Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Epicurean Events

American Express Presented a fantastic fundraiser in Santa Barbara in April that was supported by all the Sustainable Chefs from area restaurants, local wineries and breweries to raise money to support the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, California Association of Food Banks and California Food Policy Advocates. Bravo to all!

SNEAK PEAK AT SUMMER IN
ST. MORITZ WITH SPECIAL GETAWAYS
FROM BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL
The Swiss Alps’ most sophisticated address turns up the heat on seasonal activities and events with great rates on summer packages

Enjoy Special Summer Getaway packages with savings up to 56% from the Swiss Alps’ most sophisticated address: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz. The historic grand palace hotel is just the spot for taking in a wide array of seasonal happenings, from bountiful on-site dining options and gourmet events to sporting and cultural highlights throughout the village all summer long.

Alpine Summer Feeling: Two-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability, welcome amenity from the Pastisserie upon arrival; daily buffet breakfast, one set dinner at “Chesa Veglia” and one set dinner at a Palace Restaurant (excluding drinks); complimentary mini-bar, movie channels, internet service and daily newspaper; and free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz From 640 CHF for single and 1040 CHF for double occupancy – a 56% discount on rack rates.

Go Green in St. Moritz: Three-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability, daily buffet breakfast; complimentary mini-bar, movie channels and internet, daily newspaper; hiking map of the region; daily set-dinners with regional specialties in “Chesa Veglia” or a Palace Restaurant (excluding beverages); horse drawn carriage ride to Roseg Glacier with return transfer to Pontresina; one organic Palace picnic basket per person; tickets to the self-guided Clean Energy Tour around St. Moritz; guided tour of the new ecologically sensitive heating system within Badrutt's Palace Hotel; free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz. From 1,440 CHF for single and 2,200 CHF for double occupancy – a 22.5% discount on rack rates.

Family Summer Indulgence: Seven-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability, welcome amenity from the Pastisserie upon arrival; complimentary mini-bar, movie channels, internet and daily newspaper; daily buffet breakfast, daily set dinner in “Chesa Veglia” or a Palace Restaurant (excluding drinks); one Palace Picnic basket per adult; one boat trip on Lake Sils including return transfer to Sils; horse drawn carriage trip into Fex Valley including return transfer to Sils; complimentary childcare services at the Kids’ Club “Palazzino” (excluding lunch & dinner); free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz; Additional room for the children at a 50% discount on standard daily rate (bed & breakfast). From 4,490 CHF for double occupancy – a 41% discount on rack rates.

Golf Delight: Three-night package for two in a Superior room including a free upgrade upon availability; Palace golf present at arrival; complimentary mini-bar, movie channels, internet and daily newspaper; daily buffet breakfast, daily set dinner in Chesa Veglia or Le Restaurant (excluding drinks); two greens fees at golf courses Zouz Madulain or Samedan, with return transfer from hotel to golf course; free tickets for all mountain railways and cable-cars in St. Moritz and public transportation within St. Moritz. From CHF 1,320 for single and 2,040 for double occupancy – a 30% discount on rack rates.

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a celebration of style, sports, cuisine and fashion, with discreet service and traditional elegance evoking an atmosphere of pampered luxury for all. An ideal destination in both winter and summer, the hotel is located in one of the most challenging ski areas in the world and offers a host of summer alpine activities. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel has 159 guestrooms, including 47 suites and junior suites, is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Swiss Deluxe Hotels and Swiss Historic Hotels.

GOURMET HOUSEWARES SHOW - MAY 6-8
SANDS, LAS VEGAS
Sustainability leads the way in gourmet trends for 2008
New Products to be featured at the Gourmet Housewares Show,
Las Vegas

With over 350 exhibitors from the gourmet and upscale housewares industry, The Gourmet Housewares show is the premier marketplace to highlight industry trends. Products on showcase during this year’s show will focus on sustainability, which is leading the way in trends for 2008. From materials used in the design of products, to new products that reduce amounts of waste—“going green” hits the upscale housewares market and upholds the “green standards” set forth by show organizers.

“We are thrilled to highlight those exhibitors that uphold green standards by recognizing them with a “Green by Design” display during this year’s show. Sustainability has become a way of life and we are proud that our industry—particularly this show--maintains and continues to pave the way with new sustainable products that are diverse, functional, and highly unique.” –Vice President & Show Manager, Susan Corwin

Highlights for this year’s show include high-performance kitchen essentials with a fashionable and sustainable flare from MU Kitchen—product line includes cloth, towel, potholder, mitt, apron, and handleslip.

