dining
  • visit the Jacksonville
    Beach Museum & History Park www.BeachesMuseum.org

 

  • teach you “How to Relax”
    in the Hotel’s Penthouse Martini Bar with the most expansive view of the
    Atlantic Ocean for 50 miles! www.CasaMarinaHotel.com

 

 

 

 

Casa Marina Hotel

 

691 1st Street North

 

Jacksonville Beach

 

904-270-0025

 

www.casamarinahotel.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leigh Cortleighcort@bellsouth.nethttp://www.LeighCortPublicity.comCulinary Herbs, Florida Gardens and Homemade Fruit Soup

 

 

 

Media Invitation

 

October 27-30, 2013

 

 

 

“Culinary Herbs, Florida Gardens & Homemade Fruit
Soup”

 

At the Historic
St. Francis Inn

 

“Growing More Beloved Year After Year”

 

[caption id=”attachment_8226″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Historic St. Augustine[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

St. Augustine, FL (June 2013)   The historic St. Francis Inn (circa 1791) invites you to join us for our October
27-30, 2013 media trip “Culinary Herbs,
Florida Gardens and Homemade Fruit Soup
”.  Recognized as the Oldest Inn in America’s
Oldest City, innkeepers Joe and Margaret
Finnegan
have owned the St. Francis Inn for nearly 30 years. They continue
to believe in their philosophy “If you want a successful business in the
hospitality industry, everything you do is for your guest’s pleasure and
comfort.”

 

[caption id=”attachment_8227″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] St. Francis Inn[/caption]

 

 

There are numerous ways the Finnegan’s
please their guests:

 

·
Comfortable accommodations on quiet residential St. George Street ~
two blocks from the Bayfront, famed Bridge of Lions and bustling historic
downtown St. Augustine

 

·
Extensive culinary surprises and ‘farm to table’ breakfast, afternoon
social hour hors d’oeuvres and late night homemade baked desserts.

 

·
Florida-inspired Gardens recognized by the National Wildlife
Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat

 

 

 

The
media trip will include:

 

a.       Showcase of the St. Francis Inn’s gardens
and history through the ages

 

b.      Hands-on native plant workshop with Florida-friendly
Design Specialist Jill Ziebell, Gardener for the St. Francis Inn

 

c.       Culinary class with Janice Leary ~ St.
Francis Inn Chef ~ from Fruit Soup to Frittatas

 

d.      Tour and insight into a collection of St.
Augustine’s Private and Public Gardens with Susan Parker, Executive Director of
St. Augustine’s Oldest House

 

e.       Private Old-Town Trolley Tour

 

f.       Dining in a selection of St. Augustine’s
favorite restaurants (Bistro de Leon, The Tasting Room, Meehan’s Irish Pub)

[caption id=”attachment_8228″ align=”aligncenter” width=”576″] Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard[/caption]

g.
Historical
Chocolate Tour with Tour St. Augustine

 

h.
Personal
Introduction & Lunch at the Colonial Quarter – an outstanding slice of
America’s past

 

i.
The
Ancient Olive~ Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar – Exclusive tasting and
exploration

 

 

 

VIDEO: http://www.stfrancisinn.com/video.html

 

 

 

Journalists are
invited to:
Experience the spirit, history and beauty of St. Augustine for
3 nights – Sunday, October 27 thru Wednesday, October 30 (departure). The Inn’s
hospitality intertwines the City’s rich American history with exceptional
dining and talented people who bring the Inn and City to life. The St. Francis
Inn is proud to share its Florida Native Plants and Gardens along with its
acclaimed reputation for being a culinary leader in northeast Florida’s
hospitality industry. Inclusions: Lodging,
Meals, Adventures and Trolley. Note:
If you are interested in joining us, please request information from Leigh Cort Publicity.  This trip will have a limited number of
attendees. All media must pass a selection process prior to being a confirmed
attendee.

leighcort@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

Exclusions:

 

  • Alcoholic beverages outside of planned meals
  • Gratuities ~ dining, tours & housekeeping –
    $65 per person

 

  • Rental car or air transportation

 

  • Items of a personal nature

 

 

The Inn &
Accommodations:

 

The Inn is well-known for its 17 spacious
rooms and romantic suites on quiet residential St. George Street. Only
two blocks from the Bayfront view of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the famed
Bridge of Lions and bustling historic downtown, guests return time and again to
relax and enjoy (what they say) is
their favorite historic hideaway in
the City. The courtyard is a mecca for outdoor dining, meeting friends,
relaxing by the koi pond or taking a swim in the secluded private pool.   Unpack and enjoy fresh flowers and sherry
before hopping on a sightseeing trolley ride!

 

 

 

Breakfast and Chef’s
Culinary Creations:

 

Wonderful culinary surprises await the Inn’s
guests. Chef Janice takes pride in the Inn’s legendary ‘farm to table’
Breakfast buffet, afternoon Social Hour hors d’oeuvres, late night homemade
baked desserts, fresh fruit and cookies served all day and a Specialty Coffee
Bar.

 

 

 

Complimentary Amenities:

 

The St. Francis
Inn is well known for their guest services that make every visit
unforgettable  – including bicycles to
tour the city, private solar-heated swimming pool, admission to the local
fitness club, off-street Inn parking, admission to the St. Augustine Lighthouse
& Museum and fresh flowers & sherry in your room!

 

 

 

The St. Francis Inn is a perfect pairing of old-world charm and modern
comforts. Joe Finnegan is proud that “We have maintained the historic
ambience of this old Inn while also providing all of the comforts expected by
today’s savvy travelers. We believe the Inn mirrors the Old City – It’s a
vibrant historic place that grows more beloved year after year”.

 

St. Francis Inn

 

279 St. George Street

 

St. Augustine, Fl 32082

 

904-824-6068

 

www.stfrancisinn.com

 

 

 

**2013 Winner TripAdvisor Excellence Award

 

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner. 

 

 

Austin Gambinoausting@cruiseweb.comhttp://cruiseweb.comSippin’ ‘n’ Sailin’: A Free Cruise Infographic On Cruise Beverage Consumption

By, Austin Gambino

Since many cruisers like to get their ‘sip n’ sail’ on, we from The Cruise Web decided to see just how much sipping passengers were doing after they set sail. You may be surprised at the results.

Linked below is The Cruise Web’s ‘Sippin ‘n’ Sailin” cruise infographic, which depicts beverage consumption during a typical 7-Day cruise, including rum, beer, whiskey, wine and tea among others.

View the ‘Sippin’ ‘n’ Sailin” Infographic here.

 

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.nemediaassociates.comChef Annie Mahle Shares Four Great Recipes for July’s treats; Fresh Peas and Strawberries!

Rockland,ME (July 11, 2013)—Fresh peas and sweet ruby red strawberries from the garden are two of those signs that summer has arrived.   Chef Annie Mahle spends her summers not only
in her garden but also on the schooner J.&  E. Riggin cooking for guests.  She and her husband share the captain duties on the Riggin

Chef Annie says, “All parts of the pea plant, like many vegetables, are edible.  The shoots, the pods and then the seeds all have a slightly different taste, but all are redolent of bright, sweet, somewhat
nutty and lemony peas.” 

“Whether eaten straight from the garden, fresh in a drink, or in a salad or a dessert, or baked as in pound cake, strawberries are one of those quintessential fruits that herald the true beginning of summer,” said Chef Annie Mahle. “They don’t lie, they’ll only burst with color and flavor when the weather  turns warm and sunny.  And what a  beautiful treat they are.” 

Chef Annie
Mahle has echoed all of those same flavors from peas and strawberries in the  recipes below. 

Mahle’s latest cookbook, Sugar & Salt: A Year at Home and at Sea, a collection of recipes, along with crafts, thoughts and stories from her hilarious, sometimes frenetic life aboard her schooner off
the coast of Maine, is available in local Maine shops and directly online at www.athomeatsea.com. 

For more information on the cruises offered on the J. & E. Riggin, visit www.mainewindjammer.com.

 Photos
by Elizabeth Poisson

Snap Pea, Almond and Feta Salad

[caption id=”attachment_8970″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Peas  Photo: Elizabeth Poisson[/caption]

8 ounces
snap peas; about 2 to 3 cups

1/4 cup
whole almonds, coarsely chopped

2 ounces
crumbled feta cheese; less than 1/4 cup

3 ounces
baby greens or mesclun mix; about 4 cups

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Pinch or two of salt

 

Several grinds of fresh black pepper

 

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the snap peas for 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove from water immediately and submerse in very cold water until chilled.  Drain well.  With your hands, gently combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl. Serve immediately. 

Serves 4 

[caption id=”attachment_8972″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] J. & E. Riggin Photo by Elizabeth Poisson[/caption]

Lemony Peas, Pea Shoots and Tomatoes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup sliced onions

2 cups fresh peas

3 ounces pea shoots; about 3 cups

3 ounces baby spinach; about 3 cups

1 cup diced tomatoes

Several pinches of salt

 

Several grinds of fresh black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon zest; zest from one lemon

3 tablespoons lemon juice; juice from 1/2 a lemon 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Heat the extra virgin olive oil and add the onions.  When the onions are just beginning to turn translucent, about 7 minutes, add the fresh peas.  Sauté for another 2 minutes and add the rest
of the ingredients except the lemon juice.
Turn gently but quickly with tongs for 1 minute or so or until the greens begin to wilt, but are still a little fluffy.  Add the lemon juice and serve immediately. 

Serves 4 

Strawberry, Walnut and Kale Salad

[caption id=”attachment_8971″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Strawberries Photo by Elizabeth Poisson[/caption]

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 pound baby kale, rinsed and dried

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced strawberries

1 cup walnuts 

Rub the kale with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and toss.
Sprinkle with strawberries and walnuts and serve immediately. 

Serves 4 

Strawberry, Black Pepper and Orange Pound Cake       

Cake:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup  milk

1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and cut into quarters 

Glaze:

3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1/3 cup sugar 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease one loaf pan.  Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with sugar. 

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well each time.

Add the orange zest and black pepper. 

Mix the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk (about one third at a time), into the sugar/egg mixture.  Be
sure to add the dry ingredients last. 

Fold in the strawberries and spoon into the pan.  Bake 1 hour 15 minutes, until the bread springs back when lightly pressed in the center.  Leave in the pan.  When the bread is out of the oven bring the
glaze ingredients to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.  Pierce the top of the hot loaf several times with a toothpick and pour the orange mixture over the loaf.  Cool completely, and remove from the pan. 

Makes 1 loaf

 

Angie Helton

Northeast Media Associates

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

 

Austin Gambinoausting@cruiseweb.comhttp://cruiseweb.comGlobal Gateways: A Free Cruise Infographic on U.S. Cruise Departure Ports

By, Austin Gambino

 

In response to the announcement of 2014 & 2015 cruise itineraries and sailings, The Cruise Web focused our July “Current” Newsletter on new itineraries, cruise ports and more.

The following infographic was created for the newsletter: Global Gateways–featuring each of the 21 active U.S. cruise departure ports and the destinations to which they offer cruise vacations to. Did you know you can sail to the Panama Canal from New Orleans, or cruise to Australia from New York? Learn more below.

View the Global Gateways infographic here.

Austin Gambino
Austin Gambino works on the marketing team at The Cruise Web. The Cruise Web is a travel agency that specializes in cruising. The expert cruise consultants focus on providing travelers with the best value for their time and money in finding and booking a cruise vacation!

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://phoenix.provincerestaurant.com/Province Restaurant Extends Latin Passport Dinner Series

The journey continues as guests explore
Latin American-inspired cuisine in
downtown Phoenix

[caption id=”attachment_9022″ align=”alignright” width=”240″] Courtesy of Province Restaurant in Phoenix[/caption]

Province restaurant at TheWestin Phoenix Downtown
has extended its Latin Passport Dinner Series through January 2014!
Guests are invited to continue the culinary journey by enjoying Latin American-inspired cuisine in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

With a stamp of satisfaction, Executive Chef Randy Zweiban created another six-month menu schedule for the Latin Passport Dinner Series

 that guides Province patrons on a rich and exciting tour of flavors, dishes and cultures.

Each Latin Passport Dinner Series will begin on the first Saturday of the month and each country represented will be featured every Saturday
throughout the month. All dinners will feature a four-course menu for $35 per person with supplemental beverage pairings available.

The beverage pairings will highlight the cocktails and wines of the corresponding country. The new series begins August 3, 2013.

August | Peru | August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

September | Cuba | September 7, 14, 21, 28

October | Argentina | October 5, 12, 19, 26

November | Brazil | November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

December | Puerto Rico | December 7, 14, 21, 28

January | Mexico | January 4, 11, 18, 25

Menus may change slightly, see www.provincerestaurant.com for final menus. Follow Province on Twitter to see what’s trending in the restaurant @provincephx.

August 2013 – Peru

The first stop on the extended culinary tour is Peru. Peru is a rich and varied mix of cultures and their cuisine reflects not only their local ingredients but also an eclectic mix of influences from Spain, China, Italy, West Africa and Japan. The three traditional staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes and ajies (chilies) and all three are reflected in the four-course menu for August. 

 

First Course: Bass ceviche with tomatoes, corn and crispy sweet potato.

Second Course: Arroz chaufa Peruvian pork belly with shrimp,
vegetables, orange mojo glaze.

ThirdCourse: Grilled skirt steak with aji recado, salsa criolla and sweet corn salad.

FourthCourse: Sweet potato and pumpkin picarrones with vanilla bean ice cream and chancaca
syrup.

September 2013 – Cuba

[caption id=”attachment_9021″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Province Courtesy of Province Restaurant in Phoenix[/caption]

In September Province explores Cuba, an island country that sits about 90 miles from the United States. Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and draws inspiration from many diverse sources. Its cuisine offers a glimpse into Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes and traditions. Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, African and Caribbean cuisine. The result is a unique, interesting and flavorful blend of several cultural influences.

 

First
Course:
Ropa vieja empanada with cilantro
crema.

Second Course: Camarones al ajillo with saffron-tomato broth and grilled pan de ajo.

Third Course: Mojo glazed pork belly with black beans and rice.

Fourth Course: Key
lime tartlet with coconut crema.

October 2013 – Argentina

Province ventures to Argentina in October where the cuisine is primarily influenced by European (mostly Italian and Spanish) culture as well as the wide scope of livestock and agricultural products that are abundant in the country. Beef consumption in Argentina is high and no other dish reflects the Argentine-style cooking as the asado (Argentine barbecue).

 

First
Course:
Chicken picante empanadas with
guajillo aioli.

Second Course:
Warm chorizo and tetilla salad with crispy brioche, roasted chickpeas and
sherry vinaigrette.

Third Course: Churrasco of beef with chimichurri and grilled fingerling potatoes.

Fourth Course: Sweet crispy pumpkin and cheese sorrentinos with dulce de leche ice
cream.

November 2013 – Brazil

In November Province will head to Argentina’s neighbor, Brazil, where although they are in close proximity the culture, language and food are uniquely distinct. The food is an interesting mix of heritages with the original population contributing popular ingredients like cassava, acai and other tropical fruits and root vegetables. African slaves greatly influenced the coastal regions and the Portuguese heritage is evident throughout the country.

.

First Course: Bolinho de bacalahu salad de xuxu – Bacalao fritters with orange and chayote salad.

 

Second Course: Frutos de mar with shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab, and octopus with passion fruit crema.

 

Third Course: Feijoada with beef, pork, chicken, linguica sausage, black beans and green onions.

 

Fourth Course: Chocolate guava cake with mango, pineapple and coconut sorbet.

 

December 2013 – Puerto Rico

A territory of the United States, Puerto Rico still maintains a strong Latin
American culture and heritage. Puerto Rican cuisine has its roots in the
cooking traditions of Spain, Africa and the indigenous population the
Amerindian Tainos. Although Puerto Rican cooking shares similarities with both
Spanish and Latin American cuisine it is a blend of influences and uses many
indigenous seasonings and ingredients. In December, Province discovers the
cuisine of Puerto Rico.

First Course: Roasted plantain and pumpkin soup with poblano crema.

Second Course: Arroz con pollo with saffron rice, slow roasted chicken and sofrito.

Third Course:
Lechon asado y yucca with guava BBQ sauce and yucca black bean cake.

Fourth Course: Coconut cream flan with rum glaze.

January 2014 – Mexico

Mexico offers some of the more familiar cuisines and is known for its varied flavors,
colorful decoration and variety of spices and ingredients, most of which are
native to the country. The staples of Mexican foods are typically corn and
beans with flavors of garlic and onion. While the most frequently used herbs
and spices are chili powder, oregano, cilantro, epazote, cinnamon, and cocoa.
Experience the fiery culture of Mexico with a menu that tastes as lively as a
fiesta. Olé!

First Course: Shrimp coctel with gulf shrimp, spicy tomato salsa and avocado.

Second Course: Snapper veracruzano with mashed boniato and arugula salad.

Third Course: Pork
carnita tacos and avocado salsa.

Fourth Course: Mango cheese cake and caramel sauce.

Join Province on a culinary tour of Latin America and enjoy a dining adventure in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Learn about the unique cultural nuances of these amazing countries through food. Call Province to make your reservation at (602) 429-3600. Complimentary parking validation is available with any entrée.


Province

333 North Central Avenue,
Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 429-3600

www.provincerestaurant.com

 

About Province

In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new
world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

 

About The Westin Phoenix
Downtown

The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located
on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and WestinWorkout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

 

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.comIt was Fate: Exclusive IPA Tapping at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

District American Kitchen
and Wine Bar
partners with Fate
Brewing Company
for an exclusive tapping of
Fate Oatmeal Double IPA from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday,
Aug. 1, 2013.

[caption id=”attachment_9119″ align=”alignright” width=”207″] Beer[/caption]

Join the event at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar in downtown Phoenix
to taste Fate Brewing Company’s American Pale Ale and Irish Red,
alongside the exclusive tapping of Fate Oatmeal Double IPA. Enjoy these
delicious beers with complimentary bites from the chef such as hard
salami and soft pretzels with mustard.

At the event, learn about the brewing process and talk about hops with Fate
Brewing Company’s
owner, Steve McFate, and head brewer, Adam Schmeichel,
who will present. McFate and Schmeichel will explain why their beers are a
little different – they are brewed in smaller batches, which allows for a
steadily rotating selection of traditional favorites, seasonal options and even
some experimental varieties!

Compleenting appetizers will be offered during the event. Happy hour snacks and drinks will
also be available for purchase. Complimentary three-hour self-parking with
validation is available in the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel parking garage,
which is adjacent District American Kitchen and Wine Bar.

Event cost is $10.00 upon entry. Please confirm attendance here: www.facebook.com/events/188420534658196/

 

WHEN:
Thursday, August 1, 2013

5 to 7 p.m.

 

WHERE:
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
, in the Wine Room, 320
N. Third Street, Phoenix AZ 85004

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.nemediaassociates.comiPhoneography Class Offered on The Schooner J. & E. Riggin in Rockland, Maine

iPhoneography 101/Camden
Windjammer Festival (Aug 28-31)

ROCKLAND, Maine—You can’t go anywhere these days without someone snapping a photo with a smartphone but do most folks really know how to take good pictures with their phone?  iPhoneography 101 cruise will be a class for passengers to learn how to use the amazing tool called a phone for amazing imagery. Composition, crop and use of lighting still apply whether with a $5000 camera or a phone,

And they will learn all of these skills on the historic Schooner J. & E. Riggin. 

[caption id=”attachment_9185″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] J. & E. Riggin, photo by Elizabeth Poisson[/caption]

The Schooner J. & E. Riggin has teamed with international advertising and editorial photographer Colleen Duffley, owner and creator of Studio b, to show the boat’s  passengers how to take spectacular photos.  They will take the class aboard the schooner from which there will be abundant beautiful scenery to shoot.  iPhoneography 101 cruise will happen August 28-31during the Camden Windjammer Festival.   This will be a photographer’s dream opportunity to take gorgeous photos with the majestic windjammer fleet docked as they were 200 years ago in the picturesque Camden harbor. 

Passengers will learn key techniques and skills needed to transform plain smartphone snaps into amazing images.  Colleen Duffley will explore with the passengers aboard the cruise some of the most powerful and creative apps while introducing them how to share and present their work in the most creative ways.

Colleen Duffley has been shooting people, places and things around the globe for 25 years.  She shoots, directs, produces, and creates concepts for magazines, commercials and ad campaigns, but has never limited herself and has since developed Studio b. The first event of Studio b. was a camera phone event.  She is the curator of Light Impressions, an international iPhone art installation. Colleen’s purpose behind the original event was to create a level playing field where all people could be creative,and not need expensive equipment.

Tips for people who may take the cruise:

·         All you need is a camera phone but you can also bring an iPad or laptop

·         You will not need to download photos to another device; Colleen will be showing people how to use the photos on the phone itself

·         You will be able to charge your phone on the boat

·         Passengers should, if possible, download a few apps before the trip including: Hipstamatic, Instagram and Photoshop

Other cruises still available in August include the Maine Lobster Lovers’ cruise, which is the Maine Lighthouses & Lobster trip packaged with admission to the Maine Lobster Festival, lobster dinner on the fairgrounds and that night’s entertainment. Also available is The Captain’s Choice cruise where we sail to the captain’s favorite harbors, have his favorite meals and help celebrate the captain’s birthday.

 

The J. & E. Riggin was named “The Best Place to Have Dinner with a View” by Yankee Magazine in its 2010 Best of New England issue. Chef Annie has honed her craft for more than 25 years. Her first cookbook, the acclaimed At Home, At Sea, was featured on the Today Show and its recipes were highlighted by dozens of national media outlets including the Food Network and Traditional Home Magazine. Guests on these cruises will enjoy spectacular scenery and savory substances gathered from Chef Annie’s own garden, local farms and farmers’ markets.  

For more information on the J. & E. Riggin and the cruises offered, visit www.mainewindjammer.com.  Chef Annie’s second cookbook, Sugar & Salt: A Year at Home and at Sea, is available in local Maine shops and directly online at www.athomeatsea.com.

Photo Credit–Elizabeth Poisson

Media Contact:

 

Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates

207-653-0365

nema@maine.rr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Per Karlssoninfo@bkwine.comhttp://www.bkwinetours.comWinter wine and food tours: South America and South Africa with BKWine


The wine and food tour specialist BKWine has launched the coming winter’s wine and gourmet tours.


There are two tours to New World wine countries: Chile and Argentina in South America in February, and South Africa in March. Both tours extend over a bit more than ten days. They include several winery visits, gastronomic meal, and also other sights and experiences on these two long-range tours. The full programs are available on BKWineTours.com.

 

[caption id=”attachment_9229″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] BKWine Tours[/caption]

The first winter wine tour goes to the two main wine countries in South America: Chile and
Argentina, 1-16 February 2014
.

The tour starts on the Pampas. From the airport one goes directly to a comfortable estancia to
recover from the long flight and to forget quickly the northern winter. This is followed by a few days visits to Buenos Aires, including tango, before it is time to head for the Mendoza wine region. In this Argentina’s biggest and most famous wine region the vineyard visits are mixed with Argentinean asados, the typical barbecue feasts, and with views of the magnificent landscape. From Mendoza the tour continues spectacularly on road across the Andes, reaching more than 10 000 feet, with Aconcagua, the highest peak, not far away.

Having arrived in Chile the winery visits and tastings, as well as the gastronomic meals, continue. There is also a unique opportunity to be winemaker for a day: a wine blending workshop in a winery to blend one’s own wine. Santiago, Santa Cruz and Valparaiso are also on the program.

Britt Karlsson, co-founder of BKWine, says: “This is a ‘full-bodied’ program where we have put together all of the best of what Chile and Argentina can offer in terms of wine, food and sights. I have been to South America several times and I have picked the gems. A very special program.”

The second wine and food tour of the winter is to South Africa, 28 February – 10 March 2014.

South Africa has quickly advanced to become one of the top wine producers in the New World. On this wine tour there will be visits to the classic regions like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. But the program also includes the “newcomer” Swartland. Some consider this to be the very best wine region in South Africa. The tour starts and ends in Cape Town and will also include the famous Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. There is a possibility to add two days of very luxurious wildlife safari.

The tour also contributes to the development of the South African society. It sponsors a South African school as well as volunteer work at a Red Cross children’s hospital.

Per Karlsson, the other co-founder of BKWine, comments:
“South Africa sometimes has a reputation for entry level wines. Forget that! On this tour we will meet personally with some of South Africa’s greatest and most famous winemakers. Since we at BKWine are also internationally recognised wine writers we have unique contacts in the wine world. There will also be some lazy afternoons and luxurious gourmet meals. Not to forget the landscape and the wildlife that will also be part of the tour.”

All tours and detailed programmes can be found on http://www.bkwinetours.com/

BKWine is a tour operator specialised in top quality wine tours and gourmet tours. BKWine tours have been named “world’s top wine tours” by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Each year BKWine organises around 30 wine tours, both custom designed and on schedule.

– – – – – –

Press contact


BKWine, Britt or Per Karlsson, phone 0033 6 80
45 35 70, or 0033 6 83 51 12 53, info [at] bkwine.com

Press photos


South America, Chile & Argentina: http://tinyurl.com/PRSOUTHAMERICA. Password for download of high resolution images: [contact
BKWine]


South Africa: http://tinyurl.com/PRSOUTHAFRICA. Password for download of high resolution images: [contact BKWine]

 

Also on http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/press-room/.
A vast variety of photos are available on request. BKWine has one of the world’s biggest photo archives specialised in wine and wine travel: http://www.bkwinephotography.com.

BKWine AB

BKWine, 51, rue du Chevalier de la
Barre, F-92130 Issy les Moulineaux (Paris), France, phone 00 33 6 80 45 35 70, info [at] bkwine.com, http://www.bkwinetours.com, http://www.bkwine.com.

BKWine AB is run by Britt and Per Karlsson, of Swedish origin. There are four main activities:


Wine & food tours


Wine journalism


Wine photography, wine stock image library: http://www.bkwinephotography.com


Wine consulting

BKWine is active in several wine related fields. The main business is organising wine tours for wine enthusiasts and wine professionals who want to visit wine regions to learn more about wine. Each year BKWine organises some 30 wine tours. The wine tours have been named World’s Top Wine Tours by Travel +Leisure. BKWine has written and published several wine books that have won national and international awards. BKWine also publishes an online newsletter on wine, The BKWine Brief, which reaches some 20,000 subscribers. Britt and Per are members of the British Circle of Wine Writers (CWW), the International Wine Writers Federation (FIJEV), the French Wine Press Association (APV), the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) and several other wine and gastronomic organisations.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.mixtecataqueria.com Mixteca Restaurant to Host Tequila Dinner on August 19!

Celebracion del Mole y Tequila!!

Durham, New Hampshire— Chef Shannon Bard and tequila sommelier and managing partner, Sergio Ramos will host a tequila dinner at Mixteca restaurant in Durham, New Hampshire on August 19.  The four-course dinner will be paired with several varieties of Herradura, a tequila that has been hand crafted since 1870, the only 100% hacienda-made tequila in the world. 

[caption id=”attachment_9231″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Mixteca Restaurant, Durham, New Hampshire[/caption]

Mixteca Restaurant, Durham, New Hampshire

Mixteca Restaurant, Durham, New Hampshire

The evening will begin with a welcome margarita, Mixteca’s signature watermelon habanero margarita. 

The four-course menu includes: 

·
The first course, Entrada, is Vieras en Recado Negro which is sweet Maine scallops, recado negro (burnt chili, spices, orange),  and avacado mousse.  This course will be paired with Herradura
Blanco. 

·
The second course, Oceano,  is Pescado Marinado en Ajo con Mole Verde which is cilantro-garlic marinated halibut, earthy green mole, poblano rice, brown butter cauliflower and paired with Herradura Reposado.

·
The third course, Tierra, is Filete de Res en Mole Negro Oaxaqueno which is Maine Family Farms all natural filet of beef, classic Oaxacan black mole, black bean tamal paired with Herradura Anejo.

·
The fourth course is dessert called Pastel de Chocolate y Ancho con Platanos en Ron de Caramelo which translates to caramel-rum bananas, flour less chocolate ancho cake, cocoa brittle and goat’s
milk caramel cream paired with Herradura Selecion Suprema.

“We want to educate people on authentic Mexican cuisine and how hand-crafted tequila can enhance these amazing flavors and the experience,” said Shannon Bard, executive chef and proprietor of Mixteca.  “Sergio Ramos has completed the first phase of tequila expert class “T” certification by the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico and is endorsed by the association of tequila from
Mexico  He loves to share his knowledge of tequila and great Mexican cuisine which I know will be a treat for our guests.” 

Tickets are $60 for the tequila dinner and seats are limited so please call the restaurant today to make your reservation at 603.397.5971.

About Mixteca & Zapoteca 

Executive Chef Shannon Bard and her husband Tom Bard opened their first restaurant, Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria, in Portland, Maine in 2011.  The mission of Zapoteca is to take deep-rooted, vibrantly flavored Mexican dishes, use a combination of modern and old world cooking techniques and present dishes in a truly unique way.  

Growing up in Oklahoma, Shannon Bard and her family would sit together and enjoy large meals prepared by her grandmother and mother.  Shannon would join them in the kitchen and spend hours
making vibrantly flavored meals prepared from scratch.

Meanwhile, her father and grandfather, both small farmers, imparted lessons on seasonal produce and the hard work and dedication farmers put into each and every crop.

These early influences inspired Shannon to attend culinary school.  Following her training at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, Texas, Shannon, her husband Tom Bard and
long-time friend Sergio Ramos  opened Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria. 

Mixteca opened in Durham, New Hampshire last year.  For more information on the restaurants please visit http://www.mixtecataqueria.com.

Media Contact:

Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates

207-653-0365

nema@maine.rr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.comSheraton Phoenix Downtown First AZ Business with Urban Cultivator

State’s only hotel sprouts sustainable ways to grow and harvest fresh greens for its guests

[caption id=”attachment_9234″ align=”alignright” width=”205″] Commercial Urban Cultivator[/caption]

PHOENIX – (Aug. 12, 2013) – Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel recently installed Arizona’s first commercial-use Urban Cultivator™to grow, sprout and harvest a wide selection of fresh and aromatic micro greens and herbs. Now guests of the hotel and its restaurant,District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, can experience a wide array of delicious and hard-to-find greens all year round.

The decision to install a six-and-a-half-foot tall commercial-use Urban Cultivator was not just to provide hotel and restaurant guests with the freshest ingredients, but also to align with the company’s sustainable commitment to consume less and care more for the planet. The Urban Cultivator is a fully-automated indoor growing appliance that resembles a refrigerator with double glass doors and a series of growing shelves, lighting and water spouts. It is climate controlled and uses a method similar to hydroponic growing to grow herbs and micro greens. By growing right on property, the hotel is conserving time, water and energy, thus minimizing waste and emissions.

“With much success from our rooftop herb garden that currently yields everything from organic French lavender to thyme to chocolate mint and much more, we decided to install a commercial-use Urban Cultivator to supplement what the garden might not be able to produce,” said General Manager Mike Ehmann, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. “This environmentally conscious effort is much more than simply growing and serving the freshest ingredients. As the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms and a vast amount of meeting space, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel caterers to thousands of guests – it is important that we provide the best quality while reducing food and energy costs.”

[caption id=”attachment_9235″ align=”alignright” width=”221″] Chef with Urban Cultivator[/caption]

The culinary team at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel and District American Kitchen and Wine Bar take pride and ownership in growing and harvesting the freshest herbs and micro greens. Some of the many greens the team grows include: arugula, basil, dill, endive, lettuces, radishes, and a plethora of others. The herbs and micro greens are added to a variety of dishes, used in catered functions and infused in many mixed beverages.

To learn more about Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel: www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004

(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)

 

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent

[caption id=”attachment_9236″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Chef with Urban Cultivator[/caption]

rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.boothbayharbor.comBoothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Announces the 2nd Annual “Claw Down®”! 19 Local Chefs vie for the title of ‘Best Lobster Bite’!

[caption id=”attachment_9256″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] 2012 Chefs at the Claw Down, photo by Ted Axelrod[/caption]

Boothbay Harbor, Maine  (August 13, 2013)—For the second year in a row, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce has issued a Claw Down® for local chefs, challenging them to come up with the best lobster bite for the title of the 2013 Claw Down® Lobster Bite Chef of the Year – Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice.

This signature culinary Chamber fund-raiser will take place on September 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ocean Point Marina, East Boothbay.  Four hundred lobster lovers will enjoy savory lobster bites and vote on the People’s Choice Awards while sampling a selection of wines from Central Distributors.  Before the doors open to the public 19 chefs will present their prize-worthy bites in a blind judging competition before industry renowned experts who will decide the winner of the Judge’s Choice title based on presentation, originality and taste. A first, second and third place will be awarded in both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice categories at the end of the night.

Michele Ragussis, Chef at The Pearl restaurant in Rockland and a finalist in the Food Network show “The Next Food Network Star” and “Chopped” will emcee the event.  Judges will include the Lobster Chef of the Year, Chef Kerry Altiero from Cafe Miranda in Rockland; Lynn Archer, a.k.a The Queen of Clubs, owner of Archer’s on the Pier and the Brass Compass Cafe and winner of the “Lobster Dekkah” challenge on the Food Network Show “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” and Sandy Oliver, Maine food historian, Bangor Daily News food columnist and author of “Maine Home Cooking.”

“We are excited to host the 2nd Annual Claw Down® because this event brings the community together by not only promoting and supporting our talented chefs in the area but also supporting our local lobster industry,” said Catherine Wygant Fossett, Executive Director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. “The Claw Down® sold out at the beautiful historic Opera House last year, but in an effort to double the capacity for the most discerning lobster fanatics the venue has been moved to the Ocean Point Marina.”

Last year a portion of the proceeds from the First Annual Claw Down® supported the Boothbay Region Community Resource Group.  This year proceeds from the event will help to underwrite the cost of Claw Down® with a stipend to each participating restaurant to help cover the cost of lobster.  Fossett adds, “The economic impact was impressive….17 restaurant owners and chefs purchased approximately 200 pounds of shucked lobster from local lobster wharves to make their delectable lobster bites last year. With close to 200 pounds of lobster purchased and 200 tickets sold, the total regional economic impact to the Boothbay Harbor Region’s lobster industry for just the Claw Down® event was over $33,750.”

For the second consecutive year, the Chamber is partnering with the Maine Lobster Promotion Council. The Claw Down® will help the Chamber in its efforts to bolster local businesses; serve as guardians of the region’s economic well-being; advocate on behalf of area businesses; and promote avenues of tourism for the communities of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay, Edgecomb, Monhegan, Newcastle, Southport, Westport, Wiscasset, and Woolwich.

At the First Annual Claw Down®, Chef Micah Jones of Brown’s Wharf Inn received the Judge’s Choice Award in a blind judging competition for the Claw Down® Chef of the Year.  Jones’ winning bite was a polenta and truffle lobster bite, fresh lobster meat served over a sun-dried tomato and polenta cake, finished with lobster sauce and truffle oil. Chef Fiona Dunlap of the Newagen Seaside Inn & Restaurant was voted as the People’s Choice Award winner. Dunlap’s bite was a petite corn cake topped with native corn puree, Maine lobster, butter sauce and candied tarragon.

“Claw Down® is a gourmet lobster lover’s dream event,” says Cherie Scott, Member Services and Event Manager. “You get to meet all these talented chefs under one roof, eat all the handcrafted lobster bites you can and enjoy the finest wine from Central Distributors …you can literally feel a foodie buzz in the room!”

This year’s participating restaurants and Chefs in the “Claw Down®” include:

1.      Boathouse Bistro & Tapas Bar, Chef & co-owner Karin Guerin,www.theboathousebistro.com

2.      Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Executive Chef Geoff Cornell,www.boothbayharborcc.com

3.      Boothbay Lobster Wharf, Chef Kosta Rigas,www.boothbaylobsterwharf.com

4.      Brown’s Wharf , Chef Micah Jones, www.brownswharfinn.com

5.      Eventide Specialties, Chef & co-owner Kim Martin,www.eventidespecialties.com

6.      Fisherman’s Wharf Inn, Chef John Reed,www.fishermanshwarfinn.com

7.      Kaler’s Restaurant, Chef & co-owner Sam Kaler, www.kalers.com

8.      McSeagull’s Restaurant, Chef & co-owner Ralph Smith,www.mcseagullsonline.com

9.      Newagen Seaside Inn, Chef Fiona Dunlap,www.newagenseasideinn.com

10.  Oliver’s at Cozy Harbor Wharf, Chef Stacy McLellan,www.oliversrestaurant.com

11.  Ports of Italy, Chef Fabrizio Ventricini, www.portsofitaly.com

12.  Robinson’s Wharf & Tugs Pub, Chef Jason Chamness, www.robinsons-wharf.com

13.  The Lobster Dock, Chef & co-owner Mitch Weiss,www.thelobsterdock.com

14.  The Rocktide Inn & Restaurant, Chef Joe Pinkham,www.rocktideinn.com

15.  The Thistle Inn, Chef Michael Whitney, www.thethistleinn.com

16.  The World Is Mine Oyster, Chef Steve Richards, www.mineoyster.net

17.  The World Is Mine Oyster – Sushi, Chef Harrison Maung,www.mineoyster.com

18.  Tugboat Inn & Restaurant, Chef Mike Ham, www.tugboatinn.com

19.  Windows on the Harbor, Chef Patrick Jones,www.boothbayharborinn.com

What makes this event more than just a competition is that it provides attendees an opportunity to eat, stay and play in the region after the Claw Down®. Various chamber members are posting “Hot Deals” with special pricing, promotions and lodging packages on the Chamber’s websites directly tied into Claw Down®. Check out the Chamber’s website for the latest listings and specials at www.boothbayharbor.com.

Cocktail attire is suggested for the Claw Down®.  Tickets are $60.00 and can be purchased online on August 15th by visiting Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce (www.boothbayharbor.com) or by calling 207-633-2353.  A complimentary Country Coach Charter shuttle will be available for parking from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.  A special appearance by Red Claws Mascot Crusher, the NBA Development League affiliate of the Boston Celtics and Charlotte Bobcats, will add to the excitement of the evening along with a total transformation of the boatyard by the Boothbay Region Greenhouses and Greg Powers Agency. If you are interested in volunteering at the Claw Down®, please contact Cherie Scott, Member Services & Events Manager, cherie@boothbayharbor.com or contact the Chamber at 207-633-2353.

Presenting sponsors include the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, Maine Magazine and the Brand Company, BDN Maine, Central Distributors, Boothbay Region Greenhouses, Ocean Point Marina along with the Maine Lobster Promotion Council, BIG 104FM Blueberry Broadcasting, Marshalls Tent and Event Rental, Tile Connection, Stone Cove Catering, US. Foods, The Hodgdon Island Inn, Topside Inn, Flagship Inn & Suites, The Inns at Greenleaf Lane, Greg Powers Agency, Ted Axelrod Photography, Harbor Embroidery, Channel 7- BRCTV, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Lincoln Arts Festival, Martin Page, Country Coach Charters and NEMA Northeast Media Associates. ###

Contact: nema@maine.rr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.comSheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Hires New Executive Chef

[caption id=”attachment_9337″ align=”alignright” width=”173″] Chef Jose Mejia[/caption]

Chef Returns to Arizona to Continue Journey in Making Memorable Experiences

PHOENIX – (Aug. 22, 2013) – Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel is pleased to announce that Jose Mejia has been appointed to executive chef of the hotel. Mejia returns to Arizona and brings with him more than 20 years of culinary experience, a wealth of credibility and inspiration to his new role.

As executive chef, Mejia will develop the culinary concepts for Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, the Park Lounge lobby bar, the Breeze bar, and oversee all banquet culinary operations and in-room dining at the 1,000-room convention hotel. Additionally, he will oversee administration in all kitchen operations, staff recruitment and training.

“We welcome Chef Mejia to his new role at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel,” said General Manager Mike Ehmann. ”With his credible culinary background, familiarity with the Starwood Hotels and Resorts family, experience with some of the world’s top hotels, and a professional yet creative mindset, Chef Mejia will certainly be an asset to our team.”

With a hunger for building teams and creating memorable experiences, Chef Mejia’s methodical, consistent and innovative vision will complement the hotel and restaurant’s culinary team as they blossom together like a growing garden.

“I look forward to my return to Arizona and the start of a new culinary journey at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel,” said Chef Mejia. “My previous experience includes a wealth of culinary positions at various hotels and resorts. In this new role, I will lead and motivate our team as we continue to make memorable experiences, focus on sourcing locally whenever possible and embrace sustainable practices.”

Chef Mejia has a solid vision for the future where dinner guests and banquet attendees alike will be able to enjoy exceptional cuisine and premium service in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
Most recently, Mejia served as executive chef for Villa del Palmar Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Before that, Mejia held culinary positions at The Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix, Villaitana Wellness, Golf & Business Resort in Spain, and with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide at Le Meridien and The Phoenician Resort.

Mejia studied in Mexico City and has worked with noteworthy chefs such as Julia Child and Paul Bocuse. Mejia proudly incorporates color into his exquisite culinary combinations to make the perfect presentation for each occasion. When he is not attending to guests or cooking in the kitchen, he enjoys spending time with his family and playing soccer.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

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Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.boothbayharbor.com 2nd Annual “Claw Down® Set to Bring in People from 13 Different States to Enjoy Maine’s Premiere Lobster Competition!

19 Local Chefs vie for the title of ‘Best Lobster Bite’!

BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine (Sept. 10, 2013)—For the second year in a row, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce has issued a Claw Down® for local chefs, challenging them to come up with the best lobster bite for the title of the 2013 Claw Down® Lobster Bite Chef of the Year—Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice.

[caption id=”attachment_9512″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Claw Down Chefs from 2012 Photo: Ted Axelrod Photography[/caption]

This signature chamber fund-raiser will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 at Ocean Point Marina, East Boothbay. The marina will be transformed, thanks to the Greg Powers Agency and Boothbay Region Greenhouses, into a venue with nautically accented up-lighting and décor, music and a giant screen to feature Claw Down highlights. Proceeds from the event will help to underwrite the cost of Claw Down® with a stipend to each participating restaurant to help cover the cost of lobster.

More than 400 lobster-lovers will enjoy savory lobster bites—using 475 pounds of locally shucked lobster—and vote on the People’s Choice Award while sampling a selection of wines from Central Distributors. Attendees already registered are from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Vermont, Oregon, Ohio, New York, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana and California—and of course, Maine. “Last year, the regional economic impact on the lobster industry just for Claw Down was $34,000. This year we expect an even larger impact as we’ve doubled the size of the event.” said executive director of the Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce, Catherine Wygant Fossett.

Before the doors open to the public, 19 chefs will present their prize-worthy bites in a blind judging competition to industry-renowned experts who will decide the winner of the Judge’s Choice title based on presentation, originality and taste. A first, second and third place will be awarded in both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice categories at the end of the night.

[caption id=”attachment_9511″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Claw Down Photo: Ted Axelrod Photography[/caption]

Michele Ragussis, chef at The Pearl restaurant in Rockland and a finalist in the Food Network show “The Next Food Network Star” and “Chopped,” will emcee the event. Judges will include Lobster Chef of the Year Kerry Altiero from Cafe Miranda in Rockland; Rockland’s Lynn Archer, a.k.a The Queen of Clubs, owner of Archer’s on the Pier and the Brass Compass Cafe and winner of the “Lobster Dekkah” challenge on the Food Network Show “Throwdown with Bobby Flay;” and Sandy Oliver, Maine food historian, Bangor Daily News food columnist and author of “Maine Home Cooking.”

At the First Annual Claw Down®, Chef Micah Jones of Brown’s Wharf Inn received the Judge’s Choice Award in a blind judging competition for the Claw Down® Chef of the Year. Chef Fiona Dunlap of the Newagen Seaside Inn & Restaurant was voted as the People’s Choice Award winner. Dunlap’s honor earned her an appearance WCHS’s “207” televised news magazine program.

