|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rebecca Robinson
Executive Director
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
512-327-7555 or 512-350-4621 (cell)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Grand Slam Tasting and Clash of the Titans
Third annual Field of Dreams serves up fine wine and cuisine with the Round Rock Express for Charity
Austin, Texas – July 21, 2008 – The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and the Round Rock Express are teaming up for the third straight year for a home-run event, Field of Dreams. Benefiting the Miracle League, the Nolan Ryan Foundation and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas, Field of Dreams is a grand slam wine and food tasting featuring an expansive silent auction chock full of sports memorabilia, rare and fine wine, jewelry and other unique items. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the United Heritage Center located at the Dell Diamond, Round Rock, Texas.
This culinary showcase and community favorite brings together local chefs and businesses including leading sponsors Russell Korman Jewelers, Tag Heuer, the Round Rock Express, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Texas Capital Bank, and the Austin American-Statesman. An impressive collection of 18 top chefs from Central Texas will dazzle guests with a selection of sweet and savory appetizers and desserts. The Francis Ford Coppola Winery presents their renowned Director’s Cut label, as well as their Diamond Collection of prestigious wines. The event is housed in the beautiful United Heritage Center with floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the Dell Diamond.
New to the event this year is a ‘Clash of the Titans’ cook-off, which pits Nolan Ryan beef vs. Earl Campbell sausage. Celebrity chefs on the line include local culinary television personality Marie Hejl. This sizzling #34 vs. #34 smoke-off features donated meats from Nolan Ryan Guaranteed Tender Meats and Earl Campbell Meat Products.
Guests who love to shop for unique gifts will be delighted with a large and diverse silent auction. Highlights include three rare bottles of 2003 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley etched with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games official symbol. Only 72 of these bottles exist worldwide. The trio is procured by Russell Korman Jewelers and donated from the private cellar of renowned University of Texas men’s track and 2008 Olympic coach, Bubba Thornton.
Other prize items include a Gent’s Formula One Tag Heuer Watch; a 17” freshwater pearl necklace with matching earrings from Russell Korman Fine Jewelry and Watches, a vacation package at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, a framed and autographed picture of Jeff Gordon with an actual piece of his race car included, a framed Danica Patrick picture with a stand-up display, framed backstage passes and picture from the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen.
A wide variety of sports items are offered including a D.J. Augustin autographed basketball, a framed and autographed Cal Ripken and Nolan Ryan picture, and autographed baseballs from the legendary Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Nolan Ryan and Earl Campbell reached into their personal reserves to provide a number of exciting treasures available for bids, in addition to Round Rock Express memorabilia. Guests will also find scores of gift certificates to some of Austin’s favorite restaurants.
Texas sports legends Nolan Ryan and Earl Campbell are enthusiastic. Says Campbell, “We have three great charities on board, The Miracle League, The Nolan Ryan Foundation and The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas – we’re excited to bring together our favorite things, sports, food and wine, in order to benefit these organizations and provide a top-notch event for guests.”
“We are honored to co-host this event with the Round Rock Express,” said J. Buckner Hightower, president of The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. “They have a unique venue that lends itself to showcasing wine and food. It is rewarding to see hosts, sponsors, chefs and vintners work together to produce this incredible event to help disabled youth, develop the culinary and viticulture arts in Texas, and improve the well-being of our communities.”
Culinary participants are longtime Texas favorites including Cool River Café, Dona Emilia’s, Eddie V’s Edgewater Grille, Freda’s Seafood Grille, Gumbo’s Round Rock, The Salt Lick, and Z Tejas. Other restaurants stepping up to the plate are Café Spoonz (HEB), The Cupcake Bar, Doorbell Dinners, Fantasy Cakes, Joe DiMaggio’s Italian Chophouse, McCormick & Schmick’s, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Pic-nics To Go, Portabla, Quality Seafood, Starbucks, and Tiff’s Treats.
Field of Dreams is open to the public, but space is limited and attendees are strongly encouraged to register early. Tickets are $35 per person for Foundation members and $45 per person for the general public. A limited number of $100 tickets are also available. These special tickets include entry to Field of Dreams plus a 20”x26” Commemorative Events Poster autographed by Nolan Ryan and Earl Campbell. To purchase Field of Dreams tickets, or to become a Foundation member, visit www.winefoodfoundation.org or contact the Foundation office at 512-327-7555.
About The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas is a public charity dedicated to recognizing and developing creativity, professionalism and state-of-the-science research in all areas of the culinary and viticulture arts. Created in 1997, the Foundation provides educational grants, scholarships and fellowships to outstanding individuals and other entities that achieve excellence in these areas. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.winefoodfoundation.org.
About The Nolan Ryan Foundation
The Nolan Ryan Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, was formed in Alvin, Texas in 1990. Nolan and Ruth Ryan generously give their time for signing and other fund-raising efforts that enable the Foundation to provide resources for youth, education, and community development. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.nolanryanfoundation.org.
About The Miracle League
The Miracle League makes it possible for mentally and physically challenged children to do something extraordinary- play the game of baseball. On the specially-equipped synthetic fields of the Miracle League, children in wheelchairs and walkers are able to move across the field just like any other kids. The "Round Rock Express Miracle Field" celebrated its inaugural game in 2007, but we need your help to keep this dream alive for the children of the Miracle League. To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.austinmiracleleague.com.
###
|
