If you happen to own a hotel, restaurant or villa at a destination where tourism has dramatically dropped, then you might want to talk with Mr. Ajit M. George, co-founder of the very successful Winemakers Dinners in the British Virgin Islands. Mr. George is a seasoned fundraiser and entrepreneur who knows how to raise money and draw a crowd.
In 1989, Ajit became the Founding Chairman of Meals On Wheels Delaware and launched the highly successful Meals From The Masters Culinary Weekend in 1998. During the ten years that he chaired these major culinary events, he was able to raise more than $4.2 million for Meals On Wheels in Delaware.
Ironically, 27 years ago, Mr. George bought a little 147-acre property in the British Virgin Islands called Nail Bay. In 2008, he was trying to figure out how he could increase tourism to the BVI, while raising money for the local charities that desperately needed funding. Learning from his success with Meals on Wheels, he decided to see if his magic could work in the Caribbean. Could he entice travelers to his piece of heaven by offering an event that brought together culinary stars and legendary winemakers while supporting local BVI charities? He was not sure, but was willing to find out. So, with the help of a few friends, The BVI Winemakers Dinners idea was born. Now, all he needed was a few famous chefs, international winemakers and the hospitality of villa owners throughout the 60-plus BVI archipelagos to support his dream.
Martin Dindos, owner of OHMS, a company that imports premium wines from Germany and fine champagnes met with Ajit in the Czech Republic and together they conspired to make Winemakers Dinners a reality. Mr. Dindos, a founding sponsor, helped convince many of the winemakers to donate rare and exclusive wines for the event, as well as fly to British Virgin Islands for the dinners. Richard Grosche, wine journalist from German wine magazine Weinwelt and Manager of the international wine academy MUNDUS vini donated his time to meticulously pair the wines with the food each day.
OHMS – which stands for On Her Majesty Services – also donated the fine Czech porcelain and glasses for the seven course place settings each evening.
This past Winemakers Dinners series, held on December 2 to December 6, welcomed international tastemakers, seasoned gourmands, travelers and media from Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, United Kingdom and the United States.
The gourmet lunches and dinners were held at a collection of exclusive villas and restaurants on three islands and featured an incredible variety of cuisine prepared by some of the world’s most celebrated chefs. The wines were poured by winemakers from Argentina, California, France, Germany and Italy.
Over 860 people attended the four dinners, seven luncheons and the VIP Reception. The four-day event featured 74 courses of food, and 81 different wines that were paired with these courses.
This series of Winemakers Dinners kicked off with a private VIP Reception at the Pirate’s Bight, on Norman Island and featured over 12 different Caribbean dishes prepared by Chef Matthew Webb from Guana Island and Norman Island. Two different wines from Rosemount from Caribbean Cellars and two burgundies from Domaine Bouchard Pere et Fils from Grands Vins de France were poured.
The first dinner was held at Baraka Point Estate at Nail Bay, Virgin Gorda. The second night was hosted by Richard Friedman at his private villa, Frenchman’s Lookout on Tortola Island. The third dinner was hosted at Giorgio’s Table and Rock Cafe on Virgin Gorda. The final dinner was hosted at the newly-constructed Golden Pavilion Villa on Tortola Island.
Each night, the seven-course dinners were paired with 14 renowned wines, personally poured by the vintners. Every night, the guests were treated to a pre-dinner sunset reception featuring Grand Cru Champagnes from Pierre Paillard Champagne in France.
Visiting chefs and culinary personalities created a symphony of food under the leadership of Vikram Garg from Halekulani Resort in Waikiki, Hawaii who has served as the Executive Chef of the Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners from its inception.
The other chefs included: Anne Burrell, host of the Food Network program, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef Roberto Trevino from Budatai, Puerto Rico Otto Borsich from City Hall Restaurant, Keller, Texas Taekuing Chung from Chung Cooking Studio, Tokyo, Japan Albert Kramer who served as the first Executive Chef of Virgin Gorda’s Little Dix Bay when it opened in 1964.
Virgin Gorda based chefs who participated included Heidi Davis Benyair, pastry chef at Biras Creek and Giorgio Paradiso, owner of Giorgio’s Table All the chefs volunteered their time and talent.