This year’s participating restaurants and Chefs in the “Claw Down®” include:
1. Boathouse Bistro & Tapas Bar, Chef & co-owner Karin Guerin, www.theboathousebistro.com
2. Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Executive Chef Geoff Cornell, www.boothbayharborcc.com
3. Boothbay Lobster Wharf, Chef Kosta Rigas, www.boothbaylobsterwharf.com
4. Brown’s Wharf , Chef Micah Jones, www.brownswharfinn.com
5. Eventide Specialties, Chef & co-owner Kim Martin, www.eventidespecialties.com
6. Fisherman’s Wharf Inn, Chef John Reed, www.fishermanshwarfinn.com
7. Kaler’s Restaurant, Chef & co-owner Sam Kaler, www.kalers.com
8. McSeagull’s Restaurant, Chef & co-owner Ralph Smith, www.mcseagullsonline.com
9. Newagen Seaside Inn, Chef Fiona Dunlap, www.newagenseasideinn.com
10. Oliver’s at Cozy Harbor Wharf, Chef Stacy McLellan, www.oliversrestaurant.com
11. Ports of Italy, Chef Fabrizio Ventricini, www.portsofitaly.com
12. Robinson’s Wharf & Tugs Pub, Chef Jason Chamness, www.robinsons-wharf.com
13. The Lobster Dock, Chef & co-owner Mitch Weiss, www.thelobsterdock.com
14. The Rocktide Inn & Restaurant, Chef Joe Pinkham, www.rocktideinn.com
15. The Thistle Inn, Chef Tony Bickford, www.thethistleinn.com
16. The World Is Mine Oyster, Chef Steve Richards, www.mineoyster.net
17. The World Is Mine Oyster – Sushi, Chef Harrison Maung, www.mineoyster.com
18. Tugboat Inn & Restaurant, Chef Mike Ham, www.tugboatinn.com
19. Windows on the Harbor, Chef Patrick Jones, www.boothbayharborinn.com

What makes this event more than just a competition is that it provides attendees an opportunity to eat, stay and play in the region after the Claw Down®. Various chamber members are posting “Hot Deals” with special pricing, promotions and lodging packages on the Chamber’s websites directly tied into Claw Down®. Check out the Chamber’s website for the latest listings and specials at www.boothbayharbor.com.

Cocktail attire is suggested. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online by visiting Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce (www.boothbayharbor.com) or by calling 207-633-2353. A complimentary Country Coach Charter shuttle will be available for those attendees parking at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Hodgdon Yachts and Washburn & Doughty.

Presenting sponsors include the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, Maine Magazine and the Brand Company, BDN Maine, Central Distributors, Boothbay Region Greenhouses, Ocean Point Marina along with the Maine Lobster Promotion Council, Ames True Value Supply, Tindal & Callahan Real Estate, BIG 104FM Blueberry Broadcasting, Marshall Tent and Event Rental, Tile Connection, Stone Cove Catering, US. Foods, The Hodgdon Island Inn, Topside Inn, Flagship Inn & Suites, The Inns at Greenleaf Lane, Dead River Company, Greg Powers Agency, Ted Axelrod Photography, Harbor Embroidery, Channel 7- BRCTV, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Hodgdon Yachts, Washburn & Doughty Associates, Lincoln Arts Festival, Martin Page, Country Coach Charters and NEMA Northeast Media Associates.
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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://www.zapotecarestaurant.comChef Shannon Bard and Tequila Sommelier, Sergio Ramos to Host Tequila Dinner on September 23rd at Zapoteca

A Celebration of Mexican Independence

Portland, Maine— In celebration of Mexico becoming independent in September of 1810, Chef Shannon Bard and tequila sommelier and managing partner, Sergio Ramos will host a tequila dinner at Zapoteca restaurant in Portland, Maine on September 23rd at 6:30 p.m. The five-course dinner will be paired with several varieties of Herradura, a tequila that has been hand crafted since 1870, the only 100% hacienda-made tequila in the world.

[caption id=”attachment_9561″ align=”aligncenter” width=”493″] Zapoteca Restaurant, 505 Fore Street, Portland, Maine[/caption]

The five-course menu includes:

• The first course, Empanda de Conejo con Tuerca Ahumado Mole which is adobo glazed rabbit empanada, walnuts and smoky nut mole paired with Zapoteca’s Pina-Lope Margarita.

• The second course is Sopa de Langosta de Maine con Maiz Local y Chile Poblano, local corn, poblano chile and sweet Maine Lobster bisque and house made Mexican creme with micro cilantro. This course will be paired with Herradura Blanco.

• The fish course – Oceano, is Vieras con Mole Verde y Gambas Enpolvadas con Chile which is chile dusted prawns, sweet scallops, green mole and Stone Cypher Farm’s greens paired with Herradura Reposado .

• The fourth course is, Tierra, Duo de Cordero, duo of lamb, pepita crusted rack of lamb, barbocoa style roasted lamb shoulder, roasted pasilla agave glaze and masa corn pudding and paired with Herradura Anejo.

• The fifth course is dessert and will be Pina Divina which is tequila glazed pineapple cake, pineapple sorbet, candied pineapple with tequila caramel sauce. paired with Herradura Selecion Suprema.

“We are excited to celebrate Mexico’s independence by educating people on authentic Mexican cuisine and how hand-crafted tequila can enhance these amazing flavors and the experience,” said Shannon Bard, executive chef and proprietor of Zapoteca and Mixteca. “Sergio Ramos has completed the first phase of tequila expert class “T” certification by the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico and is endorsed by the association of tequila from Mexico He loves to share his knowledge of tequila and great Mexican cuisine which I know will be a treat for our guests.”

Tickets are $75 for the tequila dinner and seats are limited so please call the restaurant today to make your reservation at 207-772-8242.

About Mixteca & Zapoteca

Executive Chef Shannon Bard and her husband Tom Bard opened their first restaurant, Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria, in Portland, Maine in 2011. The mission of Zapoteca is to take deep-rooted, vibrantly flavored Mexican dishes, use a combination of modern and old world cooking techniques and present dishes in a truly unique way.

Growing up in Oklahoma, Shannon Bard and her family would sit together and enjoy large meals prepared by her grandmother and mother. Shannon would join them in the kitchen and spend hours making vibrantly flavored meals prepared from scratch.

Meanwhile, her father and grandfather, both small farmers, imparted lessons on seasonal produce and the hard work and dedication farmers put into each and every crop.
These early influences inspired Shannon to attend culinary school. Following her training at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, Texas, Shannon, her husband Tom Bard and long-time friend Sergio Ramos opened Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria.

Mixteca, their second restaurant, opened in Durham, New Hampshire earlier this year. For more information on the restaurants please visit http://www.zapotecarestaurant.com.

Media Contact:
Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates
207-653-0365
nema@maine.rr.com

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Ann Flower Communicationsannflowercommunications@gmail.comhttp://www.annflowerpr.comRoadshow Revival Celebrates Fall in Socal-Style with “Blues at the Beach”

Roadshow Revival, Players Casino and Totally Local VC team up to bring the blues to the San Buenaventura State Beach this fall

(Ventura, CA) – Fall for some means changing leaves, warm clothes and the return of all things pumpkin. This year, autumn in Ventura will be celebrated the way coastal Southern California celebrates best – at the beach. On Saturday, November 2, blues lovers will find themselves enjoying live music in the Ventura sunshine at the San Buenaventura Beach.

[caption id=”attachment_9718″ align=”aligncenter” width=”300″] Official “Blues at the Beach” poster[/caption]

Sponsored by Players Casino, “Blues at the Beach” has confirmed a variety of different musical acts, including headliner and legendary blues guitarist Elvin Bishop and harmonica player and singer James Harman. Also gracing the stage will be the R&B Bombers, Guy Martin, the 44s and Shawn Jones. The concert will come equipped with entertainment for all, with vendors providing food and other goodies for purchase and a kid-zone for the little ones. As is the custom of Roadshow Revival, there will be a display of pre-1970 American hot rods and all years, makes and models of custom & vintage/antique motorcycles. Vehicle registration is currently open for a $45 fee on the Roadshow Revival website.

Ticket prices are as follows:
• $5 Youth Tickets – Children ages 6-12
• $25 General Admission Tickets – festival seating
• $50 “Got Blues” Tickets – Includes special access to a reserved section directly
in front of the stage
• $100 “V.I.P. Players Casino” Tickets – Includes access to the VIP tent and special seating

Roadshow Revival is also responsible for hosting Ventura’s annual summertime “A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash” festival. Those familiar with this popular Roadshow Revival event can expect the same level of quality entertainment from “Blues at the Beach”. “Blues at the Beach” will take place on Saturday, November 2, 2013 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM at the San Buenaventura State Beach (901 San Pedro St., Ventura, CA). For more information on purchasing tickets, vehicle registration and the event itself, please visit www.roadshowrevival.com.

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Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Celebrates Five Year Birthday With Social Hour Event Series

Guests are invited to Raise a Glass and Toast during a Social Hour Celebration

PHOENIX – Sept. 27, 2013 – On Sept. 30, 2013, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel turns five years old! What better way to celebrate the past five years than with a month-long wine series that culminates with an exclusive Sheraton Social Hour wine gathering and celebratory toast in the hotel’s Park Lounge lobby from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel’s fifth birthday coincides with the regional Sheraton Social Hour celebration as it becomes the fourth property to participate in the wine tasting series. After the successful global rollout of Sheraton Social Hour, the brand’s signature premium wine pairing program, the Sheraton brand team chose five properties across the U.S. to host the Social Hour events. The experiential series kicked off at the Sheraton Chicago on June 24 and then traveled to Seattle, with other key cities including Kansas City and Boston. Want to raise a glass? Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG) wine enthusiasts are invited to RSVP for a chance to gain entry to the invitation-only event while simultaneously getting the opportunity to toast happy birthday to Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

“By blending the two celebrations together, we have the opportunity to offer our guests a truly unique experience,” said Mike Ehmann, general manager of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. “The Sheraton Social Hour program features some of the most highly rated wines in the world where business and leisure guests alike can gather and connect in a comfortable setting while sharing thoughts about premium pours from notable wineries.”

Bubbling up to the Celebratory Toast
Starting on Sept. 30 and leading up to the Oct. 22 event, one of four hand-selected wines will be featured each week during Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel’s usually scheduled Social Hour series where guests can compare two 2oz premium pours for only $5. This series takes place Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m. in the hotel’s Park Lounge lobby. The fifth – in honor of the hotels birthday – will be unveiled with a grand birthday toast at the Sheraton Social Hour event held at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 22.

Sheraton Gets Social
The Social Hour program, which was developed by today’s premier wine experts and the brand’s global food and beverage team, offers guests a specially curated menu of premium wines by the glass and weekly tasting events. In North America, the program features Sheraton Selects, an upgraded premium wine menu comprised of a rotation of eight or more wines by the glass and bottle, all rated by Wine Spectator. All Sheraton Selects wines will be rated above 85 and at least four offerings will be rated 90+. The program features renowned wineries such as Chateau Ste. Michelle, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Northstar, Columbia Crest, Antinori, Col Solare, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Eroica.

Toast with Sheraton
SPG members will receive exclusive access to these tasting events where they will have the unique opportunity to sample the premium Wine Spectator rated wines served during Social Hour. During the festive events, guests will be encouraged to join the conversation and share their favorite wine experiences on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram using #SocialHour.

Want a taste? Local SPG members of legal drinking age are invited to attend the intimate events. Space is limited, so RSVP now to RSVP.phoenixdowntown@sheraton.com. Not an SPG member? Then enroll at SPG.com for access to exclusive benefits like entrance to the main celebratory Sheraton Social Hour event, held at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Oct. 22.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel to Wine and Dine Guests
General Manager Mike Ehmann will host the birthday toast with a marquee selection during the regional Sheraton Social Hour celebration at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Oct. 22. Additionally, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates Business Development Manager Eric Hatch will be on-hand to educate guests about the event’s premium wine selections and describe the tasting notes in each featured glass.

Event attendees and SPG Members will sample wines paired perfectly with dishes designed by the culinary team at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The Chateau Ste. Michelle “Indian Wells” Columbia Valley, Red Blend 2010 offers a boysenberry flavor from the Syrah with a luscious backbone from the Merlot and some spice from the other varieties. This wine will be paired with a duck breast tostada and chipotle-fig jam. The Wine Spectator 90-rated Chateau Ste. Michelle “Canoe Ridge Estate, Horse Heaven Hills,” Cabernet 2010 offers black current flavors, hints of sage and elegant tannins. This wine will be paired with pumpkin whoopie pies. Another Wine Spectator 90-rated wine, the Stella Maris Columbia Valley, Red Blend 2008, is a very approachable, versatile wine that offers layers of smoke, vanilla, spice, raspberry, and cherry flavors on a soft and silky palate. This wine will be paired with smoked chorizo, artichoke and melon with pistachio vinaigrette. Next up is the Domaine Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley, Brut N/V. With its delicate flavors of apples and citrus and lively acidity, Michelle Brut is the perfect accompaniment for a wide array of foods. Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut will be paired with a smoked salmon flatbread with olive tapenade and herb mascarpone. And finally for the birthday toast of the evening, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, Epernay, Brut Reserve N/V, a Wine Spectator 90-rated rich and creamy marquee selection that yields flavors of dried fruit, nut and spice notes of fruitcake, with lemon meringue, quince and honey. This elegant and refined Champagne will pair perfectly with lobster medallions and sweet creamed leeks.

Celebrate with a Great Rate
Starting Sept. 30 in honor of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel’s birthday, the hotel is inviting people to Pay Your Birth Year. With this special offer for two or three night stays, guests receive rates equal to their birth year! The first night rate is $205 with the second and third nights equal to the guest’s birth year. For example, a guest born in 1950 would pay a rate of $205 the first night and $50 for the second and third nights. This birthday offer is available through the end of the year by calling (866) 716-8134 and mentioning rate code BIRTHDAY or visiting www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

For more information on Sheraton Social Hour, visit www.Sheraton.com/SocialHour. For more information on Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com. For more information on Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.sheraton.com or Facebook. Follow Sheraton on Twitter.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 hotels in nearly 70 countries around the world and recently completed a $6 billion global revitalization and is now in the midst of an $8 billion global expansion over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,162 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Dr. Gisele Castelluberinspiremedspa@gmail.comhttp://inspiremedspa.comAt Inspire Med Spa, Botox specialists recommend treatments be used to alleviate migraines as well as to smooth wrinkles.

Lyndhurst, NJ–Inspire Med Spa specializes in tailoring botox treatments to reach each client’s desired results. Whether they want to eliminate crows feet, frown lines, or forehead wrinkles, Inspire Med Spa’s botox treatments have been proven to effectively erase all three. But botox can go beyond turning back the clock and smoothing out wrinkles. It is now an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraines in adults.

[caption id=”attachment_9977″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Inspire Med Spa’s Botox Packages[/caption]

Chronic migraines are classified as debilitating headaches that affect 12% of Americans. People who suffer from chronic migraines will experience intense throbbing for at least 14 days out of every month. The FDA states that botox administered over a 12-week period in the head and neck can dull future migraine symptoms. Two studies that involved 1,384 adults found that the patients who were treated with botox experienced a decrease in the frequency of the number of days they normally suffered with a migraine headache. This is just another way that the botox treatments offered by Inspire Med Spa apply its philosophy of helping clients achieve optimum health by alleviating any pain they have learned to live with but shouldn’t have to.

If you are someone who suffers from chronic migraines and have run out of options for alleviating the pain they cause, consulting a doctor about seeking botox treatment might be the right option for decreasing the frequency of your headaches. Inspire Med Spa’s botox treatments are tailored to help each individual client reach their ideal of optimum health, which includes identifying areas where clients might experience pain or severe tension. The areas that can be treated with Botox are the forehead, between the eyes, and around the eyes, which are the areas where muscles experience the most tension. Let Inspire Med Spa help you smooth and alleviate!

Inspire Med Spa was founded by Dr. Gisele Castelluber, M.D., to help people reach their optimum level of wellness even if they are not necessarily sick. There are people who feel symptoms such as fatigue without knowing the cause. Dr. Castelluber believes that dealing with pain or illness doesn’t have to be part of life. “By testing imbalances within your body, we can fix almost anything,” she says.

To find out more about Botox and other treatments Inspire Med Spa has to offer, as well as special deals on packages, visit their website http://inspiremedspa.com, send them an email at inspiremedspa@gmail.com, or give them a call at 201-933-2333.

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jacqueline Cromleighjacqueline.cromleigh@conradhotels.comhttp://conradindianapolis.comConrad Indianapolis’ Black Friday Package Provides Guests with Shopping Retreat

CONTACT:
Jacqueline Cromleigh
PR & Marketing Manager
317.524.2516
Jacqueline.Cromleigh@conradhotels.com

Conrad Indianapolis’ Black Friday Package Provides Guests with Shopping Retreat

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – (October 22, 2013) – Dedicated shoppers now have a reason to celebrate with Conrad Indianapolis’ new “Black Friday” package. For $139 per night, the hotel’s revamped shopping offer provides guests with more perks than in previous years.

Conveniently connected to Circle Centre Mall via skywalk, Conrad Indianapolis presents the ideal downtown location for a morning of successful holiday shopping.

The “Black Friday” package includes:

• Luxurious overnight accommodations
• Complimentary glass of celebratory Prosecco at Tastings
• Complimentary chair massage at Evan Todd Spa & Salon
• Complimentary HSIA

To book the “Black Friday” package, guests can visit Conrad Indianapolis or dial 317.713.5000 and mention the promo code, “FRI.” Offer is valid Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 and is subject to availability.

[caption id=”attachment_10007″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Front drive of Conrad Indianapolis[/caption]

About Conrad Indianapolis
Conrad Indianapolis is the hotel of choice for discerning travelers visiting the “Circle City.” Located at one of the city’s most prominent intersections, the hotel is truly in the center of it all – connected to Circle Centre Mall and just steps from nearly everything that downtown has to offer including museums, live music and theatre, and the Indianapolis Zoo & White River Gardens State Park. The hotel is also connected via elevated walkway to the Indiana Convention Center. The 23-story building features 241 guest rooms, 15,000 square feet of intimate, state-of-the-art meeting space and 15 private residences. World-class dining experiences can be enjoyed in Tastings Wine Bar or The Capital Grille® restaurant, and relaxation awaits at Evan Todd Spa & Salon. Conrad Indianapolis, open since March 2006, is the city’s first true luxury hotel.

 

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/gingerbreadSheraton Phoenix Downtown Partners with Le Cordon Bleu on Gingerbread House Competition

Creative Competition is Full Steam Ahead for College of Culinary Arts Students

[caption id=”attachment_10051″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Holiday Tree Courtesy of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel[/caption]

PHOENIX – (Oct. 25, 2013) – Each year, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel holds a gingerbread house competition set to various Christmas story themes where elaborately decorated edible creations are displayed in the hotel’s Park Lounge lobby throughout the Holiday Season. This year’s gingerbread house theme takes inspiration from the movie, “The Polar Express,” where a young boy boards a powerful and magical train to visit Santa Claus in the North Pole.

For the second year in a row, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel will partner with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts to give students a chance to creatively showcase their talents and win a monetary scholarship donation to their Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts tuition and/or supplies.

“Aligning with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts for this creative competition just makes sense,” said Pastry Chef Winnona Herr, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. “Last year’s partnership with the school was successful, so we decided to proceed again this year. The competition provides students with a hands-on, fun and interactive opportunity to show off their skills, which could result in a tuition scholarship.”

Students are challenged to create gingerbread houses constructed and composed completely of edible materials and erected on a board that measures 24 inches high, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches long. The main structure will be constructed primarily of gingerbread and must be to the theme of “The Polar Express.” Any entry with non-edible components will be automatically disqualified.

The first round of judging takes place at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in mid-November 2013. Finalists are awarded the opportunity to have their gingerbread houses on display at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel throughout the 2013 Holiday Season where the final judging occurs. All entries will be judged in five categories: 1.) Overall appearance; 2.) Originality and creativity; 3.) Difficulty; 4.) Precision; and 5.) Consistency of theme.

[caption id=”attachment_10050″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Train in Gingerbread Village Courtesy of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel[/caption]

Prizes will be awarded for the top three competitors through a scholarship donation to their Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts tuition and/or supplies in the following amounts: First place is $1,000; Second place is $500; Third place is $250.

Locals and travelers alike will have the opportunity to view the final selections at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel in the hotel’s Park Lounge from November 29, 2013, through the end of the year.

For more about Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel’s Gingerbread House Competition visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/gingerbread or www.facebook.com/SheratonPhxDowntown.

About Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
In 1999, Le Cordon Bleu North America arrived in the United States. Its partnership with Scottsdale Culinary Institute (SCI) combined classical French cooking techniques with modern American technology. This union has ushered in a new era of culinary arts around the world. On August 17, 2009, SCI started the distance education delivery method of the Bachelors of Arts in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Management. On November 1, 2009, SCI received State and accreditation approval to change its name to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.

[caption id=”attachment_10052″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Upper Train in Gingerbread Village Courtesy of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel[/caption]

Le Cordon Bleu (LCB) is one of the largest providers of quality culinary arts education worldwide. Our network of 17 schools in the United States offers culinary students a hands-on education with faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue fulfilling career opportunities in the culinary arts. LCB does not guarantee employment or salary and is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie Brashearkatie.brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.com/New Menus Launch at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

Introducing new lunch and dinner menus featuring American comfort foods with a twist

PHOENIX – (Oct. 31, 2013) – The new fall lunch and dinner menus debut today at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar featuring an array of all-American comfort foods served with a twist. Each menu item is infused with locally sourced ingredients, artisan products, herbs from the restaurant’s rooftop garden, fresh micro greens from its newly installed Urban Cultivator, and sustainably farmed items from local growers.

[caption id=”attachment_10104″ align=”aligncenter” width=”500″] Chicken and Waffles photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

New highlights from District American Kitchen and Wine Bar’s fall lunch menu include: gluten-free Butternut Squash Soup with candied Schreiner’s bacon and mint crème fraiche; Harvest Chop Salad with kale, romaine, diced grilled chicken, apples, carrots, dried cranberries and apple cider vinaigrette; Whitefish BLT that features seasonal whitefish served on focaccia with lemon-chili aioli, lettuce, Schreiner’s bacon and beefsteak tomato; and District American Kitchen’s Award-Winning Grilled Cheese – prepared identical to Chef Johnny Marchetti’s winning recipe featured at the 2012 Grilled Cheese Throwdown – with Schreiner’s bacon, caramelized onions, duck confit, chipotle fig jam, herb goat cheese, white cheddar cheese, and arugula all grilled on an MJ brioche. The restaurant’s lunch menu features “Nothing Over Nine at Noon,” where high-quality menu offerings and seasonal favorites are available for just $9.

[caption id=”attachment_10103″ align=”aligncenter” width=”500″] Butternut Squash Soup Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

New highlights from District American Kitchen and Wine Bar’s fall dinner menu include: Maytag Pear Salad with anise tea poached pears, frisee, Maytag blue cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and Maytag blue cheese dressing; Applejack Pork Tenderloin – a gluten-free dish – with apple cider brined pork tenderloin, caramelized onion, whipped Yukon potatoes, roasted beets, and applejack brandy jus; Chicken and Waffles with airline chicken breast, sweet potato waffle fries, honey tarragon glaze, and sautéed broccolini; and Garden Greens and Beans that feature seasonal, rotating selections of freshly harvested and braised greens from the restaurant’s rooftop garden and Urban Cultivator, along with tepary beans, organic quinoa and a red wine reduction. Every new dinner entrée features delicious seasonal dishes with the freshest ingredients at an unbelievable $22 price – $22 Just for You!

[caption id=”attachment_10105″ align=”aligncenter” width=”500″] Whoopie Pies Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

Other items on the menus worth mentioning include five all-time favorites selected in honor of the restaurants fifth year featuring two appetizers, two entrées and one dessert. These five favorite dishes are: BLT Salad with Maytag blue cheese dressing and Schreiner’s bacon; Duck Quesadilla with pickled Fresno peppers, Crow’s Dairy black pepper goat cheese, roasted poblano puree and an apple gastrique; Nimbus Oatmeal Stout Short Ribs with cheddar jalapeño grits and locally grown carrots; Cedar Roasted Pacific Salmon with sweet shrimp and asparagus risotto and crispy shallots; and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies served with a bourbon malt shake.

In addition to the delicious Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and to finish things off, the fall 2013 dessert menu also features a Huckleberry Bread Pudding Sundae with horchata ice cream, candied pecans, caramel and sweet cream, and a Sticky Toffee AZ Date Cake with caramel apple ice cream and pomegranate gastrique. Delish!

Complimentary three-hour parking validation is available. For restaurant reservations, call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

More: District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Happy hour is available Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and reverse happy hour from 10 p.m. to close featuring $5 sangria, $3 draft microbrews, and happy hour pricing on select menu items. Live jazz music or DJs perform most nights.

Culinary pictures available.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in downtown Phoenix)

About District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/district.kitchen

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The Westin Kierland Resort & Spainfo@kierlandresort.comhttp://kierlandresort.comPair Holiday Shopping with a Luxurious Getaway at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Holiday shopping just got easier – and a lot more fun – with the Holiday Shopping Getaway Package at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. With two upscale shopping and dining districts – Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter – located right next door, the Resort offers guests convenient access and a special shopping program to some of the most sought after shops and restaurants including Banana Republic, The Apple Store, Restoration Hardware, Barnes & Noble and many more. The Holiday Shopping Package features a $100 daily resort credit for dining, golf or spa services, a complimentary “Shopping Shuttle” and the Resort’s exclusive “Key to Kierland” and “Key to Quarter” shopping discounts at select restaurants and retailers. The Holiday Shopping Getaway Package is available from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15, 2014 and offers rates from $239 per room, per night, based on a two-night minimum length of stay. For information or reservations, call 480-624-1202 and mention promo code “FALL” or visit Specials.KierlandResort.com.

Katie Brashearkatie.brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://phoenix.provincerestaurant.com/Thanksgiving Brunch and Dinner at Province, A Night at The Westin Phoenix Downtown

Indulge in Festive Fare with Locally Sourced Ingredients and Enjoy a Stay in Downtown Phoenix

Reconnect with friends and family during a Thanksgiving feast at Province restaurant, along with an overnight stay or a weekend getaway in downtown Phoenix at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Blending style and sophistication, the restaurant and hotel boast unique designs and renowned service – a perfect combination for a holiday celebration.

Province’s Thanksgiving feast includes a brunch and a traditional dinner with menus that will highlight American favorites with a hint of inspiration from Latin America. Thanksgiving brunch will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28 and will incorporate seasonal, local, farm-to-table fare.

This year’s Thanksgiving brunch menu will include: an assortment of seasonal breakfast pastries; a build-your-own Belgian waffle station with assorted toppings; a create-your-own Benedict station with ingredients like smoked salmon, shaved roast beef, country ham, spinach, mushrooms, peppers, avocado, and traditional citrus hollandaise or ancho-chile hollandaise sauce; a variety of fresh salads such as the roasted beet salad, butternut squash fall salad, and seasonal sliced fruit salad; and a selection of decedent desserts like pecan tarts, pumpkin cheesecake bites, apple cider cake, and gingerbread flan. Thanksgiving brunch prices are very reasonable at $29 per adult, $14.50 for kids five to 12 years old, and kids under five years old eat free.

Province’s traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served family-style and available from 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28. The dinner menu will feature: a fall squash salad; an herb goat cheese salad with charred onions, lettuce and lemon vinaigrette; farm raised roasted turkey served with roasted garlic whipped potatoes, homemade gravy, and cranberry compote; brown butter Brussels sprouts; traditional corn bread stuffing; glazed sweet potatoes; and homemade pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Thanksgiving dinner prices are very reasonable at $28 per adult, $14 for kids five to 12 years old, and kids under five years old eat free.

[caption id=”attachment_10155″ align=”aligncenter” width=”550″] Pumpkin Pie[/caption]

Parking validation is available for Province restaurant patrons. Reservations are required for Thanksgiving by calling Province at (602) 429-3600 or visiting phoenix.provincerestaurant.com.

Complete Getaway
Make it a weekend getaway with a rejuvenating stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Relax with signature Westin amenities that will awaken your senses and leave you feeling revived, reenergized and refreshed. To reserve a Thanksgiving weekend stay for you or your family, call 866-716-8137 or book online at www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province, 333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Angie Heltonnema@maine.rr.comhttp://nemediaassociates.com/Chef Shannon Bard Invited to Cook at the Prestigious James Beard House in New York City

[caption id=”attachment_10270″ align=”aligncenter” width=”426″] Executive Chef Shannon Bard[/caption]

Portland, Maine, November 14, 2013— The James Beard Foundation in New York Cityhas invited Executive Chef Shannon Bard of Zapoteca (Portland, ME.) and Mixteca (Durham, NH) restaurants to show off her culinary talent at the James Beard House. The James Beard Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.

“I am extremely honored by this invitation from the James Beard Foundation,” said Executive Chef Shannon Bard. “Many of my culinary mentors and inspirations are James Beard Award winning Chefs and I am not only humbled but, of course, very excited for this opportunity.”

Chef Bard will be preparing a Maine meets Mexico menu on Monday, January 27, 2014 at the James Beard House. Tom Bard, Shannon’s husband and co-owner will be pairing wine with the dinner along with Sergio Ramos, managing partner of both restaurants who will be pairing tequila with several of the courses. Ramos is one of only four tequila sommeliers in the country. He recently completed the first phase of Tequila expert class “T” certification by The Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico and endorsed by the Association of Tequila from Mexico.

Shannon Bard is New England’s proverbial Wonder Woman. Innovative chef of two highly regarded restaurants, wife and mother of four. Growing up in Oklahoma, Shannon and her family would sit together and enjoy large meals prepared by her grandmother and mother. Shannon would join them in the kitchen and spend hours making vibrantly flavored meals prepared from scratch. Meanwhile, her father and grandfather, both small farmers, imparted lessons on seasonal produce and the hard work and dedication farmers put into each and every crop.

These early influences, inspired Shannon to attend culinary school. Following her training at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, TX, Shannon along with her husband, Tom Bard and long-time friend, Sergio Ramos, opened Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria in Portland, Maine and in March 2013, Mixteca Taqueria Y Cantina in Durham, NH.

Shannon is dedicated to offering authentic, seasonally influenced Mexican dishes with bold, innovative flair.

For more information on the restaurants visit http://www.zapotecarestaurant.com or www.mixtecataqueria.com.

Media Contact:
Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates
207-653-0365
nema@maine.rr.com

About Mixteca & Zapoteca

Executive Chef Shannon Bard and her husband Tom Bard opened their first restaurant, Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria, in Portland, Maine in 2011. The mission of Zapoteca is to take deep-rooted, vibrantly flavored Mexican dishes, use a combination of modern and old world cooking techniques and present dishes in a truly unique way.

Following her training at the Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio, Texas, Shannon, her husband Tom Bard and long-time friend Sergio Ramos opened Zapoteca Restaurante Y Tequileria.

Mixteca, their second restaurant, opened in Durham, New Hampshire earlier this year. For more information on the restaurants please visit http://www.zapotecarestaurant.com
and www.mixtecataqueria.com.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.comHoliday Season is Full Steam Ahead at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

PHOENIX – (Nov. 22, 2013) – Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel is offering special holiday rates this season starting from $99 so you can connect with friends, family and neighbors to discover a winter wonderland of festive decorations, special holiday events and delicious holiday cuisine. Guests will enjoy dishes served at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar and marvel at a gingerbread house village creatively decorated to the theme of “The Polar Express” on display inside the hotel’s Park Lounge lobby. At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, holiday fun is for everyone!

[caption id=”attachment_10328″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] District Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

Breakfast with Santa Claus
It is full steam ahead into the Holiday Season with District American Kitchen and Wine Bar’s Annual Breakfast with Santa Claus on Dec. 14 and 15. This year’s event features a scrumptious seasonal breakfast, along with a special guest appearance from Santa Claus. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the District Harvest Table will feature a bountiful buffet with a ham carving station, gourmet omelets made-to-order, a bloody Mary bar, endless mimosas, and so much more! Kids and families can connect by decorating holiday cookies, having pictures taken with Santa Claus, and gathering in the hotel’s Park Lounge to view a beautifully decorated Christmas tree surrounded by elaborate gingerbread houses that are on display from a gingerbread house competition. Invite friends, family, and neighbors to rekindle fond holiday memories while savoring traditional American comfort foods served with a classic twist. At District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, the holiday breakfast creations showcase artisan products, herbs from the restaurant’s rooftop garden, and sustainably farmed produce from local growers. Prices for Breakfast with Santa Claus are $31 for adults and $15.50 for kids 12 years old and younger.

[caption id=”attachment_10329″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Train Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

“This time of year is all about creating memories, sharing in the holiday spirit and gathering together with friends and family,” said General Manager Mike Ehmann, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. “Guests will savor holiday dishes while admiring the festive décor displayed throughout the hotel.”

Holiday Décor
A magnificent 12-foot Christmas tree serves as the centerpiece of the hotel’s Park Lounge while more than a dozen other Christmas trees, twinkling lights, poinsettias and holiday wreaths adorn the hotel.

“We even built a custom train set that meanders through an intricately designed holiday village surrounding the tree,” Ehmann said. “Many creatively decorated gingerbread houses are displayed among the faux snow, bridges, tunnels, and train depot. With such a magical site, you’re instantly reminiscing about fond childhood memories.”

For its fifth year, the hotel’s gingerbread house contest fosters healthy community competition since prizes are awarded for the top three winners through a monetary donation to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. The gingerbread houses are available to view all throughout the Holiday Season, showcasing each contestant’s creativity. This year’s gingerbread house theme takes inspiration from the movie, “The Polar Express.” Finalists will be judged in mid-December and based on five categories: (1) Overall Appearance; (2) Originality and Creativity; (3) Difficulty in preparation; (4) Precision; and (5) Consistency of theme.

[caption id=”attachment_10330″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] Christmas Tree Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

Christmas Day Dinner
Then on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, family feasting can begin as early as 11:30 a.m. with a decadent three-course meal and wine pairing served until 9 p.m. First course is a choice of wild mushroom bisque with crispy shallots and opal basil or roasted baby beets and Brussels sprouts with Crow’s dairy whipped goat cheese and agave mustard vinaigrette. Second course is a choice of Christmas ham with Saigon cinnamon glaze, herb marinated beef rib-eye with tamarind jus, or grilled salmon with fennel and chestnut salad. Second course is served with: Yukon smashed potatoes with mama’s gravy, citrus zest green beans, and MJ pull-apart rolls with garden herb butter. Third course is a salted caramel and hazelnut truffle tart with sweet cherry ice cream and hazelnut dust.

Prices for Christmas Day dinner are $32 for adults, $16 for kids 12 years old and younger, and $16 for the wine pairing.

Spirits of the Season
If you’re still craving something sweet and savory, mixologist Matt Tobey from District American Kitchen and Wine Bar has created the Hog Nog in honor of the Downtown Phoenix Spirits of the Season cocktail competition, which is available for $9 during the Holiday Season. The Hog Nog features Schreiner’s bacon infused with Rogue hazelnut spice rum, house-made cinnamon eggnog, and a candied bacon garnish. What is Spirits of the Season? It’s a self-guided holiday cocktail competition that features festive concoctions from more than 10 Downtown Phoenix bars and restaurants. Anyone can vote! Last year, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar won with the Santa’s Bellini cocktail. Voting is open Nov. 30 – Dec. 18 in the quest to crown the Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail of 2013. www.surveymonkey.com/s/spirits-vote

Reservations
Restaurant reservations are required. Call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.
Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available.

Stay the night at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with holiday rates starting from $99. To book, visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/holiday or call (866) 716-8134 and mention rate code HOL13.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

About District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of American cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@StarwoodHotels.comhttp://www.westinphoenixdowntown.comThe Westin Phoenix Downtown Names New Executive Chef

Chef Takes Reign Leading Culinary Vision at Downtown Phoenix Hotel

[caption id=”attachment_10412″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Chad McDonald, Executive Chef[/caption]

PHOENIX – (Dec. 3, 2013) – The Westin Phoenix Downtown is pleased to announce that Chad McDonald has been appointed to executive chef of the hotel. McDonald brings with him many years of culinary experience, passion and inspiration to his new role.

McDonald joined the culinary team at The Westin Phoenix Downtown in February 2012 as the banquet sous chef where he focused his attention on the culinary aspects of the hotel’s catered and social functions. Just 20 months later, McDonald has now been named executive chef at the hotel. In his new role as executive chef, McDonald plans to introduce more farm-to-table concepts into each menu that showcase local ingredients. Additionally, he will oversee the daily operations, staff recruitment and training for the kitchen at the hotel and the Latin-inspired restaurant at the hotel, Province. He will also be responsible for creating menus and recipes for all featured dishes as well as upholding excellent restaurant standards.

“We are pleased Chef McDonald has accepted the challenge as executive chef for The Westin Phoenix Downtown,” said General Manager Todd Iacono. ”With his proven dedication and determination to lead and inspire others, and his passion for the culinary and hospitality industries, we are confident Chad will shine in his role.”

McDonald has a passionate vision for the future where restaurant dinner guests and banquet attendees alike will be able to enjoy exceptional cuisine and premium service in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

“As executive chef at The Westin Phoenix Downtown, I look forward to inspiring our team, teaching our cooks how to handle the many products, giving the cooks opportunities to be their very best, and creating an appreciation for the simplicity of a great dish,” said McDonald. “Growing up on a farm, we raised our own produce and animals, so I have a great understanding of what it takes to put your heart and soul into something.”

McDonald knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a chef and so he followed his passion and started his culinary career like many chefs – as a young man looking to earn some money while still attending school. Growing up in a small town, he first worked in a ‘mom and pop’ meat market, and then at various jobs in hometown restaurants.

He has held notable culinary positions at well-known eateries and hospitality venues. Before joining The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel, McDonald was the executive sous chef at Prasino in Chicago and La Grange, Ill. Prior to that, he was executive sous chef at Wyndham Drake Hotel in Oakbrook, Ill., and sous chef at 1886 Café in the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Tex.

McDonald attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas, where he fine-tuned his technique, method and culinary abilities.

When he is not in the kitchen, McDonald enjoys outdoor activities like camping, fishing and shooting, and he really appreciates working with his hands on welding and wood working projects. Most importantly, he loves working with kids and the community and wants to pass along his knowledge to younger generations – especially his culinary skills!

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province, 333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://phoenix.provincerestaurant.comCelebrate the Holiday Season at Province and The Westin Phoenix Downtown

Enjoy Christmas Day Dinner and a New Year’s Eve Celebration in Downtown Phoenix

[caption id=”attachment_10435″ align=”alignright” width=”200″] The Westin Phoenix Downtown Exterior Dusk AngleCourtesy of The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

PHOENIX – (Dec. 6, 2013) – ‘Tis the Season to celebrate! This Holiday Season, spend time in downtown Phoenix with a Latin-inspired culinary adventure in Province restaurant, along with an overnight escape at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. After a delicious holiday meal and a cheerful toast, rejuvenate during an escape in luxuriously appointed, oversized guestrooms that offer floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views of downtown Phoenix! Stay the night downtown in a hotel that offers style, sophistication and an overall sense of renewal.

More: http://phoenix.provincerestaurant.com/events/holiday-season-2013

Christmas Day Dinner in Province
Enjoy the magic of the season and spend Christmas day dinner in Province with a delicious three-course meal. Christmas Dinner will be served on Dec. 25 from 4 to 10 p.m. Price is $29 per person.

First course: Roasted beet salad with bleu cheese, arugula, candied pepitas and balsamic vinaigrette.

Second course: Roasted Prime rib with roasted fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, au jus and horseradish cream.

Third course: Gingerbread pound cake served with vanilla ice cream and topped with house-made buttered rum sauce.

New Year’s Eve Dinner in Province

[caption id=”attachment_10436″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] New Year’s Eve Courtesy of The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]


Embark on a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner that infuses Latin-inspirations into each culinary creation. New Year’s Eve dinner will be served on Dec. 31. First seating is from 4 to 7 p.m.; price is $49 per person and includes a glass of champagne. Second seating is from 7 to10 p.m.; price is $65 per person and includes a glass of champagne for the toast.

First course includes a choice of: beef carpaccio with onions, capers, balsamic, olive oil and arugula; bass ceviche with jicama, tomatillos, lime, onions and citrus juice; or mushroom rillette with goat cheese fondue and crispy toasts.

Second course includes a choice of: Fall squash salad with herb goat cheese, charred onions, greens and lemon vinaigrette; chile spike Caesar salad with spiced croutes and manchego cheese; or leek and parsnip soup with roasted parsnips and leek and roasted garlic toast.

Main course includes a choice of: Cedar Rivers New York strip with vanilla mashed sweet potatoes and Province’s steak sauce; scallops and filet with chorizo crust, chimichurri and potato hash; Scottish salmon with quinoa, Swiss chard and charred orange vinaigrette; or vegetable paella with saffron rice, smoked paprika crema and manchego.

Dessert includes a choice of: apple cake with dulce de leche cream cheese ice cream and apple salsa; chocolate cake with chocolate ganache frosting and chocolate sorbet; or champagne creme brulee with champagne infused creme brulee and fresh strawberries.

Parking validation is available for Province restaurant patrons. Reservations are required by calling (602) 429-3600 or visiting http://phoenix.provincerestaurant.com.

[caption id=”attachment_10437″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] New Year’s Eve Courtesy of The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

Dine and Stay
Come for an exceptional holiday dinner and then make the most of your stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel with special holiday rates starting from $99 per night. Relax and rejuvenate with signature Westin amenities that will leave you feeling refreshed and will surely awaken your senses. To reserve your stay, book online or call 866-716-8137 and mention rate plan HOL13. www.westinphoenixdowntown.com/holiday
(Dinner and parking not included.)

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province
333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.com.New Year’s at District American Kitchen and stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

Welcome the New Year with an Experience that will Spark your Imagination!

[caption id=”attachment_10496″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] The District Bar Courtesy of Shearton Phoenix[/caption]

Let the countdown begin! Celebrate the New Year’s Eve with dinner and live entertainment in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar and an overnight stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. As 2013 comes to a grand finale, make it a night to remember with delicious cuisine and great holiday rates.

New Year’s Eve Dinner
Ring in the New Year with a special and decadent five-course menu complemented by live jazz. The New Year’s Eve dining experience at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a menu that showcases artisan ingredients, herbs from the restaurant’s rooftop garden, and sustainably harvested produce from local growers.

Amuse: Tender belly bacon wrapped Arizona dates filled with Crow’s Dairy butter pecan goat cheese, shishito chili paste and pecan confetti.

First course: Yellow corn cappuccino with black truffle essence.

Second course: Georges Bank salad with golden seared Georges Bank scallops, minted cauliflower, candied Queen Creek olives, house cultivated pea shoots and pistachio vinaigrette.

Third course: Braised Hudson Valley duck pot-pie with Andouille sausage, tepary beans, celery root and toasted green chili corn bread.

Intermezzo: Blackberry cabernet gelato.

Main course: Juniper soaked Big Sky buffalo tenderloin with Cobblestone potatoes, winter root vegetable confit, sweet breads and a huckleberry demi-glace.

Dessert: Valrhona passion fruit bar with cocoa snow, banana brulee, lingonberry foam and caramel ice cream.

[caption id=”attachment_10497″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] District Bar Courtesy of Shearton Phoenix[/caption]

First seating is from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; price is $59. Second seating is from 8 to 10 p.m., which includes a champagne toast; price is $75. A wine pairing is available at each seating for $25 Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available. Restaurant reservations are required. Call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

Dine and Stay
Come for a memorable dinner and then stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with holiday rates. At the end of the night, relax and slip into the comfort of a signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed. During your stay, marvel at a gingerbread house village creatively decorated and displayed inside the hotel’s Park Lounge lobby. Rekindle fond holiday memories while looking forward to the New Year. At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, special moments are meant to be shared and fun is for everyone!