We know the gourmet consumer is searching for high quality, functional products with a bit of style to them and MÜ as a company will deliver this functional product to the gourmet market with the environment in mind each time.—President; MU Kitchen, Chadd Moser

Vita-Mix Corporation expands its presence with the introduction of the upgraded TurboBlend 4500—featuring the new BPA-free container made of copolyester, a breakthrough food preparation materials developed by Eastman Chemical Company to meet the growing demands of “green-conscious” consumers.

The leading manufacturer of bamboo products in the United States, TruBamboo LLC, will introduce new kitchen utensils and gadgets not yet available in the marketplace and plans to expand their product line to bamboo glassware. All cutting boards and products are 100% solid bamboo—and are 100% environmentally friendly.

Proteak Renewable Forestry—targeting eco-conscious consumers—presents the new line of finely crafted teach wood products, including countertops and more. Proteak appeals to the high-end consumer who appreciates the natural beauty and durability of teak, as well as the company’s commitment to environmentally and socially responsible forestry practices.

The Gourmet Housewares Show has long prided itself on appealing to the highly selective and discriminating buyers interested in upscale products for the kitchen and dining room. Industry trends and product introductions during the show will come from a variety of key companies like; UMBRA, Smith Abrasives, Keurig, Kuhn Rikon, Swiss Diamonds, Claude Dezorme, William Bounds, Component Design Northwest, and many more.

Other key exhibitors are KitchenAid, DeLonghi America, Deni/Keystone, Henckels, iSi North America, John Ritzenthaler, Kyocera, Revol, CIA Masters Collection/Robinson Home, Wusthof, Scanpan, the Wine Appreciation Guild, HWI/Breville, Bonjour/ Meyer, Cuisinart/Waring, Furitechnics, Gibson Overseas, Harold Imports, Lifetime Brands, Messermeister, Metrokane, NordicWare, Nespresso, Staub, Swissmar, Tramontina, Trudeau, William Bounds, WMF, and Zak Designs.

The Show will also feature the return of the popular Gourmet Golds Awards—highlighting the show’s best new products in: Cookware/Bakeware; Kitchen Electrics; Gadgets, Cutlery and Accessories; Gourmet Gifts and Specialty Food; and Tabletop and Textiles. In line with the current sustainability trend, the Awards will also showcase the new “Green” award, along with a Best in Show Award. 2008 is sure to be a tight race to the finish line.

Renowned chefs Rick Tramonto, David Rosengarten and others already scheduled to appear

The Art of Food & Wine™ Palm Desert, a four-day celebration featuring the very best in art, food and wine hospitality and education, today announced the dates for its 2008 event. Poised to become the premier West Coast destination for the discerning palate, The Art of Food & Wine will kick off Thursday, Nov. 6 and run through Sunday, Nov. 9.

New to the schedule in 2008, the opening night “Food Flight!” – a friendly, interactive competition featuring Coachella Valley’s finest chefs and bartenders; wine dinner benefits, pairing local restaurants and charities with celebrity chefs and master sommeliers; “Sweet Dreams,” a nightcap event showcasing delicious desserts, wines, champagnes and after-dinner drinks poolside at the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa; the dedication of 18 new sculptures to enhance the beauty and excitement of Palm Desert’s El Paseo shopping district, a fashionista’s paradise; and a concert at Palm Desert’s first-class music venue, the McCallum Theatre.

The Art of Food & Wine’s signature two-day Grand Tasting will again feature celebrity chefs, elite vintners and exclusive restaurants. Returning are Rick Tramonto, Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert Chef Ambassador, James Beard award winner and Food & Wine magazine’s Best Chef (2002); two-time James Beard award winner and food and wine expert David Rosengarten, editor of The Rosengarten Report; former Food Network stars The Hearty Boys and “Breakfast Queen” Ina Pinkney. These chefs and others promise to dazzle guests with impressive recipes and demonstrations. Event attendees can also look forward to delicious samples prepared by local chefs and chefs from Palm Desert’s Sister Cities, as well as wine and lifestyle seminars, book signings, artists, exhibitors and tastings of wines and spirits from around the world.

Presenting Sponsors of The Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert are the City of Palm Desert, the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa and Southern Wine & Spirits of America. To date, Event Partners include KCET and Jenn-Air. Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services, Pacific Western Bank, Palm Springs Desert Resort and Communities Convention & Visitors Authority and Set to Save (The Palm Desert Energy Partnership) are all members of the event’s Host Committee.

The Art of Food & Wine Palm Desert is a unique four-day celebration attracting thousands of art and culinary enthusiasts from across California and around the country to enjoy the very best in art, food and wine hospitality and education. Taking place November 6-9, 2008 in Palm Desert, California, the event features food and wine tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations, culinary seminars, art, music, shopping and golf — all nestled in Southern California’s beautiful Coachella Valley. For more information, visit www.artoffoodandwine.com or call 1.866.96.TASTE (82783).