The international vintners included: Antoine and Quentin Paillard from Grand Cru Champagne producer Pierre Paillard in Bouzy, France Andres Belinsky of Terrazas de los Andes and Cheval des Andes in Argentina Johannes Haart of Weingut Rienhold Haart in Piesport, Germany Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga of Tenuta San Leonardo, Trentino, Italy Larry Stone of Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Estate in Rutherford, California Gerhard Grans from Weingut Grans-Fassian in Leiwen, Germany.
All the winemakers donated their wines for this incredible fund raising event.
“The 2009 Winemakers Dinners were a series of exclusive events during which guests had the opportunity to meet some of the most gifted winemakers in the world and sample their award-winning wines. These are wines were expertly paired with innovative creations by international master chefs together with some chefs in the British Virgin Islands. We are pleased that over $110,000 in gross revenue was raised from the 2009 Winemakers Dinners even though the economic climate was very challenging. However the combination of great food and wonderful wine served in unique settings in the British Virgin Islands persuaded both visitors and residents to support this event,” said Mr. George.
The four beneficiaries of the net proceeds of the 2009 Winemakers Dinners are The BVI Red Cross, St. Mary’s School, Virgin Gorda, St. George’s School, Tortola, and YEP (Youth Empowerment Project) in the East End, Tortola.
The Co-Chairs of the BVI Charitable Fund are the Premier of the British Virgin Islands, the Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE and Ajit Mathew George, Managing Director, Nail Bay Resort. The BVI Charitable Fund was established in March 2008 with a $25,000 challenge grant from Nail Bay Resort to help promote this destination to potential new visitors while at the same time creating new and innovative fund-raising events to benefit various charities in the BVI by attracting support from both outside and within the BVI. The BVI Charitable Fund is part of the Community Foundation (BVI) Limited which has no paid staff or overhead. In addition to Nail Bay Resort the other Founding Sponsors are Allivictus and OHMS.
For additional information including pictures from the various dinners and lunches visit www.winemakersdinners.com.
As a self-professed Christmas junkie, sitting down to a performance of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens is a holiday tradition. Actors traipse through plot lines seen countless times since childhood, evoking memories of carols gone by. At the American Conservatory Theater’s production of “A Christmas Carol” you’ll find all the familiar players but with a refreshing element of unabashed silliness.
A.C.T.’s gorgeously gilded theater, which turns 100 years old in January 2010, is a fitting stage on which to mount Dickens’ classic tale. Adapted by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff, the script has a decidedly Bay Area flair. The diverse, multi-generational, free-spirited cast doesn’t take itself too seriously,—adding a bit of cheekiness even when simply moving the scenery—and if they lack polish at times they make up for it with their infectious good cheer.
At the heart of the story is that miserable miser Ebenezer Scrooge, played brilliantly for the fourth year by James Carpenter. Carpenter portrays a man who is doomed by his actions but redeemed by his memories, hitting tender notes of emotion and humor as he revisits the joys and mistakes of the past. Around him flits a motley crew of outlandish Christmas spirits and irrepressible townspeople. His nephew Fred (Philip Mills) embodies the sheer goodwill of the holidays without seeming saccharine, and Scrooge’s former employers Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (played by acclaimed local actors Jarion Monroe and Sharon Lockwood) come across like festive, madcap characters from a Baz Luhrmann production.
The entire show is infused with Christmas cheer, and Carpenter’s performance as Scrooge is pitch-perfect. With families tightening their belts in the wake of the recession, “A Christmas Carol” is a necessary, uplifting reminder of community and generosity this holiday season.
“A Christmas Carol” runs December 3-27 at A.C.T. Theater, www.act-sf.com
Orbitz Presents ‘The Artist Showcase Series’ a group show featuring the work of noted artists: Helen Adams, Uri Chartarifsky & Glenn Fry. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of artwork will be donated to StartOut.org. The Artist Showcase is a multi-media extravaganza for the sophisticated consumer, affluent trend-setter, key influencers and art connoisseurs.