Stay the night at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with great holiday rates. To book, visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/holiday or call (866) 716-8134 and mention rate code HOL13. (Dinner not included.)

New Year’s Day
After a celebratory night of ringing in the New Year, the District Harvest Table in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar will satisfy your appetite! The District Harvest Table features a complete breakfast experience for only $17.95 and includes: fluffy scrambled eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, sweet toast, steel cut oats, assorted breads and pastries from Jonathan Robins Bakery, seasonal fresh fruit, plain and fruit yogurt, fresh chilled juice, and Starbucks coffee.

For an additional $3, try building your own elixir at the Bloody Mary Bar, or simply opt for a mimosa. For those in need of a $5 upgrade, try the Five Chili Bloody Mary made with Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka from Oregon. Or, if you’re in need of a hangover remedy, the Bloody Bourbon is the answer! This specialty cocktail is more like a breakfast that can satisfy any post-party event. The Bloody Bourbon is made with Schreiner’s chorizo and Jim Beam Black Bourbon and available only on New Year’s Day. (The complete recipe is below). The District Harvest Table is available from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

[caption id=”attachment_10498″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Celebrate – Courtesy of Shearton Phoenix[/caption]

Bloody Bourbon Recipe:

Start to finish: 5 minutes
Servings: depends on how bad the hangover!

• 6 ounces V8® tomato juice
• 1 ½ tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ ounce Schreiner’s chorizo
• 3 fresh basil leaves (we simply pick the freshest herbs from our rooftop garden)
• 1 medium size dehydrated hatch chili
• ¾ teaspoon of celery seed
• 1 teaspoon of horseradish
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 ½ ounces Jim Beam Black Bourbon
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Preparation: Start by adding V8® tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, chorizo and basil into a high speed blender. Blend until all the ingredients are pureed. Next add hatch chili and blend at slow speed until the chili is pureed. Last, stir in your celery seed, sea salt, horseradish, Jim Beam Bourbon and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Pour all ingredients into a Mason jar and garnish with slice of chorizo, whole hatch chili, large sprig of basil, and any hot pepper if you want some more heat.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

About District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden and a newly installed Urban Cultivator, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Bill Breckon, The Watermill at Posarabill@medialliance.nethttp://www.watermill.netInspirational and Tasty Creative Courses in the Tuscan Countryside

In true Italian fashion, food plays an important role in the creative holidays (painting and writing courses) at the beautiful Watermill at Posara in rural Tuscany, Italy.

[caption id=”attachment_10705″ align=”alignright” width=”225″] The Watermill Courtyard[/caption]

Inspire your mind, hone your talent and stimulate your tastebuds with superb local cuisine from Tuscany and the neighbouring regions of Liguria and Emilia-Romagna, be it gorgonzola soufflés, traditional Ligurian pesto using fresh basil from the garden or homemade tiramisu, all accompanied pre-dinner aperitivi and wines.
Among the most popular dishes is chocolate torta from Capri, a sumptuous cake made entirely without flour. Here’s the recipe for a cake large enough for 10 to 12 servings.

No-Flour Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
225 grams of plain chocolate (not less than 72% cocoa solids)
225 grams blanched almonds
225 grams granulated sugar
225 grams of unsalted butter
4 large eggs

Method:
Chop the almonds into small pieces (this can be done in a food processer but don’t chop them too fine: you don’t want ground almonds). Remove the almonds. Chop the chocolate to the same size. Remove the chocolate.
Cream the butter and sugar together in the food processor until fluffy.
Separate the eggs. Add 4 egg yolks to the butter and sugar mixture.
Whisk the egg whites to ‘soft peaks’. Fold in the chocolate and the almonds into the butter/sugar/egg yolk mixture. Then fold in one large spoonful of whipped egg white to soften the mixture, before gently folding in the rest.
Line the bottom of a 20cm spring-release cake tin with greaseproof paper. Put the mixture into the cake tin and place in a pre-heated oven at 350ºC (180ºF). Cook for one hour.
Leave to cool, remove carefully from tin and slice. Serve with skinned, segmented oranges and softly whipped cream.

Buon appetito!

[caption id=”attachment_10704″ align=”alignleft” width=”300″] Chocolate Torta[/caption]

The Watermill at Posara usually serves its homemade Capri chocolate torta at dinner on Thursdays during the painting holidays and creative writing courses. You can find out more about their painting holidays by clicking here. And about their creative writing courses, by clicking here.
The Watermill at Posara’s 2014 programme includes 12 painting courses and three creative writing courses (crime fiction, TV scriptwriting and writing romance). Three sample courses include:

Paintings that glow
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school as all levels are catered for on this course (7-14 June 2014), led by sympathetic American artist Becky Joy. You’ll be given the tools to create your own unique style through brushwork and colour. Your paintings will be filled with light when you discover how to make a painting glow. You’ll head out and about into the Tuscan hills, using the local surroundings as inspiration. There’s plenty of one-to-one tuition with Becky, and the week ends with an informal exhibition showcasing all of the students’ work. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.

Italian romance
They say that everyone has a book in them, and author Sharon Kendrick knows exactly how to extract ideas from her students. With more than 90 Mills & Boon books to her name, she’s led six immensely popular courses at the Mill. During the week (3-10 May 2014), Sharon will guide you through the entire process, from the early days of plots, characters and dialogue, right through to selling your story and working with agents. Personable and enthusiastic, Sharon’s passion for romantic fiction is contagious and she knows exactly how to bring out the best in her students. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.

Paintings bustling with life
Self-taught English artist Trevor Lingard (20-27 September 2014) has won international acclaim for his watercolours, which are colourful and dynamic. Introducing figures into your work, he reckons, cold be the hallmark of success.Trevor’s teaching is enthusiastic and informative and caters for artists of all levels. He aims to help students to build their confidence and encourages a loose approach to watercolours. On location, in the beautiful landscapes surrounding the mill, and in the studio, he’ll demonstrate architectural, figurative, townscape and landscape compositions. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.

*Prices include all tuition, seven nights’ accommodation, all meals (including local restaurants), drinks and aperitivi, transfers (to/from Pisa), local transport, materials and a mid-week excursion. Flights extra.
More at www.watermill.net

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie Brashearkatie.brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.comValentine’s Day is Better When Shared at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar and Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

PHOENIX – (Jan. 2014) – Love is in the air with a romantic Valentine’s Day dining experience. Enjoy a four-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar along with the ultimate, romantic overnight stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. Couples in love or newfound flings can indulge in an exceptional culinary experience in downtown Phoenix that will leave sweet memories for years to come.

[caption id=”attachment_10743″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] District American Kitchen & Wine Bar – Dinner Area[/caption]

Valentine’s Day Dinner in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar
Amuse from the Chef: Tender Belly Bacon Wrapped Date with Crow’s Dairy butter pecan goat cheese, shishito chili paste and pecan confetti.

Appetizer includes a choice of: Butternut Squash Soup with mint crème fraiche and candied bacon or Winter Chop Salad with kale, romaine, diced apples, dried cranberries, heirloom carrot ribbons, fresh figs, Marcona almonds and apple cider vinaigrette.

Main course includes a choice of: District’s Lovers Duo featuring beef tenderloin atop roasted asparagus and blistered tomatoes finished with cabernet demi-glace and paired with seared Georges Bank scallops on a bed of creamed leeks and smoked chili oil; or Vanilla Butter Poached Lobster Tail with Arizona citrus, organic pea shoots, watercress and fennel puree; or Hudson Valley Duck Breast with celery root puree, petite green beans, braised duck ragout and mission fig vinaigrette; or Nimbus Oatmeal Stout Braised Short Rib with green chile and cheddar grits, roasted heirloom carrots and Nimbus Oatmeal Stout jus; or Vegan Scallops with golden seared tofu scallops, braised farm greens, tepary beans, organic quinoa, and candied Queen Creek olive gastrique.

Dessert is Better When Shared: Chocolate truffle flourless cake with mascarpone vanilla bean ice cream, crispy cocoa nibs, strawberry gel and foam kisses.

[caption id=”attachment_10744″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel King Room[/caption]

This Valentine’s Day dinner menu is available for $55 per person at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar only on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. Each couple will receive a long-stem red rose. A selection of wines by the bottle will be available for $35. Limited restaurant menu is also available. Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available. Restaurant reservations are required by calling (602) 817-5400.

District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)
www.facebook.com/district.kitchen
@DistrictKitchen

Dine in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, Stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Enjoy a romantic dining experience and a one-night stay at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with a sweet Valentine’s Day package that includes: Valentine’s Day dinner for two in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, a bottle of rosé and chocolates delivered to the guestroom, and a heart-shaped rose petal turndown with rates starting from $310. At the end of the night, relax and slip into the comfort of a signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed. At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, special moments are meant to be shared. This package is based on availability for stays only on Feb. 14, 2014. To reserve your stay, call (866) 716-8134 and mentioned rate plan LYPKG, or book online: www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com. (Overnight parking not included.)

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)
www.facebook.com/SheratonPhxDowntown
@SheratonPhxDowntown

About District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://www.westinphoenixdowntown.comCelebrate Valentine’s Day at Province Restaurant and The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel

PHOENIX – (Jan. 2014) – Enjoy a Latin-inspired dinner adventure and then stay overnight in downtown Phoenix. Celebrate your love while enjoying a culinary adventure at Province restaurant, along with an overnight stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Province’s Valentine’s Day dinner menu features delicious cuisine that could reignite a romantic flame. After a dinner infused with amour, retreat to The Westin Phoenix Downtown’s oversized guestrooms that offer floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views of downtown Phoenix. Stay the night downtown in a hotel that offers style, sophistication and an overall sense of renewal.

[caption id=”attachment_10746″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy Province/The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

Valentine’s Day Dinner in Province
First course includes one choice per couple of: Traditional Oysters Rockefeller; Crab Cakes with citrus fennel and tarragon pesto; or Smoked Cauliflower Agnolotti with a brown butter emulsion.

Second course includes: Black Truffle Potato Bisque with crème fraiche and truffle oil and Mizuna Salad with pomegranate seeds, lady apples, goat cheese and champagne vinaigrette.

Main course includes a choice per person of: Braised Short Rib with bordelaise, potato puree, cipollini onions and carrots; Roasted Chicken with chicken jus, oyster mushrooms, butternut squash gnocchi and crispy kale; Mushroom Risotto with grilled miso marinated tofu, oyster mushrooms and scallions; or Surf and Turf with petit filet mignon, butter poached lobster and seasonal vegetables.

Dessert includes a choice per person of: Chocolate Crème Brulee with dark chocolate-infused brulee served with fresh raspberries or Strawberry Champagne Cake with champagne-soaked cake served with fresh strawberries and Chantilly cream.

This four-course dinner includes a complimentary glass of bubbly and will be available for $54 per person from 4 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 14 and 15. Parking validation is available for Province restaurant patrons. Reservations are required by calling Province at (602) 429-3600 or visiting phoenix.provincerestaurant.com.

[caption id=”attachment_10747″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] The Westin Phoenix Downtown Deluxe Guestroom[/caption]

Complete Getaway at The Westin Phoenix Downtown
Share a romantic dining experience and then make the most of your night with a rejuvenating stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day package that includes:

Four-course prix-fixe dinner for two in Province and a sweet in-room amenity with rates starting from $365, based on availability for stays on Feb. 14 and 15, 2014. Relax with signature Westin amenities that will awaken your senses and leave you feeling revived and refreshed. To reserve your stay, call 866-716-8137 and mentioned rate plan LVPKG1, or book online: www.westinphoenixdowntown.com. (Overnight parking not included.)

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province
333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004
www.facebook.com/WestinPhoenixDowntown
@WestinPhoenix

[caption id=”attachment_10748″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] The Westin Phoenix Downtown One Bedroom Suite Bath Night[/caption]

 

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Bill Breckonbill@medialliance.nethttp://www.watermill.netLearn New Painting and Writing Skills in Glorious Tuscany, Italy

[caption id=”attachment_10814″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Group in garden square[/caption]

Find your inner artist or author in Tuscany
– New year, new skill…
Feed your creative side at The Watermill at Posara in Italy with a range of painting and creative writing courses held at a picturesque 17th century grain, chestnut and olive mill in rural north-west Tuscany.

In true Italian fashion, food plays an important role on each of the Watermill’s courses. Fuel your brain with superb local cuisine from Tuscany and the neighbouring regions of Liguria and Emilia-Romagna, be it gorgonzola soufflés, traditional Ligurian pesto using fresh basil from the garden or homemade tiramisu, all washed down with pre-dinner aperitivi and wines.

The Watermill at Posara’s 2014 programme includes 13 painting courses and three creative writing courses (crime fiction, TV scriptwriting and writing romance) Two sample courses include:

Italian romance
They say that everyone has a book in them, and author Sharon Kendrick knows exactly how to extract ideas from her students. With more than 90 Mills & Boon books to her name, she’s led six immensely popular courses at the Mill. During the week (3-10 May 2014), Sharon will guide you through the entire process, from the early days of plots, characters and dialogue, right through to selling your story and working with agents. Personable and enthusiastic, Sharon’s passion for romantic fiction is contagious and she knows exactly how to bring out the best in her students. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.
Paintings that glow.

[caption id=”attachment_10813″ align=”alignright” width=”262″] Caroline Chapman Monte[/caption]

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school as all levels are catered for on this course (7-14 June 2014), led by sympathetic American artist Becky Joy. You’ll be given the tools to create your own unique style through brushwork and colour. Your paintings will be filled with light when you discover how to make a painting glow. You’ll head out and about into the Tuscan hills, using the local surroundings as inspiration. There’s plenty of one-to-one tuition with Becky, and the week ends with an informal exhibition showcasing all of the students’ work. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.

Paintings bustling with life
Self-taught English artist Trevor Lingard (20-27 September 2014) has won international acclaim for his watercolours, which are colourful and dynamic. Introducing figures into your work, he reckons, cold be the hallmark of success. Trevor’s teaching is enthusiastic and informative and caters for artists of all levels. He aims to help students to build their confidence and encourages a loose approach to watercolours. On location, in the beautiful landscapes surrounding the mill, and in the studio, he’ll demonstrate architectural, figurative, townscape and landscape compositions. Costs from £ (GBP) 1,310 pp (two sharing)*.

[caption id=”attachment_10815″ align=”alignright” width=”288″] Fabio demo square[/caption]

*Prices include all tuition, seven nights’ accommodation, all meals (including local restaurants), drinks and aperitivi, transfers (to/from Pisa), local transport, materials and a mid-week excursion. Flights extra.

For further information on the above courses contact The Watermill at Posara on (UK number)
020 7193 6246; info@watermill.net; www.watermill.net

ENDS January 2014

For press enquiries, to discuss press trip commissions or for photography, please contact Helena Hamlyn or Julia Farish, Travel PR, tel: 020 8891 4440, email: h.hamlyn@travelpr.co.uk or j.farish@travelpr.co.uk.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Spring Training Package – Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Triple Play at Royal Palms Resort and Spa – Phoenix, Arizona
Enjoy a stay at Royal Palms Resort and Spa with Triple Play! Book a two-night Phoenix/Scottsdale Spring Training vacation and receive a third night complimentary. Plus, guests receive a $25 dining credit to the newly renovated T. Cook’s restaurant and a $25 credit to Alvadora Spa. Sharing the history of America’s favorite pastime and Arizona’s favorite resort, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa invites fans to Spring Training 2012 in Phoenix/Scottsdale. http://www.rpspringtraining.comPackage includes:

• Three nights luxury accommodations
• $25 T. Cook’s Dining credit
• $25 Alvadora Spa credit

Rates starting at $599 per night. *Based on availability. Must reserve three (3) consecutive nights. T. Cook’s dining credit cannot be applied toward alcohol. Alvadora Spa credit valid toward regularly-priced 50 minute treatments or longer. Cannot be combined with existing or group reservations. Nightly resort and parking fees additional. Other restrictions may apply.

jPublicRelations
chelsea hellems
www.jpublicrelations.com
1620 fifth avenue, 700, san diego, ca 92101
office 619.255.7069   fax 619.255.1364

 

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

google.com/+MaralynHill

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorldhttp://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@Sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/artSheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Celebrates Local Art

Experience the exciting art and culture of downtown Phoenix and stay the night

PHOENIX – (Jan. 27, 2014) – Visitors and locals alike can explore the cultural and artistic core of downtown Phoenix’s art scene with Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel’s new Art Package.

[caption id=”attachment_10884″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Breath of Life I – Joshua Dean Wiley[/caption]

Every first Friday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m., take a self-guided tour of downtown Phoenix galleries, studios and art spaces during a reoccurring event called “First Fridays.” First Fridays is organized by Artlink Phoenix, a local, nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together artists, the public, and businesses for a greater understanding, appreciation, and promotion of the arts and the development of a strong and vital downtown Phoenix arts community. First Fridays offers a variety of artistic things to see, hear and experience.

Additionally, the hotel and its restaurant, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, feature an array of art throughout. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar embraces downtown Phoenix’s inherent energy and many local talents. Those who come to dine, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, are immersed in Phoenix’s art scene where local DJs and artists are featured on a rotating basis. The restaurant currently features installed work from well-known local artists Joshua Dean Wiley, Pablo Luna, Lalo Cota and Thomas “Breeze” Marcus, all who are active in supporting public art and/or the growing mural projects throughout the area.

[caption id=”attachment_10885″ align=”alignright” width=”282″] LaloCota ([/caption]

Take time to explore the creative boutiques, vendors and festivities of First Fridays and stay downtown with this exclusive Art Package:

• Rates from $99
• Complimentary overnight self-parking
• Two cocktails at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar during happy hour or reverse happy hour
• Artlink Phoenix map of local galleries upon check-in

This package is based on availability for stays every First Friday through December 2014. To reserve your stay, call (866) 716-8134 and mentioned rate plan LUPKG1 or book online at: www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com/art.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)
www.facebook.com/SheratonPhxDowntown
@SheratonPhxDowntown

About District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

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 We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Paul Loiselpaul.loisel@ritzcarlton.comhttp://www.ritzcarlton.comThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Designates March as “Legal Professionals Appreciation Month” Across the Globe

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CHEVY CHASE, Md. (February 5, 2014) – In recognition of the loyalty and continued business preference shown by members of the legal profession, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is once again designating the month of March as a time to show their gratitude by marking “Legal Professionals Appreciation Month” throughout March – at 85 hotels and resorts around the world.

In addition to making personal calls to legal customers internationally all month long, the luxury hotel company will also recognize every guest with a special amenities and services.

“Ever since The Ritz-Carlton was founded in 1983, one of our most frequent and loyal business segments have been members of the legal profession,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “Whether for individual corporate business stays or as the site of inspired conferences and meetings, our clients from the legal sector have made our company their first choice for accommodations.”

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About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 85 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR).

Paul Loiselpaul.loisel@ritzcarlton.comhttp://www.ritzcarlton.com/neworleansExperience Mardi Gras Like Never Before at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Carnival Season has arrived in New Orleans and The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is offering a one of a kind Mardi Gras experience.

LUNDI GRAS RIDE OF A LIFETIME PACKAGE

[caption id=”attachment_10966″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans[/caption]

With the Lundi Gras Ride of a Lifetime Package, two (2) guests will have the chance to ride in Harry Connick, Jr.’s Krewe of Orpheus 2014 parade on Lundi Gras, Monday, March 3rd! All throws or beads will be taken care of along with costumes that have been specifically designed to match the theme of the parade.

The Lundi Gras Ride of a Lifetime package includes a four (4) night stay in the hotel’s newly renovated “room with a view,” The Ritz-Carlton Suite. This suite offers sweeping views of the French Quarter, Mississippi River and historic Canal Street. Guests can sit on the balcony and watch the paddle wheelers as they travel up and down the river while listening to the sounds of Mardi Gras as the parades pass along Canal Street, just in front of the hotel.

This package also includes limousine transportation to and from the airport, breakfast in bed for two daily, one couple’s massage for two (2), access to The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge, and access to The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans’ own Recovery Concierge. The Recovery Concierge helps guests recover from celebrating and get ready to do it all over again. Whether it be a smoothie, Bloody Mary, or the specialty Cure Royal (Kir Royal), The Recovery Concierge will be on call to get guests back up and partying.

Lundi Gras Ride of a Lifetime Package

• The Ritz-Carlton Suite for four (4) nights (March 1-5, 2013)
• Ride for two (2) in the Krewe of Orpheus Parade on Monday, March 3, 2013 (includes costumes and throws)
• Club Lounge Access
• Breakfast in Bed for two (2) daily for four (4) days
• Recovery Concierge assistance for two (2) daily for four (4) days
• Round trip airport transfer via limousine
• Complimentary high speed internet access
• One Couple’s Massage for two (2)
• Price: $25,000 USD

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 80 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Ashley Santucciashley.santucci@bollare.comhttp://www.indochino.com/traveling-tailorIndochino – Traveling Tailor Los Angeles

[caption id=”attachment_10992″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Indochino Suits, Indochino Traveling Tailor[/caption]

The Indochino Traveling Tailor making it’s way to Los Angeles! Indochino, the leader in custom online menswear, is coming to LA for the first time to provide men with a VIP shopping experience and to create this season’s premier menswear event from:

February 21st – March 2nd
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays, Saturdays 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Address:
350 South Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

The Traveling Tailor complements Indochino’s online shopping experience and provides the perfect opportunity for men to enter the brave new world of custom tailoring. Customers can book a thirty-minute appointment and over the course of the appointment they will be able to get measured, styled, discover customization options, experience fabric samples and view the collection in person, and of course – build a custom suit. Previously, the Indochino Traveling Tailor has stopped in major cities such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, San Francisco, DC, Chicago, and more.

[caption id=”attachment_10991″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Indochino Suits, Indochino Traveling Tailor[/caption]

All Indochino suits are custom-made to order. Suits have 6 standard and 14 advanced customizations – from lapel type to number of vents and lining choice – and all customizations are free. Suit up with stylish and affordable custom menswear from Indochino Traveling Tailor – Los Angeles!
To book an appointment visit: http://www.indochino.com/traveling-tailor

ABOUT INDOCHINO

[caption id=”attachment_10990″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Indochino Suits, Indochino Traveling Tailor[/caption]

Founded in 2007 in Vancouver, BC, Indochino creates custom clothing for modern men who want to look good and live well. From button stance to pocket slant, lapel width to vent slits–every suit is made to individual measurements and tastes. The result: Great fitting clothing that men want to wear every day. To learn more about Indochino, visit www.indochino.com. To receive updates on Indochino’s latest collection and Traveling Tailor events, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/indochino or on twitter and instagram at: @indochino.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Rauni Kewrkew@innbythesea.comhttp://www.innbythesea.comMaine Chef Finds Gems in What Was Formerly Sent to the Compost Bin

Root to Stalk

Sea Glass Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich learned most of what he thinks is important from his grandmother, helping her cook family dinners when a boy in his native Argentina.

“Nothing went to waste,” says Kaldrovich. “You bake bread today, tomorrow you make bread pudding. My grandmother respected local farmers and fishermen too much to waste the food they produced.”
Early lessons feed the chef’s enthusiasm for the Root to Stalk movement. A long time advocate for farm to fork, trawl to table and fresh seasonal menus, the chef sees the culinary and artistic sense of using up the entire vegetable when possible, rather than tossing stalks, stems, fronds or leaves into the compost bin.

“Rather than using just the florets, a thin slice of a whole broccoli lightly grilled, with stems intact, is delicious, healthy and beautiful on the plate,” states the Chef. “Presenting the entire vegetable brings attention to simple, lighter fare with an appreciation for the whole plant. It elevates the vegetable from a side to focal point on the plate just as more guests in Sea Glass are requesting vegetarian or vegan menu options and focused on health.”

Root to Stalk makes sense from a ‘waste not’ view. With global studies showing 40 to 50% of food produced being wasted, using it all up is better for the planet.

But it isn’t just about a counter culture to food waste, according to Kaldrovich, the Root to Stalk trend pushes chefs to find culinary gems in what was formally relegated to the compost bin. “Leaves, stalks, fronds and roots can introduce new, sometimes earthy pungent flavors, a crunchy texture, or a new presentation that opens doors to delicious recipes, inventive menus or a visually appealing culinary experience.”

Beets are a favorite in Sea Glass. Beet tips are used for vinaigrette, great for salads but also used by the pastry chef in red velvet chocolate cakes. Braised beet greens, as well as radish leaves, are treated like kale, while the beet itself is marinated, braised for salads, roasted and added to quinoa. Used raw, beets are sliced thin like a radish to add a crunchy texture, or fried for delicious, colorful chips. The chef’s summer menu features beet slaw with peeled, thinly sliced broccoli stems, tender broccoli leaves and light vinaigrette.

[caption id=”attachment_11199″ align=”alignright” width=”640″] Chef Kaldrovich’s Beet salad w peeled broccoli stems & leaves[/caption]

Most people are familiar with carrot and celery fronds and leaves, and view them as worthless, but Kaldrovich uses them both in soups and salads, or to make salsa. “They can be bitter but are very healthy and, used sparingly add flavor to soups, a mixed salad or slaw and are good in chimichurri.”
Another favored vegetable is parsley root, and the whole parsley has a myriad of uses. The parsley leaves are used as an herb for flavor but also produce the base for the chef’s Argentinean take on pesto- chimichurri. The stems are used for stock for the daily soup offering in Sea Glass, which is always vegan.

The chef doesn’t limit Root to Stalk philosophy to vegetables – in Sea Glass the same concept applies whenever possible to meat, Gulf of Maine seafood and lobster. “Today, people are interested in good food that is also good for them. They are focused on their health, but they also care about the health of the planet,” says Kaldrovich.

Throwing edible food away wastes resources, such as water and energy used to grow, haul or catch the product, as well as energy from packaging and transport. Wasted food usually ends in landfill, where it generates methane gas. In fact, no food is wasted at Sea Glass because local farmer John Tibbett’s composts all food waste, and his rich soil amendment is put back into both farmers’ fields and the Inn’s gardens.

“Farmers were, as they are now, an important part of the community,” says Kaldrovich. “ My grandmother understood the hard work and resources it took to get good tasting, healthy food to table and she wasn’t about to waste any part of it.”

About Inn by the Sea: A modern, stylish take on a traditional Maine coast resort, located on a mile of unspoiled sand beach just minutes from Portland’s urban chic small port city. Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich oversees the intimate, ocean view Sea Glass restaurant at the luxury Inn, serving fresh seasonal menus featuring a celebration of Maine fare from local farms and the sea. Selected for Conde Nast Traveler’s 2014 Gold List, the Inn has Maine DEP Environmental Leader & LEED® Silver certifications. 1 ½ hours from Boston, 15 mins Portland’s Airport.

FMI: Rauni Kew, P.R. Inn by the Sea, 40 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107. 207.799.3134. C: 207.602.8500. Email: Rkew@innbythesea.com www.innbythesea.com Facebook Inn by the Sea

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.comSheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel Announces New Director of Sales and Marketing

[caption id=”attachment_11212″ align=”alignright” width=”366″] Dan Boyer, Director of Sales and Marketing[/caption]

Dan Boyer returns to Arizona to take the helm of hotel sales and marketing initiatives

PHOENIX – (Mar. 20, 2014) – Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms and more than 80,0000 square feet of flexible meeting space, is pleased to announce that Dan Boyer has been appointed to director of sales and marketing for the hotel.

Boyer returns to Arizona and brings with him approximately 30 years of hospitality experience, which includes group sales, advertising and marketing strategies, strategic partnerships, change management, top-line revenue growth, revenue management, budget management, and ownership relations.

As director of sales and marketing, Boyer will lead and inspire a sales team while developing and driving the overall rooms and catering sales for Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

“We welcome Dan in his new role at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel,” said General Manager Mike Ehmann. ”With his credible background and passion for the hospitality industry, we are confident Dan will be an innovator and an asset to our team.”

A seasoned hospitality professional with expertise in diverse markets, Boyer’s dedicated vision will lead the hotel team towards overall growth and continuing success.

“I look forward to this new journey at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel where downtown Phoenix is experiencing a vibrant renaissance,” said Boyer. “With a noteworthy product and an attractive destination coupled with my industry experience, I am confident I will lead and motivate our team as we propel forward making great strides.”

Most recently, Boyer served for the past seven years as director of sales and marketing for Marriott International’s Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel. Before that, he held other director of sales and marketing, director of group sales, and sales positions with Marriott International.

Boyer received Bachelor of Science in recreation and park administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a member of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), which is a professional organization committed to growing business for hotels and their partners.

A significant sports fan, Boyer can be found on the links, enjoying the outdoors, or watching a sporting event when he is not working.

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Barbara Rachkobrachko@erols.comhttp://www.barbararachko.com”From Pilot to Painter” Now on Amazon: Barbara Rachko, Visual Artist, Blogger & Author

[caption id=”attachment_11241″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Barbara Rachko at work[/caption]

Barbara Rachko was born in Paterson, New Jersey and grew up in a New York City suburb. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in psychology. After college, Barbara earned a commercial pilot’s license and Boeing 727 flight engineer’s certificate, then spent seven years on active duty as a Naval officer.

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In 1986 while working at the Pentagon, she began to study figure drawing and medical anatomy, and began many long years of developing her craft. Barbara subsequently resigned from active duty (but remained in the Navy Reserve and retired as a Commander) to devote herself to making art.

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On 9/11 Barbara’s life was changed forever when her husband, Dr. Bryan C. Jack, was killed on the plane that hit the Pentagon.

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[caption id=”attachment_11242″ align=”alignright” width=”242″] Us and Them, Self Portrat with Bryan, photo Barbara Rachko[/caption]

Dividing her time between residences in New York and Alexandria, Virginia, Barbara enjoys a busy career as a professional artist. She is represented by six galleries throughout the United States, exhibits nationally and internationally, and continues to win accolades.

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Barbara’s vibrant, unique pastel paintings use Mexican and Guatemalan cultural objects—masks, carved wooden animals, papier mâché figures, and toys and gives them a second life in the present.

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A Yale radio podcast is at http://museumofnonvisibleart.com/interviews/barbara-rachko/ and Barbara’s first eBook, “From Pilot to Painter,” is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNVR200

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brachko@erols.com

Website
http://www.barbararachko.com

[caption id=”attachment_11243″ align=”alignright” width=”382″] She-embraced-it-and-grew-stronger, photo: Barbara Rack[/caption]

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.comEaster Brunch Getaway at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

[caption id=”attachment_11270″ align=”alignright” width=”276″] Courtesy of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel[/caption]

Gather together with friends and family to celebrate Easter brunch at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. Spring into the season with a delicious culinary experience that includes creative crafts for the kids and delicious desserts that will leave you sweetly satisfied. You’ll even have an opportunity to build-your-own bloody mary!

This year’s Easter brunch menu will include: endless champagne; Belgian waffles with wild berry compote, whipped cream, candied walnuts, and Vermont maple syrup; Nimbus Oatmeal Stout braised short ribs with green chili grits, tobacco onion, and Nimbus Oatmeal Stout jus; Coriander seed crusted salmon with sun dried tomato and red pepper pesto, heirloom tomato and basil relish, baby fennel, and Kalamata olive gastrique; herb marinated chicken breast with wild rice pilaf steeped in mild citrus green tea; carved Easter ham with citrus and Saigon cinnamon glaze; caraway roasted marble potatoes with smoked sweet chili butter; spring vegetable and wild quinoa combination with petite squashes, heirloom carrots and rainbow chard; an omelet station that includes a selection of ingredients like spinach, house-cured tomatoes, onions, peppers, crumbled cheeses, bacon, sausage, chicken sausage, foraged mushrooms, and house made salsas; locally sourced bacon and sausage from Schreiner’s; a salad station that features the spring chop salad, the mixed green salad, and the roasted cactus leaf and queso fresco salad; a yogurt parfait bar; fresh juices; fresh fruit accented with garden spearmint, and AZ Citrus mist; artisan breads and pastries; and of course, decadent desserts from our pastry chef.

[caption id=”attachment_11271″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel[/caption]

Easter brunch prices are $34 for adults and $17 for kids ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 years old eat free.

There’s more! Create your very own bloody mary at The Bloody Mary Bar with ingredients like tomato-infused ice, pickled celery, Arizona spices and seasonal condiments for an additional $5.

The restaurant’s regular menu will be available after 3 p.m. Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available. Restaurant reservations are required. Please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)

Dine and Stay
Spend Easter weekend at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with sweet rates from $159 that includes Easter brunch for two in District American Kitchen and Wine Bar. This package is available for stays on April 19, 2014. Enjoy the weekend, and relax in the comfort of a signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed. At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, special moments are meant to be shared and fun is for everyone!

Stay the night at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel with Easter rates. To book, call (866) 716-8134 and ask for rate plan LWPKG1or visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)

About District American Kitchen & Wine Bar

[caption id=”attachment_11272″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] District American Kitchen & Wine Bar – Dinner Area, Courtesy of Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel[/caption]


District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/district.kitchen

About Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel opened on September 30, 2008, as the largest hotel in Arizona with 1,000 guestrooms. The hotel features signature services and amenities such as Sheraton Fitness® powered by Core Performance, the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed and the Link@Sheraton experienced by Microsoft®. Set in an urban oasis, the hotel offers guests a 4,500-square-foot outdoor pool and sundeck with an adjacent rooftop herb garden. The hotel provides more than 80,000 square feet of flexible, state-of-the-art meeting space and a restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, with bar and lounge. It is located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix and adjacent the Phoenix Convention Center. For additional information or for reservations, please visit www.sheratonphoenixdowntown.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://www.westinphoenixdowntown.com/Easter Brunch in Province and a Weekend Stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown

[caption id=”attachment_11274″ align=”alignright” width=”299″] Courtesy of The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

Celebrate Easter at Province restaurant, along with an overnight stay or a weekend getaway in downtown Phoenix at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Blending style and sophistication, the restaurant and hotel boast unique designs and renowned service – a perfect combination for a holiday celebration.

Province’s Easter brunch menu will feature modern American favorites with cuisine inspired by traditional dishes and seasonally fresh ingredients. Easter brunch will incorporate local, farm-to-table fare and will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 20.

This year’s Easter brunch menu will include: Prime Rib Carving Station with au jus and horseradish cream sauce, potato hash, market vegetables, and seasonal green salads; Create Your Own Omelet Station with natural eggs or egg whites and an assortment of toppings like ham, mushroom, spinach, cheddar cheese, feta, goat cheese, onions, avocados, chorizo, roasted red peppers, bacon, and tomato; Build Your Own Belgian Waffle Station with golden buttermilk waffles served with assorted seasonal fruits and gourmet toppings like Sugarman’s Vermont maple syrup, house-made chocolate sauce, vanilla whipped cream, caramel, house-made preserves, cinnamon-honey butter, whipped sweet cream butter, toasted almonds, pecans, and walnuts; display of pastries; and seasonal fruit and berries.

Make your Easter your way! Easter brunch prices are $39 per adult, $12 for kids five to 12 years old, and kids under five years old eat free. Mimosas and bloody mary drinks are $5 each and you can create your own with a selection of delicious ingredients. Regular menus will resume after Easter brunch.

Parking validation is available for Province restaurant patrons. Reservations are required for Easter brunch by calling Province at (602) 429-3600 or visiting phoenix.provincerestaurant.com.

Complete Getaway

[caption id=”attachment_11275″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

Make it a weekend getaway with a rejuvenating stay at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Relax with signature Westin amenities that will awaken your senses and leave you feeling revived, reenergized and refreshed. Enjoy Easter rates from $159 that includes Easter brunch for two in Province. This package is available for stays on April 19, 2014. To book, call 866-716-8137 and ask for rate plan LWPKG1or visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province, 333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

www.facebook.com/WestinPhoenixDowntown

@westinphoenix

[caption id=”attachment_11276″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Province – Courtesy of The Westin Phoenix Downtown[/caption]

About Province
In March 2011, downtown Phoenix became home to the second location of Province, a new restaurant concept that blends Old World and new world culinary sensibility. Province is a seasonal American restaurant with cuisine inspired by South America and Spain. The ingredients used to craft the dishes and cocktails are sourced from a variety of local, natural and sustainable sources. Located at the corner of Central and Van Buren inside The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Province features a comfortable, modern setting and offers everyday dining options for breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.provincerestaurant.com.

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown Hotel
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features Latin-inspired American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Per Karlssonper.karlsson@bkwine.comhttp://www.bkwinetours.comAutumn wine and food tours from BKWine Tours: Bordeaux and the Douro Valley

BKWine recently presented its program for the autumn wine and food tours for 2014. BKWine is a world leading tour operator specialised in wine, food and gourmet travel. The autumn program includes two tours to classic wine regions: Bordeaux and the Douro Valley in Portugal. The full programs are available on BKWineTours.com.

[caption id=”attachment_11295″ align=”alignright” width=”331″] BKWine-Tours-logo[/caption]

The first tour on the autumn wine tour program is a tour to the classic wine region of Bordeaux at the end of September. It includes three days of winery visits and several gourmet meals. Britt Karlsson, co-founder of BKWine, comments: “With the Bordeaux tour we aim to give our guests an inside view of the wine scene. We take the traveller both to some of the elegant and grandiose properties as well as to family owned entrepreneurial wineries.”

Britt continues explaining what makes all BKWine tours different: “We select the wineries to visit very carefully. We choose to focus on the most interesting and quality conscious wineries, with very personal visits, instead of simply the most famous “brand names” (that some others focus on). We personally visit some 300 wineries each year. That is more than most people in the wine business, so we have a unique possibility to select the best winery visits.”

The second wine tour on the program is to the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. The Douro has one of the wine world’s most spectacular landscapes. It is famous for its port wines but today the production of world-class “table” wines, both red and white, is almost more important. Britt describes the Douro Valley wine tour like this: “The Douro surprises even the traveller who has visited many other wine regions: the frighteningly steep vineyard slopes that plunge into the river and the delicious wines. It also has a unique Portuguese gastronomy. It never fails to impress the visitor”.

The BKWine wine tours extend over three days of winery visits. The guests arrive on the Wednesday and depart on the Sunday. A perfect long week-end or combined with a few additional days it turns into a week’s vacation. All tours are guided by a professional wine guide, often Britt herself, who has won many awards in the world of wine. The tours usually include ten winery visits as well as top-quality gourmet meals.

All tours and detailed programmes can be found on http://www.bkwinetours.com

BKWine is a tour operator specialised in top quality wine tours and gourmet tours. BKWine tours have been named “world’s top wine tours” by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Each year BKWine organises around 30 wine tours, both custom designed for private parties and scheduled.

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Press contact
– BKWine, Britt or Per Karlsson, phone 0033 6 80 45 35 70, or 0033 6 83 51 12 53, info@bkwine.com

Press photos

– Press photos can be found on: http://www.bkwinetours.com/press-photos/
– Password to download high resolution images: [contact BKWine]
– License: Press photos are free to use in connection with text about BKWine wine tours. All other use requires separate written agreement.

Also on http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/press-room/. A vast variety of photos are available on request. BKWine has one of the world’s biggest photo archives specialised in wine and wine travel: http://www.bkwinephotography.com.

BKWine AB

BKWine, 51, rue du Chevalier de la Barre, F-92130 Issy les Moulineaux (Paris), France, phone 00 33 6 80 45 35 70, info@bkwine.com, http://www.bkwinetours.com, http://www.bkwine.com.

BKWine AB is run by Britt and Per Karlsson, of Swedish origin. There are four main activities:
– Wine & food tours
– Wine journalism
– Wine photography, wine stock image library: http://www.bkwinephotography.com
– Wine consulting

BKWine is active in several wine related fields. The main business is organising wine tours for wine enthusiasts and wine professionals who want to visit wine regions to learn more about wine. Each year BKWine organises some 30 wine tours. The wine tours have been named World’s Top Wine Tours by Travel + Leisure. BKWine has written and published several wine books that have won national and international awards. BKWine also publishes an online newsletter on wine, The BKWine Brief, which reaches some 20,000 subscribers. Britt and Per are members of the British Circle of Wine Writers (CWW), the International Wine Writers Federation (FIJEV), the French Wine Press Association (APV), the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) and several other wine and gastronomic organisations.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Anna Patrickanna@imagine-team.comhttp://www.unchartedafrica.comAfrica’s most romantic camp reopens for 2014

San Camp, Uncharted Africa Safari co.’s romantic, spiritual oasis on the edge of Botswana’s otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, will reopen on April 16, 2014, just in time for the magnificent Makgadikgadi Dry Season.

 

[caption id=”attachment_11297″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] San Camp David Crookes, Courtesy of Uncharted Africa Safari co.[/caption]

Nestled in a reef of palms on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, San Camp is a secluded paradise perfect for couples’ retreats. The property offers a unique desert experience with a spiritual focus in one of the world’s most remote and inspiring landscapes.

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The expanse stretches as far as the eye can see, a place so remote and serene that guests can actually see the curve of the earth and hear the blood circulate through their ears. Uncharted Africa Safari co. has set-up this one-of-a-kind romantic escape from modern life that is an oasis of style, luxury and serenity.

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The Camp houses just seven intimate guest suites, each one a spacious, airy and luxurious flowing white tent incorporating a private veranda looking out at the edge of the world. The interiors are romantic and stylish with antique dark wood campaign style furniture, crisp 200 count sheets and en-suite bathrooms. The camp is a truly romantic escape designed specifically to invite the magnificent environment with ultimate style and comfort in old world safari fashion. A special yoga/meditation tent encourages guests to let their hectic urban lives melt away and embrace the tranquility. Each aspect of the small, intimate camp is intended to put guests in touch with this spirituality and foster a truly meditative experience.

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[caption id=”attachment_11298″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of Uncharted Africa Safari co.[/caption]

Hearkening back to the rustic early days of African exploration, Uncharted Africa Safari co. is one of the last truly authentic safari operations. San Camp is the only property located on the edge of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, an otherworldly ancient lake bed breathtakingly vast and serene; truly a place to be alone together.

 

[caption id=”attachment_11299″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] San Camp Room David Crookes, Courtesy of Uncharted Africa Safari co[/caption]

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anna@imagine-team.com

http://www.unchartedafrica.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Cassie Lovettcassie@imagine-team.comhttp://www.africa-adventure.comThe Africa Adventure Company Announces New Tours for 2014

[caption id=”attachment_11302″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of Africa Adventure Company[/caption]

The Africa Adventure Company announces new trips for 2014, reflecting the growing demand for adventurous and active travel experiences. The new tours for 2014 offer a diversity of options for discovering Africa, from tracking rare wildlife by foot in the heart of Zimbabwe to spotting the largest surviving lemurs in Madagascar’s rainforest. Many of the trips combine the chance to explore Africa’s rich cultural history with up-close wildlife encounters.

The 7-Day Adventurer Safari to Zimbabwe and Botswana offers intimate photographic expeditions in small groups with private guides and safari vehicles. Visitors will stay exclusively in luxury mobile Under Canvas camps in each area, waking with the sunrise and exploring until sunset. Tracking elephant, rhino, and lion by foot and boating on the Chobe River permit exceptional explorations of wildlife in elephant country.

Namibia’s epic topography is explored from new heights on the
12-Day Wings over Namibia flying safari. For the first time, previously restricted forays into the Hoanib floodplains will be undertaken, a chance to witness a series of oases in the middle of the shifting Namib Desert. Traversing one of the planet’s driest deserts and crossing the towering dunes of one of Africa’s largest game parks, guests witness rare views of desert-adapted wildlife, including the largest concentrations of desert elephant and rhino. The new Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp will feature eight tents with en suite bathrooms in the private Palmwag Concession.

