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For more media info: Gentry Baumline
Hayworth Creative Public Relations
386-677-7000/ gentry@hayworthcreative.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Manatee County Restaurateurs to Showcase Talents in New York Hosting Culinary Media Event, In-Store Tastings at Bloomingdale’s®
BRADENTON, Fla. (March 5, 2008) – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is launching a new culinary travel initiative with two events in New York City, March 12-13. The BACVB will promote Florida’s Gulf Islands to key New York area media and consumers with the help of two local chefs: Executive Chef and Co-Proprietor Raymond Arpke of Euphemia Haye in Longboat Key, and Executive Chef and Proprietor Paul Mattison of Mattison’s™, with locations in Bradenton, Longboat Key, Sarasota and Siesta Key. The chefs will be showing off the flavors of Florida for travel and culinary writers and editors during a culinary demonstration and tasting at the Culinary Loft on Wednesday, March 12, from 6-8 p.m. On Thursday, March 13, the two chefs will keep things sizzling with in-store tastings at two New York area Bloomingdale’s® locations.
“This event is part of a great new marketing initiative designed to promote the wonderful independent dining options in our destination," said Susan Estler, Marketing and Public Relations Director, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Using profits from advertising sales in our annual visitors guide, we’re promoting our area growers and restaurateurs in a fresh new web marketing campaign designed to attract visitors during our off-season."
The BACVB’s dining initiative, “TIME to be a Florida Foodie", will roll out in three distinct time periods through January 2009, bolstering the destination’s off-season by promoting in-season ingredients and fresh, local cuisine. The first six-week promotional period begins May 1, and will incorporate a new dining microsite – www.TimetobeaFoodie.com – electronic marketing communications, packaging and promotions, collateral materials, chef demonstrations, and chef’s table events held at local independent restaurants.
At the Culinary Loft event, Chef Raymond Arpke and Chef Paul Mattison will showcase their immense talents and the tastes of Florida’s Gulf Islands. They will prepare a tapas menu for approximately 30 representatives of national and New York area regional travel and culinary media outlets. The event will feature an interactive demonstration and tasting with wine pairings, as well as a signature drink served by Van Gogh Vodka. The BACVB will also conduct a live destination presentation accompanied by video footage of the destination and featured restaurants. Chef Arpke will prepare a Shrimp, Orange and Tomato Risotto, while Chef Mattison will serve his Braised Short Ribs with Yuzu Citrus Barbecue and Dried Hibiscus Flowers.
On March 13, Arpke and Mattison will each host an in-store demonstration and tasting at two Bloomingdale’s locations in the New York City metro area. Starting at 12 p.m., Chef Arpke will prepare his signature risotto dish for shoppers at the Bloomingdale’s store at 1000 3rd Avenue in New York City, while Chef Mattison prepares his version of the popular Shrimp and Meyer Lemon Risotto at the Bloomingdale’s in Roosevelt Field Mall at 630 Old Country Road in Garden City, New York.
Tucked into a historic cast iron building in the heart of SoHo, The Culinary Loft plays host to a wide variety of culinary special events designed to educate and entertain. The venue provides state-of-the-art equipment with the warmth and intimacy of home. Founded by commercial food photographer Corinne Colen, The Culinary Loft boasts 1,500 square feet of event space, including a gourmet kitchen featuring Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances and a bevy of tools, gadgets, and products. For more information, visit www.culinaryloft.com.
Bloomingdale's is America's only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store; and a division of Macy's, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 40 stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and California. For more information, visit www.bloomingdales.com.
The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes tourism to Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch through domestic and international advertising, public relations and marketing efforts. For further information, call (941) 729-9177, ext. 231 or visit www.floridasgulfislands.com.
-Bradenton Area CVB-
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