WHEN
Monday, December 7, 2009
WHERE
Greenhouse
150 Varick Street
(Between Vandam & Spring)
NY, NY
CHARITY
10% of the proceeds generated from the sale of artwork will be donated to StartOut.org
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
URI CHARTARIFSKY
Uri Chartarifsky is a respected artist and active community leader in San Diego. He was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico and he currently lives in San Diego. Uri has earned recognition and respect in the photography field and his photographs can be seen exhibited in his conveniently located North Park gallery and in local lifestyle magazines. Mr. Chartarifsky established The Gallery On 5th Project in 2001 with its main focus on helping Non-profit Organizations raise funds through the Arts. His charities have raised more than $1 million for various local, national, and international non-profits. For more information please visit www.uriphotography.com
HELEN ADAMS
New multi-media artist and creator of beautiful things, Helen Adams Franklin opens a new dialogue with her first group show. Her artwork, cast in a variety of mediums pays homage to the healing arts. Diagnosed with Systemic Lupus over 20 years ago, Ms. Franklin uses photography and painting as her way of creating. “I know by focusing on my art and the pleasure it gives me, I create more. More opportunities, more positive relationships, just a better and positive outlook on life.”
GLENN FRY
Glenn Fry’s artistic style is an amalgamation of many influences, styles and techniques. Viewing his art, one can see his love of cartoons and their bold outlines, the stylized flatness of Egyptian art, the Post-Impressionist Seurat dottism and Lautrec poster-style art. One also sees his experiences in the advertising world with half-tones, graphic and vintage-style ads. However, its greatest appeal is what Glenn individually brings through his own creative and imaginative efforts. For more information please visit www.glennfryart.com
ABOUT STARTOUT
StartOut is an non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and developing entrepreneurship within the LGBT community. It is established to connect those in the LGBT community who want to form entrepreneurial ventures, provide support for existing entrepreneurs, and connect entrepreneurs with funding, education, networks, and other external resources. For more information please visit www.startout.org.
Due to overwhelming response, Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts’ “Black Friday Beach Blowout” 50% off sale has been extended through Cyber Monday! Sale goes live 12:01 a.m. Friday November 27 through midnight Monday, November 30. Travel from Dec. 18th, 2009 – March 31, 2010. NOW including Christmas and New Year’s stays. Room-only rates originally starting at $275 per room, per night are now just $138! All-inclusive rates originally starting at $245 per person, per night are now just $123!
Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts’ “Black Friday Beach Blowout” goes live Friday November 27, 2009 with a one-day 50% off sale! Guests can grab half-price stays for January 3 – March 31, 2010 at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino. A Caribbean vacation offers the perfect holiday gift on the most exciting shopping day of the year! Valid for room-only and all-inclusive stays.
St. Maarten’s best thrills are found at Sonesta Maho Beach & Casino. Featuring a Las Vegas-style casino, nightclub and tantalizing dining options, the beachfront property ups the ante on the island’s southwest shore. Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino lies in the oasis of Great Bay Harbour on a one-mile stretch of white beach. A sensual, relaxing getaway close to Philipsburg’s duty-free shops and restaurants.
Sonesta St. Maarten’s “Black Friday Beach Blowout” is valid for purchases on November 27, 2009 only, with a booking code of: BF09. Based on availability for room-only and all-inclusive rates. Call 1-800-223-0757 or visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten
I met Jacqueline Boone at the PINK conference in San Francisco. One of the things that I did there was ask everyone the question, “What would you do if you only had 6 months to live?” Ironically, most people I meet say, “I would travel the world!”
It might be because the people who are drawn to me are jetsetters, but I think that there is something more profound than that. Perhaps, at the end of our lives, the one regret we might have is that we did not go on that dream trip to (fill in the blank) or that we did not take the time to see the world.
So, when I got an email from Jacqueline telling me that my question started her on the journey, “What would you do if you only had 6 months to live?” blog. I was inspired to share her experiment. She calls it “An Experiment in Living.” She asks, “What could you do in 6 months?”
It is so inspiring to see young women like Jacqueline pursuing a passion and chronicling it. So, I ask you….
What would YOU do if you only had 6 months to live?