[caption id=”attachment_11301″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of Africa Adventure Company[/caption]

The 12-Day Under Tanzanian Skies Safari is one of the Africa Adventure Company’s new Signature safaris, featuring four days of game viewing in the Serengeti plains with their top naturalist guides. Photographic opportunities include a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, famed for its tree climbing lions that sleep amongst acacia trees. From visiting local Maasai villages in the foothills of Kilimanjaro to descending 2,000 feet into the Ngorongoro Crater, clients will enjoy the exclusivity and expert guiding that distinguishes this small group safari.

The 15-Day Luxurious Southern Africa Safari combines the best that Southern Africa has to offer from Cape Town to Victoria Falls. Private Cape Town tours customized to guests’ preferences precede interpretive wilderness walks searching for the Big Five in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Intended to showcase the region’s rich wildlife and landscape diversity, the tour includes the imposing beauty of the new Victoria Falls River Lodge and the crystal clear waterways of the intricate Okavango staying at Vumbura Plains. These thatched lodges, permanent tented camps, and luxury hotels provide comfort to those who choose this safari.

Madagascar’s verdant rainforest and pristine beaches are featured in the
8-Day Madagascar Wildlife and Beach itinerary. The trip includes expeditions into Madagascar’s most visited reserve, Anasibe-Mantadia National Park, home of the baboon-sized indri, the largest of the surviving lemurs. Wildlife lovers will be awed and inspired by the sight of impressive reptiles like the Malagasy Tree Boa and trees festooned with orchids. The new Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge’s six serene chalets are well positioned for deeper excursions into the untamed beauty of the island.

[caption id=”attachment_11303″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of Africa Adventure Company[/caption]

On the Family Adventure to Zimbabwe, families will have the opportunity to experience staying at Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge, located on the very edge of the mighty Zambezi River where Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia converge. Visits to the local villages as well as voluntourism projects expose children to different ways of life, creating lasting lifetime memories. Travel to the three diverse areas of Victoria Falls on the Upper Zambezi, Hwange National Park and the cultural site of Matobo Hills. This safari includes something for everyone, such as day and night game drives, walking safaris, game viewing by boat, and cave explorations to see ancient Bushmen art.

The Africa Adventure Company’s new trips for 2014 resonate with travelers seeking active adventure and up-close wildlife experiences.

cassie@imagine-team.com

http://www.africa-adventure.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

John N. Garrettfeedback@mycbca.orghttp://www.claytoncbca.org/Event/ArtAndWine19th Annual Clayton Art & Wine Festival, Downtown Clayton, May 3rd to 4th

[caption id=”attachment_11332″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Stroll along historic Main Street enjoying luxury varietals from California’s wineries and popular premium brewed beers.[/caption]

Clayton, California – Celebrate the 19th annual Clayton Art and Wine Festival being held on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Stroll along historic Main Street enjoying luxury varietals from California’s wineries and popular premium brewed beers. Browse among over 125 fine artisans and unique craft exhibits. Youngsters will love Kiddieland with lots of games and fun.

Listen to non-stop live entertainment while you enjoy a wide selection of tempting dishes from the International Food Court. Take a few minutes to visit the fascinating Clayton Historical Society on Main Street. It’s a fun day that the whole family can enjoy and the event is free.

The Clayton Art & Wine Festival is presented by the CBCA (Clayton Business & Community Association.) Formed in 1984, the non-profit CBCA creates year-round events to benefit Clayton, Clayton Golf Classic, Oktoberfest, Christmas Town Tree Lighting, Santa’s Visit and Mrs. Claus’s Dessert Party. CBCA proceeds support local Scout troops, youth athletics, police reserves, the Clayton Library, town beautification, youth scholarships, the Clayton Historical Society and many other events that benefit Clayton and its citizens.

For more information call 925-672-2272, www.claytoncbca.org/Event/ArtAndWine

feedback@mycbca.org

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Howard Roseinfo@rosesquared.comhttp://www.rosesquared.com/verona-nj-may-17-18-2014.html29th Annual Fine Art and Crafts at Verona Park, May 17-18, Verona, NJ

[caption id=”attachment_11340″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Terri Semijis[/caption]

29th Annual Fine Art and Crafts at Verona Park, May 17-18, Verona, NJ

The show will feature more than 140 exhibitors’ creations in fine art, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, glass, clothing, specialty food vendors and more.

Verona, New Jersey (McKenzieNewsService.com) April 14, 2014 – Experience Essex County’s Verona Park transformed into a gallery of fine art and fine craft on May 17-18 from 10-5, rain or shine. The 29th Annual Fine Art and Crafts at Verona Park show www.rosesquared.com/verona-nj-may-17-18-2014.html (542 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona) will over feature over 140 veteran as well as new exhibitors to Rose Squared Productions, Inc., including fine art, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, glass, clothing and much more.

In clay, the show welcomes new exhibitor Terry Simijis of Cranston, RI who, inspired by the art of ancient civilizations and the beauty of nature, finds the creative process very satisfying: “When I touch a piece of clay I never know exactly what will be the outcome. A rough but sensible form appears in minutes out of nowhere, and I enjoy this very first stage of the design. Then I take my time to refine the form to arrive at the sculpture it becomes,” says Terry.

[caption id=”attachment_11339″ align=”alignright” width=”232″] Olga Goldin[/caption]

Veteran clay artist, Olga Goldin of Reistertown, MD finds her sculptural ceramics becoming larger in scope and more detailed than in past years. All of Goldin’s pieces, made by hand from low-fire porcelain clay, are hand painted with an added glazed finish and her signature 24k gold accent. As one-of-a-kind work, Goldin can incorporate the images of customer’s in her custom sculptural creations.

View the black and white photographic creations of new exhibitor Steve Miller of Garnet Valley, PA; the colorful artwork of John Dorish of New York City; and the organic jeweler creations of Stacey Pritchard of Highlands, NJ to learn about what inspires their work.

Taste the creations of new specialty food exhibitor Melissa Rioux of Lakonia Greek Productions coming all the way from Saco, ME. Rioux brings her Greek family roots to the event in the form of olives, olive oil infusions, and wild herbs and teas.

 

[caption id=”attachment_11338″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Lloyd Garrison[/caption]

Co-sponsored with Essex County Department of Parks and Rose Squared Productions, Inc., this free to the public event is located on the corner of Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenues. For additional information, links to exhibitors’ websites and to see a slide show of exhibitors’ creations, visit www.rosesquared.com.

Steven Petersoninfo@apsonoma.orghttp://www.apsonoma.orgAmerican Philharmonic presents a concert of “Turkish Delights,” April 26 and 27, Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa, California (April 14, 2014) – The American Philharmonic Sonoma County will present the final concerts of its 15th anniversary season with performances on April 26 and 27 of “Turkish Delights.”

[caption id=”attachment_11342″ align=”aligncenter” width=”630″] Orchestra Closeup[/caption]

The concerts feature violinist Yova Milanova performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 (“Turkish”), written when the composer was only 19 and a violin virtuoso himself. Ms. Milanova comes from a family of distinguished Bulgarian musicians and has performed with leading orchestras throughout the world. This will be her West Coast premiere.

The program also includes Rossini’s overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers. The overture shines with the wit and sparkle you’d expect of music that opens a classic, comedy of errors opera. The program concludes with Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 (“Italian”). Written when the composer was just 24, the themes are inspired by his travels in Italy, and result in his most popular symphony.

The American Philharmonic Sonoma County, conducted by Norman Gamboa, is a 65-member orchestra made up of professional-level musicians who volunteer their talents to reach an audience of people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience a live orchestra. Bringing people who love to play classical music together with those who love to listen to it, the orchestra has presented over 100 affordable concerts in Sonoma County over the past 15 years.

The upcoming concerts will be held on April 26 at 8:00 pm and April 27 at 2:00 pm at the Santa Rosa High School Performing Arts Auditorium, 1235 Mendocino Ave. Premium tickets are $15, general admission is $10 at the door, and students 18 and under are free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.apsonoma.org or call 800-838-3006.

About Violinist Yova Milanova:
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Yova Milanova comes from a distinguished family of musicians. Her father was Stoika Milanova, a famous concert violinist and professor at the Bulgarian National Conservatory, and her mother, Yuri Slessarev, was a renowned concert pianist and professor at the Moscow National Conservatory. At an early age, Ms. Milanova started playing the violin and was soon performing. At the age of six she had her first tour as a soloist, and at the age of nine she gave her first violin recital. She debuted in London’s “Queen Elizabeth Hall” at the age of eleven and was invited the following year to play for “Southern Television,” in England, as a soloist with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. In 1989 she won the Maria Canals International Competition in Spain and in 1992 she was awarded the Cobb Association Award at Michigan State University.

Ms. Milanova graduated with high honors from the State Music School in Sofia, the National Academy of Music in Bulgaria, and the Enschede Conservatory in Holland. She has studied with Trendafil Milanov, Stoika Milanova, André Gertler, and Walter Verdehr among others. She has worked extensively as a performer and as a teacher throughout the world, including Bulgaria, England, Belgium, Portugal, France, Hungary, Germany, Spain, Holland, Venezuela, and the U.S. Ms. Milanova is currently the owner and artistic director of Grace Notes Music Studio in Baton Rouge, LA, where she teaches violin.

info@apsonoma.org

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Mary DaRifmedia@twinsdays.orghttp://www.twinsdays.orgTwins Days Festival Hosts the World’s Largest Annual Gathering of Twins, Twinsburg, Ohio

[caption id=”attachment_11344″ align=”alignright” width=”540″] 2013 Group Photo[/caption]

Holding the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Largest Annual Gathering of Twins in the World,” the theme of this 39th festival will be “Twinstock – Groovy in Twinsburg” celebrating the late 60’s and early 70’s time period.

Twinsburg, Ohio (McKenzieNewsService.com) April 14, 2014 – The 2014 Twins Days Festival (www.twinsdays.org) will be held August 2rd and 3rd, 2014 in Twinsburg, Ohio (10270 Ravenna Road). This annual international event is recorded as the “Largest Annual Gathering of Twins in the World” by the Guinness Book of World Records. The Twins Days Festival Committee (TDFC) has announced the theme of this 39th festival will be “Twinstock – Groovy in Twinsburg” celebrating the late 60’s and early 70’s time period.

Located 25 miles southeast of Cleveland, Twinsburg plays host to thousands of twins from all over the world. The Festival is open to all multiples — identical, fraternal, young and old, twins, triplets, quads — and their families. Non-twins are also welcome.

[caption id=”attachment_11346″ align=”alignright” width=”540″] A view of ‘the strip’, before the food was moved to the food court.[/caption]

Saturday morning kicks off with the “Double Take” parade. Activities during the day will include twins contests, twins talent show; twins research area, twins group photo, entertainment, arts & crafts and twin related/sponsored booths, small amusement rides and games, and a spectacular fireworks show. Also available are food concessions and official souvenirs Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday morning’s activities include the Twins Days 5K Run and Fun Walk benefitting the Melanoma Education Initiative. During the day the activities will be the same as Saturday’s with the exception of the parade and fireworks.

Twins are encouraged to register at the festival to be able to participate in the twins related activities and to be included in the official count. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Twins Days web site at www.twinsdays.org. The twins can also register at the festival site. Registration fees: $15/set when registering in advance ($20/set on-site).

Admission to the grounds for the public, non-registered twins, and families of registered twins is $4.00/person per day (children 5 & under can enter for free).

For more information visit www.twinsdays.org, 330-425-3652

media@twinsdays.org

The theme of this 39th festival will be “Twinstock – Groovy in Twinsburg” celebrating the late 60’s and early 70’s time period.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comBrunch On Buzzard’s Bay: Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Showcases Beach Views and Cape Fare

Sea Crest Beach Hotel, the quintessential beach hotel located on its private Old Silver Beach, is serving up an Easter Brunch that showcases the best of New England’s bounty, from the freshest seafood to locally sourced produce.

With Buzzard’s Bay as the backdrop, diners will enjoy fresh interpretations of classic Cape fare created by Executive Chef Daniel Kenney, beginning with Red’s Award-Winning Clam Chowder. Entrée choices include Sea Crest Eggs Benedict With Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Oven Roasted Tomato and Lemon Chive Hollandaise; Belgian Waffles Made to Order With Fresh Strawberries, Whipped Cream and Warm Maple Syrup; Wood-Grilled East-Coast Salmon With Spring Beets and Yukon Gold Potato Hash; Colorado Spring Lamb Stew With Rosemary Mint Jus and Spring Dug Parsnips; Herb-Roasted Free Range Chicken With Baby Potatoes Seasoned With Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper; and Chef-Carved Bone-in Virginia Ham With Clover-Honey-Mustard Sauce and Petite Brioche Buns. A selection of assorted muffins and freshly baked desserts will end the meal on a high note.

Available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Menu is priced at $49 per person and $19 per person for children 12 and under plus tax. For reservations or more information visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (508) 356-2111.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multi million-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel has been named “Best Hotel” by Cape Cod Magazine’s “Best of the Cape & Islands Reader’s Choice Awards” consecutively since 2011. Cape Cod Magazine also awarded Sea Crest Beach Hotel “Best Sunset Wedding” in its “Best of Cape Cod Awards” in 2012. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. Visit Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel. For more information call (800) 225-3110 or visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comBrunch On Buzzard’s Bay: Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Showcases Beach Views and Cape Fare

Sea Crest Beach Hotel, the quintessential beach hotel located on its private Old Silver Beach, is serving up an Easter Brunch that showcases the best of New England’s bounty, from the freshest seafood to locally sourced produce.

With Buzzard’s Bay as the backdrop, diners will enjoy fresh interpretations of classic Cape fare created by Executive Chef Daniel Kenney, beginning with Red’s Award-Winning Clam Chowder. Entrée choices include Sea Crest Eggs Benedict With Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Oven Roasted Tomato and Lemon Chive Hollandaise; Belgian Waffles Made to Order With Fresh Strawberries, Whipped Cream and Warm Maple Syrup; Wood-Grilled East-Coast Salmon With Spring Beets and Yukon Gold Potato Hash; Colorado Spring Lamb Stew With Rosemary Mint Jus and Spring Dug Parsnips; Herb-Roasted Free Range Chicken With Baby Potatoes Seasoned With Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper; and Chef-Carved Bone-in Virginia Ham With Clover-Honey-Mustard Sauce and Petite Brioche Buns. A selection of assorted muffins and freshly baked desserts will end the meal on a high note.

Available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Menu is priced at $49 per person and $19 per person for children 12 and under plus tax. For reservations or more information visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (508) 356-2111.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multi million-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel has been named “Best Hotel” by Cape Cod Magazine’s “Best of the Cape & Islands Reader’s Choice Awards” consecutively since 2011. Cape Cod Magazine also awarded Sea Crest Beach Hotel “Best Sunset Wedding” in its “Best of Cape Cod Awards” in 2012. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. Visit Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel. For more information call (800) 225-3110 or visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comBrunch On Buzzard’s Bay: Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Showcases Beach Views and Cape Fare

Sea Crest Beach Hotel, the quintessential beach hotel located on its private Old Silver Beach, is serving up an Easter Brunch that showcases the best of New England’s bounty, from the freshest seafood to locally sourced produce.

With Buzzard’s Bay as the backdrop, diners will enjoy fresh interpretations of classic Cape fare created by Executive Chef Daniel Kenney, beginning with Red’s Award-Winning Clam Chowder. Entrée choices include Sea Crest Eggs Benedict With Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Oven Roasted Tomato and Lemon Chive Hollandaise; Belgian Waffles Made to Order With Fresh Strawberries, Whipped Cream and Warm Maple Syrup; Wood-Grilled East-Coast Salmon With Spring Beets and Yukon Gold Potato Hash; Colorado Spring Lamb Stew With Rosemary Mint Jus and Spring Dug Parsnips; Herb-Roasted Free Range Chicken With Baby Potatoes Seasoned With Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper; and Chef-Carved Bone-in Virginia Ham With Clover-Honey-Mustard Sauce and Petite Brioche Buns. A selection of assorted muffins and freshly baked desserts will end the meal on a high note.

Available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Menu is priced at $49 per person and $19 per person for children 12 and under plus tax. For reservations or more information visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (508) 356-2111.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multi million-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel has been named “Best Hotel” by Cape Cod Magazine’s “Best of the Cape & Islands Reader’s Choice Awards” consecutively since 2011. Cape Cod Magazine also awarded Sea Crest Beach Hotel “Best Sunset Wedding” in its “Best of Cape Cod Awards” in 2012. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. Visit Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel. For more information call (800) 225-3110 or visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.gabynyrestaurant.com/Gaby Brasserie Francaise Delivers Classic Easter Brunch for All Ages in Midtown’s Theater District

Award-winning Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey, who won first place on Food Network’s Chopped, invites guests to Gaby Brasserie Française at the stylish Sofitel New York hotel for a classic Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 20.

Brunch in Gaby’s vibrant Art Deco setting will include a choice of appetizer and entrée, dessert, and Mimosa compliments of the chef. An Easter Kids’ Menu will also be available for Gaby’s younger brunchers.

[caption id=”attachment_11360″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Gaby Brasserie Francaise at the Sofitel New York[/caption]

The menu offers an appetizer choice of Mesclun Salad with shaved parmesan and black mission fig vinaigrette or Eggplant and Porcini Soup. Entrée selections include a choice of a Belgian Waffle with maple syrup and assorted fresh berries; Blueberry Pancakes; Savory French Toast served with ham and provolone cheese and an egg over easy; and Smoked Salmon Benedict with a side of marbled potatoes. Guests can also make their own omelet with a choice of fresh vegetables and cheese fillings. Chef Harribey’s signature Salmon Roulade stuffed with spinach, vegetable julienne and purple potatoes with beurre blanc and Duck Confit served with potato forestière and haricots verts are also available for a small supplement. For dessert, guests can indulge in a holiday treat of Easter Egg with a raspberry white chocolate mousse and fresh strawberries.

An Easter Kids’ Menu with a plate of delicious kid favorites including waffles with Nutella and whipped cream, pancakes, a croissant sandwich with scrambled eggs and ham, fresh fruit salad, and an Easter Egg with chocolate mousse will be served to Gaby’s 12-and-under guests.

Gaby Brasserie Française’s Easter Brunch will be available from 12 to 3 p.m. and is priced at $49 per person and $19 for children, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations or more information, call (212) 782-3091 or visit www.gabynyrestaurant.com.

About Gaby Brasserie Française

Gaby is the outstanding brasserie and bar at Sofitel New York. Named for a Parisian model who found her milieu in 1920s New York, Gaby serves classic French cuisine by Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey, whose culinary achievements include winning the Food Network hit show Chopped. Its bar is the place to be seen and the place to enjoy both creative and classical cocktails, fine wines and champagne. Boasting an archetypal brasserie setting by Paris-based interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, Gaby has its own entrance on W. 45th Street. It offers continuous service from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. For reservations, call (212) 782-3091 or visit www.gabynyrestaurant.com.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comBrunch on Buzzard’s Bay: Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Showcases Beach Views and Cape Fare

Sea Crest Beach Hotel, the quintessential beach hotel located on its private Old Silver Beach, is serving up an Easter Brunch that showcases the best of New England’s bounty, from the freshest seafood to locally sourced produce.

With Buzzard’s Bay as the backdrop, diners will enjoy fresh interpretations of classic Cape fare created by Executive Chef Daniel Kenney, beginning with Red’s Award-Winning Clam Chowder. Entrée choices include Sea Crest Eggs Benedict With Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Oven Roasted Tomato and Lemon Chive Hollandaise; Belgian Waffles Made to Order With Fresh Strawberries, Whipped Cream and Warm Maple Syrup; Wood-Grilled East-Coast Salmon With Spring Beets and Yukon Gold Potato Hash; Colorado Spring Lamb Stew With Rosemary Mint Jus and Spring Dug Parsnips; Herb-Roasted Free Range Chicken With Baby Potatoes Seasoned With Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper; and Chef-Carved Bone-in Virginia Ham With Clover-Honey-Mustard Sauce and Petite Brioche Buns. A selection of assorted muffins and freshly baked desserts will end the meal on a high note.

Available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Easter Brunch Menu is priced at $49 per person and $19 per person for children 12 and under plus tax. For reservations or more information visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (508) 356-2111.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multimillion-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel has been named “Best Hotel” by Cape Cod Magazine’s “Best of the Cape & Islands Reader’s Choice Awards” consecutively since 2011. Cape Cod Magazine also awarded Sea Crest Beach Hotel “Best Sunset Wedding” in its “Best of Cape Cod Awards” in 2012. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. Visit Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel. For more information call (800) 225-3110 or visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comSea Crest Beach Hotel to Sponsor Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival on June 28

On June 28, the second annual Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival, sponsored by Cape Cod’s Sea Crest Beach Hotel, will return to Falmouth’s Barnstable County Fairgrounds. Just minutes away from the Cape’s quintessential family beach hotel, the event will afford visitors the opportunity to taste-test the area’s local bounty, specialty foods, and top local and international wines. Sea Crest’s Executive Chef Daniel Kenney will delight visitors with American-Cape menu selections from the hotel’s Red’s Restaurant & Lounge exhibit.

Festival-goers can take advantage of Sea Crest’s proximity to the event with its Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival Package offering overnight accommodations for two and a pair of tickets to the festival, with rates starting at $399. Guests can also receive 10 percent off of their overnight stay on June 28 using the code FOODANDWINE when booking their reservations online.

For more information or reservations, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (800) 225-3110. For information on the Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival, visit www.capecodfoodwine.com.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multimillion-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel has been named “Best Hotel” by Cape Cod Magazine’s “Best of the Cape & Islands Reader’s Choice Awards” consecutively since 2011. Cape Cod Magazine also awarded Sea Crest Beach Hotel “Best Sunset Wedding” in its “Best of Cape Cod Awards” in 2012. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. Visit Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel. For more information call (800) 225-3110 or visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comSea Crest Beach Hotel to Sponsor Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival on June 28

On June 28, the second annual Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival, sponsored by Cape Cod’s Sea Crest Beach Hotel, will return to Falmouth’s Barnstable County Fairgrounds. Just minutes away from the Cape’s quintessential family beach hotel, the event will afford visitors the opportunity to taste-test the area’s local bounty, specialty foods, and top local and international wines. Sea Crest’s Executive Chef Daniel Kenney will delight visitors with American-Cape menu selections from the hotel’s Red’s Restaurant & Lounge exhibit.

Festival-goers can take advantage of Sea Crest’s proximity to the event with its Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival Package offering overnight accommodations for two and a pair of tickets to the festival, with rates starting at $399. Guests can also receive 10 percent off of their overnight stay on June 28 using the code FOODANDWINE when booking their reservations online.

For more information or reservations, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (800) 225-3110. For information on the Cape Cod Food & Wine Festival, visit www.capecodfoodwine.com.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multimillion-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel has been named “Best Hotel” by Cape Cod Magazine’s “Best of the Cape & Islands Reader’s Choice Awards” consecutively since 2011. Cape Cod Magazine also awarded Sea Crest Beach Hotel “Best Sunset Wedding” in its “Best of Cape Cod Awards” in 2012. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. Visit Sea Crest Beach Hotel on Facebook at Facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel. For more information call (800) 225-3110 or visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com.

Sarah White or Mary Jane Vanden Bergesarah@butterflyworld.comhttp://www.ButterflyWorld.comA Tradition Celebrates its 27th Anniversary – Moms Are Free at Butterfly World, May 9-11, Coconut Creek, FL

[caption id=”attachment_11453″ align=”alignright” width=”500″] Butterfly World opened in 1988, and is the largest butterfly park in the world, and the first park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.[/caption]

Butterfly World features as its centerpiece a walk-through tropical garden with thousands of live butterflies, as well as an insect museum, a lorikeet encounter, botanical gardens, and six aviaries, including the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the country.

Coconut Creek, Florida (April 23, 2014) – From 1988 to 2014, Mother’s Day Weekend has been and is the weekend at Butterfly World. During their very first year of operation, all moms were admitted free on Mother’s Day, and it instantly became a cherished tradition. Over time the celebration grew from one day to the weekend, to what it is now, a three, full day event. This year, all moms get free admission Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11, 2014, 9 am – 5 pm.

Butterfly World opened in 1988, and is the largest butterfly park in the world, and the first park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. It features as its centerpiece a walk-through tropical garden with thousands of live butterflies, as well as an insect museum, a lorikeet encounter, botanical gardens, and six aviaries, including the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the country.

Soon after completion of the park, Butterfly World Founder, Ron Boender, wanted to do something good within the community, and “Who better to honor than mothers?” Boender says.

Although dads and children are welcome, this free admission tradition does not require that children be present. “One of the greatest things about the weekend is that it allows us to do something for mothers whose children may not be able to be with them,” says Boender.

Butterfly World is located at Tradewinds Park South, 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, FL.

Tradewinds Park Weekend/Holiday Gate fee will be in effect. $1.50 per person (5 and under are free).

www.ButterflyWorld.com

Parents Connect said: “The Tropical Rain Forest Aviary is one of Butterfly World’s most popular attractions. This mammoth 8,000 square foot screened enclosure is the largest single butterfly habitat in the world, soaring to 30 feet in height and enclosing 240,000 cubic feet of space. Inside, over 20,000 butterflies enjoy a natural rain forest environment, complete with flowers, trees, a waterfall, a cave and a cooling tropical mist. Patient visitors are invariably rewarded by a butterfly or two landing on them at some point.”

 

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

google.com/+MaralynHill831

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorld, http://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.comMother’s Day Brunch at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

Special moments are better when shared. Treat mom to a memorable and delicious Mother’s Day brunch at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 11. The menu features traditional favorites inspired by mom’s homemade recipes that includes local ingredients and herbs from the restaurant’s garden.

[caption id=”attachment_11457″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Yogurt and Fruit Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

Start Mother’s Day brunch with endless champagne and then enjoy a menu featuring: burgundy braised short ribs with caramelized onion mashed potatoes and burgundy jus; pesto crusted salmon with garden pesto, heirloom tomato and basil relish, and Kalamata olive gastrique; hand carved pork loin with bourbon honey and thyme demi-glace; herb marinated chicken breast with AZ citrus and herbed butter; NY smoked cheddar and chive risotto; fresh fruit scented with garden spearmint and AZ citrus mist; brioche French toast with wild berry compote, whipped cream, candied walnuts and maple syrup; locally sourced bacon and sausage from Schreiner’s; mixed green salad; Caesar salad; light potato salad; spinach salad with baby heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella; spring vegetables and wild quinoa with petite squashes, heirloom carrots, and rainbow chard; yellow corn tortilla soup with ancho chili and cotija cheese; yogurt parfait bar and fresh juices; an omelet station with spinach, house cured tomatoes, onions, peppers, crumbled cheeses, bacon, sausage, chicken sausage, foraged mushrooms and house made salsas; and special desserts from the pastry chef. To top it off, every mom will be presented with a beautiful rose.

[caption id=”attachment_11456″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Bread & Bagels Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

Mother’s Day brunch prices are $34 for adults and $17 for kids 12 years old and younger. Kids 3 years old and younger eat free.

Looking for more? Create your very own bloody mary at The Bloody Mary Bar with ingredients like tomato-infused ice, pickled celery, Arizona spices and seasonal condiments for an additional $5.

Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available. Restaurant reservations are required. Please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)

[caption id=”attachment_11458″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] District American Kitchen Wine Bar Dinner Area, Photo: Kelley Karnes[/caption]

About District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/district.kitchen

# # #

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is inappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Adam Grinold, Submitted by McKenzieNewsService.comadam@visitvermont.comhttp://www.vermontfiddleheadfestival.comMount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce announces the Vermont Fiddlehead Festival, May 23, to May 26

Wilmington, Vermont (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the details for the upcoming Vermont Fiddlehead Festival to be held May 23, through May 26, 2014.

The emerald green stems of newborn ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) mark the onset of spring in Vermont. The foragers of wild edibles known as Fiddleheads, can be found across the globe. However, this seasonal delicacy, taking place in early to mid-May in Vermont, is most commonly harvested and eaten in the maritime provinces of Canada and in the northeastern United States, especially Maine and Vermont – some even consider it to be the state vegetable of Vermont.

The producers of the Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival are excited to bring this new event to Southern Vermont on Memorial Day weekend Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25th. The main event will be held under a tent in West Dover, VT (183 Vermont Rte. 100), on Saturday, May 24, offering Vermont merchandise of all types. The holiday weekend has always been a favorite of second homeowners and frequent visitors of Vermont for the many attractions and events taking place. The Mount Snow Valley calendar of events for the weekend can be found at www.vistvermont.com or http://www.vermontfiddleheadfestival.com.

Admission is $5.00 per person, $10.00 per family.

The event will feature a merchant’s row, live entertainment, commercial children’s “Bouncy Houses,” a Fiddlehead cooking contest with $500 in cash prizes, a Fiddling contest with $500 cash prizes, Vermont artists on display, Fiddlehead cooking class, food and more. On Sunday there will be a Block Party held in Wilmington Village, 5 pm to 8 pm. The block party will feature The Vermont Fiddlehead Festival Salsa Cooking Contest with $500 cash prizes, live entertainment and a merchant’s row featuring Vermont crafts, foods and products.

The Vermont Fiddlehead Festival celebrates the products, food, art, crafters and residents of Vermont. The Festival will be another opportunity for artisans from across Vermont to come together to showcase their crafts. Vintners, artists, distillers, publishers, cheese makers, weavers, potters, jewelers, chefs, photographers, farmers, chocolatiers, demonstrations. All Vermont businesses are welcome to participate in this showcase for Vermont in the southern Green Mountains.

The festival was created to be a destination event and is promoted and packaged to spring travelers, day trippers, and Vermonters. Complimentary events will once again take place throughout the Mount Snow Valley, including the Vermont Chocolate Festival held in Halifax at Honora Winery Vineyards, Vermont’s Open Studio Weekend, Wilmington’s own Duck Race, and Memorial Day parades, barbecues and celebrations.

http://www.Vermontfiddleheadfestival.com

 

The main event will be held under a tent in West Dover, VT (183 Vermont Rte. 100), on Saturday, May 24.

 

Adam Grinold, Submitted by McKenzieNewsService.com

adam@visitvermont.com

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

John Nelson by McKenzie News Servicejohn@doorguidepublishing.comhttp://www.uncorksummer.comDoor County’s First Major Food & Wine Festival: Uncork Summer, Ellison Bay, WI, June 28

Ellison Bay, Wisconsin (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Door County North, the business association for far northern Door County, Wisconsin, encompassing the Ellison Bay-Gills Rock region, has announced the Door Peninsula’s first county-wide food and wine festival. Door County is nationally renowned for its natural beauty, and in recent years has developed a reputation as one of the Upper Midwest’s best dining destinations.

[caption id=”attachment_11556″ align=”aligncenter” width=”638″] Wild Alaskan Salmon from Mr. Helsinki, located in Fish Creek, Wisconsin (www.mrhelsinki.com)[/caption]

Scheduled for Saturday, June 28, the new festival is called Uncork Summer™ and will be held the same weekend as the area’s decades-old family-oriented festival, Olde Ellison Bay Days. Uncork Summer will be located outdoors on the grounds of Wickman House (www.wickmanhouse.com), a highly-regarded restaurant on Mink River Road in Ellison Bay, and will feature 20 food vendor booths, plus local wines and craft beers. Well-known local acoustic musicians, including Katie Dahl, Small Forest and Death Folk, will perform live throughout the day.

[caption id=”attachment_11557″ align=”aligncenter” width=”654″] Musicians Katie Dahl & Rich Hidden[/caption]

Door County North’s Community Coordinator, Darcie Pilz, said, “Uncork Summer is being designed to complement the family activities at Olde Ellison Bay Days. The event is focused on creating an atmosphere for the enjoyment of new food and beverage experiences, with small plate dishes from restaurants throughout Door County, locally-produced foods from area markets, and wine and beer tastings.”

There will also be terrific live local music throughout both days. Olde Ellison Bay Days will offer arts and crafts booths, great ‘finger’ foods prepared on-site by area non-profits, and kids’ games and activities. Both events will have the same hours, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Expansive free parking for Uncork Summer will be in two locations: the Liberty Grove Historical Society property at the top of the Ellison Bay hill, and the Ellison Bay fire station on Hwy 42, north of the village. Free shuttles will ferry visitors from the parking areas and make stops at both Olde Ellison Bay Days’ shoreline site and Uncork Summer, on the Wickman House restaurant grounds.

“We’re envisioning Uncork Summer as a key opening event for the coming summer tourism season,” said Darcie Pilz. “Traditionally, the Door County summer season starts with the Fourth of July weekend, but we’d like to give tourists a reason to start their Peninsula experience in June, when the crowds are lighter, but all of the businesses and activities are open and ready for visitors.”

There is no admission fee to attend Uncork Summer, and inexpensive tickets for food, beer and wine are all available on-site. Tickets for individual small plate dishes and drinks are only $5 each.

Uncork Summer, Door County’s Food, Wine and Music Festival is located at Wickman House, 11976 Mink River Road, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. Date: June 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more info: 920.854.4450, visit http://www.uncorksummer.com for an updated list of participating restaurants.

# # #

John Nelson by McKenzie News Service

john@doorguidepublishing.com

http://www.uncorksummer.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.sofitel-new-york.com/enSofitel New York’s Mother’s Day Weekend Package and Brunch Lavishes Mom With Luxury

Sofitel New York, the Midtown Manhattan luxury hotel with French flair, is sweet on Mom this May, offering a Mother’s Day package and brunch that will be long-remembered.

[caption id=”attachment_11571″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Courtesy of Sofitel New York[/caption]

Available for stays from Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11 only, the Fête des Mères Package includes:

– Two nights’ accommodations for four in a luxury suite
– Mother’s Day Brunch for four at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Gaby Brasserie Française
– A bouquet of fresh flowers
– Two flutes of Champagne
– An assortment of delectable macarons
– An Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte gift set
– Priced at $799 based on four guests (inclusive of taxes and fees, exclusive of gratuities)

Gaby’s delightful Mother’s Day Brunch will also be available separately on Sunday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a menu of classic brunch favorites with a French twist, designed by Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey.

Chef Harribey is also preparing a special Mother’s Day Plate featuring a Nutella and banana crêpe with whipped cream; poached egg on spinach with Portobello mushroom, hollandaise sauce and truffle oil; smoked Atlantic salmon with mixed greens and citrus vinaigrette; and a croustillant topped with caramel and white chocolate mousse. Served with a Mimosa, the Mother’s Day plate is $39, exclusive of tax and gratuity.

In the French tradition, the lady of honor will be served a small cake with a flower accent, compliments of Gaby.

For reservations or more information, visit www.sofitel.com or call (212) 354-8844. Offer is based on availability. Certain terms and conditions may apply.

About Sofitel New York

Sofitel New York is a stylish midtown hotel with a decidedly French accent in its contemporary décor, sophisticated artwork, brasserie cuisine, and cosmopolitan service. Open since 2000, it features 398 guest rooms, including 52 suites; function space that serves small to mid-sized events with French sophistication and charm; and an outstanding brasserie, Gaby, led by a French executive chef whose accolades include winning the Food Network show Chopped. Sofitel New York is ideally located at 45 West 44th Street, affording easy access to Fifth Avenue and the Times Square theater district.
For reservations, call (800) SOFITEL (763-4835) or visit www.sofitel.com.

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Tom Merellomtnfest@yahoo.comhttp://www.mountainmusicfestival.netArcadia Valley Spring Mountain Music Festival returns on May 16th -18th, Ironton, MO

Ironton, Missouri, May 5, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – This year’s Spring Mountain Music Festival will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 16, 17 and 18 on the grounds of the historic Iron County Courthouse in Ironton, MO. This year’s festival will feature not only three days of bluegrass, country and gospel music, but also clogging and square dancing. The event is free. With the spring festival will come the traditional 5K Walk-Run starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. In addition to music, vendors and crafters, they will have a wide variety of wares and food for purchase. There’ll be an area set up for pickers, so musicians are being encouraged to bring their instruments. Musical guests scheduled to appear at this spring’s event include: Trinity River Band, Wailin’ Wood, Friends Pickin,’ Ozark Spirit Cloggers, The Baker Family, and the Arcadia Valley Jam Band. For more information about the Mountain Music Festival, visit www.mountainmusicfestival.net or call Bobby Powell at 573.546.1441. ABOUT THE PERFORMERS: Trinity River Band: This is an Americana, Bluegrass and Acoustic Roots band from Callahan, Florida that has burst onto the national acoustic music scene in just six short years. Tracing their beginnings to performances in their local area churches starting in 2008, they went to full-time touring in 2011 and quickly gained a devoted following nationwide. The years spent honing their vocals are evidenced by their recorded and live performances. The group includes the talents of Mike Harris (Guitar, Lead & Harmony Vocals); Lisa Harris (Bass, Harmony Vocals); Josh Harris (Banjo, Dobro, Harmony Vocals); Brianna Harris (Fiddle); and the mesmerizing lead singer and Mandolinist, Sarah Harris who was a 2013 IBMA Momentum Award Nominee in the Vocalist of the Year Category. Wailin’ Wood: Back in 1994, fans of music festivals in the mid-South began to notice a new kid on the scene. He was a wiry, animated, funny crowd-pleasing young man who knew all of the old-time contest favorites like “Liberty” and “Whiskey Before Breakfast,” who could hold his own with the best pickers at these contests, and who even knew a couple of chicken songs. But he was also different, in a very important way. His instrument was not the fiddle or the banjo or the dulcimer, but the harmonica. Now middle Tennessee has been a hotbed for harmonica players ever since the 1920’s when DeFord Bailey, Dr. Humphrey Bate, and the Crook Brothers used the instrument to help start up the Grand Ole Opry. And most every festival in the area today still has a harmonica competition. But the kind of music this young man was playing was unlike most of the harmonica music normally heard there. It was cleaner, sharper, more innovative, and incredibly faster than anything else. It might best be described as “bluegrass harp,” with the rich, rapid cascading runs of notes resembling the three-finger rolls of Earl Scruggs – only played on an instrument more commonly associated with cowboy laments and sentimental songs. Here’s a chance to experience some more of the excitement of this breathtaking new sound – and to meet the man who created it: Wailin Wood. ~ Dr. Charles Wolfe. Friends Pickin’: This band plays a combination of bluegrass, gospel, country, and even rock ‘n’ roll with a little comedy thrown in. Hailing from Ellington, Mo., you’ll enjoy watching their videos from their YouTube. Ozark Spirit Cloggers: Ozark Spirit Cloggers are a group made up of folks who desire to dance and promote the fun and fellowship of clogging. Clogging is fun, great exercise, and a lot of entertainment. While most of the dancing is for fun and exercise, they love to perform. The Ozark Spirit Cloggers, which number just under 20 members, are drawn from throughout the Rolla, Missouri area. The Baker Family: Trustin Baker is 15 years old and plays fiddle/banjo/guitar and sings lead/harmony. He is the 2013 Jr. National Grand Masters fiddle championship winner at The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn. He won 2013 Male entertainer of the year at National fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho. Trustin also holds many state fiddle championships such as Texas State Freshman Champion, reigning 3-time Missouri Jr. State Champion, and Arkansas 2-time Jr. State Champion. Carina is 13 years old and plays mandolin, sings lead/harmony and old time jig dances. She has won numerous dance competitions. Elijah is 10 years old, plays upright bass and sings lead/ harmony. Carrie is their mother and plays the guitar and sings lead/harmony. The Baker Family is a contracted act at Branson’s Silver Dollar City. The Arcadia Valley Jam Band: The band formed in 2013, after several of them harmonized together at the Friday night “Pickin on the Square.” A group of seven guys, from teenage to 80, they enjoy their music and their time together. Each lends their own expertise to the band. http://www.mountainmusicfestival.net

Tom Merello

mtnfest@yahoo.com

McKenzieNewsService.com

 

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Jamie Donovanjdonovan@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comSea Crest Beach Hotel’s Railroad Rendezvous Package Conjures Up the Romance of Yesteryear

Evoking images of romance of bygone days, Sea Crest Beach Hotel, the beloved hotel located on its private Old Silver Beach, has partnered with Cape Cod Central Railroad to bring its guests back to the era of luxury train travel with a Railroad Rendezvous Package. Couples are invited to board the Cape Cod Dinner Train on Aug. 8, the only train departing from the area for the entire summer, from North Falmouth for a two hour journey over the Cape Cod Canal and through the scenic Falmouth Line.

[caption id=”attachment_11599″ align=”alignright” width=”633″] Cape Cod Central Railroad Dinner Train[/caption]

The Railroad Rendezvous Package affords guests the opportunity to climb aboard the Cape Cod- cranberry-colored train for a chance to get up-close-and-personal with the hidden beauty of the Cape while enjoying an exquisitely prepared Cape-inspired candlelit dinner. Available for stays over Aug. 8 with a minimum of two nights based on double occupancy, the package starts at $499 per night inclusive of tax and gratuity and includes: – Overnight accommodations for two in a newly renovated guestroom – Daily breakfast for two in Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Ocean View Room – Shuttle service to and from the Cape Cod Dinner Train on Aug. 8 departing at 5 p.m. – A five-course dinner including hors d’oeuvres, Cape Cod Central Seafood Chowder, Tossed Field Greens Salad, a choice of an entrée, and dessert. Entrée selections are Herb Encrusted Roast Tenderloin With Shrimp; Pistachio Encrusted Salmon in a Lemon Beurre Blanc; Breast of Chicken Cadillac With Alfredo Sauce, Julienne of Ham, Puff Pastry and Hollandaise Sauce; and a Vegetarian Roasted Vegetable Manicotti With Mascarpone Cheese, Pan-Fried Eggplant and Tomato Provencal. For reservations or more information, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (508) 356-2111. ### Jamie Donovan jdonovan@mg-pr.com   We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Linda Postlpost@paradisecityarts.comhttp://www.paradisecityarts.comNorthampton’s Paradise City Arts Festival is “Springtime in Paradise” on Memorial Day Weekend

One of the most spectacular fairs of fine crafts, painting and sculpture in the country, this fair was named the “#1 Arts Festival in America” in 2008 by American Style Magazine. Meet over 260 extraordinary artists and master craft makers traveling from every corner of the country to show off original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, wearable art and woodworking.

Northampton, Massachusetts, May 5, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The award-winning Paradise City Arts Festival opens to the public at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, Massachusetts on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24, 25 & 26 – all indoors and under tents. One of the most spectacular fairs of fine crafts, painting and sculpture in the country, this fair was named the “#1 Arts Festival in America” in 2008 by American Style Magazine.

[caption id=”attachment_11601″ align=”alignright” width=”642″] Maine woodworker, sculptor and furniture maker Thomas Dahlke’s sense of visual humor extends to tables, desks and cabinets with deer feet, sheep legs and horses’ hooves, all beautifully carved and embellished with miniature paintings.[/caption]

Meet over 260 extraordinary artists and master craft makers traveling from every corner of the country to show off original works in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, wearable art and woodworking. Enjoy sensational cuisine by Northampton’s best chefs and catch live performances by nationally and regionally acclaimed musicians. Stroll through a flowering sculpture garden filled with artful delights, visit special exhibits, demonstrations and activities… all compelling reasons to visit Northampton for the long holiday weekend.

“LAUGHING MATTERS!”
Fine and functional art are usually taken quite seriously. Why are Paradise City’s artists up to some serious funny business this spring? “Laughing Matters!,” the special exhibit in the Arena Building, explores the visual lexicon of all that makes us smile. From visual puns and exaggeration to satire and whimsy, this year’s exhibitors prove that a little levity can go a very long way.

