Press Releases

18th ANNUAL TASTE OF VAIL UNVEILS 2008 SIGNATURE EVENTS

CREATED: 2008-05-02 01:38 PM

Vail, CO - March, 2008 - Taste of Vail, the premier spring food and wine festival in the nation's #1 ski resort, is gearing up for a new celebration of food, wine and skiing at the 18th Annual festival in April 2008. The four-day festival runs from April 2 to April 5, 2008 and will feature a variety of events from cooking seminars with guest chefs throughout the Vail community to a Grand tasting dinner and dance. Taste of Vail will feature 35 guest chefs and owners and sommeliers from over 50 wineries, with all proceeds contributed to a variety of Vail Valley charities.

The 4th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-Off kicks off the festival right in the heart of Vail Village. Guests are invited to sample an array of delicious lamb dishes prepared by Vail's finest chefs and restaurants, the guest chefs and the Colorado Lamb Board. The dishes range from classic lamb chop dishes to exotic recipes and combinations. The many dishes are complimented perfectly with wineries and wine selections by the top wine makers and winery owners in the world.

The Après Ski Tasting introduces Taste of Vail's immersion into the wine world. Sommeliers and winery owners will offer tastings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and many more. This year the tasting is titled "Life Beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Merlot."

Held on the third day of the festival, the Mountain Top Picnic takes guests 10,350 feet above sea level to the scenic Eagle's Nest on Vail Mountain. A one-of-a kind igloo martini bar completes the Slim Aarons type picturesque moment. That night, a chef showcase dinner at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor's Gulch tops off an amazing day.

The most anticipated event of the festival marks the end of the four-days of food and wine. The Grand Tasting dinner, held at Vail Marriot Mountain Resort & Spa, overlooking the Vail Valley and breathtaking Rocky Mountains. Epicureans will indulge in creative dishes by renowned chefs and wine poured from the finest wineries in the world. Guest chefs at this dinner and events throughout the festival include: Tony Aiazzi of Aureole in New York, Joseph Manzare of Zuppa in San Francisco, Curtis Lincoln of The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver and Chef Diane Henderiks R.D. from "Dietician in the Kitchen."

A variety of seminars are available for guests of Taste of Vail, including intimate cooking classes with renowned chefs, expert wine tastings and cigar tastings.

EVENTS CALENDAR
A full, four-day pass to the 18th Annual Taste of Vail is available for $420 and will includes the below events* and three morning cooking seminars.

Wednesday April 2, 2008
4th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-Off
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Vail Village

Thursday April 3, 2008
Cooking Seminar with Chef Joseph Manzare of Zuppa in San Francisco
Included In Festival Pass
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Glass Seminar
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Four Points of the Russian River Valley Pinot Compass
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Après Ski Tasting: Life Beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Merlot
Included in Festival Pass
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Vail Plaza Hotel And Club

Chef Showcase Dinner and Live Auction
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch

Cigars and Glenmorangie
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Tap Room in Vail Valley

Friday April 4, 2008
Cooking Seminar with Chef Curtis Lincoln of The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver
Included in Festival Pass
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Mountain Top Picnic access via the Eagle Bahn Express Gondola
Included in Festival Pass
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Eagle's Nest

Belvedere and Wine Spectator present the Bar Chefs' Mix Off
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Ludwig's at Sonnenalp Resort

Cooking Seminar with Chef Tony Aiazzi of Aureole in New York City
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Chef Showcase Dinner presented by Portmeirion
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Game Creek Restaurant

Saturday April 5, 2008
Cooking Seminar with Chef Diane Henderiks, R.D. of "Dietician in the Kitchen"
Included In Festival Pass
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

A German Riesling Seminar featuring Ernst Loosen of Dr Loosen Winery
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Stella Artois and Food Pairing with Chef Daniel Joly
2:30 PM
Best Life Lodge

Cabernet Seminar
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Grand Tasting and Dinner Dance
Included In Festival Pass
7:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa

Tickets to the four-day festival and individual events and seminars are available online at www.tasteofvail.com along with full event details and schedules.

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*Please note, the general event pass excludes the Chef Showcase dinners on Thursday and Friday night.

Media Contact:
Sarah Boyd/ Erin Maxwell
Vincent Partners
212-627-3439 ext. 487/ 443
sarahb@vincentpartners.com/
erinm@vincentpartners.com