Me? I would fly first class around the world visiting all the incredible places that I have not seen I would take a camera and interview as many wonderful people that I could, I would learn about their culture and what they value. Then, I would share it with the world. And, hopefully, through me living my passionate life, I will inspire others to do so as well.
Because, as Buddha says, “World peace, through individual happiness.”
My girlfriend Moira didn’t pay attention to the sign “Private: Keep Out,” when she sped through the back gates of Slane Castle in Ireland. “Listen, Teresa, you’re only here for a few more days, this is the best way to see the castle,” she said. “What, by breaking and entering?” I asked. “Yeah, something like that.” She chuckled.
Lucky for us that when we rambled up to the front of the castle, Henry, Eighth Marquess Conyngham, the proud owner of the ancient edifice, was standing out front.
Now, feeling a bit criminal, I slowly got out of the car and introduced myself. Thank goodness the Eighth Marquess was quite friendly and happen to have some time to show us him family’s property.
Slane Castle is a private estate that has been in Henry Conyngham family since 1701. The Hill of Slane overlooks the Castle and legend has it that this is the spot where St. Patrick lit his paschal fire around 432 AD. The area of Slane is packed with many ancient relics of Ireland’s long Celtic and Druid history. Only 20 minute drive from the castle is the great mysterious monument, Newgrange which dates back to 3200 BC. Unlike the castle, the history of Newgrange is a bit blurry, much like my mind after two pints of Guinness.
Lord Henry (I must admit, I really didn’t know the proper way to address a Marquess) took us on a tour of his second home. The castle is available for rent and years ago it was the place where U2 lived for six months recording one of their albums. The band also has performed live at the castle and you can purchase the video at amazon.com.
Since 1981, Slane has hosted the largest outdoor concerts in Ireland. Rolling Stones, Madonna, Queen, Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Oasis and REM are just some of the world-renowned acts that have played at the venue. The next concert is scheduled for June of 2010. I asked the Marquess who will be performing, and he still is in negotiations with a few bands. Whoever is playing, you’ll find me backstage that day – the Marquess promised me backstage VIP passes.
If you are thinking about a destination wedding or just want to rent out a castle for a week or two, then Slane castle is a fantastic venue for you to live out your rock star dreams.
For you brides-to-be, Slane castle offers two banqueting options for your special day, Burton Hall which can accommodate up to 240 guests and King George IV’s Ballroom which has a capacity of 110 guests. The castle has ten spacious bedrooms that accommodate up to twenty-four guests or groupies. All bedrooms have their own private bathrooms and many rooms have incredible views of the river Boyne below.
When Lord Henry is not booking international bands to perform on his front lawn or managing the castle, you can find him and his son in the cellar creating Irish whiskey. His whiskey, appropriately called Slane Castle Irish Whiskey, is distilled by Cooley Distillery, which won the European and World Distiller of the Year at the 2008 International Wine and Spirit Competition. Slane Castle is very much a family affair and the Marquess’s very handsome son, Alexander, The Earl of Mount Charles, is also intimately involved in the family business. With Alexander’s previous experience working for Irish Distillers, he plays a key role in the creation of Slane Castle Irish Whiskey. This latest venture is a reflection of the family’s long standing passion for ‘Uisce Beatha.’ (Uisce Beatha is a Gaelic term which means ” Water of Life,” a.k.a. whiskey.)
Lord Henry is such a delight. We spent an hour walking through the castle and touring each room. With every step, he would share a riveting story of Ireland, his family, or the English royalty. My favorite story was about the romance between King George IV of England and his great, great, great, great grandmother, Elizabeth, the first Marchioness Conyngham. The King stayed in the Castle in 1821 and it is believed that the reason the road from Dublin to Slane is one of the straightest roads in Ireland is because it was so designed to speed him on his journey. Oh, what the rich and powerful will do for love.
The weather in Morro Bay was surprisingly warm for late October. We had left a cold and windy San Francisco and drove four hours south to Morro Bay. Unlike touristy Santa Barbara or uber-expensive Carmel, Morro Bay is a sleepy little coastal town with lots of otters and even fewer tourists.