FABULOUS FOOD AND COOL JAZZ UNDER THE FESTIVAL DINING TENT
“The food soars beyond expectations,” writes Boston Magazine. The Festival Dining Tent is a microcosm of Northampton’s vibrant restaurant scene, with recipes that span the globe. Expect lots of tasty surprises from the region’s restaurants at this spring’s show, using locally grown foods straight from the Valley’s farms. Restaurants include Local Burger, Sierra Grille, Spoleto, Amber Waves, India House, Pizzeria Paradiso, Bart’s Homemade Ice Cream, Mama Iguana’s and the Great Wall. While dining, enjoy the Art Steele Blues Band on Saturday; The Valley Jazz Divas on Sunday; and Viva Quetzal on Memorial Day.

[caption id=”attachment_11603″ align=”alignright” width=”425″] Lidded Jar[/caption]

FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Join master ceramist and raconteur Tim Scull, star of the WGBY/PBS program ‘The Fire Within’, as he captivates young and old alike in Booth 700. Tim shares the secrets of his studio, discusses raku firing and demonstrates his expertise on the potter’s wheel all weekend long.

Roll up your sleeves and learn clay sculpture with Alan & Rosemary Bennett in Booth 401. A spellbinding teacher, Bennett loves working with children. All ages can exercise their creativity with clay!

Big Wheel Press gives kids (and their parents) a hands-on opportunity to try non-digital-age-printing on recycled paper. Using humorous antique engravings as well as original art carved by Big Wheel artists, you can put together your own version of ‘Laughing Matters.’ Create your own coasters and note cards on a 100-year-old letterpress!

[caption id=”attachment_11602″ align=”alignright” width=”425″] Giraffe Roams Paradise City[/caption]

SILENT ART AUCTION BENEFIT FOR CANCER CONNECTION
Cancer Connection is a haven where people with cancer, their loved ones and caregivers learn to cope. Comfort, healing, connection and compassion are provided through support groups, integrative therapy, creative activities and education. All services are free of charge. Hundreds of beautiful works have been donated by the exhibiting artists. Paradise City’s Silent Art Auctions have raised more than $350,000 for community non-profits over the years.

ADMISSION: Adults: $13.00, Seniors: $11..00, Students: $8..00. 12 and under free. Three-Day Pass: $16.00. Free Parking. Free full color program with admission.

The events will take place in four buildings and under tents, rain or shine at the 3 County Fairgrounds at 54 Old Ferry Rd., off Rt. 9. Northampton, MA. I-91 at Exit 19 or 20.

When: May 24, 25 & 26, 2014, Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm; Monday, 10am-4pm.

Call 800-511-9725 or visit www.paradisecityarts.com for show and travel information.

# # #

Linda Post

http://www.paradisecityarts.com

 

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Pam Kelchnerprkelchner@gmail.comhttp://www.tasteofkutztown.orgA Taste of Kutztown to Feature Local Wine and Food Pairing, June 7, Kutztown, PA

The afternoon will include food and wine pairing and wine sampling from twenty-one area wineries, meaderies and breweries. Many PA wineries are winning awards in regional and national competitions.

Kutztown, Berks County, PA, May 5, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – On Saturday June 7th, the hamlet of Kutztown in Berks County, PA, will turn its 200-300 blocks of Main Street over to the 2014 Taste of Kutztown Wine Tasting Festival. The event will feature 21 wine, mead and beer purveyors from the Lehigh, Berks, Mason-Dixon, Bucks and Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trails. A hand-picked selection of unique wine themed food and craft specialties will pair with local participating merchants and eateries tempting the palate at the festival. Live music all day will be provided by Acoustic Road Show.

Kutztown, known as the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch culture and farmland, is home to the Kutztown Folk Festival. The Taste of Kutztown wine festival now takes its place alongside the Folk Festival, the Lyons Fiddle Festival and the Bowers Chili Pepper Festival making northern Berks County a regional hotspot.

The region is known for its fertile, shale-rich soil creating a wonderful terroir for an expanding PA viticulture industry. Many PA wineries are winning awards in regional and national competitions. Lehigh Valley wines have been showcased in the Philly.com article, “A luscious tour of Lehigh Valley wine.”

A new feature for the 2014 event is to recognize the educational aspect of this unique grape growing region. Wine consultant and educator, Steven Giles will conduct a seminar on the fine, dry wines of Pennsylvania. The seminar will begin with a brief talk detailing the Pennsylvania wine industry’s past, present and future. A special tasting of five of the state’s best “dry” wines is followed with a “Q&A” session involving a panel of winery owners, winemakers and Mr. Giles.

[caption id=”attachment_11605″ align=”alignright” width=”624″] On Saturday June 7th, the hamlet of Kutztown in Berks County, PA, will turn its 200-300 blocks of Main Street over to the 2014 Taste of Kutztown Wine Tasting Festival.[/caption]

“The Pennsylvania producers of high-quality, fine dry wines are on the cusp of something big,” says Giles. “I believe that in the next five to ten years, these wines will be talked about in the same breath as those from the Finger Lakes region of New York, Virginia and other outstanding East Coast producers.” Mr. Giles has had a passion for wine and food for over 30 years. His involvement in the wine industry has provided him with opportunities to travel extensively throughout the world of wine to Italy, California and New Zealand.

The Kutztown Rotary Club sponsors the Taste of Kutztown fundraiser. 2013 proceeds were proudly donated to www.ihartharvest.org, which provided over 200,000 lbs. of potatoes through the Greater Berks Food Bank to more than 8,000 local households. Kutztown Rotary has been named as the largest donor to the 2014 international Rotary “Dream Team” dam building project in India. The dam building project supports the India agriculture efforts to supply three times the amount of water for food production for that immediate area.

The cost of admission to the event is $25. A limited seating VIP ticket ($45) includes the “Pa Dry Wine” Seminar, sold only in advance of the event. Buy tickets at www.tasteofkutztown.org or at Kelchner Cleaners, Dunkleberger’s Jewelry, and Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown.

Your attendance supports the Kutztown Rotary Club efforts on a local and global level.

http://www.tasteofkutztown.org

 

# # #

Pam Kelchner

prkelchner@gmail.com

 

 

 

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Bill Everettachanco@musicatmsj.orghttp://www.musicatmsj.orgMusic at the Mission presents The Irresistible Charm of Europe’s Musical Capital, Vienna, Fremont, CA, May 31

Fremont, California, May 5, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Ending its season with a bang, Music at the Mission presents its final concert of the season, Vienna. on Saturday, May 31st at 8:00 pm at the historic Old Mission San Jose Church in Fremont, CA, 43300 Mission Blvd.

[caption id=”attachment_11618″ align=”aligncenter” width=”636″] Ending its season with a bang, Music at the Mission presents its final concert of the season, Vienna. on Saturday, May 31st at 8:00 pm at the historic Old Mission San Jose Church in Fremont, CA, 43300 Mission Blvd.[/caption]

Celebrating the staggering influences and far reaching musical traditions of which Austria’s iconic city Vienna has been witness to, Music at the Mission will feature Bay Area chamber musicians, violinist, Karen Shinozaki; violist, Chad Kaltinger; cellist, Michael Graham; and pianist, Aileen Chanco in a tour de force program of works by Brahms, Mozart and Schoenberg.

Starting with the 18th century through the 20th century, this program aims to draw the audience into the irresistible charm of Europe’s musical capital. The Mozart Quartet in G Minor is a piece that is contrapuntally complex, with imitative writing shared between all the instruments. The second movement is a noble song that would not be out of place in one of Mozart’s more serious operas and the third movement, in the parallel key of G Major, is Haydnesque in its rhythmic humor and conversational exchanges between instruments. Today, the Piano Quartet in G minor is considered one of Mozart’s great masterpieces and the first major work composed for the piano quartet.

[caption id=”attachment_11620″ align=”aligncenter” width=”680″] Karen Shinozaki[/caption]

Brahms wrote his first Piano Quartet No. 1, op. 25 in g minor just prior to moving to Vienna, which was a work he used as his “calling card” upon entering into the musical life of the Austrian imperial capital. Steeped in his combination of traditional form and Romantic harmony, the work finishes with a Hungarian inspired Gypsy Rondo. As pointed out by the great Arnold Schoenberg, “Brahms was a great classicist bound by tradition but was no in fact a progressive composer, particularly in his use of harmony”.

The final piece of the program will be the Phantasie for Violin and Piano Accompaniment, op. 47 which was Arnold Schoenberg’s last chamber music piece. Born in Vienna, Schoenberg was the mastermind behind atonal music and the inventor of the 12-tone row method of composition. Acknowledging the possible fear of the general public to listen to atonality, the inventor describes his method as such: “Composing with twelve tones is not nearly as forbidding and exclusive a method as is popularly believed. It is primarily a method demanding logical order and organization of which comprehensibility should be the main result.” (My Evolution, 1949). Wi

[caption id=”attachment_11619″ align=”aligncenter” width=”680″] AileenChanco[/caption]

th that in mind, the short Phantasie op. 47 can best be described as a piece beautifully expressive and passionate in its use of 12-tone composition. Being a great admirer of Brahms, Schoenberg also arranged the Brahms Piano Quartet in G Minor no. 1, op. 25 for orchestra.

Performing artists Karen Shinozaki Sor, Chad Kaltinger, Michael Graham and Aileen Chanco are members of the Music at the Mission’s cadre of leading chamber musicians and appear regularly with ensembles throughout the Bay Area.

Violinist Karen Shinozaki Sor is a member of the New Century Chamber Ensemble. Violist Chad Kaltinger is a member of Quartet San Francisco. Cellist Michael Graham appears regularly with the Oakland Symphony and New Century Chamber Orchestra. Aileen Chanco has appeared as a concert pianist throughout the United States and internationally and is Music at the Mission’s founding director.

There will be an informative Pre-Concert Talk given by Music at the Mission’s 2014 composer-in-residence, Mark Fish as well as a post-concert “Meet the artists” reception with wine and light hors d’oeuvres at Mission Coffee.

Tickets for May 31 are priced at $30.00 General admission and $25.00 Student/Senior discount at the door. Tickets purchased online are $28.00 for General admission and $23.00 for Students and Seniors. They may be purchased online at http://www.musicatmsj.org or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/459430. More information is available at 510 402-1724.

Bill Everett

achanco@musicatmsj.org

http://www.musicatmsj.org

 

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Sandy Waibelpelhamccny@gmail.comhttp://www.pelhamchamberofcommerce.comNew York’s Pelham Chamber of Commerce hosts Village’s first “Fabulous Finds on the Green,” May 18th

Pelham, New York, May 6, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The Pelham Chamber of Commerce will host its first outdoor “Fabulous Finds on the Green” on Sunday, May 18 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm in the park opposite Rockwells, the popular Village restaurant located at 105 Wolfs Lane. Rain date is Sunday, June 22.

The event will feature high-end antiques, one-of-a-kind collectibles, and a variety of flea market treasures. “There will be something for everyone,” says Chamber President Sandy Waibel, “from antique art and jewelry to glassware, linens, furniture, vintage clothing, accessories, and much more. We look forward to welcoming all Pelhamites and visitors from nearby towns as well as Connecticut and New York City.”

Shoppers and collectors are encouraged to bring their valuables to “Fabulous Finds on the Green” for individual appraisals. “We will have a licensed appraiser with us from Noon to 2:00 pm,” says Waibel. For a small fee of $5 per item, collectors can find out how much their valuables are worth.

[caption id=”attachment_11622″ align=”aligncenter” width=”612″] The event will feature high-end antiques, one-of-a-kind collectibles, and a variety of flea market treasures. Proceeds from this year’s Fabulous Finds on the Green will help support a variety of business and philanthropic programs sponsored by the Pelham Chamber of Commerce and benefiting the Pelham community.[/caption]

Proceeds from this year’s Fabulous Finds on the Green will help support a variety of business and philanthropic programs sponsored by the Pelham Chamber of Commerce and benefiting the Pelham community. “We are grateful to fellow Pelham business owner Joyce Carroll of Seasoned Memories Antiques,” says Waibel, “for planting the seed for this event. We hope to make it a regular part of the Chamber’s spring calendar.”

http://www.pelhamchamberofcommerce.com, 914-637-7673

Sandy Waibel

pelhamccny@gmail.com

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Tricia Sharpmarketing@anacortes.orghttp://www.anacortes.org25th Annual Waterfront Festival, Anacortes, Washington, June 7th-8th

[caption id=”attachment_11627″ align=”aligncenter” width=”630″] There are several fun free educational aspects to the Festival. Attendees can take a walking tour of the Anacortes waterfront with Trail Tales, check out numerous exhibitors in the “channel of discovery,” the children’s area offers the opportunity to build a model boat and to engage in fun crafts.[/caption]

Anacortes, Washington, May 7, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 25th Annual Waterfront Festival will be held in Anacortes, WA on June 7th & 8th at Cap Sante Boat Haven marina, located at 1019 Q Ave, adjacent to downtown.

The festival combines a variety of family-friendly, marine-related activities, including free boat rides, a “quick-and-dirty” boat building demonstration, milk carton derby, boat show, car show, model boat show, paddle board demos, Samish Indian Nation canoe rides and the Schooner Adventuress will be giving dock side tours.

There are several fun free educational aspects to the Festival. Attendees can take a walking tour of the Anacortes waterfront with Trail Tales, check out numerous exhibitors in the “channel of discovery,” the children’s area offers the opportunity to build a model boat and to engage in fun crafts. Paid rides include “walk on water” with a ride from Bubble Fun. The Art Depot will be exhibiting their Fish Show and later in the evening holding a free community Plaza Dance with A Town Big Band a beer garden and a fish monger.

Live music is ongoing throughout the weekend with local and regional acts such as Jessica Lynne, The Halyards, Little Joe Argo, A Town Big Band and Nearly Dan.

The Waterfront Festival is produced by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce (www.anacortes.org) and made possible through the sponsorship of Shell Puget Sound Refinery (overall) and the Port of Anacortes (venue). Special thanks for the additional support of Dakota Creek Industries, Trident Seafoods, Island Hospital, Skagit Publishing, Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company, Bank of the Pacific, Les Schwab Tire Center and Swinomish Casino & Lodge.

http://www.anacortes.org

Tricia Sharp

marketing@anacortes.org

McKenzieNewsService.com

 

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Katie BrashearKatie.Brashear@starwoodhotels.comhttp://www.westinphoenixdowntown.com/summercampThe Westin Phoenix Downtown Launches First-Ever Summertime Culinary Camp for Kids

Educating Kids on the Importance of Delicious, Nutritious and Healthy Living

[caption id=”attachment_11671″ align=”aligncenter” width=”605″] Kids Superfoods Photo: Courtesy of The Westin[/caption]

PHOENIX – (May 15, 2014) – The Westin Phoenix Downtown opens its doors this summer to its first-ever culinary camp for kids emphasizing the fun ways of eating smart. In effort to support the Westin brand’s Eat Well (#EatWell) wellness pillar, this particular campaign is designed to educate kids on how to maintain a healthy and nutritious lifestyle through a hands-on approach that includes making healthy dishes, learning about a variety of super foods and nutrients, eating healthy yet delicious meals, and interacting one-on-one with the hotel’s executive chef.

From cooking and enjoying nutritious foods to staying active, Executive Chef Chad McDonald will help kids in this summer culinary camp discover the upside of healthy living. Each day, the kids will learn that nutritious, healthy meals can be delicious.

[caption id=”attachment_11670″ align=”aligncenter” width=”608″] Superfoods Kids Cooking Summer Camp Photo: Courtessy The Westin[/caption]

“I’m excited to share my culinary knowledge and expertise with the kids by teaching them lifelong skills that focus on nutrition and well-being,” said Executive Chef McDonald. “During the four-day camp, kids will learn that energizing essentials are available in a variety of foods and ingredients. I’ll educate the kids on how pairing certain foods together can help fuel your body with sustaining energy keeping you healthy and strong. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and I’ll be able to show the kids how to make healthy and delicious SuperFoodsRx dishes.”

The Westin Phoenix Downtown’s summer culinary camp is a four-day half-day camp that takes place June 9-12, 2014.

Summer Camp Schedule:

Monday, June 9
• 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. – Students arrive. Juice and mini breakfast burritos served. Topic: Healthy, whole grains.

• 8:15 to 9 a.m. – Student orientation. Introductions to students, chefs and summer camp itinerary. Review code of conduct.

• 9 to 9:30 a.m. – Topic: Sustainable foods and super foods.

• 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. – Break.

• 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. – Topic: Whole grains, their different varieties, their importance, and how to incorporate them into your meals in fun ways.

• 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – Create your own whole grain pancakes and how to include mix-in items and toppings.

• 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Eat and clean up; end of the day overview. Topic: Healthy breakfast options, favorite meals and how to make them healthier.

Tuesday, June 10
• 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. – Students arrive. Juice and breakfast sandwich served.

• 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. – Daily welcome: Overview of the day; questions from students.

• 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. – Topic: Snacks and their importance, how they fuel you throughout the day, and review of students’ favorite snacks.

• 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. – Demonstration: How to make fresh guacamole and salsa, along with baked tortilla chips.

• 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. – Break.

• 9:30 to 10 a.m. – Topic: Fresh veggies and the importance of a variety of colors. Demonstration: How to make ranch dressing.

• 10 to 11 a.m. – Topic: Hummus, what it is and how to change the flavors. Demonstration: How to make varieties of hummus; how to make baked pita chips with different seasonings.

• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Eat and clean up; end of the day overview. Topic: Trail mix bar to go.

Wednesday, June 11
• 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. – Students arrive. Juice and breakfast pizza on English muffins served.

• 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. – Daily welcome: Overview of the day; questions from students.

• 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. – Making pizza: Kids build and eat their own pizza.

• 9:15- to 9:30 a.m. – Break.

• 9:30 to 10 a.m. – Building healthy tacos, the different fillings and how to put it all together.

• 10 to 11 a.m. – How to display a taco bar with tortillas, chips and taco fillings.

• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Eat and clean up; end of the day overview. Topic: Healthy meals and how to make them healthier. Students receive healthy menus with recipes.

Thursday, June 12
• 7:45 to 8:15 a.m. – Students arrive. Juice, mini bagels and fruit cup served.

• 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. – Daily welcome: Overview of the day; questions from students.

• 8:30 to 9 a.m. – How to make smoothie popsicles.

• 9 to 9:30 a.m. – How to make chocolate covered bananas with various toppings.

• 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. – Break.

• 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. – Topic: Desserts. Students to share their favorites and have them classify them as healthy or unhealthy choices; discuss ways to incorporate super foods into desserts.

• 10:15 to 11 a.m. – How to build your own dessert pizza with cookie crust, cream cheese spread, assorted fruits, fruit sauces, and dark chocolate drizzle.

• 11 to 11:30 a.m. – Eat and clean up; end of the day overview.

• 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Open house for parents, allowing kids to showcase what they’ve made throughout the week.

[caption id=”attachment_11672″ align=”aligncenter” width=”608″] Kids Cooking Summer Camp Westin Photo Courtesy of the Westin[/caption]

This single-subject summertime culinary camp is open to kids aged 7 to 12 years old and based on availability. Each student will receive a complimentary apron. Parents of enrolled students will receive complimentary valet parking for pickup and drop-offs for the duration of the camp, along with a 15% discount on breakfast in Province, the restaurant at The Westin Phoenix Downtown. Participation fee per kid is $225 until May 31, 2014. Participation fee per kid is $250 from June 1-8, 2014. Classes begin June 9, 2014, and students must be enrolled prior to day one.

For more information and to register for The Westin Phoenix Downtown’s summertime culinary camp for kids, visit: www.westinphoenixdowntown.com/summercamp.

Find us on facebook.com/WestinPhoenixDowntown or follow the property on @WestinPhoenix.

The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Province
333 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004

About The Westin Phoenix Downtown
The Westin Phoenix Downtown opened on March 10, 2011, as a boutique hotel with 242 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. Located on floors 11 through 18 in the Freeport-McMoRan Center, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the Valley. The hotel offers signature services and amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, Westin Heavenly Shower® and Westin Workout®. Province, the hotel’s restaurant, combines Old World and new world culinary sensibilities and features modern American cuisine. For additional information about the hotel or for reservations, please visit www.westinphoenixdowntown.com.

# # #

 

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

google.com/+MaralynHill831

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorld, http://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Janice Lindstromjalindstrom@hotmail.comhttp://www.hudsongardenclub.org/page/hudson-home-garden-tour67th Annual Hudson Home and Garden Tour, Hudson, Ohio, June 12th to 13th

Hudson, Ohio, May 19, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 67th Annual Hudson Home & Garden Tour will take place June 12th – 13th, 2014. This annual event offers the opportunity to experience unique Hudson homes and beautiful gardens. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

[caption id=”attachment_11688″ align=”aligncenter” width=”480″] This annual event offers the opportunity to experience unique Hudson homes and beautiful gardens.[/caption]

The 2014 Tour will feature five distinctly different homes and three gardens, offering visitors an exciting blend of architectural history, modern day renovations and original decor as well as spectacular gardens full of ideas for your own backyard.

Tour stops this year include a backyard that is truly an outdoor destination with pool, bocce court, outdoor fireplace and spectacular pavilion with large screen TV all set in an outstanding terraced and manicured landscape.

Another special garden features a large and beautiful lake that provides the backdrop to a relatively new backyard garden created over the past nine years and demonstrates the homeowner’s passion for creating a private sunny retreat. Two quaint fairy gardens, a culinary herb garden, tropical plant filled deck pots and several hanging baskets of colorful annuals enhance this backyard garden’s appeal.

One of the five homes includes a beautiful Colonial that showcases rooms carefully curated through years of collecting and repurposing everyday items into unique lamps, furniture and displays, including a 1949 weighted vault door that now anchors the sunroom. An eclectic balancing act where family heirlooms sit comfortably by industrial work horses, the homeowners have achieved the right mixture of old and new to keep the decor both tasteful and youthful for this busy family of four.

The remaining stops on the Tour all are not to be missed homes and gardens, each with something sure to inspire your imagination.

Presale tickets for the tour are $20 and may be purchased by writing Hudson Garden Club, Ticket Chairman, 205 S. Main Street, Hudson, OH 44236, and including a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The deadline for tickets by mail is May 31st. Beginning May 27 through June 11, 2014, presale tickets will be sold at Acme Fresh Market in Hudson and The Learned Owl Bookstore in Hudson. Regular priced tickets will be available on the days of the Tour (June 12 and 13) for $25 at either the Garden Shop at the Hudson Middle School or at the Ticket Tent on the Hudson Green near Rt. 91 and Rt. 303.

In addition to visiting the homes and gardens, Tour ticket holders can also visit the Club’s Garden Shop and adjacent Tea Room. Located at Hudson Middle School, the shop will be selling many plants proven to grow in this area along with gardening tools and accessories, while the Tea Room will offer complimentary iced tea and cookies. The Tea Room is open from 2:00 – 5:00 both days. The Middle School also will be the site of the Clothesline Art Show, sponsored by the Hudson Society of Artists.

Since 1947, the Hudson Home and Garden Tour has allowed thousands of guests to visit some of Hudson’s most notable and historic homes and gardens.

Proceeds from the Home & Garden Tour help fund the club’s scholarship program, grants program to support worthwhile horticultural and education projects, donations for trees in the City of Hudson, Hudson City Schools and Parks, planting and maintenance of community gardens in Hudson, and gifts of gardening books to the Hudson Library and school libraries.

For more information, visit www.hudsongardenclub.org/page/hudson-home-garden-tour and follow The Hudson Garden Club Home & Garden Tour on Facebook.

Janice Lindstrom

jalindstrom@hotmail.com

http://www.hudsongardenclub.org/page/hudson-home-garden-tour

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Bonnie Kellertwicpiano2014@gmail.comhttp://www.fmmc.orgWashington International Competition Piano Finalists Compete June 8th at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Washington, D.C., May 16, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Six of the world’s finest young pianists will compete for top prizes in the upcoming Washington International Competition (WIC), Sunday June 8th at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. These virtuoso artists are vying for $22,000 in award money as well as star performances at the Kennedy Center and Phillips Collection.

[caption id=”attachment_11692″ align=”aligncenter” width=”588″] Yoonjung Han, winner of the 2011 competition.[/caption]

In its 61st year, the prestigious WIC is sponsored by the Friday Morning Music Club Foundation and is open only to pianists age 18 to 30 who are not yet under professional management. Past winners, such as Yoonjung “Yoonie” Han in 2011, have gone on to brilliant solo careers on the international stage.

Judges this year are acclaimed pianists Jerome Ross, Ilana Vered, and Ralph Votapek. Rose, with an international career spanning five continents, debuted with the San Francisco Symphony at age 15. Israeli-born Vered graduated from the Paris Conservatory at age 15 and has been heard in virtually all of the world’s major music centers. Votapek launched his career with a gold medal at the First Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1962 and has played hundreds of concerts with major orchestras worldwide.

The event is free and open to the public. Audience members also will have an opportunity to vote for an audience prize of $1,000. Tickets are available one hour before the finals at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC, from 2 to 5 pm Sunday June 8; general seating as available. For further information contact Bonnie Kellert, wicpiano2014@gmail.com.

www.fmmc.org, 202-333-2075

About the Friday Morning Music Club:
A community of music lovers and musicians, the Friday Morning Music Club, Inc., has promoted classical music in the Washington, D.C. area for over 120 years. FMMC’s public concerts—now held throughout the week—provide performing members with a host of outlets for their talents as well as delighting audiences in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. All concerts are free and performed as a public service. Outreach recitals at senior facilities, in-home musicales, and master classes provide additional opportunities for members to explore music together without audition. The Club also fosters the development of local talent through competitions for local students and recitals by student members. Through the Friday Morning Music Club Foundation, it supports renowned international competitions for emerging professional string players, pianists, and singers, and for composers.

Bonnie Kellert

wicpiano2014@gmail.com

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Joe Anderson janderson@bluffcitytheater.comjanderson@bluffcitytheater.comhttp://www.bluffcitytheater.comProfessional theater is returning to historic Hannibal, Missouri, July 9-27th

Hannibal, Missouri, May 16, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Professional theater is returning to historic Hannibal July 9-27th, with the launch of a new non-profit company called Bluff City Theater, 212 Broadway Ave. It’s first production- Darrell Dennis’ Tales of an Urban Indian, promises to move audiences both figuratively and literally because it will be performed entirely on a moving transit bus as it travels through the streets of the city.

[caption id=”attachment_11698″ align=”aligncenter” width=”661″] It’s first production- Darrell Dennis’ Tales of an Urban Indian, promises to move audiences both figuratively and literally because it will be performed entirely on a moving transit bus as it travels through the streets of the city.[/caption]

According to executive director Joe Anderson, Tales of an Urban Indian was chosen for two reasons. “First, because we do not have a permanent performance venue yet, we wanted something that would still allow us to introduce ourselves to the community this summer. It helps that Tales is a wonderfully thought-provoking play that represents the kind of innovation we hope to bring to everything we do,” he says.

Initially staged on a moving bus in 2009, Tales of an Urban Indian became a smash hit and ran for 70 performances. It is the story of Simon Douglas, a contemporary Native male born on a reserve in British Columbia and raised both on the reserve and in the city of Vancouver, Canada. Simon’s friends on the reserve, his mother, grandmother, girlfriends and every other character are portrayed through Simon’s mimicry.

Tales of an Urban Indian is an emotional, funny and uplifting experience that leaves audiences spellbound. An initial block of tickets are now on sale for July 12 through 27th. Tickets $24.75 each. Show times are Wednesday to Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Visit www.bluffcitytheater.com for more information.

Joe Anderson janderson@bluffcitytheater.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Howard Rose info@rosesquared.cominfo@rosesquared.comhttp://www.rosesquared.com/bloomfield-montclair-nj-june-14-15-2014.htmlCreativity Inspired from Nature at Fine Art and Crafts Show, Bloomfield, NJ, June 14-15

Bloomfield, New Jersey, May 16, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – See how artisans get their inspiration from nature to form the whimsical, the meditative and the functional clay creations in exhibitors’ booths at the 26th Annual Fine Art and Crafts Show at Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, NJ, on June 14-15.

In its 26th year, Fine Art and Crafts at Brookdale Park will feature over 170 juried professional artists, photographers and craft artisans from throughout the country displaying and selling their hand-crafted work, on Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 5PM rain or shine.

Janis Cutler Gear, of Natures Nest Pottery in Branchville, NJ, explains that her imagery, derived from nature, “lends itself to be wrapped around the curvilinear format of the ceramics. This circular clay form of the pot enables the creation of an intertwining network of art. Round and continual like the earth, formed from the earth creating a nest of nature.”

Also drawing inspiration from our “living world,” Tom Laudenslager of Coopersberg, PA, creates bonsai inspired vases and sculptural bonsai trees “from a viewpoint which is an odd mixture of photographer, potter and sculptor.”

Lizards and Frogs inform the work of Mary Coover from Ashfield, PA. Her hand built whimsical clay creations also include dragon vases and bookends as well as sculptural imp dragons.

This free to the public show, co-sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Janet and Howard Rose of Rose Squared Productions, Inc., is located on Watchung, Bellevue and Grove Avenues in Bloomfield/Montclair. The park can be reached by taking the Garden State Parkway to Exit 151, Watchung Ave, traveling one mile towards Bloomfield/Montclair on Watchung Ave.

Go to www.Rosesquared.com for more info and to see a slide show of the exhibitor’s work.

info@rosesquared.com

http://www.rosesquared.com/bloomfield-montclair-nj-june-14-15-2014.html

 

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Karen Cline info@bvwinetrail.cominfo@bvwinetrail.comhttp://www.pawinefestival.com3rd Annual Brandywine Food & Wine Festival Celebrates Local Wines, Foods & Crafts, June 14th

West Chester, Pennsylvania, May 16, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The third annual Brandywine Food & Wine Festival, presented by The Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, Delaware Today and Main Line Today, will be held on June 14, 2014, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Myrick Conservation Center, West Chester, PA. The festival will celebrate all things local, from food and wine to music and crafts.

[caption id=”attachment_11708″ align=”aligncenter” width=”605″] Nina Lea Photography[/caption]

Festival attendees can sample regional wines from nine Brandywine Valley area wineries. “Vintners in this region work hard to produce high quality wines. Many people do not realize that there are a number of wineries in this area,” said Karen Cline, Executive Director of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. “This festival provides a chance to taste, learn about and enjoy local wines.”

In addition to local wines, many local foods will be featured. Jonathan Amann, chef at Amani’s BYOB restaurant and three-time winner of Best Chef in Chester County, will be conducting a local wine and cooking demonstration. The Chester County Beekeepers Association will sweeten the day with various types of local honey. Pike Creek Coffee Roasterie will provide a caffeinated lift with their perfectly roasted coffees.

A variety of foods and sweet treats will be available at the festival from both new and returning vendors. Bangles Indian Cuisine of Downingtown, PA and Caffe Gelato, a Northern Italian inspired restaurant from Newark, Delaware will make their debut at the festival. Annual favorites will be present as well: Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Jimmy’s BBQ, Amani’s BYOB and Forno Inferno gourmet wood-fired pizza are just a sampling of what will be available.

On the sweet side of things, Kilby Cream from Rising Sun, Maryland will be scooping out delicious local ice cream. Thunder Ridge Kettle Corn from Conowingo, Maryland will feature fresh popped kernels in a variety of flavors: caramel, French toast, strawberry and more. Lavinia’s Cookies from West Chester and Nomadic Pies of Parkesburg, PA will round out the new sweets line-up. Favorite vendors from last year will be on-site as well: Bridge Street Chocolates of Phoenixville, PA and Food Network Cupcake Wars Winner, Dia Doce Gourmet Cupcakes.

[caption id=”attachment_11706″ align=”aligncenter” width=”651″] Bonsai Doll Fern Photography[/caption]

Local artisans will feature a wide variety of crafts and artwork. Stained glass, original oil paintings, custom jewelry, pottery, custom painted furniture and hand-poured 100% soy candles are just a sampling of what attendees will find.
Music will be provided throughout the day by two local bands. Bushmaster, featuring Gary Brown on guitar and vocals, will delight listeners with funky, guitar-centric, blues-rock music. You can hear the influence of such artists as Funkadelic and Jimi Hendrix in their music. The second act of the afternoon features “Runnin’ Late” a well-known Delaware-based “feel good” classic rock band with influences from both jazz and blues.

“There is something for everyone at the Brandywine Food & Wine Festival,” said Cline. “This festival is a great way to find out about everything local! What better way to spend the day than in the countryside of Chester County, sampling delicious foods and wines while purchasing handmade crafts and listening to live music.”

In addition to the wineries of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail, the presenting sponsors of the Brandywine Food & Wine festival are Delaware Today and Main Line Today, divisions of Today Media. Delaware Today Magazine is an award winning regional magazine whose mission is to be the most valued community resource in print, on-line and in-person. Main Line Today is a regional magazine focusing on Philadelphia’s fabled Main Line and western suburbs.

Other sponsors of the festival are The Town Dish, Fig® Magazine, Out & About Magazine, Wegman’s and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

The festival location, the Myrick Conservation Center, home of the Brandywine Valley Association, is 318 acres of preserved land, used for trail walking and horseback riding, picnicking, bird watching and star gazing. The Brandywine Valley Association works to provide water protection for the 60 mile Brandywine Creek and environmental education for the public.

Tickets for the Brandywine Food & Wine Festival may be purchased in advance by visiting www.pawinefestival.com or by visiting any Brandywine Valley Wine Trail member winery. Pricing is $15 in advance (ages 21 and over) and $20 at the gate. Persons aged 10 to 20 years old are $5 in advance or at the gate. Under age 10 free. Ample free parking is available and bus groups are welcomed.

For more about the Brandywine Food & Wine Festival, see www.pawinefestival.com or contact info@bvwinetrail.com or (610) 444-3842.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Acynthia Villerybillpicketttrailriders@gmail.comhttp://www.bptrailriders.comBill Pickett Trail Riders 10th Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo, Beaumont, TX

The Bill Pickett Trail Riders educates and entertains all ages and nationalities on the western and Creole heritage of Southeast Texas and Louisiana. They teach everyone that Bill Pickett was a real African American that created the “bite’m style dull dogging” known today in rodeo as “steer wrestling.”

[caption id=”attachment_11711″ align=”aligncenter” width=”644″] Bill Pickett was a real African American that created the “bite’m style dull dogging” known today in rodeo as “steer wrestling.”[/caption]

Beaumont, Texas (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The Bill Pickett Trail Riders are hosting their 10th Annual Trail Ride, Zydeco Festival and Rodeo. It will be held on June 13-15, 2014 at Laday’s Arena 7400 Boyt Rd., Beaumont, TX. This is a Pre-Juneteenth Celebration for the whole family celebrating our western and Creole heritage.

Celebrate our western heritage with a trail ride down the county roads of Jefferson County. This reenactment starts at the camp grounds with cowboys and cowgirls camping out, preparing for the ride on Saturday and heading down the dirt trails. The trail ride consists of mule drawn wagons, party wagons, and horse riders while listening to Zydeco, the music of the Creole heritage. Trail Ride leaves the camp at 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Beaumont is 45 miles from the Louisiana border that bridges the two cultures together. The food, lifestyle, music, and culture cross over between both borders. It is a very unique lifestyle that only exists in Southeast Texas and Louisiana.

Friday, June 13th opens with Cupid and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step. Saturday, June 14th the trail rides leaves camp at 3:00pm heading down the dirt roads. After the trail ride Lil Jabb and The Zydeco Soldiers, Baldenna, Brian Jack & The Zydeco Gamblers perform and closing is Lil Nate & The Zydeco Big Tmers.

Saturday, June 15th, there is a “Racking Horse Show” starting at 10 am. There are three classes, $10 per horse; Speed Racking Tennessee Walker, Speed Racking Standardbred and Speed Racking American Saddlebred. For additional information contact: Roderick DeVaughn 832-621-7602. Also, there will be a calf roping and bull dogging at 2:00 pm.

On Sunday, a full rodeo includes: calf roping, bull dogging, ladies steer undecorating, ladies barrel racing, bull riding and team roping as the main events; Mutton Bustin and calf scramble for the kids. Entertainment includes J. Paul Jr. & The Zydeco Nubreeds. For more information on the rodeo contact Acynthia Villery 832-398-1425 or Stephanie Haynes 713-253-3334.

The event will be promoting “Ridin’ N Red,” supporting HIV and AIDS awareness. The emcees and DJs inform patrons on stats regarding HIV/AIDs nationally and at the local level. There will be free testing for HIV/AIDS and Syphilis through non-profit organizations in Beaumont, TX. On Saturday, June 14th, free private HIV/AIDS testing will be available on-site with educational material.

Celebrity special guests appearance for the weekend include: Reginald T Dorsey, actor/director/cowboy from Hollywood, CA, www.facebook.com/pages/Reginald-T-Dorsey/117356554995475; Garret Davis, actor/cowboy from Los Angeles, CA, http://actorgarretdavis.com; and Erica Dargin, 2014 BPTR Rodeo Queen and 2014 Seagram’s Gin Calendar Cover Girl. They will be there over the three day weekend riding, taking pictures, interviewing, etc.

Also, the BPTR will honor Living Legends: T 90 (Trail Ride), The Haynes’ Family (Rodeo) and Brian Jack (Zydeco).

Gates open at 12:00p.m. daily and you can Zydeco all night until 2:00 am. Tickets start at $20 Adults Weekend Pass, Children (ages 6-12) Weekend Pass $5 or $13 Adult Day Pass. All patrons, riding groups, cowboys, cowgirls and bikers are welcome. Campers & RVs welcome (no hookups provided).

Web: www.bptrailriders.com., Contact: Acynthia Villery: 832-398-1425 or Marilyn Portier (vendors) Phone: 832-217-6935, Email: billpicketttrailriders@gmail.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

John Knocheknochejohn@gmail.comhttp://www.oldtownartfair.orgOld Town Art Fair – Chicago’s Main Summer Event, June 14 and 15

One of “America’s Best Art Fairs” features 250 nationally acclaimed artists, specially selected by an independent jury of many of Chicago’s most respected artists, gallery owners, and museum curators. Also featured is the urban Garden Walk, first-ever Patrons’ Choice award, prizes, and more.

[caption id=”attachment_11720″ align=”aligncenter” width=”614″] The art fair was recognized as one of the top three juried fine art fairs in America by ArtFairSourceBook.com.[/caption]

Chicago, Illinois (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 65th Annual Old Town Art Fair, recognized as one of the top three juried fine art fairs in America by ArtFairSourceBook.com, will be held June 14-15 in Chicago’s historic Old Town Triangle district.

The main gate, one of six gates total, will be located at Lincoln Avenue and Wisconsin Street. All gates, rain or shine, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A $7 donation is suggested for adults. Children ages 12 and under can attend free.

On hand will be 250 nationally acclaimed artists, specially selected by an independent jury of many of Chicago’s most respected artists, gallery owners, and museum curators. This year, some 100 artists, or roughly 40 percent, will be new to the Old Town Art Fair.

An array of art mediums will be featured: mixed-media art (both 2D and 3D), drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, works in metal, stone, and wood, and more.

[caption id=”attachment_11719″ align=”aligncenter” width=”680″] Artist Booth[/caption]

“We’re also excited to introduce our first-ever Patrons’ Choice award and prizes,” says John Knoche, chair of the 2014 Old Town Art Fair. “Both artists and attendees will have a chance to win a trip for two to Barcelona, Spain.”

Partners of the 2014 Old Town Art Fair Patron’s Choice Awards are Treasure Island Foods, Second City Training Center, Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, Phil Stefani Signature Events, and Michael Garzel Graphic Design.

Other highlights, says Knoche, will include a Garden Walk, food court, live music stage, and special activities and entertainment for kids.

Sponsors of the 2014 Old Town Art Fair are: WXRT, Negra Modelo, Art Institute of Chicago, The Second City, Art de Triumph, Sparkling Ice, Harrington College of Design, REXAM, Wintrust of Old Town, Chicago Gallery News.

The Old Town Triangle Association, a not-for-profit community organization, hosts and produces the Old Town Art Fair, including assistance from more than 750 volunteers. Proceeds from the annual event support local schools, arts and cultural programs, and architectural and historic preservation projects.

www.oldtownartfair.com, 312-337-1938

John Knoche

knochejohn@gmail.com

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Chris Phelanchris@oneillevents.comhttp://www.kcjigglejam.comNation’s Largest Family Music Fest rocks into Crown Center Square, Kansas City, May 24th & 25th

Kansas City, Missouri (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The power of music, dance, smiles and laughs will be on display this weekend at the nation’s largest family music fest as the 7th annual Jiggle Jam returns to Crown Center for Memorial Day Weekend. Laurie Berkner and Disney’s Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve and the Choo Choo Dance Crew headline the two-day festival, happening Saturday, May 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Kansas City.

[caption id=”attachment_11742″ align=”aligncenter” width=”619″] Jiggle Jam[/caption]

Jiggle Jam brings generations and communities together to experience live music and educational activities in a fun and positive atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy.

Jiggle Jam’s 2014 performers include:
Laurie Berkner
Choo Choo Soul with Genevieve and the Choo Choo Dance Crew
Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove & The Hiccups
Brady Rymer
Sugar Free Allstars
Mr. Kneeel Hip-Hop for Families
Dino O’Dell & The T-Rex All-Stars
The Jazz Storytellers
The Doo-Dads
DJ Rich B
The Drum Safari
And many more performers and artists

Tickets: $10 presale, $15 at the gate, $18 Weekend Pass (online only), under 2 free. A full schedule of events and ticket information can be found at www.kcjigglejam.com.

About Kansas City Family Music Fest:
Kansas City Family Music Fest is a non-profit, 501c3 agency committed to gathering generations and communities together to experience musical performances and educational activities in a positive atmosphere that the entire family can enjoy. The Jiggle Jam recognizes music as one of the common denominators transcending language, race, culture, class, education, and development. Kansas City Family Music Fest is committed to: Fostering and creating music appreciation among children and families; presenting family-friendly entertainment, activities and products; providing opportunities for family-focused organizations to promote positive & peaceful causes; developing and cultivating opportunities for leadership and volunteerism; deepening a sense of community among Kansas City families; contributing to the unique flavor and vitality of the Midwest.

Chris Phelan

chris@oneillevents.com

http://www.kcjigglejam.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Howard Roseinfo@rosesquared.comhttp://www.Rosesquared.comCreativity Inspired from Nature at Fine Art and Crafts Show, Bloomfield, NJ, June 14-15

Bloomfield, New Jersey, May 16, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – See how artisans get their inspiration from nature to form the whimsical, the meditative and the functional clay creations in exhibitors’ booths at the 26th Annual Fine Art and Crafts Show at Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, NJ, on June 14-15.

In its 26th year, Fine Art and Crafts at Brookdale Park will feature over 170 juried professional artists, photographers and craft artisans from throughout the country displaying and selling their hand-crafted work, on Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 5PM rain or shine.

Janis Cutler Gear, of Natures Nest Pottery in Branchville, NJ, explains that her imagery, derived from nature, “lends itself to be wrapped around the curvilinear format of the ceramics. This circular clay form of the pot enables the creation of an intertwining network of art. Round and continual like the earth, formed from the earth creating a nest of nature.”

Also drawing inspiration from our “living world,” Tom Laudenslager of Coopersberg, PA, creates bonsai inspired vases and sculptural bonsai trees “from a viewpoint which is an odd mixture of photographer, potter and sculptor.”

Lizards and Frogs inform the work of Mary Coover from Ashfield, PA. Her hand built whimsical clay creations also include dragon vases and bookends as well as sculptural imp dragons.

This free to the public show, co-sponsored by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Janet and Howard Rose of Rose Squared Productions, Inc., is located on Watchung, Bellevue and Grove Avenues in Bloomfield/Montclair. The park can be reached by taking the Garden State Parkway to Exit 151, Watchung Ave, traveling one mile towards Bloomfield/Montclair on Watchung Ave.

Go to www.Rosesquared.com for more info and to see a slide show of the exhibitor’s work.

