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NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Rebecca Robinson
Executive Director
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
512-327-7555 or 512-350-4621 (cell)
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The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas Pops Cork on Sixth Annual Big Reds and Bubbles
Grand holiday tasting raises more than $30,000 for culinary arts
AUSTIN, Texas (December 23, 2008) — Foodies and wine connoisseurs alike enjoyed mingling among a sold out crowd at the sixth annual Big Reds & Bubbles event held at the historic Driskill Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sponsored by Glazer’s Distributing, the Big Reds & Bubbles event is the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas’ annual culinary, red wine and bubbles showcase which featured over 75 champagnes and fine red wines as well as a show-stopping silent auction.
The event also saw the launch of the Foundation’s Plate & Vine® Interactive Cookbook. This ground-breaking product is a state-of-the-art online cookbook containing exciting features such as adjustable serving sizes, customized grocery lists and multiple recipes that can be sent directly to your cell phone or PDA. Developed by Austin’s Keeper Collection, LLC, the online engine enables users to pull famous gourmet recipes by category or ingredient. It also includes photo demonstrations and party planning tools, among many other features. Guests had fun with the interactive demonstration stations, planning their own sample menus.
A must-have cooking tool and great gift, the Plate & Vine® Interactive Cookbook became available for the first time at the event and can now be purchased online at www.winefoodcooking.com. Proceeds from cookbook sales and the silent auction raised more than $30,000 which will benefit grants and scholarship programs of The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, a non-profit organization dedicated to education and research in the culinary and viticulture arts.
The event was sponsored by world-class wine and spirits wholesaler Glazer's Family of Companies as well as Marquee Event Group, bRILLANT Magazine, Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water and San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water. It was Chaired by Wine & Food Foundation Board member, and professional event planner, Shannon Boggus.
“Big Reds and Bubbles is an event wrapped in holiday spirit and exquisite taste,” said Boggus. “We had a beautiful selection of tastings this year with musical entertainment by renowned cellist, Steve Bernal, which made it a night to remember.”
Another notable moment was the recognition of Pastry Chef Carrie Reed, from the Texas Culinary Academy, as this year’s 2008 Pastry Scholarship Cook-off winner. Chef Reed spent the evening wowing guests with a Pistachio Panna Cotta with Blackberry Compote and Buttermilk Sorbet.
A sold out crowd of 350 guests also roamed the elegant foyer of the Driskill which was flanked by the Big Reds & Bubbles silent auction. Dramatic pink lights illuminated over 30 luxury items including rare wine lots, restaurant packages and specialty gifts. Highlights included two weekend stays at the Barton Creek Resort and Club, a golf package at the Horseshoe Bay Marriott and Krug Grand Cuvee Brut Champagne.
Tastings encompassed bold, rich red wines and champagnes from some of the finest houses including:
BIG REDS: Alder Ridge, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Caparzo, Casa Lapostolle, Castello Banfi, Château de Beaucastel, Château Lascombes, Clos du Val, Cono Sur, Doña Paula Estate, Dry Creek Vineyards, Far Niente, Gloria Ferrer, Goldschmidt, Groth, Gruet Heredad Morlanda, Inniskillin, J. Bookwalter, J. Lohr, Los Vascos, Lucien Albrecht, Luna Vineyards, Miner, Newton, Nickel and Nickel, Patianna, Ridge, Robert Craig, Robert Mondavi Winery, Rombauer, Ruffino, Rustenberg, Sebastiani, Tablas Creek, Taltarni, Terrazas and Viader.
BUBBLES: Deutz, Dom Pérignon, Heidsieck Monopole, Krug, Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate, Nicolas Feuillatte, Pommery, Ruinart and Veuve Clicquot.
In addition, a record-breaking number of Austin’s top chefs participated, offering a stunning selection of mouth-watering dishes. They included: Andiamo Ristorante, Aquarelle Restaurant Français, Bess Bistro on Pecan, Cookie Lounge, Crú, A Wine Bar, Dagar's Catering, Doña Emilia's South American, The Driskill Grill, The Driskill Hotel, Fete Accompli, Inc. Houston's of Austin, Kenichi, Lambert's Downtown BBQ, Joe DiMaggio's Italian Chophouse, Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, parkside, Portabla, Texas Culinary Academy & Pastry Chef Carrie Reed, III Forks and Truluck's.
This year was the first official sell-out of the event. Guests are encouraged to join the Foundation to receive the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance next year. For more information on how to join the Foundation or for an upcoming list of events, visit the Foundation’s website at www.winefoodfoundation.org.
About The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas:
For nearly a decade, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas has been blazing the trail for statewide education in the culinary and viticulture arts. This mission is supported through community education, scholarships, grants and other projects. For more information on the Foundation visit www.winefoodfoundation.org.
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