After the drive, we headed down to the quaint harbor, where we dined at Windows on the Water. There, I devoured a plate of succulent Dungeness Ginger Crab Cakes and a glass of rose. I continued to enjoy my crisp glass of wine with the Roasted Pork Loin and fresh organic vegetables.
Our trip to Morro Bay was planned after I had spent a few exhausting weeks in Europe. So, it was such a pleasure to dine on such comforting love-filled cuisine. The restaurant is on the second level with windows overlooking the bustling harbor, we watched the fishing boats come in while relaxing in the day’s final rays of light.
The owner of Windows
The next morning, we headed to Coffee Pot Restaurant, a Morro Bay institution. If you love a good all-American breakfast, you’re going to adore the Coffee Pot. There, my day got started with their famous pancakes and a steamy cup of freshly brewed coffee. After all that eating, it was time for some walking.
Coffee Pot Restaurant
1001 Front Street Morro Bay
805-772-3176
The Coffee Pot Restaurant
Morro Bay is famous for the beautiful rock formation called Morro Rock, which was named in 1542 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. He wittily called the rock El Morro, which translates from Spanish to “the pebble”. For the past four hundred-plus years, it has become an important landmark for sailors and travelers who sail up the California coast.
The Chumash Indian tribe considers the rock to be a sacred site. Although the rock is a tempting morsel for experienced rock climber, if you climb the rock, you will be put in jail and fined a ridiculous amount of money. Although no one else can legally climb the rock, the Chumash tribe legally climbs Morro Rock for their annual Solstice ceremony.
We walked around Morro Rock and there we witnessed otter playing in the harbor. There was a group of six of those darling creatures, and one of the otters had a fuzzy baby on her belly. It was one of the cutest things I have even seen. We wrapped our way around Morro Rock and found Peregrine Falcons soaring above the blue sky. This falcon is a pretty special bird, it was the fowl worshiped by the Egyptians who saw them as the god Horus.
(from wikipedia)
After our National Geographic walk, which also included pelican dive bombers, musing by sea lions, and Clark’s Grebe sightings, it was time for lunch.
I felt thousand miles away from civilization due to animals’ behavior around us. They all seemed so playful and carefree, they did not mind that we would venture close to them. It is not often I feel that animals are in charge of their environment, but in Morro Bay, it was evident that they were respected and loved.
Lunch, oh lunch. I love oysters and Morro Bay happens to have a very successful producer of fabulously plump oysters. Neil, the owner of the Morro Bay Oyster Company took us on a private tour of his oyster farm.
There is not much to see, oysters grow in sacks that are suspended by cables under the water. It takes between a year and three years to get oysters big enough to eat. We jetted out to his underwater farm and Neil grabbed a few bags fresh from the sea, then we headed back to the shore where we sucked down two dozen fresh oysters with a bit of horseradish and lemon.
It was here that I fell in love with grilled oysters. I have been an oyster purists my whole life. Give me an oyster with a little lemon and horseradish and I’m in heaven. The thought of grilling an oyster seemed like a sin. Until I ate one of Mark Tognazzini’s grilled oysters. I could have died there, my life was complete.
But then I followed the oyster appetizers with a succulent bowl of clams in white wine and garlic.
After experiencing heaven, it was time to slumber. We planned on leaving Morrow bay the next morning, but before we drove home, we had to have breakfast at the famous Frankie and Lola’s Café.
We got a chance to chill with the owner, whose name is not Frankie, so I could not resist calling him Lola. After a cup of very strong coffee, I gave in and ordered the Nom-Nom, which is an omelet stuffed with cheddar cheese, Ortega chili, crimini mushrooms and sausage served with black chili salsa.
Need I say more?
Morro Bay is a small gem – definitely not a pebble – tucked away in a gentle part of California’s coastline. It is a charming little fishing village where you can escape to for a few days and let your taste buds run wild and free.
Mummies have never been my thing. Seeing dead people wrapped up in dry dust clothes seems a bit freaky to me. But I went to a new exhibition at the Legion of Honor that really gave me a new apperciation for mummies and the past.
The exhibition is called Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine and it examines the ancient practice of mummification through the lens of modern technology. While the mummy of Irethorrou lies in its decorated coffin, visitors can learn how modern mummy research is advanced through the use of high-resolution scanners.