Lorett Jellingsart.woodcycle@gmail.comhttp://www.thehayloftgallery.comHayloft Gallery Art Fair Presents “ArtS in the BarnS,” Oregon, WI, June 14th to 15th

Oregon, Wisconsin (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Regional artists will display their work around a restored century old farm at The Wood Cycle, Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, at 1239 S Fish Hatchery Rd., Oregon, WI (10 minutes south of Madison). The Hayloft Gallery Art Fair will feature handcrafted works of more than 20 artists working in wood, paint, fiber, glass, ceramics, jewelry, and photography.

“Our peaceful country atmosphere blends art with nature; an excellent way to view original art here in Wisconsin,” said Paul Morrison, owner of The Wood Cycle and organizer of ArtS in the BarnS. “We provide a non-hectic setting where the loudest noise is likely to be sandhill cranes on the adjoining pond. People aren’t clamoring over each other and there’s plenty of time to talk to the artists.”

Art fair hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. Fathers can enter a drawing for a $200 Wood Cycle gift certificate. Visitors park free and there is no admission charge.

Saturday night, the event moves a few country fields away to a neighbor’s 1870’s barn. Art in the Barn, is a noteworthy concert venue for both its historic setting and excellent acoustics. Lucy Kaplansky will perform a fundraiser concert on behalf of Haiti Allies, supporting Haitian relief efforts. Carry-in picnic food and beverages are allowed. You can purchase tickets for $25 in advance by going to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/671955 or purchasing the day of the show.

For more information on this event go to www.thehayloftgallery.com or call (608)835-8462.

art.woodcycle@gmail.com

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Taylor Lenztlenz@historicmanassasinc.orghttp://www.visitmanassas.orgCelebrate 100 Years of History at the Manassas Heritage Railway Festival, Manassas, VA, June 7th

Manassas, Virginia, (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Celebrate the 20th Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival on Saturday, June 7th, from 10 am to 4 pm in Historic Downtown Manassas. This year’s event will feature elaborate railroad displays, kid’s rides, and local and professional entertainment. Vendors will be onsite selling model trains, toys, railroad books, train photography and other train paraphernalia.

The much anticipated VRE excursion train rides are back, with a special live appearance from a Frozen Princess! The VRE excursions will run at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm from the Manassas Train Depot to Clifton and back. Each trip will last around 40 minutes. Tickets are $5.00 and must be purchased in person at the train depot at 9431 West Street in Historic Downtown Manassas between 9 am and 5 pm, seven days a week.

In addition to all of the activities happening outside, the Train Depot will also be celebrating its Centennial Anniversary. In commemoration, the James & Marion Payne Railroad Heritage Gallery will undergo a renovation. The revamp will include new graphics showcasing the rich railway history of Manassas. In 1997, the historic depot was rehabilitated and turned into a Visitor Center and Museum. The “ticket room” was turned into a gallery, housing historical exhibits on the region’s railway history. After nearly 18 years and over 100,000 visitors, the gallery remains unchanged. A very special re-dedication of the building will take place Friday, June 6, 2014, to wrap up the anniversary celebration.

This event kicks off a summer season of exciting festivals and activities in Historic Downtown Manassas. Sunday June 15th is the 10th Annual Wine and Jazz Festival with over 15 Virginia wineries; Celebrate America on July 4th with one of the largest fireworks displays in Northern Virginia; and Civil War Weekend August 22-24, bringing the history of Manassas to life with civil war demonstrations, a military parade and much more. For more information about the events go to www.visitmanassas.org or www.facebook.com/manassas.

Norman Adamsinfo@adamsbluegrass.comhttp://www.adamsbluegrass.comMusic in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival, Summersville, WV, June 25th to 28th

Summersville, WV (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Adams Bluegrass, LLC, Promoters, announce that the 34th Annual Music in the Mountains Bluegrass Festival will take place at Summersville Music Park, Summersville, WV, on June 25th to 28th. The four day event begins Wednesday, June 25th at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 10:00 p.m. nightly.

Wednesday’s lineup begins at 11:00 a.m. featuring The James King Band, Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa, The Marksmen, The Spinney Brothers, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (Winner of IBMA Gospel Recorded Performance for 7 years) will perform one 90-minute show at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday’s lineup begins at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 10:00 p.m. featuring The West Virginia Travelers, Lonesome Will Mullins & The Virginia Playboys, The James Price Band, Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain, The Spinney Brothers and The Bluegrass Brothers. Dailey & Vincent (Grammy nominated and winner of IBMA Entertainer for three years), will perform one 90-minute show @ 8:30 p.m.

[caption id=”attachment_11771″ align=”aligncenter” width=”300″] The Spinney Brothers[/caption]

Friday’s lineup of talent begins at 11:00 a.m. and goes until 10:00 p.m. featuring Larry Efaw & The Bluegrass Mountaineers, RFD TV’s Cumberland Highlanders, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Goldwing Express, Balsam Range, Nothin’ Fancy and one 90-minute show by Dr. Ralph Stanley (Grammy Award Winner, Grand Ole Opry Member) at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s lineup begins at 11:00 a.m., featuring Bluegrass Revival, The Larry Gillis Band, The Stevens Family, The Primitive Quartet, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (Winner of IBMA Female Vocalist 7 Years and Queen of Bluegrass). The legendary Gene Watson and The Farewell Party Band will perform one 90-minute show with special guest Rhonda Vincent @ 8:30 p.m.

[caption id=”attachment_11770″ align=”aligncenter” width=”152″] Rhonda Vincent & The Rage[/caption]

Contact Adams Bluegrass for tickets at 706-864-7203. For camping beginning June 22 which is first come-first serve, call 304-872-6853. Daily ticket prices are $40.00 in advance $45.00 at the gate. Four day advance $120.00 and $140.00 at the gate. Three day advance $110.00 and $130.00 at the gate. Children ages 6-13- $15.00 per day, children under 6 free with parent. Special after 6 p.m. $25.00. You may also order tickets online at: www.adamsandandersonbluegrass.com. Advance ticket orders must be received by June 15, 2014.

This show will be continuous music from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., featuring the top names in bluegrass music. Bring your lawn chairs. Hot food concessions on premises. No alcoholic beverages or pets except service animals are allowed in the concert area. This is a family show. Show goes on rain or shine. Sound by Blue Ridge Sound. Sherry Boyd, M.C.

For more information, contact Adams Bluegrass, LLC at 706-864-7203 or visit www.adamsbluegrass.com. Tickets may be ordered online at info@adamsbluegrass.com.

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Lesly Cangepartners@caribfinder.comhttp://www.caribfinder.comReggae Festival Pays Tribute to Bob Marley, June 21st, Orlando

Orlando, Florida, May 22, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – On Saturday, June 21, 2014, Carib Finder presents the 2014 Central Florida International Reggae Festival, the largest event of its kind to hit Central Florida. The Festival will take place from 11 am to 7 pm at Festival Park, 2911 E. Robinson St., Orlando, Florida.

The event is a tribute to the greatest name known to reggae music, Mr. Robert Nesta Marley. The festival will feature local and international reggae acts: Jahnesta, Khalilah Rose, Aima Moses, Natural Vibes, Lady Juice, Singa Vytal, Anagogi and more, backed by Orlando’s premiere reggae band 506 Crew. It’s a day of fun for the entire family with more than forty food, beverage and merchandise vendors.

The event sponsor is United For Care – People United for Medical Marijuana (#2 on the November 4th Florida ballot). You can order your event tickets online at a discount of up to 50% off at: www.caribfinder.com. Enter promo code PRD2014BMT; $20.00 day of the event.

www.caribfinder.com

partners@caribfinder.com

 

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Joe Andersonjanderson@bluffcitytheater.comhttp://www.bluffcitytheater.comProfessional theater returning to historic Hannibal, Missouri this summer

Hannibal, Missouri, May 16, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Professional theater is returning to historic Hannibal July 9-27th, with the launch of a new non-profit company called Bluff City Theater, 212 Broadway Ave. It’s first production- Darrell Dennis’ Tales of an Urban Indian, promises to move audiences both figuratively and literally because it will be performed entirely on a moving transit bus as it travels through the streets of the city.

According to executive director Joe Anderson, Tales of an Urban Indian was chosen for two reasons. “First, because we do not have a permanent performance venue yet, we wanted something that would still allow us to introduce ourselves to the community this summer. It helps that Tales is a wonderfully thought-provoking play that represents the kind of innovation we hope to bring to everything we do,” he says.

Initially staged on a moving bus in 2009, Tales of an Urban Indian became a smash hit and ran for 70 performances. It is the story of Simon Douglas, a contemporary Native male born on a reserve in British Columbia and raised both on the reserve and in the city of Vancouver, Canada. Simon’s friends on the reserve, his mother, grandmother, girlfriends and every other character are portrayed through Simon’s mimicry.

Tales of an Urban Indian is an emotional, funny and uplifting experience that leaves audiences spellbound. An initial block of tickets are now on sale for July 12 through 27th. Tickets $24.75 each. Show times are Wednesday to Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Visit www.bluffcitytheater.com for more information.

janderson@bluffcitytheater.com

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Rebecca Nortoninformation@frontiertimesmuseum.orghttp://www.banderacowboycapital.com/Celebrate the National Day of The American Cowboy in the Cowboy Capital of the World, Bandera, TX

Bandera, Texas, May 22, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – There’s no better place to celebrate the American Cowboy than Bandera, Texas, the official Cowboy Capital of the World. Every year Bandera’s own Frontier Times Museum celebrates the National Day of the American Cowboy, a holiday that was established by the United States Congress to recognize this true American icon. This year’s celebration will be held on July 25th and July 26th at the Frontier Times Museum, 510 13th Street Bandera, Texas.

[caption id=”attachment_11782″ align=”aligncenter” width=”304″] There’s no better place to celebrate the American Cowboy than Bandera, Texas, the official Cowboy Capital of the World.[/caption]

Activities begin Friday evening with a reception inducting great Texans into the museum’s Texas Heroes Hall of Honor. Saturday brings family fun on the museum’s grounds and western music to the museum’s Texas Trail Drivers Theatre. Museum doors are open 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Afterwards head out to Mansfield Park for “The Fastest Horse in Texas” match races from 2 p.m. to 7:00 pm. It’s fast, furious and fun. A western marketplace will help you find your inner – and outer – cowboy with clothing, hats, jewelry, and artwork. The Frontier Times Ranch Rodeo begins after the races at 8:00 pm. Teams of working cowboys and cowgirls compete in a series of events, including calf roping and bronco bustin,’ that challenges their ranching skills. Your little buckaroo can compete in the Mutton bustin’ and calf scramble. Ranch Radio, KRNH 92.3 will announce the winner of their popular horse give-away. Admission to the reception on Friday night is $35. Admission to the Match Races and Ranch Rodeo is $10 for adults; $5 for ages 6 to 17; 5 and under are free. The Frontier Times Museum celebration offers fun for the whole family. Rub elbows with the cowboys who make Texas and America famous. For more information visit www.ndac.weebly.com information@frontiertimesmuseum.org http://www.banderacowboycapital.com/   We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Presents We Are Family

May 2014
The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Presents We Are Family
The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is preparing for some exciting developments, and to celebrate our team has developed a newsletter-style press release format to distribute some of our upcoming packages and announcements. This newsletter is focused on our collection’s fantastic family packages and inclusions, as these hotels have developed unique activities and special touches to ensure an unforgettable vacation for each member of the family.For each item of interest below, click on the hyperlink and you will be directed to the full-length press release. Thank you for your consideration of inclusion, and please let me know what you think of this new style. If you have any questions or would like additional information, contactmyselfSusan, or Karina.My best,
Arnelle
The Milestone Hotel provides a host of five-star, family-friendly amenities and inclusions that ensure the entire family has the best possible experience. In addition to delivering award-winning service and splendid luxury, The Milestone attends to younger guests with complimentary items, activities and thoughtful touches to entertain and inspire. Team members take pride in arranging exciting optional family adventures, like enjoying a scrumptious Milestone picnic while the kids fly kites in the beautiful Gardens of Kensington Place. If you prefer something more educational, request an exciting Night Tour of the Natural History Museum – our family experiences are as wide as your child’s imagination!Read More >>
Children of all ages are catered to with a host of family-friendly features atThe Rubens at the Palace. The Rubens’ resident Director of Fun and his knowledgeable Concierge Team advise the best activities for each family, from the major tourist attractions to the lesser-known gems that most visitors miss. The hotel itself is brimming with activities as well, including three specialized family packages offering idyllic escapes at unbelievable values. Read More >>
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spaseeks to spoil and delight the entire family with a range of spacious family-friendly suites, exciting supervised activities for children, and endless opportunities for walks, hikes and adventures. Children are provided thoughtful gifts and are catered to in the restaurants with a variety of specialized menu options. Finally, an X-Box and complimentary use of the DVD library ensure that entertainment is never beyond reach!Read More >>
Situated just 15 minutes from Durban,The Oyster Box provides a host of activities and facilities to suit the entire family’s needs and desires – pets included! Several child-friendly touches are offered to families upon check-in, and children under the age of 12 stay free!  The supervised Holiday Club offers parents some valuable alone time, and the Playroom offers a range of activities including use of the X-Box, PlayStation, various DVDs and a selection of board games.Read More >>
Nestled in an ecological oasis at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains,Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellnessretreat offers exciting outdoor activities for all ages, allowing families to spend quality time together in the heart of nature’s wonder. Best of all, the specialized Family Fun package includes supervised children’s programs ensuring Mom and Dad enjoy some relaxing alone time as the children are whisked away on unforgettable excursions!Read More >>
About The Red Carnation Hotel Collection 
The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is an award-winning collection of five- and four-star family-run boutique hotels in London, Dorset, Guernsey, Geneva, Palm Beach, South Africa and Ireland. Each property has its own individual character and unique location that reflects the local environment, culture and cuisine. They all share the qualities central to the Red Carnation’s ethos that win them so many prestigious awards – splendid luxury, generous hospitality, inventive and traditional cuisine, private art collections, passionate service and loyal staff committed to creating richly rewarding experiences for all their guests.For more information about The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, please call toll free from the USA/Canada at1.877.955.1515 or from Europe, Australia and New Zealand at + 800.1698.8740. Visit us atwww.redcarnationhotels.com or email book@rchmail.com.Image Download:
For up-to-date, high resolution images,
please visit The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Image Library at
media.redcarnationhotels.com.
About The TreadRight Foundation
The Red Carnation Hotel Collection is a part of a joint initiative with The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by The Travel Corporation to encourage sustainable tourism within our own family of brands and in the places we visit. To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2 million to sustainable tourism projects around the world. To find out more about our work with TreadRight visit: www.TreadRight.org .

Red Carnation Hotels – Because We Care

 

MDH 3-14 Med

 

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Board Member, Co-Chair Conference & Media Trip Committee, Past President

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

google.com/+MaralynHill831

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorldhttp://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

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Christy Sinclairchristy@adventureburren.comhttp://adventureburren.comLisdoonvarna, Foodie Town Short Listed by National Restaurants Association of Ireland and An Post Competion

[caption id=”attachment_11856″ align=”alignright” width=”599″] Burren Ecotourism Network[/caption]

Lisdoonvarna – Gateway to the Burren

Having made the short list for the Irish Restaurant Association and An Post competition we hope this spreads the news further about the great food in the area to accompany the wide range of activities available

Lisdoonvarna has increasingly come to distinguish itself as a food destination of significance.

A core principle shared by those offering a dining experience in Lisdoonvarna is the centrality of local produce and local producers in the creation and execution of the food experience.

The Burren Slow Food Festival has been running for 9 years, having been established just after the foundation of Slow Food Clare 10 years ago. The Burren Food Fayre is now in its third year and offers Burren food producers an opportunity to showcase their wares to the local community and tourists alike.

The Burren Food Emporium Construction has commenced on the Burren Food Emporium in Lisdoonvarna, a multi-functional food event space. It is a culinary tourism project which will focus on presenting Irish artisan foods to visitors who travel the Wild Atlantic Way touring route. Using demonstration cookery equipment, the calendar will feature visiting chefs and artisan food producers. Using the strapline ˜Taste, Buy, Ship, visitors will first get to taste and sample a wide range of Irish artisan foods, they will also be able to buy directly from the retail space in the emporium and, if satisfied, will be able to continuously shop via mail order once they have returned home. The concept will develop a database of Irish food lovers. It is the first of its kind in Ireland.

Christy Sinclair

christy@adventureburren.com

http://adventureburren.com

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Bret BradfordJazzFest@CruiseCafe.comhttp://www.JazzFestatSea.comJazzFest at Sea, the 1920’s – 1940’s Caribbean jazz cruise, to feature world-acclaimed artists of traditional and classic jazz

The jazz cruise presents Swing, Classic Jazz, Chicago Jazz, Traditional Jazz, and other jazz styles which emerged during the first half of the 20th century.

[caption id=”attachment_11877″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] The cruise presents Swing, Classic Jazz, Chicago Jazz, Traditional Jazz, and other jazz styles which emerged during the first half of the 20th century[/caption]

Casselberry, Florida, May 28, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 11th Annual JazzFest at Sea will be taking place onboard the MSC Divina departing Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on October 18, 2014 for 7 nights. The cruise presents Swing, Classic Jazz, Chicago Jazz, Traditional Jazz, and other jazz styles which emerged during the first half of the 20th century.

This year’s lineup features the Allan Vaché All-Star Jazz Sextet, the Harry Allen Quintet, and the Bria Skonberg Quintet. Special guests include Banu Gibson and Cynthia Sayer. A swinging jazz singer, Banu is one of the few vocalists of her generation to maintain exclusive loyalty to songs of the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s. One of the top 4-string banjoists in the world today, Cynthia Sayer is a founding member of Woody Allen’s jazz band. Cynthia’s solo career has taken her well beyond her New Orleans roots to become an acclaimed bandleader and guest artist.

[caption id=”attachment_11878″ align=”aligncenter” width=”680″] MSC Divina[/caption]

JazzFest at Sea, one of the leading jazz cruises for 1920’s to 1940’s jazz, not only has amazing performances each evening of the cruise, but also afternoon sessions on days at sea. In addition to the group performances, individuals are mixed and matched to create jazz sets not able to be seen or heard anywhere else.

“We get the very best jazz musicians to participate and I’m proud to have had a part in creating the great music we have on this jazz cruise every year,” says the great clarinetist Allan Vaché.

Additionally, the cruise features the JazzFest Jammers program which is an opportunity for amateur musicians to bring their own instruments and jam with other guests and pros. This group is led by John Skillman, Mike Evans and Jim Gover who also provide instruction upon request.

Itinerary

October 18th: Depart Miami to the Eastern Caribbean
October 19th & 20th: At Sea
October 21st: Philipsburg, St. Maarten
October 22nd: San Juan, Puerto Rico
October 23rd: At Sea
October 24th: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
October 25th: Return Miami, Florida

Pricing starts at $925 per person for the cruise which includes exclusive access to the jazz performances.

[caption id=”attachment_11879″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] Yacht Club Suite[/caption]

Staterooms include Yacht Club Suites from $2449 (an exclusive private club with breathtaking views, private concierge reception, Top Sail lounge, swimming pool and other elegant amenities topped off with exclusive round-the-clock butler service), MSC Suites from $2049 (private entrance to the MSC Aurea Spa, unlimited thermal suite access and select complimentary services such as a Balinese massage and facial), Superior Balcony Staterooms from $1399, Standard Balcony Staterooms from $1299, Oceanview Staterooms from $1149, and Interior Staterooms from $1049.

Pricing is based on double occupancy, cruise only and includes all Port Charges and Government Taxes. Pricing for 3rd/4th person in cabin, air/ground transportation and insurance is available on request.

More information can be found at www.JazzFestatSea.com or by calling 1-800-654-8090.

CONTACT: Bret Bradford
Email: JazzFest@CruiseCafe.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Claire Jones2014@zimfest.orghttps://2014.zimfest.org23rd Annual Celebration of Zimbabwean Music and Dance, Tacoma WA, July 24-27

[caption id=”attachment_11890″ align=”alignright” width=”150″] Zimfest attracts Zimbabwean music and culture experts from around the world to teach festival participants.[/caption]

Tacoma, Washington, May 29, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 23rd Annual Zimbabwean Music Festival will be held at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, on July 24-27, 2014. This “everyone-can-participate” festival offers three days of workshops on diverse aspects of Zimbabwean culture, free afternoon concerts, an African Marketplace and ticketed evening concerts. On opening night, July 24, internationally acclaimed Afro-fusion sensation Mokoomba, led by talented vocalist Mathias Muzaza, draws on traditional Tonga music while embracing the diverse music cultures of southern Africa. Enjoy Mokoomba in performance: Mokoomba will perform at 9 PM following the free Zimfest Opening Ceremony. Those purchasing Mokoomba tickets only may buy through Brown Paper tickets.

[caption id=”attachment_11889″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] Program Chinyakare[/caption]

July 25-27 featured Zimbabwean performers will include Afro Jazz artist Selmor Mtukudzi, Master mbira players Cosmas, Magaya and Musekiwa Chingodza, Julia Chigamba and Chinyakare Dance Troupe, and Loveness Wesa and the Bantus. • Evening concerts start 7:30 pm, July 24-July 27. • Afternoon concerts and the Zimfest marketplace open 10 am to 5 pm, July 25-27 • Purchase concert tickets online when you register for Zimfest workshops and housing at https://2014.zimfest.org or at the door. • Tickets are $20 Mokoomba, $16 all other nights. Valuing education as well as performance, Zimfest attracts Zimbabwean music and culture experts from around the world to teach festival participants. Workshops are available on everything from basic drumming to Ndebele language to traditional Shona mbira and the irresistible, effervescent marimba. Continuing Education clock hours are available for classroom teachers, a sign of Zimfest’s commitment to a long-lasting positive impact on the Pacific Northwest music community. Visit https://2014.zimfest.org for information and workshop schedules. Media Contact: Claire Jones Email: 2014@zimfest.org Phone: 206 328-4011

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Martha Moranomartha@moranopr.comhttp://www.jademountain.comJade Mountain Resort, Saint Lucia, Opens Interactive Chocolate Laboratory

[caption id=”attachment_11893″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] A 600 acre estate with 2 beaches, Jade Mountain is an architectural marvel celebrating Saint Lucia’s stunning beauty.[/caption]

Soufriere, St. Lucia, May 29, 2014 – Stays at Jade Mountain Resort, Saint Lucia, are becoming sweeter. Guests are invited to make their own chocolate in the brand-new chocolate laboratory. Jade Mountain is not only one of Saint Lucia’s most scenic resorts, it is also the island’s only bean to bar, organic, single estate boutique chocolate maker. There are over 1000 cocoa trees on the resort estates, including the organic farm Emerald’s in the Soufriere Hills. For the past three years, Jade Mountain has hand-crafted Emerald Estate Chocolate for the enjoyment of their guests and with the opening of its chocolate laboratory. Guests are now able to not only taste but participate in the making of the chocolate.

Resort guests staying at Jade Mountain and at the adjoining sister property Anse Chastanet (both named one the world’s top Caribbean hotels by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure) can now choose from a variety of chocolate infused activities like chocolate sensory tastings, educational estate trips and truffle making classes. Chocolate lovers will be further enticed by chocolate inspired dishes, cocktails and body treatments in the resort restaurants, bars and spa. And for the ultimate chocolate fest, visit Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet during their annual Discover Chocolate Festival from October 10-14, 2014.

[caption id=”attachment_11894″ align=”aligncenter” width=”500″] Chocolate Drinks[/caption]

Here are a few sweet examples of the chocolate experience:

Chocolate Sensory Tasting: A journey through the palate of cocoa and chocolate. First taste the cocoa bean and end the tasting with the strongest type of cocoa mass while sampling all steps in between. As a culmination of the sensory tasting session, guests get to sample some homemade truffles and a variety of Emerald Estate Organic Chocolate bars. Tuesday from 10:00 – 10:30 am in the Emerald Restaurant (offered complimentary to resort guests).

[caption id=”attachment_11895″ align=”aligncenter” width=”500″] Jade MountainChocolate[/caption]

Discover Chocolate: Taking the Chocolate Sensory Tasting a step further, guests participate in the actual making of chocolate in the Chocolate Lab. Learn the basic techniques of making chocolate, tempering chocolate, creating their own fudge and making a personalized chocolate bar. Tuesday from 10:30 – 11:30 am in the Chocolate Lab. $45 per person; Minimum 2, maximum 6 persons per session.

The Emerald Estate Tree to Bar Tour: Guests will visit the Emerald Estate for a Cocoa Tour to experience the cycle of “Tree to Bar” production, learning about the history of chocolate in the Caribbean and the production process. At Emerald Estate, guests will witness the natural side of cocoa while discussing the fermentation, sun drying and polishing of the beans. Then they will return to the Chocolate Lab, where the host will elaborate on the technical part of making the perfect chocolate bar. Along the way, guests will enjoy an invigorating cup of local cocoa tea and the Emerald Estate’s organic chocolate bars that range from 60%, 70% and 92% bittersweet. Guests will receive a bar of Emerald Estate Organic Chocolate as the farewell souvenir to take home. Monday from 9:00 – 11:00 am, $75 per person.

ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE LABORATORY:
In close collaboration with the resorts’ Consulting Chef Allen Susser, Jade Mountain’s Emerald Estate Organic Chocolate and Chocolate Laboratory are managed by the resorts’ very own Chocolate Alchemist and Director of Pastry Wouter Tjeertes. Born in The Netherlands, he knew he wanted to be a Pastry Chef from a young age and worked his way up through several highly recognized pastry shops and hotels in Europe and the Caribbean. Along the way, he developed a strong passion for cocoa and chocolate which led to a deep-rooted love affair with the Caribbean.

More Chocolate Packages: Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet offer several chocolate packages throughout the summer:
Chocolate Alchemy at Jade Mountain www.jademountainstlucia.com/promotions.html#chocolatealchemy
Dan Dous: www.ansechastanet.com/promotions.html#dandous

ABOUT JADE MOUNTAIN AND ANSE CHASTANET:
Tranquility, Romance, Adventure: Anse Chastanet is one of the Caribbean’s most panoramic resort hideaways. Nestled amidst a 600 acre estate with two soft sand beaches bordering pristine coral reefs, Anse Chastanet offers excellent diving facilities and soft adventure activities.

Rising majestically above the sister property Anse Chastanet’s 600 acre estate with 2 beaches, Jade Mountain is an architectural marvel celebrating Saint Lucia’s stunning beauty. The 24 open-walled sanctuaries are sweeping spaces each with an extravagantly sized private infinity pool floating out into nature and amazing views.

Visit www.ansechastanet.com, www.jademountain.com
Email: jademountain@ansechastanet.com or call 800-223-1108 or 758-459-7000

Contact: Martha Morano, Morano Public Relations
Email: martha@moranopr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Janet Jenseninfo@edmondsartsfestival.comhttp://www.edmondsartsfestival.comCelebrate the Arts in Downtown Edmonds, WA, this Father’s Day Weekend

Edmonds, Washington, May 29, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 57th Annual Edmonds Arts Festival kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 13 and runs through Sunday evening June 15, at the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main Street, Edmonds, WA. The Festival is filled with fun for all ages and includes art, entertainment, food vendors, a Student Art Exhibit and Kids Create area. There is no admission charge for this popular three-day event.

[caption id=”attachment_11898″ align=”alignright” width=”400″] Olympic Ballet[/caption]

More than 200 artist-exhibitors display and sell fine arts and crafts on the grassy field, East of the Frances Anderson Center and on the Plaza above the Edmonds Library. Skilled artists from the Western states and Canada are carefully selected in mediums including jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, glassblowing, and more. Inside the Center, three galleries showcase juried fine art and artisans’ works from more than 200 artists. All art inside the galleries is offered for sale.

The Edmonds Arts Festival is one of the pioneers in displaying the work of student artists. Don’t miss the exhibit of more than 1,000 pieces of art from K-12 students residing within the boundaries of the Edmonds School District. The Student Art Exhibit is located on the lower level of the Center.

[caption id=”attachment_11897″ align=”alignright” width=”600″] The Festival is filled with fun for all ages and includes art, entertainment, food vendors, a Student Art Exhibit and Kids Create area[/caption]

For years, the Edmonds Arts Festival has delighted Festival-goers at their outdoor amphitheater with a wide variety of performances including music, dance, and theater. Performances at the 2014 Festival will include well-known local and regional bands performing original and cover pop, rock, blues, world, folk, indie, and alternative music. Featured bands include the Stacy Jones Band, Easy Company Band, The Side Project, Nick Drummond & Friends, Reggie Garrett & The Snake Oil Peddlers, the Winterlings, Kitt Bender Trio, and the Adrian Xavier Band. In addition, local youth groups and performers, several of them award-winning, will be performing from Edmonds-Woodway High School, Meadowdale Middle and Elementary Schools, Madrona K-8, and the Barclay Shelton Dance Center. Music types will include jazz, choir, band, orchestra, and marimba from local students.

info@edmondsartsfestival.com

http://www.edmondsartsfestival.com

Rob Zeleniakrzeleniak@atomicdesignads.comhttp://museumofrussianicons.org/index.php?cID=696Darker Shades of Red: Soviet Propaganda Art from the Cold War Era at the Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton, MA

Clinton, Massachusetts, June 2nd, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – With Russia in the world news, the new exhibition at the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, MA, Darker Shades of Red, offers visitors a rare opportunity to re-examine and analyze the Cold War period through the exploration of the Soviet Union’s official government propaganda posters. Strikingly graphic and explicit in its socialist message, the collection reveals the economic, social and political ideology of the Soviet Union from the mid 1940s to1990. The exhibit opens Saturday, June 14 and runs through August 30, 2014.

[caption id=”attachment_11928″ align=”aligncenter” width=”680″] Soviet Poster[/caption]

The evolution of Soviet poster art can be traced back to the two oldest traditions of Russian graphic art – the lubok (an illustrated woodcut or print) and the painted religious icon that profoundly influenced the masses. Dating back to the early seventeenth century, the lubok typically combined images with text.

From the Bolshevik Revolution onward, the poster has been an influential source for Soviet dogma. Leaders consigned a high priority on communicating the ideas of revolution, socialism and social responsibility to its citizenry. Posters were used to direct and manipulate mass consciousness in accordance with Communist Party objectives. Allegorical images of Soviet leaders, soldiers, workers, and peasants were common heroic themes; images of machinery symbolized productivity in industry and farming. Locomotives, sputniks and rockets insinuated a collectivized sense of progress and achievement. This nationalistic information was communicated to the public through vibrant compositions combining figures, text (often poetry) and geometric blocks of strong color.

Post World War II tensions between the Soviet Union and the West led to the beginning of the Cold War. Fear of nuclear proliferation and anti-West attitudes were often reflected in Soviet posters during the decades that followed. Civil defense posters explained how to prepare for a nuclear attack. Caricatures of American and British leaders depicted the West and its political structure as the enemy of the Soviet people.

[caption id=”attachment_11927″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] Sky of the Motherland[/caption]

Propaganda images also trickled down into the homes of the day-to-day lives of people. All schools, shops, factories, apartment buildings and public spaces were spattered with Soviet imagery. In this closed society, there were no opposing images; people were exposed only to what was seen as fulfilling the goals of the Party. Common objects such as postcards and even children’s books had to reinforce Communist objectives. By observing these official images, museum visitors are given an insider’s perspective into life in an authoritarian, autocratic society.

The objects in Darker Shades are drawn from the private collection of Gary Hollingsworth, a Florida art restorer who traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union. The exhibition includes 55 original Soviet posters (with translations) and assorted ephemera like medals and orders, statuettes and factory banners.

The Museum of Russian Icons collection of more than 700 Russian icons and artifacts is the largest of its kind in North America, and one of the largest private collections outside Russia. Spanning six centuries, the compendium includes important historical paintings dating from the earliest periods of icon “writing” to the present. The Museum was founded in 2006 as a nonprofit educational institution by Massachusetts industrialist, philanthropist and art collector, Gordon B. Lankton.

Admission: Adults $7; Seniors (59 +), $5; Students, $2; Children 3-17, $2; Children under 3, free
Museum Open: Tuesday – Friday, 11AM – 3PM; Thursday until 7PM; Saturday, 9AM – 3PM. Admission is free to Museum Members.

The Museum of Russian Icons is located at 203 Union Street, Clinton, Massachusetts.

Exhibit: http://museumofrussianicons.org/index.php?cID=696

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Contact: Rob Zeleniak
rzeleniak@atomicdesignads.com
Phone: 508-869-2062, Cell: 508-450-1489

 

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Nicola Williamsnicola@thewilliamsagency.nethttp://www.bostonjerkfest.comBoston JerkFest – Boston’s Hottest Summer Event

Boston, Massachusetts, June 2, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – The 2nd Annual Boston JerkFest™, the hottest festival of the summer, is coming back on Saturday, June 28, at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, 41 Berkeley St, Boston. In its inaugural year in 2013, the event was so attractive that it sold out for both sessions.

[caption id=”attachment_11930″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] Rumed Jamaican Jerk Chicken[/caption]

Boston JerkFest in an out-door/in-door family-friendly Caribbean style food festival celebrating all things spicy and hot. The event features Jamaican jerk spiced food and live music and performances and fun for the whole family. The festival offers two sessions: 11am-3pm and 4-8pm.

General Admission Festival price per Session: adults are $12 in advance ($15 at door), $5 children under 12 years, $45 with Rum & Brew Tasting. Food is not included in the admission price.

Boston JerkFest will feature delicious Jerk-style creations of top local Caribbean chefs, with authentic Caribbean, international and local spicy food for sale, including specialty foods such as: spicy jams, nuts, desserts from Jamaica Mi Hungry, Stir It Up Cuisine, Cupcake City, and others. The Jerk-style spice and technique was perfected by Africans who settled in the town of Boston, in the Parish of Portland, Jamaica, where today, an annual festival celebrates authentic jerk. The Boston JerkFest will pay homage to Boston, Jamaica, the home of real Jamaican jerk.

[caption id=”attachment_11931″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] Music for the event[/caption]

In addition to programs from last year, Boston JerkFest will add chef demos to this year’s event, including a Seafood Throwdown with two chefs vying for the best jerk dish (sponsored by Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness and Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance). The event will also expand their Spicy Lane with lots more hot stuff to keep people in the mood.

Boston JerkFest also offers a Rum & Brew Tasting for 21+ festival attendees of local craft beer, local rum, and a variety of other Caribbean-themed libations, including rum and beer cocktails. This ticket grants entrance to an indoor space with live music and unlimited two ounce tastings from local and regional craft beer, mead and cider. Accompany the Rum & Brew Tasting is a Cocktail Throwdown between local mixologists stirring up a variety of Caribbean themed libations made with products featured at the event.

[caption id=”attachment_11932″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] Enjoying Rumed Jamaican Jerk Chicken[/caption]

A portion of the proceeds of this event will support Cambridge Carnival International, a 501-c-3 non-profit organization that organizes the annual Cambridge Carnival in Kendall Square, Cambridge.

For tickets and information, visit www.bostonjerkfest.com

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Contact: Nicola Williams
857-204-6108 (cell) 617-395-7680 (office)
nicola@thewilliamsagency.net

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Kelly JenkinsRecO@greenfield-ma.govhttp://www.greenfieldrecreation.comHolly Near with emma’s revolution to Perform Live at Greenfield Energy Park, June 22

Greenfield, Massachusetts, June 2, 2014 (McKenzieNewsService.com) – Holly Near with emma’s revolution is set to perform live at the Greenfield Energy Park, Sunday, June 22nd, 2014 at 6:00pm. Bring your chairs and blankets. Suggested donation of $15.00.

As Holly Near celebrates her first album in three years, Peace Becomes You, she’s building on 40 creative years and 30 recordings. Respected around the world for her music and activism, her joy and passion inspire people to join in her celebration of the human spirit. Equally compelling at her shows, her music fully engages listeners in the world around them. Holly has made a career speaking to anyone in the world who believes in peace, justice, and feminism, a wonderful spectrum of humanity.

[caption id=”attachment_11934″ align=”aligncenter” width=”324″] Holly Near[/caption]

Born in Ukiah, CA in 1949, Holly began singing in high school, including work with a local folk group. She built on her performing career with acting parts on Mod Squad and appeared in a number of guest roles in seminal 70s TV shows like Room 222 and The Partridge Family. In 1970, she was a cast member of the Broadway musical Hair. In 1971, she joined the Free The Army Tour, an anti-Vietnam War road show of music, comedy, and plays organized by antiwar activist Fred Gardner and actors Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.

In 1972, Holly was one of the first women to create an independent record company, paving the way for women like Ani DiFranco and others. Her goal was to promote and produce music by politically conscious artists from around the world, a mission that Redwood Records fulfilled for nearly 20 years. Often cited as one of the founders of the Women’s Music movement, she not only led the way for outspoken women in the music world, but also worked for peace and multicultural consciousness. Throughout her long career Holly has worked with a wide array of musicians, including Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie, Mercedes Sosa, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Harry Belafonte, and many others.

Holly Near has been recognized many times for her work for social change, including honors from the ACLU, the National Lawyers Guild, the National Organization for Women, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; she was named Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year and received the Legends of Women’s Music Award.

Thursday evening Coop Concerts

The musical line-up continues throughout the summer with Thursday evening Coop Concerts as well as Greenfield’s very own Military band on Tuesdays in July. They perform Broadway hits and pops on Tuesdays in July. The Greenfield Military Band began in 1904 when the Town of Greenfield appropriated $700 to begin a Town Band. It is now recognized as being in the top 2% of the oldest continuing community bands in America.

July’s Special Sunday Concert will feature Belle Amie & The Snaz on the 27th. Belle Amie is a trio that writes and arranges original songs with professional confidence and skill. They have played at many local venues such as Mocha Maya’s, Green River Festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and the Iron Horse. The Snaz is a young indie rock band with all original songs, fronted by three women and a male drummer. They first gained attention by winning the ‘Brattleboro Battle of the Bands’ in their hometown. Since then The Snaz has performed at places like the Iron Horse and Tupelo Music hall. $10 is the suggested donation.

August’s special Sunday concert will feature The Sweet Remains on the 24th. The Sweet Remains is headed by three gifted and charismatic singer-songwriters, each of whom contribute to the writing and three-part harmonies that define the band’s sound. Driven by strong lyrical and melodic writing, their songs easily appeal to fans of modern folk-rockers like Jason Mraz, Ray Lamontagne, and John Mayer. It is their lush harmonies, that distinguish them from the throngs of guitar-toting troubadours and harkens back to super-groups of the 60’s and 70’s like CSN, the Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel. $15 is the suggested donation.
In September, the park will host the John Putnam Fiddler’s Festival on the 20th. Bring your fiddle, guitar, banjo, bass or harmonica for informal jams.
The final event for the season is the Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 19th.

The Sunday Concert Series is made possible by generous sponsorships from Greenfield Savings Bank, Greenfield Co-Operative Bank, the Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition, The Recorder, Bear Country 95.3, WHAI, and the Hampton Inn & Suites of Greenfield.

For more information, contact the Greenfield Recreation Department at (413) 772-1553 or visit www.greenfieldrecreation.com. You can also follow the Energy Park on Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenfieldenergypark

Contact: , Program Supervisor
Email: RecO@greenfield-ma.gov
Phone: 413-772-1553

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Katie Brashearkatie.brashear@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.com/Father’s Day Dinner Exclusive at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

Featuring the restaurant’s signature contemporary comfort foods inspired by homemade recipes

[caption id=”attachment_11941″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Kelley Karnes; District American Kitchen and Wine Bar[/caption]

Special moments are better when shared. Treat dad to a memorable Father’s Day dinner at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 15 where the restaurant will feature a Father’s Day exclusive available just for dad’s. This exclusive dinner entrée is a Grilled Choice Center Cut NY Strip Steak smothered with sautéed mushrooms and onions, Schreiner’s bacon and white cheddar smashed potatoes, and asparagus topped with chipotle hollandaise. Dad will even be able to enjoy his choice of either a handcrafted Arizona draft beer or glass of house wine along with the special entrée for only $22. It’s true – a special Father’s Day dinner and a beverage for $22!

For those taking dad out for his Father’s Day celebration, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar’s new dinner menu is now available and it showcases traditional favorites inspired by homemade recipes that include local ingredients and herbs from the restaurant’s garden. Every new dinner entrée on the summertime menu features deliciously seasonal, fresh ingredients at an unbelievable $22 price. Salmon, duck, rib-eye, grilled tenderloin, pork chops – it’s all priced at $22 without sacrificing the portion size, quality or flavor.

Additionally every Sunday, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar offers half off any bottle of wine when enjoyed in the restaurant.

[caption id=”attachment_11942″ align=”alignright” width=”207″] Beers in windowSM[/caption]

Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available. Restaurant reservations are required. Please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar, 320 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
(Located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix)

About District American Kitchen & Wine Bar
District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is designed to meld into the fabric of the downtown Phoenix core, embracing its inherent energy with open-air patio seating, local artwork, and live entertainment or DJs. Open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, the restaurant serves the best of innovative American heritage cuisine, wines, beers, and classic cocktails. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar features a rooftop garden, supports local food purveyors, and offers a wide selection of sophisticated yet accessible regional fare. Patrons can expect new twists on classic favorites as well as traditional favorites reinvented. District American Kitchen and Wine Bar is located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Van Buren in the heart of downtown Phoenix. For restaurant reservations, please call (602) 817-5400 or visit www.districtrestaurant.com. On Facebook: www.facebook.com/district.kitchen

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Janis Flippenjanis@janisflippenpr.comhttp://www.oxnardsalsafestival.comOxnard, CA Spices it up with the 21st Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, July 26th & 27th

Spicy food, hot music and Oxnard’s cool ocean breezes are on the menu for the 21st Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. Plaza Park is the place for a two-day celebration of everything salsa – the food, the music, and the dance. You can taste it, you can dance it, and you can even take it home!

[caption id=”attachment_11950″ align=”aligncenter” width=”645″] Drowd Dancers Pagoda Photo: Ken Jones, The City of Oxnard is getting ready to spice things up during the 21st Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival[/caption]

Oxnard, California, June 16, 2014 – The City of Oxnard is getting ready to spice things up during the 21st Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival taking place July 26 & 27, 2014, at Plaza Park, 5th & ‘B’ Streets, Oxnard, CA. The annual festival is a celebration of everything salsa — the music, the food and the dance.

The celebration starts with a Friday Night Kick-off Concert (paid concert) on July 25, introducing the Oxnard Salsa Orchestra led by Raul Rico Jr., playing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for the Friday night concert seating are $10 per person and can be purchased on-site. Groups of six can pre-order reserved tables for $85, which seat six, on the festival website.

Sizzling Salsa Bands
Four new bands join the Festival this year. The Festival Main Stage entertainment runs continuously from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, July 26 & 27. OPA OPA, one of the new bands, ignites the celebration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with their distinctive sound, rich percussive rhythms, remarkably unique vocals and robust brassy horns that makes up the powerful sounds of OSA. Next at 2 p.m., appearing for the first time at the Festival, Sabor Latino Orchestra takes to the stage performing their own original music. The 17-piece orchestra provides the best in traditional Latin music and ranks among the most accomplished performers of the golden era of the Mambo Kings, New York Salsa and Afro-Cuban music. At 4:45 p.m., Yari Morè Band closes the day out in a first-ever appearance at the Oxnard Salsa Festival. This exciting band has been providing live entertainment in major cities throughout southern California, Las Vegas, Chicago and Edmonton, Canada for over 20 years.

[caption id=”attachment_11949″ align=”aligncenter” width=”425″] Dancers – The City of Oxnard is getting ready to spice things up during the 21st Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival[/caption]

Sunday’s celebration kicks off with Conjunto Afro Son, also new this year, playing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Led by Bobby Escoto III, this group of seasoned musicians hail from different parts of north, central & South America living in Los Angeles and bringing great music and energy to the stage. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Orquesta Tabaco y Ron, a Southern California favorite, continues the salsa beat. The 10-piece group led by producer and pianist Hector Manuel Rivera will have the audience in full motion, showing off their moves. The Janeen Puente Orchestra takes to the stage and closes the day’s music. Granddaughter of the great Tito Puente, Janeen Puente and her high-energy salsa orchestra, perform their original songs and arrangements in a distinctive style.