That’s the really cool part!
Images produced by the Akhmim Mummy Studies Consortium and by scientists at Stanford Medical School’s Department of Radiology and Fovia, Inc. reveal much about Irethorrou and how he was prepared for eternity, including the locations and textures of over a dozen magic amulets that were placed on his body during the intricate wrapping process. It’s much like me getting ready for a night on the town, really!
The exhibition includes computer-generated models of the skulls of Irethorrou and of a close relative Ankh-Wennefer. This affords the rare opportunity to reunite members of the same ancient family through forensic portraiture.
Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine includes other “cult of the dead” antiquities that relate to the ancient Egyptian beliefs of death and the afterlife including a beaded mummy mask from Dynasty 26 (7th century B.C.), an anthropoid coffin from Dynasty 30 (4th century B.C.), a funerary shroud circa A.D. 180-275, amulets, funerary furnishings and a selection of historical prints that highlight the public’s ongoing fascination with mummies.
The exhibition opened on October 31, 2009 and runs through August 15, 2010.
Irethorrou is one of four human mummies and one crocodile mummy in the Fine Arts Museums’ permanent collection. These and other antiquities were among the museum’s earliest gifts, having been given to the collection by founders M.H. de Young, Adolph Spreckels and other donors.
The Legion of Honor displays a collection spanning more than 4,000 years of ancient and European art and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a neoclassical building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Address: Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94121 Phone: 415.750.3600 Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30 am–5:15 pm; closed on Monday Admission: $10 adults; $7 seniors; $6 youths 13–17 and students with college I.D.
Members and children 12 and under are free. General admission is free the first Tuesday of every month
Information: www.legionofhonor.org
Hey Divas, like to cruise? And I am not talking about cruising Main Street in a Camero with the windows down while Journey is blaring. (you know you did it!)
Top Cruise Club, a new online social network for cruise travelers, launched today with the introduction of innovative new technologies. Created as a place for both cruise enthusiasts and novice cruisers to connect, learn, and save money, the website provides a platform for sharing information, price tracking, photo sharing, reward point programs, deals and beyond.
TopCruiseClub.com is the first to market with a smart cruise fare tracking application, called Price Investigator, promising users never overpay for a cruise again. The tool tracks cruise fares based on information entered by users, and notifies that individual if a price drops below their purchase price is found, allowing the opportunity to seek reimbursement and obtain the best possible rate. Not only can this save cruisers thousands of dollars, but will also offer buyer confidence and thus, cruise lines with the ability to secure early bookings.
Top Cruise Club is the brainchild of entrepreneur brothers Marc and Jason Cohen, along with developer Adrian Esquivel.
“The Price Investigator application is just one of the perks of Top Cruise Club. The social network fills a niche in the travel industry, providing real, value-added services and benefits to its members. It’s an interface to network with like-minded cruisers, ask and share advice, post photos, track cruise prices, meet & mingle, and find the best deals around,” says Jason Cohen, CEO of Top Cruise Club. “And since it’s consumer driven, members can be sure they are getting real information, and not third party endorsements. We are a banner free and text link free community.”
Top Cruise Club membership is free and assigns each new member a unique profile that can be tailored and designed to his or her preferences. A member’s homepage, or ‘dashboard’ as it is referred to on Top Cruise Club, features an array of user-friendly applications, including the following:
· Price Investigator – the first fare tracking engine of its kind in the cruise industry, it monitors cruise prices and automatically notifies members when fares drops below the price they paid
· Cruise Connect – a platform that allows members to find other members that will be on their same sailing
· Daily Deals – a deal finder application that allows members to set parameters and search for cruises accordingly
· T.R.I.P (Travel Reward & Incentive Program) – a system allowing members to earn points on the site to redeem for travel savings
· LENS – an innovative, geographically driven photo-sharing program
The site also provides a place for members of the travel industry (cruise lines, ports of call, shore excursions, etc.) to connect as well, allowing them to create their own profiles and interact directly with consumers through deals, incentives, contests, news and more.
The BVI Charitable Fund, which is organizing the December series of the 2009 Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners, announced today that Chef Anne Burrell, the host of the Food Network program “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” and sous-chef to Mario Batali on Iron Chef America will be one of the six visiting chefs participating in the four dinners that will be held in four special locations in the BVI between December 3rd and 6th.
Ajit Mathew George, Co-Chair of the BVI Charitable Fund said, “the 2009 Winemakers Dinners are a series of exclusive events during which guests will have the opportunity to meet some of the most gifted winemakers in the world and sample their award-winning wines. These are wines are expertly paired with innovative creations by international master chefs and some of the best BVI chefs. The six visiting chefs, with the assistance of BVI chefs, will prepare on four separate nights seven course formal dinners that will be paired with 14 different wines presented by seven wineries from Argentina, California, France, Germany and Italy whose representatives will personally pour their wines each night.”
The seven wineries presenting their wines include Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon from California; Cheval des Andes from Argentina; Weingut Grans Fassian from Leiwen, Germany; Tenuta San Leonardo from Trentino, Italy; the Grand Cru champagne house Pierre Paillard from Bouzy, France; Weingut Reinhold Haart from Piesport, Germany and Terrazas De Los Andes from Argentina. All the wineries are donating the wines poured during this event. In addition each winery is donating some interesting wines for a small auction.
The seven courses served at each dinner will be prepared under the leadership of Vikram Garg who is the Executive Chef of the famed Halekulani On The Beach at Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition to Chef Anne Burrell
the other participating chefs include former Top Chef contestant Otto Borsich who has also worked at some of America’s finest establishments including the Pierre Hotel, Le Bernadin, Bellagio Hotel and Charlie Trotters; Taekyung Chung from Chung Cooking Studio, Tokyo, Japan who is the author of The Korean Table, the bible of Korean Cooking and Roberto Trevino from the Bodati, San Juan, Puerto Rico who participated in Iron Chef America and the Next Iron Chef.
Swiss born Albert Kramer accepted a special invitation from the Hon. Premier to return to the BVI for the Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners. Chef Kramer was the first Executive Chef at Little Dix Bay Resort in Virgin Gorda when Laurance Rockefeller opened it in 1964. He also became the first developer of Nail Bay in 1966. Chef Kramer has worked all over the world after he left the BVI in 1967.
Pastry Chef Heidi Benyair of Biras Creek Resort, Virgin Gorda who previously worked as a pastry chef for Gordon Ramsay at Claridges in London will be working with local chefs to prepare the desserts for each night. All the chefs including the visiting chefs are volunteering their time and talent.
A VIP Reception will kick off the December series of the Winemakers Dinners on December 2nd at Pirates Bight on Norman Island, allegedly the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
On December 5th, the new reincarnation of Giorgio’s Table, which is Virgin Gorda’s newest restaurant, will host the third dinner. The final dinner will be held on December 6th at The Golden Pavilion in Tortola, a one of a kind Balinese-style villa on four gated acres.
In addition to the four dinners, there will be seven luncheons at various restaurants in Virgin Gorda and Tortola featuring a three-course lunch with one of the seven wineries presenting their wines. A limited number of tickets to the December dinners will be available with sponsorships, which can be purchased on or after November 1, 2009 on-line at www.winemakersdinners.com.
The Co-Chairs of the BVI Charitable Fund are the Premier of the British Virgin Islands, the Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE and Ajit Mathew George, Managing Director, Nail Bay Resort. The BVI Charitable Fund was established on Easter Monday, March 24, 2008 with a $25,000 challenge grant from Nail Bay Resort to create new and innovative fund-raising events to benefit various charities in the BVI by attracting support from both outside and with the BVI while at the same time promoting this destination to potential new visitors.
The four beneficiaries of the net proceeds of the 2009 Winemakers Dinners are all in the British Virgin Islands including The BVI Red Cross, St. Mary’s School, Virgin Gorda, St. George’s School, Tortola and YEP (Youth Empowerment Project) in the East End, Tortola.
The BVI Tourist Board is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 and 2010 Winemakers Dinners. For additional information on winemakers, chefs , lunch and dinner locations, visit www.winemakersdinners.com.
As for me, you’ll find me sipping wine while overlooking the beautiful Caribbean blue waters.