Salsa Dance Shows
On Sunday, local community leaders are paired up with the region’s best salsa instructors to dance for charity during the Dancing with Our Community Stars Dance Contest & Charity Fundraiser. Patterned after ABC’s hit TV show, this salsa-twist version is a highlight of the Festival weekend.

Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge Recipe Contest
Salsa lovers can put their creations to the test by entering the annual recipe contest dubbed The Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge. The Challenge gets underway on Sunday morning, July 27. Judging begins at 11 a.m. followed by the announcement of the winners at 1 p.m. from the Main Stage.

Kids Korner with Tortilla Art
Endless hours of fun await kids at this year’s Kids Korner, expanded this year with additional activities. Oxnard’s own Art & Music Factory allows kids to get creative in their arts & crafts booth, using real tortillas provided courtesy of Mission Foods. Kids can also get their bodies moving with a variety of inflatables, including a traditional ‘bounce house’, plus a giant maze and slide for the younger kids.

Festival Marketplace Food & Shopping
Festival goers will find a wide assortment of international foods and shopping opportunities in the Festival Marketplace, filled with close to 150 food, craft, gourmet sauce and retail exhibitors.

Salsa Tasting Tent Experience
An estimated 60,000 samples of specialty salsas will be dished up by local restaurants, Mexican markets and gourmet salsa vendors inside the Festival’s big-top Salsa Tasting Tent. Whatever one’s salsa preference … fresh & fruity, hot & smoky, sweet & spicy or extremely hot … it’s all available under one roof. Tent admission is $5 per person, which includes freshly made Mission Foods tortilla chips and ten tasting tickets.

Reserved Seating
There are two different ways for festival goers to get closer to the music – Reserved seating and Club Salsa. Reserved tables are available on the west side of the stage with a table for six and an umbrella for shade. Club Salsa is located on the east side of the stage complete with tables, umbrellas plus its own private dance floor. Ticket information and reservations can be found online.

Getting to the Festival – by Car or Train
Oxnard is located just 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Visitors can travel to the Oxnard Salsa Festival by train, car, or bus. The Oxnard Transportation Center is conveniently located just three short blocks from the festivities at Plaza Park. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner travels between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. Kids, ages 2 to 15 ride for ½ the fare when accompanied by a paid adult. And seniors receive a 15% discount for ages 62 and over.

The 21st Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival is presented by the Oxnard Downtowners, and sponsored by Gold Coast Broadcasting, Bud Light, Mission Foods, Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ventura County Star, and many other generous community partners.

Festival admission and parking are free. No pets or coolers are permitted on-site.

For a listing of hotels and visitor attractions, visit www.visitoxnard.com or call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-2-Oxnard. For Festival information, call 805-247-0197, or visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com

 

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jeanine KoberJeanine@NewportRestoration.orghttp://www.newportrestoration.org/Newport Restoration Foundation Hosts Gospel & Jazz Programs at Doris Duke’s Newport Home

“Doris Duke’s love of music extended well beyond her record collection and frequent concert attendance. She was an active participant who sought out jazz and gospel artists to teach her and recorded herself singing and playing piano as a way to improve,” said Kristen Costa, assistant curator for the Newport Restoration Foundation.

[caption id=”attachment_11952″ align=”aligncenter” width=”400″] The Newport Restoration Foundation, which was founded by Doris Duke in 1968, will host two music programs this summer at Rough Point, her Newport, RI, home which is now a house museum.[/caption]

The Newport Restoration Foundation, which was founded by Doris Duke in 1968, will host two music programs this summer at Rough Point, her Newport, RI, home which is now a house museum. View Larger Image

Newport, Rhode Island, June 16, 2014 – Doris Duke – heiress, philanthropist, art collector and patron of the arts – was a lifelong supporter and student of music. She had a particular passion for jazz and gospel and she explored both genres in depth. So deep was her love of jazz she found the Clover Records label and was known to host jam sessions in her homes. Miss Duke also sang in the gospel choir at the First Baptist Church in Nutley, New Jersey.

The Newport Restoration Foundation, which was founded by Doris Duke in 1968, will host two music programs this summer at Rough Point, her Newport, RI, home which is now a house museum. For the second year Rough Point will host a performance of RPM Voices of Rhode Island, a 65-member choir, and Jazz after Dark, in cooperation with the Newport Jazz Festival creator George Wein.

“Doris Duke’s love of music extended well beyond her record collection and frequent concert attendance. She was an active participant who sought out jazz and gospel artists to teach her and recorded herself singing and playing piano as a way to improve,” said Kristen Costa, assistant curator for the Newport Restoration Foundation. “She cared deeply for the arts, especially music, which is most greatly reflected through her generosity in supporting new and upcoming musicians, music education, festivals, and scholarships for music schools. It’s wonderful to have two of her favorite genres, jazz and gospel, here at Rough Point to celebrate her passion for song.”

[caption id=”attachment_11953″ align=”aligncenter” width=”680″] House showing Rocks
The Newport Restoration Foundation, which was founded by Doris Duke in 1968, will host two music programs this summer at Rough Point, her Newport, RI, home which is now a house museum.[/caption]

Gospel Brunch and Concert – Wade in the Water: A Celebration of African American Sacred Folk Song
Sunday, July 20th, 1-5pm
680 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI
Savor a Southern-style brunch followed by a performance of a 65 member choir and live musicians overlooking the ocean. The community chorus RPM Voices of Rhode Island is an experiential educational organization dedicated to the preservation and performance of African American folk traditions through music. Brunch is 1:00-3:00 PM, followed by the concert at 3:00 PM.
Details: www.newportrestoration.org/calendar/details/36723-gospel_brunch

$55 brunch and concert, $20 children 12 and under
$20 Concert only through June 20, then $25 after; $10 children 12 and under
VIP Reception $125

The concert happens rain or shine. Seats provided for brunch ticket holders only. Concert goers are responsible for bringing their own chairs or blankets. The program will be held outdoors on the lawn without shade.

Jazz After Dark at Rough Point
Thursday, July 31st, 5-8pm
680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Enjoy an evening of jazz and conversation, in partnership with the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. and BridgeFest. The legendary George Wein will introduce bassist, Moppa Elliot (from Mostly Other People do the Killing), a 2014 Newport Jazz Festival artist, and Joe Parillo, pianist and head of the University of Rhode Island Music Department. There will be live music by URI music students before and after the discussion. Cash bar. Space is limited for the artists’ presentation so advance registration is strongly recommended. $10, $5 age 12 and under.
Details: www.newportrestoration.org/calendar/details/36730-jazz_after_dark_at

BridgeFest, is a local, live music and education festival, that bridges the gap between the world-renowned Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals. In its sixth year BridgeFest is presented by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County.

Portions of Rough Point will be open during the programs including the galleries featuring the annual exhibit No Rules: The Personal Style of Doris Duke. Guided house tours during regular operating hours last approximately 75 minutes and include the exhibit; cost $25. Children 12 and younger are admitted for free. Through November 9, tours are offered 10:00-3:45, Tuesday-Sunday. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.NewportRestoration.org or call (401) 847-8344.

For questions or more information about the programs, contact Liz Spoden at liz@newportrestoration.org or 401-846-4152 x122.

Rough Point was bequeathed to the Newport Restoration Foundation by Doris Duke upon her death in 1993, complete with all of its contents. It was her express wish that it be opened to the public as a house museum. Founded by Miss Duke in 1968, the Newport Restoration Foundation, a non-profit institution, was formed with the express purpose of preserving, interpreting, and maintaining landscape and objects reflecting Aquidneck Island’s 18th- and 19th-century architectural culture.

Per Karlssonper.karlsson@bkwine.comhttp://www.bkwinetours.comNew winter wine & food tours from BKWine: Chile & Argentina, and South Africa

Two new wine and food tours are on the winter program from the wine tour specialist BKWine: Chile & Argentina, and South Africa. The tour to South America takes place in February and the South Africa wine tour is scheduled for March. Both tours include several winery visits and private tastings as well as gourmet meals, plus other attractions. The tours are led by two internationally recognised wine writers and experts. The detailed programs are available on BKWineTours.com.

BKWine is a leading tour and travel operator specialised in high quality wine tours and gastronomic travel. The two winter destinations are both to the southern hemisphere and include a mix of wine events, food, culture, nature, and wildlife experiences.

The wine and food tour to South America includes both Argentina and Chile. The tour starts with a few days in Buenos Aires to experience this great city. It then continues to the wine country of Mendoza, Argentina’s premier wine region, at the foot of the Andes. From Mendoza the tour takes the traveller across the Andes with a spectacular road trip reaching 3000 m (9000 ft) altitude with views of the 6000 m (18,000 ft) summits of the Andes. In Chile the tour takes the traveller to the wine districts of Santa Cruz and Casablanca Valley. Several of the two countries’ top wineries are on the program. The legendary port city of Valparaiso is also on the itinerary, as well as a few days in Santiago, where the tour ends. The traveller will be treated to some of the best of what the two countries have to offer in wine and food. It also gives plenty of opportunities to enjoy the culture and landscape of these two great, but very different, neighbouring South American countries. This luxurious tour extends over two weeks, from 31 January to 15 February 2015 and is available at a price of 4800 euro.

The wine and food tour to South Africa begins in Cape Town where visits to the curious Table Mountain and other sites are included. The core of the trip is dedicated to the wine regions of South Africa, for example the “wine capital” Stellenbosch and the charming Franschhoek. This tour also, uniquely, features the wine regions of Hermanus and Walker Bay, east along the south coast. These are wine districts that many wine connoisseurs today consider among South Africa’s most exciting but that are rarely visited. The program includes many occasions to enjoy the South African gastronomy, spectacular landscapes, nature, and amazing wild life. This exclusive tour extends over ten days, from 27 February to 10 March 2015 and is available at 2800 euro.

Both tours are led by Britt and Per Karlsson together with experienced local guides. Britt and Per are multiple award winning wine writers and internationally recognised wine journalists and wine photographer. They personally visit some 300 wineries each year.

Britt comments on these two long-distance wine tours: “Our tours are a bit special. We are not linked to any wine importer or anyone else in the wine trade, so we can select what we consider the very best places to visit, without any peripheral commercial considerations. And since we are also journalists and wine writers we have a unique network of contacts in the wine regions. This means that we can do a type of winery visits that others cannot do. Therefore our tour programs give the wine enthusiast traveller a very different, more in-depth insight into the wine regions we visit, always with very, very personal reception, usually by the winery owner or the winemaker.”

All tours and detailed programmes can be found on http://www.bkwinetours.com

BKWine is a tour operator specialised in top quality wine tours and gourmet tours. BKWine tours have been named “world’s top wine tours” by Travel + Leisure Magazine. Each year BKWine organises around 30 wine tours, both custom designed for private parties and scheduled.
– – – – – –
Press contact
– BKWine, Britt or Per Karlsson, phone 0033 6 80 45 35 70, or 0033 6 83 51 12 53 (French telephone numbers), info@bkwine.com

Press photos
– Press photos:
– http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/press-room/#press-photos
– License: Press photos are free to use in connection with text about BKWine wine tours. All other use requires separate written agreement.
– Contact us for password for high resolution downloads
Also on http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/press-room/. A vast variety of photos are available on request. BKWine has one of the world’s biggest photo archives specialised in wine and wine travel: http://www.bkwinephotography.com.

BKWine AB
BKWine, 51, rue du Chevalier de la Barre, F-92130 Issy les Moulineaux (Paris), France, phone 00 33 6 80 45 35 70, info@bkwine.com, http://www.bkwinetours.com, http://www.bkwine.com.

BKWine AB is run by Britt and Per Karlsson, of Swedish origin. There are four main activities:
– Wine & food tours
– Wine journalism
– Wine photography, wine stock image library: http://www.bkwinephotography.com
– Wine consulting

BKWine is active in several wine related fields. The main business is organising wine tours for wine enthusiasts and wine professionals who want to visit wine regions to learn more about wine. Each year BKWine organises some 30 wine tours. The wine tours have been named World’s Top Wine Tours by Travel + Leisure. BKWine has written and published several wine books that have won national and international awards. BKWine also publishes an online newsletter on wine, The BKWine Brief, which reaches some 20,000 subscribers. Britt and Per are members of the British Circle of Wine Writers (CWW), the International Wine Writers Federation (FIJEV), the French Wine Press Association (APV), the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) and several other wine and gastronomic organisations.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Ron Antonetteron@rantonette.comhttp://www.DiscoverClaremont.comClaremont to Host “Claremont Restaurant Week,” July 14-20, 2014

Claremont is hosting its second annual Claremont Restaurant Week from July 14-20, 2014. The seven-day “Midsummer Night’s Dine” event showcases the City of Tree’s many grills, sandwich shops, bakeries, and fine dining restaurants. With a growing number of regionally acclaimed restaurants and dozens of locally owned eateries keeping the food scene fresh, it’s no wonder that critics have declared Claremont a “food neighborhood” that’s “worth the drive” for foodies and tourists.

[caption id=”attachment_12053″ align=”alignright” width=”204″] Claremont Chamber of Commerce[/caption]

Many of Claremont’s more than 75 eateries and hotel restaurants will participate by offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, ranging from $10-$40, that highlight their chef’s specialty cuisines.

Restaurants already confirmed to participate include the following:
Aruffo’s Italian Cuisine
Bardot
Casa de Salsa
Casa Moreno
Euro Café
La Parolaccia Osteria Italiana
Lounge 425 at Hotel Casa 425
The Last Drop Café
The Loving Hut Claremont
The Orchard at DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont
Packing House Wines
Pappas Artisanal (La Verne)
Pizza n’ Such
Podge’s Claremont Juice Co.
The Press Restaurant
Rounds Gourmet Burgers
Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine
Salad Farm
Tutti Mangia
Viva Madrid
Walter’s Restaurant
Zpizza Claremont

“Claremont Restaurant Week will showcase our growing, local culinary scene that is comprised of some terrific young chefs, experienced and daring proprietors, menus filled with locally sourced ingredients, and restaurants serving craft beers and ales that complement their meals,” said Maureen Aldridge, CEO, Claremont Chamber of Commerce.

More details and a growing list of participating restaurants can be found at www.ClaremontRestaurant.com. Visitor information and a complete listing of restaurants, hotels, boutiques, day spas, events and more can be found at www.DiscoverClaremont.com.

Kelley KarnesKelley.karnes@sheraton.comhttp://www.districtrestaurant.com/Get frozen at district american kitchen and wine bar

What: Get Frozen

Where: District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

[caption id=”attachment_12145″ align=”aligncenter” width=”500″] Mixologist Matt Tobey mixes up his Peaches for Two frozen cocktail with liquid nitrogen. Photo by Kelley Karnes[/caption]

 

When: July 31st, from 5-7 p.m., for $10

It’s time to Get Frozen, a happy hour event inviting cocktail enthusiasts to head downtown and cool off while enjoying Mixologist Matt Tobey’s new summer cocktail menu. Guests will receive a sample of one of his new cocktails, complimentary appetizer, and listen to chill tunes provided by DJ Amber Giles. Cost is $10.

Matt will feature his latest creation called Peaches for Two, a peach and watermelon Bellini made with Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine that is frozen with the help of liquid nitrogen, giving this drink a cool and smooth texture. Guests can sample the drink as they watch Matt concoct this frozen delight through the cool smoky haze of the liquid nitrogen.

Happy hour menu items and drinks will also be available for purchase. Complimentary three-hour self-parking validation is available.

Kelley Karneskelley.karnes@sheraton.comhttps://www.facebook.com/events/656672604401656/District Unveils New Local Beer Program at Kickoff Event

On Friday August 15th, District American Kitchen and Wine Bar partners with Mother Road and Cartel Breweries to kick off their new exclusively Arizona beer list along with a rewards program and growlers.

District is now selling growlers for $8 and growler fills for $12. You can also join the 3rd Street Beer Club and every time you enjoy a pint, you will get your membership card punched and after 12 punches you receive a free growler or fill.

[caption id=”attachment_12215″ align=”aligncenter” width=”483″] Beer–Image by Kelley Karnes[/caption]

At the kickoff event, attendees will receive a growler, samples from Mother Road and Cartel, and the 3rd Street Beer Club Membership card. District will also be raffling off free growler fills. There will be complimentary appetizers to snack on and complimentary three-hour self-parking validation will be available.

Cost is $10 at the door. Please RSVP here: http://on.fb.me/1k7DS3Y

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comThe World Is Your Oyster: Sea Crest Beach Hotel to Host Oyster Grand Tasting With Leading Regional Chefs Oct. 26

Sea Crest Beach Hotel has partnered with the International Oyster Symposium of the World Oyster Society to host the first annual Oyster Grand Tasting on Oct. 26 in Sea Crest’s newly renovated Nauset Center. The tasting will highlight dishes utilizing oysters harvested from waters spanning Provincetown to Nantucket from leading area chefs, including Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s own Executive Chef Daniel Kenney. Participating chefs include Florence Lowell from the Naked Oyster in Hyannis, Timothy Ames from Mooncussers Tavern in Harwich Port, and Matt Tropeano from Pain D’Avignon.

[caption id=”attachment_12569″ align=”alignright” width=”201″] Photo by: Sea Crest Beach Hotel[/caption]

The tasting, designed to raise awareness for the 6th International Oyster Symposium that will be held at Sea Crest Beach Hotel for its East Coast debut in October 2015, is priced at $95 per person and will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Presentations by top chefs and live music from the Fred Clayton Trio will round out the night. Tickets to the tasting can be purchased at OysterGrandTasting.com.

To celebrate the oyster, Red’s Restaurant and Lounge at Sea Crest Beach Hotel is offering $1 local oysters on the halfshell every Friday night from 5-9 p.m. Grand Tasting attendees can also take advantage of Sea Crest’s The World Is Your Oyster package the night of Oct. 26, including two tickets to the Grand Tasting and breakfast for two in the Ocean View Room. Rates start at $353 and include all taxes and gratuities.

For reservations or more information on Sea Crest Beach Hotel, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call 508-356-2111. For more information on the Oyster Grand Tasting visit www.oystergrandtasting.com.

 

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Jamie Scalici

jscalici@mg-pr.com

 We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comRed’s Restaurant & Lounge Kicks Off Fall Dining on the Cape With Signature Specials and Restaurant Week

Red’s Restaurant & Lounge, the popular oceanfront restaurant serving up American-Cape cuisine at Sea Crest Beach Hotel, has kicked off the fall season with daily specials featuring fan favorites. The popular gathering place, which draws deeply on the generous spirit and down-home attitude of Red Auerbach, the legendary Boston Celtics’ coach and president who was among Sea Crest’s original owners, has also launched a menu highlighting the season’s freshest local ingredients for Cape Cod Restaurant Week, Oct. 13-19.

[caption id=”attachment_12576″ align=”aligncenter” width=”529″] Photo: Sea Crest Beach Hotel[/caption]

Red’s Signature Specials are available 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday, unless otherwise specified, as follows:

• On Sundays from 12 to 9 p.m. for just $2 per person, football fans can catch the game and enjoy warm tortilla chips, house made pico de gallo and guacamole.
• Monday nights mark the return of Red’s famous all-you-can-eat Prince Edward Water Mussels. Sautéed with shallots, garlic, and basil leaves, and served in a white wine and herb butter, these customer favorites are just $10 per person.
• On Tuesday, diners who feast on any of Red’s Signature Burgers can get a second burger for $2. A local favorite is Red’s Signature Angus Burger topped with vine ripe tomato, red onion, leafy lettuce, and a dill pickle on a toasted brioche bun.
• A midweek pick-me-up is in order on Wednesday nights, and Red’s $2 Line Caught Fish Taco is up for the challenge.
• Guests can bring the entire family for a special treat on Thursday – Red’s home brewed Root Beer Floats with vanilla bean ice cream for just $2.
• Diners can celebrate the end of the work week with Friday night $1 local oysters on the halfshell.

Oct. 13 marks the start of Cape Cod Restaurant Week, showcasing exhibition menus from the best restaurants from Falmouth to Provincetown. Priced at $30 per person, Red’s Restaurant Week Menu starts with Just Baked Country, Cape Cranberry, and Cheesy Bread with Vermont Butter, followed by Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bisque with Toasted Peppitas, Hubbardston Goat Cheese, Crispy Sage. For the second course, diners have a choice of Murrays Farm Roasted Chicken with Cannellini Beans, Root Vegetables and Natural Jus or Thyme Rubbed East Coast Salmon with Pickled Onions, Prince Edward Water Mussels and Fall Parsnips. The final course is a Warm Honey Crisp Apple Cobbler with Macintosh Ice Cream and Spiced Cider.

All offers are subject to availability. For reservations or more information on Sea Crest Beach Hotel, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call 508-356-2111.

Jamie Scalici

jscalici@mg-pr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.gabynyrestaurant.com/Gaby Brasserie Française to Host Intimate Sofitel Wine Days Dinner With Maison Trimbach on Oct. 15

As part of its month-long Wine Days celebration, Gaby Brasserie Française at Sofitel New York is offering an exclusive five-course prix fixe dinner with wine pairings from Maison Trimbach on Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Limited to just 14 guests, the evening will be hosted by Maison Trimbach Brand Ambassador Antoine Lecompte in the restaurant’s private dining room.

[caption id=”attachment_12640″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Private Dining Room Courtesy of Sofitel New York[/caption]

The menu, specially prepared by Gaby Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey, leads with an amuse-bouche of wild mushroom cappuccino with truffle oil. A starter of pan-seared scallop crusted with Dijon mustard, panko and red quinoa with caviar beurre blanc is paired with Trimbach Pinot Blanc. The main course, Duck Two Ways, comprises duck confit ravioli and seared duck breast potato forestieres with porcini mushroom sauce, and is paired with Trimbach Pinot Noir Reserve. Following a selection of cheese, the dinner is completed by a chocolate croquant of chocolate mousse cake over praline croquante with raspberry coulis, paired with Trimbach Gewurztraminer.

The dinner is priced at $110, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations may be made by calling (212) 782-3091.

Individuals posting a photo on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook during Sofitel Wine Days (Sept. 29-Oct. 31, 2014) marked with #SoWineDays are automatically entered to win a luxury immersion for two in the Alsace wine country in partnership with Sofitel Luxury Hotels. For details visit http://bit.ly/1rGmNQr.

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Jamie Scalici

jscalici@mg-pr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.thewhitefacelodge.comOver the River and Through the Woods: Whiteface Lodge Invites Adirondack Travelers to a Choice of Thanksgiving Feasts

In anticipation of holiday guests arriving at the Thanksgiving table with appetites emboldened by the crisp mountain air and Adirondack adventures, Lake Placid’s Whiteface Lodge is whipping up a gourmet feast designed to please traditionalist and eclectic palates alike. Guests can enjoy their holiday celebration in a choice of settings: a festive-three-course menu served in the rustic luxury of KANU, the lodge’s signature restaurant, or a catered family celebration in the cozy privacy of their own suite.

Offering all the pleasures of an at-home holiday feast without the preparation, cooking and clean-up, Thanksgiving In-Suite serves six people and includes packing and storage of leftovers in anticipation of a late-night refrigerator raid or next day’s lunch. The menu includes a 14- to 16-pound whole roasted organic Vermont turkey; yam and pistachio bisque; organic greens with cranberries, shekel pear, spiced pecans and artisanal goat cheese vinaigrette; potato puree; brioche-chestnut dressing; traditional gravy; Brussels sprouts; cranberry chutney, and dinner rolls. The dinner includes one pie – a choice of either apple or pumpkin, with additional pies available for $12 each. Other add-on options include a quart of either vanilla or chocolate ice cream for $10; and additional sides for $3 per person. Wines are also available, complete with sommelier recommendations for white and red vintages. Priced at $275 plus tax and gratuity, Thanksgiving In-Suite will be delivered between noon and 2 p.m.

Served from 2 to 8 p.m., the KANU three-course dinner will begin with a choice of starters: hay-smoked Great White oysters with prosciutto butter and chives; autumn squash risotto with lodge-grown sage, acorn squash, pumpkin and delicata squash and Bloomsdale spinach; Fledging Crow Farm organic greens with cranberries, Shekel pear, spiced pecans, and R&G artisanal goat cheese vinaigrette; or a yam and pistachio bisque with Madagascar vanilla marshmallow and allspice. Headlining the entrée choices will be Vermont free-range organic turkey served with brioche-chestnut dressing, potato puree, Brussels sprouts, cranberry chutney and gravy. Non-traditionalists, meanwhile, might opt for harpooned Montauk swordfish with kale, cranberry beans, cockles and Oscars smoked bacon; Yankee pot roast with carrots, turnips, potatoes, pearl onions and fresh horseradish; or sheep’s milk ricotta gnudi with chanterelles, Swiss chard, thyme, and Parmesan-Reggiano broth. Dessert options will include pumpkin pie with vanilla bean whipped cream; apple hand pie and vanilla ice cream; and bread and butter pudding. The three-course menu is priced at $78 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Youngsters dining at KANU will enjoy a three-course children’s menu prepared with care by the lodge’s expert culinary team. A choice of first courses will include artisan sweet baby lettuce with house-made balsamic vinaigrette or a fresh fruit and yogurt cup. Entrée options will be organic roasted Vermont turkey breast with mashed potatoes, brioche-chestnut dressing, buttered Brussels sprouts, cranberry relish and gravy; grilled flat iron steak with mashed potatoes and baby vegetables; rigatoni pasta and marinara sauce; or macaroni and cheese. Capping off the feast will be a choice of pumpkin pie with Chantilly cream or apple crumb pie with cinnamon ice cream. The children’s menu is priced at $35 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

To reserve Thanksgiving dinner at KANU, call (518) 523-0510. Orders for in-suite dinners must be placed by Monday, November 24, and can be made by calling (518) 523-0503.

For more information on the Whiteface Lodge, visit www.theWhitefaceLodge.com or call (518) 523-0500.

 

Jamie Scalici

jscalici@mg-pr.com

Gaby Brasserie Françaisejscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.gabynyrestaurant.comHad the Pilgrims Been French: Gaby Brasserie Française to Host Thanksgiving Dinner With a French Twist

There’s nothing quite like Thanksgiving in the Big Apple. The festive atmosphere paired with a holiday feast at Gaby Brasserie Française makes for a scrumptious start to the holiday season. On Nov. 27, the charming brasserie, in its vibrant Art Deco setting at the stylish Sofitel New York, will host a Thanksgiving Day dinner prepared by Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey, winner of Food Network’s Chopped.

The prix fixe dinner begins with complimentary warm, spiced apple cider. For the first course, guests can enjoy a choice of Brie en Croute, oven-roasted puff pastry with dried cranberries and almonds, and baby spinach drizzled with aged raspberry vinaigrette, or Mushroom Pithivier, a wild mushrooms tart served with port wine sauce. Entrée selections include a choice of Roasted Stuffed Turkey Breast, a slow-roasted Lancaster-County turkey breast stuffed with wild mushrooms and served with sweet potato flan, chestnut vegetable ragout, Delmarva stuffing, and cranberry blood orange sauce, or a Pan-Seared Pork Chop with chestnut potato purée, roasted Brussels sprouts and tarragon sauce. For dessert, guests can indulge in an assortment of homemade mini-desserts served family-style. Selections include chocolate crème brûlée, pumpkin cupcakes, mini pecan pie, fruit tarts, white chocolate cheesecake and macaroons.

Youngsters ages 12 and under dining at Gaby will also enjoy a three-course dinner menu starting with Pigs in a Blanket with crudités and ranch dressing. A slow-roasted Lancaster-County turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy will be served as an entrée, followed by vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.

Gaby Brasserie Française’s Thanksgiving menu will be available from 12 to 9 p.m. and is priced at $62 per person. The children’s menu is $24.50 for children 12 and under, exclusive of tax and gratuity. For reservations or more information, call 212-782-3091 or visit www.gabynyrestaurant.com.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.urgohotels.comNothing Tops a Holiday Feast at the Beach: Urgo Hotels’ Florida Resorts to Serve up Ocean-Inspired Thanksgiving Meals

Urgo Hotels & Resorts, a leader in the hospitality industry specializing in development, ownership, and management services, is celebrating Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 27 with Ocean-inspired feasts at two of its Florida locations: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa and Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa.

[caption id=”attachment_12873″ align=”aligncenter” width=”585″] 3800 Ocean[/caption]

3800 Ocean, the modern oceanfront restaurant serving American regional cuisine using the finest local and seasonal ingredients at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, is offering guests and local residents alike a choice of three dining options for the all-American holiday. For reservations call 561-340-1795.

• Starting the day off right, 3800 Ocean will host a Thanksgiving Breakfast Buffet (8-11 a.m.) with a host of stations including a seafood station featuring smoked trout and pastrami salmon; assorted breads and pastries with autumn-inspired butters; omelets; Belgian waffles with fresh berry compote and whipped cream; and raspberry and cream cheese-stuffed French toast. Breakfast is $28 for adults and $14 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity.

• Noon marks the start of Thanksgiving Grand Brunch (12-3 p.m.) with selections sure to please every palate. Stations include a raw bar with shrimp, oysters on the half shell, snapper ceviche and tuna tartar; an array of soups and salads including a roasted corn chowder with crispy bacon; mini cold-and-hot appetizers like blue crab-stuffed mushrooms with sauce choron, and duck confit-caramelized onion and gruyere tartlets; a pasta station; a carving station with traditional roasted turkey with gravy and cranberry-pear compote, and a glazed spiral cut ham;and a chef’s selection table of seasonal desserts. Brunch is $55 for adults and $16 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity.

• A Three-Course Thanksgiving Feast will be served for dinner (5-10 p.m.). First course selections include roasted corn chowder, Yellowfin Tuna tartar with mango-avocado salad, and sweet potato gnocchi. Entrée choices include sous vide turkey breast, grilled filet of beef tenderloin, and grilled chicken with orechiette. For dessert guests can choose from a frozen pumpkin souffle, fuji apple tart, pecan bar, or chocolate Bavarian pie. The dinner menu is $65 for adults and $18 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity.

[caption id=”attachment_12874″ align=”aligncenter” width=”590″] McCoys Restaurant[/caption]

McCoy’s Oceanfront, the beachfront restaurant at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa whose namesake pays homage to the Prohibition-era William “Bill” McCoy, will host a Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner (3-7 p.m.) featuring dishes prepared with seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients. Selections include maple scented pumpkin soup; traditional roasted turkey with home-style gravy; buttermilk mashed potatoes; honey glazed spiral cut ham with green peppercorn mustard; and an array of seasonal desserts. The menu is priced at $37 for adults, $18.75 for children ages six to 12 and free for children five and under. For reservations call 954-782-0100.

 

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacqueline Cromleighjacqueline.cromleigh@conradhotels.comhttp://www.conradindianapolis.comConrad Indianapolis to ring in holiday season with exclusive packages

CONTACT:

[caption id=”attachment_12929″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Ring in the holiday season at Conrad Indianapolis.[/caption]

Jacqueline Cromleigh

Conrad Indianapolis

+1 317 524 2516

jacqueline.cromleigh@conradhotels.com

Conrad Indianapolis to Ring in Holiday Season with Exclusive Packages

Indy’s Premier Hotel to Expand Winter Leisure Offers

INDIANAPOLIS – November 17, 2014 — Conrad Indianapolis wants to be a part of the memories made this holiday season with three exclusive packages, perfect for festive celebrations.

Indianapolis visitors will enjoy a city booming with holiday excitement, including the city’s acclaimed light display and first annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Indy’s premier hotel, just blocks away from the action, will provide guests with the perks essential for spending the holidays in the Circle City.

The hotel’s Black Friday package, Cheers to the Holidays package and New Year’s Eve package will connect guests with an unforgettable getaway in the heart of downtown.

Black Friday Package:

Guests in town for the nation’s retail extravaganza can rest up before the big day or relax after chasing the Black Friday sales with a stay at Conrad Indianapolis. Connected to the Circle Centre Mall, guests will enjoy convenient access to Indy’s hottest shopping spots. This package includes:

Deluxe accommodations
Complimentary glass of celebratory Prosecco at Tastings…A Wine Experience
Complimentary chair massage at Evan Todd Spa & Salon
Complimentary high speed internet access

Guests can book the Black Friday package for $139 per night. The offer is valid Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28.

Cheers to the Holidays Package:

For those looking for something more traditional, Conrad Indianapolis provides the perfect way to embrace the season with the Cheers to the Holidays package. This package includes:

Deluxe accommodations
A decadent holiday welcome amenity
A $10 gift card to Tastings…A Wine Experience
A delicious continental breakfast for two at The Capital Grille
Complimentary valet parking for one vehicle

The Cheers to the Holidays package is subject to availability and is available Nov. 19 – Jan. 14, 2015.

The Best Year Yet Package:

Say farewell to 2014, while toasting to 2015 in style! Guests will enjoy a sparkling stay with lavish welcome amenities. Conrad Indianapolis’ New Year’s Eve package includes:

Deluxe accommodations
Chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival
Celebratory Conrad champagne flutes
Party favors
Guaranteed late check-out of 3 PM

The Best Year Yet Package begins at $299 per night and is based upon availability.

To spend the holiday season at Conrad Indianapolis, visit conradindianapolisholidays.com or call 317 713 5000 for reservations.

Conrad Indianapolis also participates in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 4,000 hotels worldwide.

For further information, images or interviews, please contact Jacqueline Cromleigh, Public Relations and Marketing Manager at +1 317 524 2516 or jacqueline.cromleigh@conradhotels.com.

Learn more about Conrad Hotels & Resorts at www.conradhotels.com. Media can access additional information at http://news.conradhotels.com.

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About Conrad® Hotels & Resorts

Conrad Hotels & Resorts is the destination for the new generation of smart luxury travelers for whom life, business and pleasure seamlessly interact – people who know that the greatest luxury is the luxury of being yourself. A global luxury brand consisting of 23 properties across 5 continents, Conrad offers guests personalized experiences with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings and connections to people and places around the corner or halfway around the world. Intuitive service is delivered with the Conrad Concierge mobile app that puts Conrad’s services and amenities at the guest’s fingertips, whether pre-checking in or ordering room service to customizing the room’s pillow options or arranging reservations at our locally inspired cuisine and spa offerings. Conrad is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. Connect with Conrad by booking at www.conradhotels.com or www.conradhotels.com/offers. Learn more about the brand by visiting http://www.news.conradhotels.com.

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.marriott.com/hotel-restaurants/pbisg-palm-beach-marriott-singer-island-beach-resort-and-spa/3800-ocean/5011550/home-page.miSinger Island’s 3800 Ocean to Host Exclusive Truffle Dinner and Prunotto Tasting by Marchesi Antinori Wines Dec. 12

It’s all about the truffle. 3800 Ocean’s Executive Chef Larry LaValley of the luxury all-suite Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, will take diners on a culinary tour of the truffle via their taste buds at an exclusive Truffle and Prunotto Wine Pairing. The Dec. 12 event will feature a seven course menu utilizing the exotic ingredient, each of which will be paired with a Prunotto by Marchesi Antinori Wines.

The oceanfront event will commence at 7 p.m. for an Hors d ’Oeuvres reception, followed by dinner from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The truffle tasting and wine pairing is $165 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required: 561-340-1795.

Reception Hors d’ Oeuvres
Crispy Oysters, Truffle Crème Fraiche Truffle and Artichoke Arancini, Arugula Pesto Mini Tartlets of Truffle Ricotta, Tomato Jam, Toffee Pistachio
Prunotto, Roero Arneis 2012

At the Table
Truffle Stuffed New England Day Boat Scallop
Parsnip and Lobster Butter
Prunotto, Roero Arneis 2012

Truffle Studded “Torchon” of Foie Gras
Chestnut- Fennel Compote, Saba, Grilled Country Bread, Fleur de Sel
Prunotto, Barbera d’Alba, Pian Romualdo 2011

Swank Farms Truffle Heirloom Tomato Salad and Chilled Soup
Peekytoe Crab, Wild Arugula, Guanciale “Croutons,”Bochetto al Tartuffo
Prunotto, Nebbiolo d’Alba, ‘Occhetti’ 2010

Pancetta Wrapped Roulade of Rabbit Loin and White Alba Truffle Risotto
Chanterelles, Robiolo, Swank Baby Escarole
Prunotto, Barbaresco 2011
Prunotto, Barbaresco, Bric Turot 2008

Truffle Roasted Rack and Braised Leg of Domestic Lamb
Anson Mills Polenta, Roasted Baby Carrots, Local Kale, Minted English Pea
Prunotto, Barolo 2009

Modern “Tartufo”
Prunotto Moscato d’Asti 2013

About Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa
Rising 20 stories above a beautiful stretch of palm-fringed sand, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is the only all-suite beachfront property in Palm Beach County. Each of its 193 suites offers spacious and stylish condo-style living in surroundings that are equally ideal for family vacations, romantic getaways and business travel. The décor is sleek and contemporary, with modern furnishings and a palette that evokes the sand, sea and sky. Dining choices range from exceptional American regional cuisine to casual Caribbean fare. The resort’s award-winning SiSpa offers sea-inspired pampering and wellness therapies, while its boutique-style meeting space beautifully accommodates high-powered conferences, exquisite beach weddings, and sophisticated social events. Comfortably furnished outdoor spaces make the most of the Florida sun and sea breezes, inviting guests to relax poolside or gather for an evening of drinks and conversation by a fire pit. For more information call 561-340-1700 or visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pbisg-palm-beach-marriott-singer-island-beach-resort-and-spa/.

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jscalici@mg-pr.com

Jamie Scalici

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.sofitel-new-york.com/enSofitel New York Guests Invited to Enjoy an Especially Joyeux Noël and Bonne Année

Known for its joie de vivre year round, Sofitel New York will be especially festive over the holidays. The focal point for the festivities will be the hotel’s highly reputed Gaby Brasserie Française, where Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey, winner of Food Network’s hit show Chopped, has planned delectably French Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve menus.

[caption id=”attachment_13041″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Sofitel New York[/caption]

On Wednesday, Dec. 24 from 5:30-10 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 25 from 12-10 p.m., guests can enjoy a $95 per person (not including tax and gratuity) Christmas Feast that includes a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. For starters, there is a mushroom cappuccino with truffle oil and a first course of pan-seared large scallop in a Provençale crust, finished with a red pepper coulis. The entrée is a choice of Osso Bucco marinated in port wine and served with foie gras chips and fresh tomato pepper linguini or pan-seared, whole Bronzino accompanied by cranberry risotto and a side of Kale in a green pea sauce. And in true French tradition, dessert is a mini Bûche de Noël.

Sofitel New York’s New Year’s Eve fête will let guests celebrate the holiday on two continents in one night. Festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. with a DJ, followed by a 5:30 p.m. screening of TV Monde 5 coverage of fireworks in Paris and Champagne toast as the New Year arrives there, six hours ahead of the U.S.

Revelers can enjoy two seatings for a $160 per person (not including tax and gratuity) dinner: the first from 5-6 p.m. and the second from 8:30-9:30 p.m. The meal, which includes a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne begins with an Amuse Bouche of prosciutto, goat cheese and raisin roulade, then moves to a choice of appetizers. They are lobster and salmon terrine or Hudson Valley foie gras. The entrée features Chilean Sea Bass with truffle butter or, as an alternative, Beef Wellington. Dessert is Chocolate à la Francaise. A wine pairing with the dinner is offered for an additional $49 per person. For children 12 years and under, there is a special $24.50 menu of Steak Frites, ice cream and soda.

There are choices of small bite plates and a Laurent Perrier bottle special available the entire evening to keep things lively as the clock inches towards midnight. The Times Square Ball Drop will, of course, be screened as of 11:30 p.m., and the revelry will continue until 2 p.m.

For reservations or more information, call 212-782-3091 or visit www.gabynyrestaurant.com.

Jamie Scalici

jscalici@mg-pr.com

http://www.sofitel-new-york.com/en

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.urgohotels.com/I’m Dreaming of a Bright Christmas: Urgo Hotels’ Florida Resorts Warm Up The Holidays With Festive Deals and Dining

A white Christmas or a bright Christmas? Those jumping out of their seats at the thought of the latter can head to two of Urgo Hotels & Resorts’ Florida locations, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa and Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, to soak up the sun and the holiday season with a host of wallet-friendly deals and dining options.

[caption id=”attachment_13065″ align=”aligncenter” width=”610″] Presidential Suite Bedroom Urgo Hotels & Resorts[/caption]

Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island brings the magic of Christmas in-suite with its I’m Dreaming of a Palm Beach Christmas package. Santa’s helpers will transform the room into a winter wonderland with a Christmas tree covered in dazzling lights and ornaments, stockings stuffed with $50 gift cards to SiSpa and 3800 Ocean, and a basket of cookies and milk. Guests will also receive two beach chairs, an umbrella and table rental for one day. Starting at $459 the package is available for booking through Dec. 26.

Executive Chef Larry LaValley of 3800 Ocean, the inviting oceanfront gathering spot for resort guests and locals alike on Singer Island, has prepared delectable holiday menus with a side of ocean views for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. For reservations call 561-340-1795.

• A Merry Christmas Morning Breakfast Buffet will be served (8-11 a.m.) with a host of options including a seafood station; assorted breads and pastries; omelets; and raspberry and cream cheese-stuffed French toast. Breakfast is $28 for adults and $14 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity.

• Noon marks the start of a Merry Christmas Day Grand Lunch Buffet (served until 3 p.m.). Stations include a raw bar; an array of soups and salads; mini cold-and-hot appetizers; a pasta station; a carving station; and a chef’s selection table of seasonal desserts. Brunch is $55 for adults and $16 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity.

• A Three-Course Merry Christmas Day Dinner will be served from 5-10 p.m. Menu selections include a shrimp and lobster profiterole with wild mushroom duxelle bisque; filet of beef tenderloin with roasted mushroom and Swiss chard, Rösti potato, truffle hollandaise and onion jam; and crab crusted salmon with roasted bliss potatoes, sautéed spinach and Dijon buerre blanc. Impressive desserts including warm apple cinnamon bread pudding with rum raisin sauce and eggnog ice cream will round out the holiday feast. Dinner is $65 for adults and $18 for children under 12 excluding tax and gratuity.

• New Year’s Eve at 3800 Ocean will kick off 2015 in style. A festive three-course menu will be served during two seatings from 5-7 p.m. ($65 per person) and 8-10:30 p.m. ($125 per person). The second seating includes an Amuse Bouche, complimentary Champagne toast, live entertainment, DJ and dancing until 2 a.m. Tax and gratuity are additional.

[caption id=”attachment_13066″ align=”aligncenter” width=”448″] Adult Pool Urgo Hotels & Resorts[/caption]

Thanks to new direct flights to Fort Lauderdale via Jet Blue and Virgin America, holiday travel is that much easier this year. Those in search of a laid back holiday escape can head to Fort Lauderdale Pompano Beach with its Suite Holidays at the Beach package. Couples enjoy a two night stay in a suite, a welcome amenity of holiday chocolates and sparkling wine, buffet breakfast daily in McCoy’s Oceanfront, and two 50-minute signature facials or signature massages per stay. Starting at $305 the package is available through Jan. 4, 2015.

For Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve McCoy’s Oceanfront, the beachfront restaurant whose namesake pays homage to the Prohibition-era William “Bill” McCoy, will host holiday meals inspired by seasonal, local and sustainable ingredients prepared by Executive Chef Daniel Gerety. For reservations call 954-782-0100.

• A Christmas Day Holiday Feast Buffet (3-7 p.m.) will include roasted winter squash with truffle honey, caramelized onion savory bread pudding, Yukon Gold whipped potatoes, and carving stations featuring prime rib with a peppercorn demi-glace and horseradish; and bacon-wrapped pork loin with oven dried tomato and basil cream. An array of seasonal desserts will also be served. The menu is $47 for adults and $18.75 for children ages six to 12 excluding tax and gratuity. Children under five eat free.

• Complete with live entertainment by Joanna Holstein, McCoy’s will serve up a four-course New Year’s Eve Dinner (8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.). The meal will begin with an oyster shooter amuse bouche, followed by a choice of lobster bisque or house salad. Main course options include Oscar style filet with roasted Yukon potatoes and asparagus topped with crab meat and béarnaise sauce (a lobster tail can be added for $20); pan seared sea bass with lentil and black eyed pea salad, tomato saffron broth and Micro greens; or jumbo sea scallops and shrimp with faro risotto, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, and a composed salad. Dessert selections include a choice of molten lava cake a la mode or New York style cheese cake with fresh berries and raspberry drizzle. Dinner is $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Children under five eat free.

Urgo Homepage 01 March

Jamie Scalici

jscalici@mg-pr.com

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Per Karlssonper.karlsson@bkwine.comhttp://www.bkwine.comA New Book on Organic, Biodynamic and Natural Wines Gives the Reader the Facts

“Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Winemaking; Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture” by Britt Karlsson (text) and Per Karlsson (photography), of BKWine, has recently been published by Floris Publishing. As environmental issues and sustainability becomes increasingly a concern for the consumer this books gives the reader the facts about all these wine growing and winemaking trends, methods and labels.

[caption id=”attachment_13077″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″] “Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Winemaking; Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture” by Britt Karlsson and Per Karlsson, BKWine[/caption]

The book is written primarily for the wine consumer who wants to understand what is really behind the “labels” organic wine, biodynamics, natural wine, sustainable etc. It is also aimed at the wine trade professional and restaurant trade who has a need to understand the facts behind this increasingly popular market segment.

The focus of the book is organics, but all other aspect of sustainability and the environment are also touched on and explained, including of course biodynamics and the natural wine movement. Given that the vast majority of organic wine today is produced in Europe, the focus is on the European organic winemaking and winegrowing methods. But to the extent that they exist, other countries’ organic systems with rules and regulations are also included.

In contrast to many other books on this subject the authors do not try to convince the reader these methods are the salvation for viticulture. Instead, the authors explain the background and the facts and go through the rules and regulations for what organic (etc) wine is so that the reader, the wine consumer, then can make informed personal choices.

The book looks at the current market situation for organic wines, the trends and evolution as well as an historic background. It covers rules and regulations for viticulture and winemaking, and certifications. There is also a chapter on recommended wine producers.

Anyone who wants to understand what organic, biodynamic and natural wine is should read this book.

Britt Karlsson, the author, describes the book like this: “There is a lot of both media attention and consumer interest today in organic (etc.) wine but there is also a lot of confusion and misunderstanding of what these words – organic, biodynamic, natural, sustainable, etc – really mean and what the differences are. For that reason our aim with this book was to explain all this and to give the consumers the tools and knowledge to make informed and intelligent decisions. So we are not really arguing for or against. We are ‘simply’ explaining.”

The authors have written four books on wine and this is the first one to be published in English. Their books have won both national and international book awards.

You can find more information about the book here, including the table of contents, a demonstration video, and sample photography: http://www.bkwine.com/our-books/.
Book cover image: http://www.bkwine.com/Organic-Wine-Book-cover/

Please contact us if you would like a review copy.

Book Facts
Title: Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Winemaking; Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture
Original’s Title: Vinet och miljön. Ekologiskt, biodynamiskt och naturligt (“Wine and the Environment Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Winemaking; Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture”)
Translated: from Swedish by Roger Tanner
Author: Britt Karlsson, BKWine, http://www.bkwine.com/
Photographer: Per Karlsson, BKWine Photography, http://www.bkwinephotography.com/
Publisher: Floris Books, http://www.florisbooks.co.uk/
Presentation: Richly illustrated in colour, soft-cover
Language: English
Dimensions: 280 pages, paperback
ISBN: 978-178250-113-8 (9781782501138)

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Press contact
– BKWine, Britt or Per Karlsson, phone 0033 6 80 45 35 70, or 0033 6 83 51 12 53 (French telephone numbers), info @ bkwine.com
– Floris Books: http://www.florisbooks.co.uk/

Press photos
– Press photos: http://www.bkwine.com/press-room/#press-photos
– License: Press photos are free to use in connection with text about BKWine. All other use requires separate written agreement.
– Contact us for password for high resolution downloads
A vast variety of photos are available on request. BKWine has one of the world’s biggest photo archives specialised in wine and wine travel: http://www.bkwinephotography.com.

BKWine AB
BKWine, 51, rue du Chevalier de la Barre, F-92130 Issy les Moulineaux (Paris), France, phone 00 33 6 80 45 35 70, info @ bkwine.com, http://www.bkwinetours.com, http://www.bkwine.com.

BKWine AB is run by Britt and Per Karlsson, of Swedish origin. There are four main activities:
– Wine & food tours
– Wine journalism
– Wine photography, wine stock image library: http://www.bkwinephotography.com
– Wine consulting

BKWine is active in several wine related fields. The main business is organising wine tours for wine enthusiasts and wine professionals who want to visit wine regions to learn more about wine. Each year BKWine organises some 30 wine tours. The wine tours have been named World’s Top Wine Tours by Travel + Leisure. BKWine has written and published several wine books that have won national and international awards. BKWine also publishes an online newsletter on wine, The BKWine Brief, which reaches some 20,000 subscribers. Britt and Per are members of the British Circle of Wine Writers (CWW), the International Wine Writers Federation (FIJEV), the French Wine Press Association (APV), the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) and several other wine and gastronomic organisations.

Per Karlsson

per.karlsson@bkwine.com

Home

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is unappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.seacrestbeachhotel.comSea Crest Beach Hotel Brings Its Cozy Cape Charm to Couples for a Valentine’s Weekend Escape

Lovebirds in search of a cozy Valentine’s Day getaway filled with the sweet charm of Cape Cod should look no further than Sea Crest Beach Hotel. The quintessential beach hotel tucked away on its private Old Silver Beach will host a Valentine’s Weekend Getaway complete with a four-course candlelit dinner.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 couples can delight in each other’s company over a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with a side of Instagram-worthy ocean views, and then retreat to their rooms to snuggle up by the fire. The weekend getaway starts at just $199 (exclusive of tax and gratuity).

Prepared by Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Executive Chef Daniel Kenney, Sea Crest’s Valentine’s Day Dinner menu will provide guests with the fresh taste of American-Cape cuisine. Priced at $39 (excluding tax and gratuity) the menu is as follows:

APPETIZER
Chili Seared Yellow Fin Tuna, Carpaccio of Cucumber, Yuzu and White Soy

FIRST COURSE
Hearts of Romaine Caesar Salad, Teardrop Tomatoes, Shaved Parmesan,
Buttery Croutons, Cured Olives and Creamy Peppercorn Dressing
Warm Fresh Baked Artesian Breads, Vermont Butter

SECOND COURSE
Herb Grilled Swordfish, Baby Vegetables and Couscous Pilaf,
Smokey Tomato Buerre Blanc
Or
Pan Seared NY Sirloin Steak, Great Hill Blue Cheese, Exotic Mushrooms,
Winter Asparagus, Cabernet Jus

THIRD COURSE
Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brûlée,
Macaroons, Forbidden Fruit Compote
Or
Double Chocolate Love Cake, Iced Raspberries,
Pistachio Sand, Salted Carmel Ice Cream Or

Tazo Teas and Seattle’s Best Coffee™

For reservations or more information, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call (800) 225-3110. Reservations are based on availability. Certain terms and conditions apply.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mg-pr.comhttp://www.sanctuaryaz.comSun-Kissed Sweethearts: Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain’s Valentine’s Day Weekend Brings Romance and Respite From Winter’s Chill

Providing welcome relief from winter’s wrath, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, the award-winning resort in warm, sunny Scottsdale, is offering couples a chance to turn up the heat this Valentine’s Day Weekend with its Sweethearts Sanctuary escape. Paired with dinner by Executive Chef Beau MacMillan at elements restaurant, the lover’s holiday will be filled with sun-kissed romance.

Available Feb. 13-16, 2015, the Sweethearts Sanctuary package provides 10% off two night’s room and tax, a 60-minute Couples Massage or choice of two 60-minute treatments at the intimate Sanctuary Spa, Valentine’s Day dinner at the award-winning elements and a romantic rose petal turndown. Rates start at $1,866 based on a two night stay.

A food lover’s delight is in store for Valentine’s Dinner, served both Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb 14. A sampling of the four-course, prix-fixe menu includes Dungeness Crab Bisque with spicy crab dumpling and yuzu chive crema; Roasted Mushroom & Leek Tart with goat cheese fondue and balsamic chili glaze; Coffee Rubbed Maple Leaf Farms Duck with caramelized Brussels sprouts, sweet potato risotto and zinfandel cherry glaze; and Warm Chocolate & Caramel Fondue with mixed berries, cheesecake, angel food cake and brownies. Dinner will be served from 5:30-10 p.m. and is $115 per person, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities. Reservations are required.

Reservations are available online at www.sanctuaryaz.com or by calling (855) 706-1643.

Per Karlssonper.karlsson@bkwine.comhttp://www.bkwinetours.comWine and gourmet tours for the autumn 2015 launched by BKWine

BKWine recently launched the new wine tour and gourmet travel program for the autumn / fall season 2015. On the public program are two classic and luxurious wine tours, one to Bordeaux in France and one to the Douro Valley in Portugal. Together with custom designed wine tours and non-English tours BKWine will organise 30 tours in 2015. The detailed programs can be found here: BKWineTours.com.

Per Karlsson, one of the founders of BKWine, comments on the tours: “We have selected these two tours and the wineries carefully. They are small-group luxurious tours, without being overwhelmingly opulent. Our focus is on giving the traveller a top-quality wine and food experience and not on immersing in gilt. All the wine estates we visit give us a very personal welcome. In most cases it is the owner or the winemaker that receives us. We want our travellers to come back home with personal memories for life and with new friends.”

Britt Karlsson, the other co-founder of BKWine, comments on the programs: “When I plan the tours it is very important that all visits be very personal and not cookie-cutter visits. Most of the estates we visit know us since many years back so we get unique and personal welcomes. It is a great benefit that we are also wine writers and journalists, since that gives us quite different contacts than for standard travel operators. The food is also an important aspect. Typically meals are at wine estates. Some are at star chef level while others are home-cooked by the winery owners themselves.”

[caption id=”attachment_13373″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Chateau la Dauphine Fronsac Bordeaux France[/caption]

The tours extend over four nights. Each includes around ten winery visits and very gastronomic meals. All tours are accompanied by a professional wine tour manager, in most cases Britt and/or Per themselves.

The Bordeaux wine tour goes from September 23 to 27. It includes visits to some of the most prestigious Bordeaux chateau as well as top-quality family-run estates with lunches at chateaux. Travellers will stay in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bordeaux itself.

The Douro Valley wine tour goes from October 21 to 25. It starts and ends in the beautiful city of Porto with two nights in a luxurious hotel far up in the valley. It shows the traveller some of the world’s most spectacular wine landscapes as well as many of Portugal’s best wines.

[caption id=”attachment_13374″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] Wine Barrels[/caption]

BKWine is a leading wine tour organiser specialised in top-quality, personal style wine and gourmet travel. In 2015 BKWine will in total arrange some 30 wine tours including those on the scheduled program as well as custom made tours. BKWine is run by Britt and Per Karlsson, two Swedes living in Paris (France) since many years, who, in addition to running the wine tour business, are award winning wine book authors, wine journalists and photographers. The BKWine wine tours have for example been mentioned as “The World’s Top Wine Tours” by Travel+Leisure Magazine.

All tours and detailed programmes can be found on http://www.bkwinetours.com

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Press contact
– BKWine, Britt or Per Karlsson, phone 0033 6 80 45 35 70, or 0033 6 83 51 12 53 (French telephone numbers), info @ bkwine.com

Press photos
– Press photos: http://www.bkwinetours.com/press-photos/
– Password for high resolution download can be had on simple request
– License: Press photos are free to use in connection with text about BKWine wine tours. All other use requires separate written agreement.

Also on http://www.bkwinetours.com/about/press-room/. A vast variety of photos are available on request. BKWine has one of the world’s biggest photo archives specialised in wine and wine travel: http://www.bkwinephotography.com.

BKWine AB
BKWine, 51, rue du Chevalier de la Barre, F-92130 Issy les Moulineaux (Paris), France, phone 00 33 6 80 45 35 70, info @ bkwine.com, http://www.bkwinetours.com, http://www.bkwine.com.

BKWine AB is run by Britt and Per Karlsson, of Swedish origin. There are four main activities:
– Wine & food tours
– Wine journalism
– Wine photography, wine stock image library: http://www.bkwinephotography.com
– Wine consulting

BKWine is active in several wine related fields. The main business is organising wine tours for wine enthusiasts and wine professionals who want to visit wine regions to learn more about wine. Each year BKWine organises some 30 wine tours. The wine tours have been named World’s Top Wine Tours by Travel + Leisure. BKWine has written and published several wine books that have won national and international awards. BKWine also publishes an online newsletter on wine, The BKWine Brief, which reaches some 20,000 subscribers. Britt and Per are members of the British Circle of Wine Writers (CWW), the International Wine Writers Federation (FIJEV), the French Wine Press Association (APV), the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) and several other wine and gastronomic organisations.

Jamie Scalicijscalici@mower.comhttp://1000islandsharborhotel.comAround the World In Seven Courses: 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel to Host Seven Continents Dinner, April 18

CLAYTON, N.Y. – April 14, 2015 – 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel will take palates on a culinary world tour during a Seven Continents Dinner on April 18. Perched on the St. Lawrence River in one of Upstate New York’s most picturesque getaway destinations, the full-service luxury hotel will host a night inspired by worldly cuisine and culture, pairing distinct regional dishes prepared by Executive Chef Patrick Leibacher with wines that tell the story of each destination.

[caption id=”attachment_13692″ align=”alignright” width=”300″] 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel[/caption]

Guests are welcome to turn dinner into a weekend escape and spend the night in luxurious accommodations with river views at a special $99 rate. The quaint town of Clayton puts guests just minutes from renowned vineyards, intriguing shops, exceptional museums and more.
The Seven Continents dinner begins at 6 p.m. and is priced at $75 per person. The menu is as follows:

Africa
Moroccan Chickpea Soup Served With Flatbread
Rustenberg Chardonnay

Australia
Lamb Backstrap With Blood Orange Sauce, White Bean Puree and Kalettes
Wild Ride GSM Blend

Asia
Free Range Chicken Breast Seasoned With Togarashi and Yuzu Sauce Over
Black Sesame Rice Noodles and Baby Bok Choy
Hakushika Sake Junmai Gingo

Antarctica
Gin & Tonic and Lemongrass Shaved Ice With
Lavender Syrup and Candied Lime Wedge
Prejean Late Harvest Vignoles

Europe
Berkshire Pork Cheeks With Leek Tartar Over
Creamy Polenta and Broccolini
Honoro Vera Monastrell

South America
Caribbean Conch Salad With Plantain and Purple Yam Chips
Casa Patronalas Sauvignon Blanc

North America
Crispy Long Island Duck Breast With Fig Molasses
Served Over Farro Salad and Rainbow Carrots
Sheldrake Cabernet Franc

For dinner reservations contact Heather in sales at 315-686-1100. Reservations are required. Price does not include tax and gratuity. For more information visit www.1000IslandsHarborHotel.com.

About 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel
1000 Islands Harbor Hotel offers 105 deluxe guest rooms and suites, sophisticated dining, and state-of-the-art function space on the St. Lawrence riverfront in the heart of New York’s spectacular 1000 Islands region. The hotel opened in July 2014 as the third of Buffalo-based Hart Hotels’ Harbor Hotels brand, which also includes the Four Diamond-rated Portland Harbor Hotel in Portland, Maine, and Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, New York. The 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel is located at 200 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY 13624. Call 315-686-1100. For more information, visit www.1000islandsharborhotel.com.

Fiona Grahamfiona@cruiseslim.comhttp://www.cruiseslim.comEnjoy your cruise – without piling on the pounds!

CRUISE YOURSELF SLIM
Enjoy Your Cruise – Without Piling on the Pounds!
Martin and Marion Shirran
with Fiona Graham

“A must-read before any cruise, helping you walk away with a tan, not a waddle!”
Brian David Bruns, author of Cruise Confidential

Cruise passenger numbers worldwide are over 22 million for the third year
Over a million of those are Australian travellers
Obesity levels in Australia are now on a par with the USA – about 5 million Australians
are overweight
Average weight gain on a cruise is more than 4lb, according to a new survey

Cruise Yourself Slim is a new book about avoiding the seemingly unavoidable weight gain of people on today’s food-laden cruise ships. The book contains the results of a major new survey of cruise passengers conducted using the 500,000-strong database of world-leading cruise selling site cruise.co.uk .

Authors Martin and Marion Shirran,  themselves confirmed cruisers, are weight management specialists who run a clinic in Spain. Their idea for the book proved an immediate hit with cruise experts, and the contents include:
The story of Sarah Jayne Price, a travel consultant who lost more than half her body weight using the Shirrans’ methods and STILL cruises without gaining weight
A chapter by Senior Lecturer in Cruise Tourism Patsy Morgan, from Southampton Solent University in Europe’s ‘Cruise Capital’ City
A chapter by ‘Cruise Confidential’ author Brian Bruns

The book, which is available on Kindle and Audible as well as paperback, includes countless tips and tricks to help cruisers avoid piling on the pounds. It takes a look at how it is possible to eat and drink the sumptuous food presented on modern cruise liners yet still minimise any weight gain …while of course not cutting out all your fun!
Cruise passengers’ thoughts about onboard eating, as revealed in the survey, are an eye-opener!
CRUISE YOURSELF SLIM is published February 5, perfectly timed to help people plan for the cruises they will doubtless be booking now the festive season is behind us.

FOR AUTHOR INTERVIEW, CONTACT: Martin Shirran
0034 951 311 591 (Skype on request)
info@cruiseslim.com

• In 2014, the Lancet published a study showing Australia had the fastest growing obesity rate in the world. It found that around 63% of the adult population is overweight
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-29/australian-obesity-rates-climbing-fastest-in-the-* world/5485724
• Fewer than 1 in 4 Australians will be normal weight within 20 years, according to new Heart Foundation and Deakin University joint research. In the same timescale the number of obese adults will double and the public money spent on cardiovascular disease and diabetes will more than triple to $58 billion.
http://heartfoundation.org.au/news/heart-foundation-reveals-weighty-issue-this-christmas-as-we-head-for-worsening-obesity-crisis
• In 2014, over a million Australians – 4.2 per cent of the population took a cruise holiday. This is the world’s largest share per population and the first time any region has topped four per cent, according to an industry report.
http://www.traveller.com.au/australia-named-worlds-fastestgrowing-cruise-market-in-clia-report-gh9u44
________________________________________________________________

Available for use by media representatives:
• Whiteboard animation :
http://tinyurl.com/zqcr6k8
• Image of authors –
http://www.cruiseslim.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MM-background-screen.jpg
• High-res image of book #1
http://i2.wp.com/www.cruiseslim.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cruise-Yourself-Slim-Book-3D.png
• High-res image of book #2
http://www.cruiseslim.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CYS-Book-Front-Cover.jpg

About the authors:
Martin and Marion Shirran are both trained cognitive and hypno therapists. They run the Elite Clinic in Spain treating a wide range of Psychological issues including those overweight people have about food, food choices and eating. Martin and Marion have co-written two books The Gastric Mind Band®: the Proven, Pain Free Alternative to Weight Loss Surgery and Pause Button Therapy®both published internationally by Hay House to extensive media coverage. Married in Gibraltar in 2001 the Shirrans now live in Mijas Costa in Southern Spain.

Seasoned media interviewees having appeared on radio & TV internationally, they are available to interview, either one or both – Skype if preferred.

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Luxe Beat Magazine Digital Editions now online at http://luxebeatmag.com/magazine/

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

Member: International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

ment’or – Inspiring Culinary Excellence

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

google.com/+MaralynHill831

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorld, http://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

Megan Sterrittsterritt@kwepr.comhttp://www.velasresorts.comMexico’s Velas Resorts Further Define “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” with Opening of Grand Velas Los Cabos, November 2016

The “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Velas Resorts announces the opening of Grand Velas Los Cabos on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula in November 2016. The $150 million resort is the fifth property of the family owned and operated company with over 20 years of tradition in hospitality. The beachfront property will have enhanced signature facilities and services of Grand Velas resorts including duplex wellness suites with juice bars, wine based features inspired by the proximity to the region producing Mexico’s fine wines, and dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort. A gallery of contemporary art will continue the company’s commitment to bringing the art, fashion and culture of Mexico to guests. Grand Velas Los Cabos will offer the next generation of all-inclusive amenities and facilities including a selection of gourmet specialty restaurants, oversize designer suites with plunge pools, a Leading Spa of the World, staff ratio of 3 to 1, exceptional meeting facilities and a commitment to the environment.

[caption id=”attachment_14381″ align=”aligncenter” width=”598″] Grand Velas Los Cabos[/caption]

Located between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Grand Velas Los Cabos will feature 306 ocean view suites, all over 1,180 sq. ft. with private terraces and personal plunge pools. In addition, five gourmet restaurants with an extensive beverage and wine program; a 16,370 sq. ft. convention center with the capability for 20 breakout rooms; 19,375 sq. ft. spa with 20 treatment rooms and a leading hydrotherapy facility; three pools, including one adults-only; and pool and beach concierges are available. Rounding out the list of amenities and services are a Life Fitness Center with personal trainers, exercise programs, yoga, Pilates and meditation; recreational activities program; separate teens’ and kids’ club facilities and activities program; 24-hour personalized butler concierge service; and 24-hour insuite service. The curved, half-moon design of the hotel will catch eyes along the corridor with an iconic grand entrance that’s open air, three stories high and over 300 ft. above sea level. All of this beachfront, just 35 minutes from the Los Cabos International Airport which directly services over 40 destinations in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Gourmet Culinary Program

Grand Velas Los Cabos’ variety of gourmet restaurants, quality of the ingredients, creativity, presentation, and foodie experiences allow guests to explore and savor a worldly fusion of flavors without leaving the comfort of the resort. Food, creativity and presentation comparable to that of top restaurants in world capitals will be served in the resort’s signature restaurant, such as Cocina de Autor which will be helmed by a renowned chef. Other on-property fine dining options include Frida, offering Mexican fine dining; Piaf, which serves gourmet French specialties; and Lucca, with a menu of traditional Italian cuisine. For guests seeking a casual dining experience, the all-day dining restaurant Azul offers panoramic beach vistas and a relaxing, open-air, yet air-conditioned, environment in which to indulge in international cuisine. Bistro focuses on fresh seafood. 24-hour In-Suite Dining is also offered.

Offering innovative libations and sensory ambiances for every mood, the resort features three diverse bars: Sky Bar, Bistro Bar and Koi Sports Bar and Dancing Lounge. Highlights of the casually elegant space at Koi include a dramatic marble bar, state of the art sound and video equipment and comfortable seating groups. A DJ will spin the latest hits for guests’ listening and dancing pleasure with a dedicated dance floor.

All restaurants and bars are designed to take full advantage of the stunning views and have indoor and open air seating.

Renowned for the best Mexican wines, Baja California furthers its appeal for wine aficionados at Grand Velas Los Cabos. In addition to a Grand Velas-labeled wine, the resort will feature wine pairings at dinner, ultra-premium wines from Ensenada, and wine tastings.

Unique dining events, coffee bar, foodie experiences, premium liquor brands, cigar room, and custom cocktails in innovative ways are also planned for the resort.

Designer Suites

Stylish suites vary in size from 1,180 to 3,412 sq. ft., while all feature ocean views, private terrace with sitting area and plunge pool, separate living area with sofa, king or two queen beds, expansive bathroom with Jacuzzi and built-in shower. Daily turndown, personal concierge service, daily stocked premium mini-bar with refreshments and snacks, Nespresso Coffee Maker, high definition flat screen with digital cable TV, L’Occitane bath amenities, goose down pillows and comforters, and a pillow menu are also available insuite. A highlight of the suite is the full bottle of artisanal Mezcal, made exclusively for the resort. In the multi-bedroom Governor and Presidential Suites, a bottle of the finest wine from Ensenda also greets guests.

All six two-level Wellness Suites are double height with lofted ceilings and feature a plethora of fitness and wellness amenities, such as Life Fitness recline bike, spa concierge, Vitamin C sprinkler, crudité minibar, aromatherapy kit, in-suite massage and more. All Wellness Suites face the spa with the second level being exclusive for the fitness amenities, inclusive of a juice bar with a wide selection of juices and healthy beverages.

Interior design is contemporary Mexican with touches inspired by traditional Mexican architecture, a signature of Grand Velas Resorts. Ricardo Elias, principal of Elias and Elias Architects in Guadalajara, who designed the highly acclaimed Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, returned once again to Grand Velas as the architectural designer for the Los Cabos location. The resort’s interior design was created by architects Roberto Elias and Ernesto Vela and interior designer Melin Castro.

Signature Spa

The two-level, 19,375 sq. ft. Spa at Grand Velas Los Cabos will have 20 treatment rooms, some with a water view. Guests will enjoy authentic and innovative treatments using the latest technology and products of the Earth, traditional in the Mexican culture. Included in any treatment of 50 minutes or more, hydrotherapy facilities feature dry saunas, cold plunge pools, vitality pools, whirlpools, herbal steam rooms with color-therapy, clay and ice rooms and experience showers. A beauty salon, spa boutique, Life Fitness center, and rooftop garden for events are also available for guests.

Meetings and Events

The Convention Center at Grand Velas Los Cabos will offer 16,370 sq. ft. of flexible event space, with the capacity to hold up to 1,700 attendees. With two large ballrooms, the greater being over 10,700 sq. ft., the space can be conveniently divided into 20 breakout rooms. The resort features a dedicated area for events, the only at a hotel in the destination, for everyone from family groups and weddings to private dinners.

“Our convention center will undoubtedly be one of the largest and most functional of the area that will be able to accommodate a wide variety of top national and international meetings and conventions,” said Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and president of Velas Resorts.

In addition to customizable meeting space, the resort offers top-of-the-line audio-visual equipment, technical support, secretarial and translation services, and a fully-equipped business center. With its convenient location to the airport, special pre- and- post -group rates, and easy access to an abundance of local activities, Grand Velas is a perfect destination for a meeting and a vacation all in one. The resort’s expert meetings and events team is dedicated to deliver accessible, well-equipped and exceptional meetings and events tailored to every guest need.

Leisure Activities

A leisurely day at the resort is effortless with a sun-soaked afternoon walking miles of uninterrupted beach or lounging at one of the three heated pools. The pools’ design is inspired by the flora and marine life of the area. An adults-only pool will epitomize Zen and serenity for those looking for total rest and relaxation. All are infinity pools providing maximum views of the Sea of Cortes and its famed whale watching. Grand Velas also offers a collection of workout programs such as yoga and Pilates.

For families travelling with children, Grand Velas’ Kids’ Club offers a safe, fun and creative environment to explore interactive activities such as soccer, treasure hunting and cooking classes. The resort’s Teens’ Club is a contemporary space where teens from 13-18 years old can enjoy their own mini vacation. The Teens’ Club will feature an extensive game room complete with an X-Box Kinect, pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, karaoke set with vintage dance floor and more.

Eco-Friendly Hospitality Practices

Grand Velas Los Cabos has been meticulously designed to exist harmoniously within its fragile environment. To create the site for the resort, several hundred trees and cacti that only grow a centimeter a year were dug up and will be transplanted so all are used, protecting the native flora and fauna of the region. Eliminating the need to rely upon local and regional natural resources, Grand Velas Los Cabos’ Reverse-Osmosis Desalting Plants operate self-sufficiently. For every liter of potable water, the resort will be able to re-use 2.54 cups for general purposes, while 1.69 cups are returned to the subsoil, aiding in the conservation of the environment. Saving 30% of all water used in the entire laundry process, the laundry facilities include a water treatment plant that efficiently filters soapy waters to then be used in the rinsing process. The residual water treatment facility receives and processes all the water from the entire resort, which is then used for the watering of all exterior gardens and surrounding mangroves and jungle.

Rates start at $750 per person per night in double occupancy. Grand Velas’ all-inclusive rate includes luxury suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, nightly entertainment and more. For more reservations or more information on Grand Velas Los Cabos, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit www.velasresorts.com.

Image Credit: Grand Velas Los Cabos

Dronacharya Davedronacharya@volunteeringsolutions.comhttps://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/Solo Girl Traveler From Kirkland is on The Mission of Volunteering Abroad

19th May 2016: Breanna Johns, a 21 year old girl from Kirkland in Washington is on a volunteering spree; and she’s doing it all by herself. Johns, who has recently graduated from Bellevue College, was in the middle of going to nursing school when she felt this need to find herself as a person. “Volunteer work is an indescribable fulfillment. And what better way to learn about myself than by helping others and falling in love with the world.”, says Breanna who has recently finished her 9 long weeks of volunteering in Philippines.

[caption id=”attachment_14384″ align=”aligncenter” width=”590″] Breanna[/caption]

She got placed under the Public Health Nutrition Program through Volunteering Solutions, an international volunteer match organization, where she utilized her creative skills to develop the community center. Not only did she managed to raise close to $1000 for her volunteer program, but also put the funds for the most appropriate use. Along with the help of local support, she managed to refurbish the entire nutrition center, giving it a fresh and classy look. She also created an entirely new library for kids where they can visit to not only read, but have a lot of fun and play.

[caption id=”attachment_14385″ align=”aligncenter” width=”583″] Breanna[/caption]

When asked about her experience of volunteering in Philippines with Volunteering Solutions, this is what she had to say;
“VFV was kind enough to take time out of their day to help me repaint the nutrition center. I also got amazing support from Volunteering Solutions on my journey and my fundraiser to rebuild the center. The children and families of San Joaquin were there everyday to help me. I appreciate the efforts of everyone who pitched in. I’m only one person who happened to be here. All the money and support I owe a big thank you to my friends and family.”

[caption id=”attachment_14383″ align=”aligncenter” width=”585″] Processed with VSCOcam with hb2 preset[/caption]

Breanna is, now, looking forward to her next sojourn; Nepal. She will be working at an orphanage center in Kathmandu for 11 weeks, and is extremely excited about it. You can read more about the work she will be doing in Nepal, here.

Image credits: Breanna Johns working for the development of the center

 

Megan Sterrittsterritt@kwepr.comhttp://www.rivieramaya.grandvelas.comMexico’s Top Chefs Unite at Best of Mexico, Oct 5-9

Five of the best Mexican chefs known internationally for their trend setting culinary art will highlight the best of the new tendencies in high Mexican cuisine with the Best of Mexico Riviera Maya. The event will be held from October 5 to 9 at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

The exclusive resort invited the prestigious chefs including Zahie Téllez, Carlos Gaytan, Francisco Ruano, and Mikel Alonso to share their creativity, talent and passion for Mexican cuisine through this gastronomic event. The event is a 10-course tasting menu, original dishes featuring ingredients and seasonings from all of Mexico. The special tasting menu will be offered over the four nights, and is included in the daily rate for all guests of this top all-inclusive resort.

[caption id=”attachment_14495″ align=”aligncenter” width=”580″] Copia de Frida Fine Cuisine Grand Velas Riviera Maya[/caption]

“We want our guests to take with them an unforgettable memory of Mexico through the best of its gastronomy,” said Rodolfo González Munguía, Managing Director of Grand Velas Riviera Maya. “The gastronomic event is yet another part of our resort’s commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards, creating unique experiences and adding value for guests. It complements what we call our international culinary tour as we feature cuisines of the world in our Grand Velas gourmet restaurants where guests can dine at no additional charge,” he added.

The hosts of the event, Chef Ricardo de la Vega of Frida, awarded Four Diamonds by AAA, and Executive Chef of the resort, Michel Mustière, Maître Cuisinier de France, added that the Best of Mexico Riviera Maya was designed to promote the richness of Mexican cuisine through its leading exponents and the use of ingredients, colors and seasonings typical of the different regions of Mexico.

Holding a total of 18 Diamonds by AAA, Grand Velas Riviera Maya has set new standards in the All Inclusive World with food, creativity and presentation comparable to top restaurants in world capitals. In addition to Frida’s Four and the resort’s Five, its Cocina de Autor restaurant is the only restaurant in the world that’s part of an All-Inclusive to hold the AAA Five Diamond Award. The resort’s French restaurant Piaf also holds Four Diamonds.

Frida, named in honor of the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, offers high Mexican cuisine in an atmosphere at once contemporary and relaxing. It has been honored as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in Mexico, featured on the Gourmand of BBVA Bancomer list.

Chef Alejandro Heredia recognized as the best Mexican chef of the 20th century, will be named ambassador of Frida restaurant during this gastronomic event.

Nightly rates start at $393 per person per night based on double occupancy. All-inclusive rates include luxury suite accommodations, à la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. The dinner is included complimentary for resort guests in the nightly rate. For more reservations or more information on Grand Velas Riviera Maya, please email reservations@velasresorts.com, call 1-888-407-4869, or visit http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/.

Image c/o Velas Resorts.

###

We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is inappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Nicole Kim The BloggerNicoleKim@abornewords.comhttp://www.abornewords.com/blog-pleasure.phpRauni Kewrkew@innbythesea.comhttp://www.innbythesea.com%20Veg Out with Maine’s Sea Glass Chef Andrew Chadwick

Veg Out!
Chef Andrew Chadwick celebrates vegetables off season in Sea Glass at Maine’s Inn by the Sea

Chef Chadwick is having a late winter love affair with vegetables- not that he is about to forsake local seafood, native lobster or beef on the Sea Glass menu. Instead, he simply hopes to showcase the form and flavor of vegetables in a new light, rethinking traditional presentations and moving vegetables from almost invisible “sides” for protein, to center plate.

[caption id=”attachment_14674″ align=”aligncenter” width=”574″] Executive Chef Andrew Chadwick[/caption]

His focus on vegetables steps away from the carnivorous- centric menus typical in New England, and the Chef believes the time is right to do so- “Stored vegetables are actually terrific- filled with flavor, they are hardy, colorful and highly delectable. Winter vegetables aren’t just tasty, they lend themselves to creative presentations and work well with everything from light and exotic to comfort food,” says Chef Chadwick. “Think potato varieties or turnip for form and structure, kale and beets for vibrant color, onions and celeriac for full flavor- all allowing a Chef to create a plate as artful as it is delicious.”

The Chef is turning the table on tradition with plates that serve up protein as the side or garnish for vegetables. “This isn’t your grandmother’s over boiled veg- this is about cooking technique and new presentations that allow traditional winter vegetables to be fully appreciated for their structure and taste,” said the Chef.

The Chef is also a huge fan of micro greens for flavor and color. He purchases small, growing Teenie Greenies® flats from nearby Scarborough farmers. Teenie Greenies® are Cultivation Works’ newest social enterprise, which teaches people with disabilities to grow fresh, healthy produce in a sustainable way. The micro greens arrive with just their first, delicate leaves developed and that means they’re packed with flavor and nutrients. It’s like having fields- but very tiny, stacked fields- at the chef’s fingertips all winter.

After the excess of the winter comfort food even the health benefits of adding more vegetables to your diet is not overlooked by the chef. “People naturally crave heavier food in the winter and tend to eat fewer fresh and simple foods and salads. Probably more important in winter than at any other time, vegetables add vital nutrients and fiber to meals,” said Chadwick.

“Diners are intensely interested in farm to fork and locally grown produce- what speaks more to the characteristics of our region than vegetables from a local farm- even in winter! People in New England have been storing vegetables for winter use for generations- it’s time to get vegetables out of the root cellar and onto the center of the plate!” said Chef Chadwick.

Sea Glass Restaurant at Maine’s luxurious Inn by the Sea, just 7 miles outh of Portland on Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth is open daily at Inn by the Sea for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Please call 207. 799. 3134 for reservations.

FMI: Rauni Kew, PR Manager, Inn by the Sea & Sea Glass, 40 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, 04107. M: 207.602.8500 W: 207.799.3134 rkew@innbythesea.com

[caption id=”attachment_14473″ align=”alignleft” width=”187″] MDHill[/caption]

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

Editor-in-Chief, Where and What in the World

Freelance Lifestyle Journalist

Member: International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)

Member: Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Member: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

ment’or – Inspiring Culinary Excellence

Blogs: Where and What in the World & Success with Writing

https://authorcentral.amazon.com

Follow me: @maralynhill

google.com/+MaralynHill831

FB: http://www.facebook.com/The.Epicurean.Explorer,,  http://www.facebook.com/WhereandWhat.intheWorld, http://www.facebook.com/Success.With.Writing

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maralynhill

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We welcome press releases on the food, wine, travel, and items related to the hospitality industry. We receive emails with more than we can post to our service. If you would like to post a press release, please click the the submission tab to get the form to upload your release. You can also upload three photos. It will go in pending and be scheduled, unless it is inappropriate. This will enable more of you to have your releases up in a timely manner.

Divakar Kolhedivakar@futuremarketinsights.comhttp://www.futuremarketinsights.com/Cosmetic Lasers Market Offers Growth Prospects in Future

Cosmetic lasers devices are used In medical field .cosmetic laser devices are mainly functioning on the principle of “selective photo Thermolysis” whereas, photo refers to the frequency of light, thermo to produce heat and lysis means to destroy.Cosmetic laser techniques are least invasive and user-friendly .The current trends of cosmetic lasers surgery on the practical point of view the cosmetic laser devices are differentiated into three categorized by cosmetic issues. By cosmetic issues, these categorized further divided into the sub-category. Treatment will be given according to patient selection.

Cosmetic lasers market: Drivers and Restraint

In the modern world, cosmetic lasers surgery changed the dimension of the beauty cosmetic laser devices play an important role in renamed definition of beauty .it seeks the attention of women towards this market due to this factor cosmetic lasers market growth increases tremendously .cosmetic lasers surgery are pain less and least invasive with providing significant results.Cosmetic lasers market revenue will blow over the forecast period.Cosmetic lasers surgery might be risky.it can be change body shape, size .these side effects can be an obstacle for cosmetic laser market, and there are less well trained cosmetic surgeons

Request For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3642

Cosmetic Lasers Market: Overview

Cosmetic laser market creates great opportunity to expand their wings. Manufacturers continuous developed cosmetic laser techniques and they also introduce the variety of cosmetic laser consistently in the market. Revenue of the cosmetic lasers market increase day by day with good values.

By product type global market can be categorized into three different parts such as Ablative, non-ablative and non-laser, ablative lasers usually vaporize the top layers of damaged skin, non- ablative lasers work deeper into the skin without removing.

By product modality, cosmetic lasers devices which are used in treatment is totally dependent on patient selection, type of interaction, etc

By end user the global cosmetic lasers market is segmented into hospital, skin care clinics, and cosmetic surgical centers.

Visit For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3642

Cosmetic Lasers Market: Region-wise Outlook

By regional values, global cosmetic lasers market is segmented into seven key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America followed by Europe will continue to dominate the global cosmetic lasers market attributed to growing number of the adult as well as the aged population with some beauty problems such as wrinkles, facial contour body, contour hair loss, and acne, etc. caries leading to more number of cosmetic surgery. Furthermore, increasing rate of cosmetic surgery procedures among the older group is also expected to result in higher demand for cosmetic laser market globally over the forecast period. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in global cosmetic lasers market.

Cosmetic Lasers Market: Key Market Participants

Some of the major players stand in global cosmetic lasers market Alma, Candela, Cutera, Cynosure, Deka, Hoyoconbio, Lumensis, Palomar, and Syneron, etc. Companies are involved in collaboration agreements for R&D to exploit maximum revenue potential in global cosmetic lasers market.

Full Report Analysis@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/cosmetic-lasers-market

Rauni Kewrkew@innbythesea.comhttp://www.innbythesea.comDivakar Kolhedivakar@futuremarketinsights.comhttp://www.futuremarketinsights.comDivakar Kolhedivakar@futuremarketinsights.comhttps://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/asia-pacific-plastic-additives-marketPlant Based Protein Beverages Market to Witness Widespread Expansion During 2017-2027

Plant Based Protein Beverages Market Introduction:

Protein is one of the ingredients which is responsible for increasing muscle mass and curbing appetite. Animal based protein beverages were a common source of protein but now, plant based protein beverages also act as the great source of protein for their consumers. Plant based protein beverages refer to protein enriched beverages which originate from the plant such as nondairy beverages, bagels, and others. Plant based protein beverages are gaining popularity among customers who are interested in consuming protein but via non-dairy products. Pea and brown rice based protein beverages are gaining high popularity among their consumer as compared to other plant based protein beverages. There are different flavors of these beverages available which provide a wide of products for consumers.

Plant Based Protein Beverages Market Segmentation:

The plant based protein beverages market is segmented on the basis of end use, raw material, source, product type, and distribution channel. On the basis of end use, the plant based protein beverages market is segmented into HoReCa, food and beverage industry, and household. On the basis of raw material, plant based protein beverages are segmented into seeds, legumes, nuts, beans, grains and others.

On the basis of source, plant based beverages are segmented into conventional and organic. Organic plant based protein beverages turn out to be more costly than conventional because they don’t involve usage of any type of artificial compounds in its manufacturing, therefore it serves to be pure natural products.

On the basis of product type, plant based beverages are segmented into plant based milk, plant based butter and much more. Every product type can also be sub segmented on the basis of flavor type or some other factor, such as plant based milk can be segmented into almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk and others.

On the basis of the distribution channel, the plant based protein beverages market is segmented into modern trade, specialty stores, convenience store, online stores and other retail stores. Easy availability of products due to these distribution channels increases the global plant based protein beverages market.

Plant Based Protein Beverages Market Regional Outlook:

The regional segment for the market of plant based milk market is divided into seven different regions: Western Europe, North America, Eastern Europe, Latin America, APEJ, Middle East & Africa and Japan. North America, Western Europe are the leading regions in global plant based protein beverages market owing to consumers are getting highly aware with respect to their health. APAC is anticipated to boost its plant based protein beverage market during the forecast period.

https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/asia-pacific-plastic-additives-market

Plant Based Protein Beverages Market Drivers and Trends:

In order to gain control over the market, animal based protein based beverage manufacturing firms are coming up with the manufacturing of plant based protein beverages. Consumers have accepted that plant based protein beverages tends to provide the same benefits as provided by animal based, with respect to building muscle mass, energy, and strength. Consumers are moving up for plant based protein beverages as these beverages avoid cholesterol, saturated fat and allergic reactions from dairy based products. Animal welfare also serves as an effective reason due to which consumers choose plant base protein beverages as an alternative to animal based products. Increase in lactose intolerance and cautiousness regarding hormones present in animal based beverages also drives plant based protein beverage market at global level. Plant based protein beverage sources have a higher growth rate than animal based. Manufacturers are arising with new and innovative plant based protein beverages to provide a great variety of products to their consumers.

Plant Based Protein Beverages Market Key Players:

Few of the key players of plant based protein beverages market are Ripple Foods, Malk Organic, Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods, Califia farms, The New Barn, Pacific Foods, and Beyond Meat.

[caption id=”attachment_14758″ align=”alignleft” width=”239″] Maralyn Dennis Hill[/caption]

Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed.,  The Epicurean Explorer

Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com

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Ankush Nikamankush@futuremarketinsights.comhttps://www.futuremarketinsights.comLisa J.Richielisa@gosportsreviews.comhttps://www.gosportsreviews.com/Ping Pong Information and Gear

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