Flavor! Napa Valley - A Celebration of Food, Wine & Fun Announced

NAPA VALLEY, Calif., March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The legendary food and wine talents of the Napa Valley - a region that earned 14 Michelin restaurant stars in 2010 - and the good times that occur when they come together in this world-class destination will be celebrated in a new series of epicurean and oenophile events from November 17 - 20, 2011, hosted at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, and The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, in St. Helena.

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The four-day "Flavor! Napa Valley Celebration of Wine, Food & Fun" will feature world-class Napa Valley wines alongside chefs who either have restaurants in the region and/or are graduates of The Culinary Institute of America. Net proceeds from the event will support programs and scholarships at the CIA's Greystone Campus.

Long-time Napa Valley chefs and residents Michael Chiarello, Ken Frank, Jeffrey Jake, Thomas Keller, Christopher Kostow, and Cindy Pawlcyn, along with Food Network's Tyler Florence and Masaharu Morimoto - both recent additions to the Valley's dynamic restaurant scene - will collaborate with an array of celebrated food and wine talent to host events over the weekend.

"I have been pushing for this for a long time and I am very excited it's finally happening. Given how much talent is here and our community's well-known leadership in crafting the finest food and wine experiences, a signature culinary event in the Napa Valley is long overdue," stated Chiarello, chef-owner of the popular Bottega Restaurant and NapaStyle, an upscale retail store in Yountville, and a graduate of the CIA.

"I am excited to participate in the first 'Flavor! Napa Valley' in November as the weekend promises to be filled with wonderful culinary experiences. More importantly, I am eager to support the event in its goal to raise funds for the CIA and provide scholarships for deserving students," added Keller, a member of the Board of Trustees for the school and who has three restaurants and a bakery in the region, including 3-Michelin Star The French Laundry.

Silverado Resort and Spa and Dolce Hotel Group are founding sponsors of Flavor! Napa Valley. "We are honored to host the first Flavor! Napa Valley celebration," says Silverado Resort and Spa General Manager John Evans. "Silverado is delighted to be a part of this showcase of unique culinary talent and world-class wineries found only in the Napa Valley, all to benefit the CIA."  

An array of educational and entertaining wine seminars at the CIA will be hosted by fellow Napa Valley residents and wine experts Karen MacNeil, who chairs the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the CIA, and Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson.

"This is great for the Napa Valley and also a wonderful opportunity for the premier culinary college in the world to open its doors to the attendees of Flavor! Napa Valley.  Our students will benefit greatly from the festivities through the additional financial aid," commented Charles Henning, Managing Director of the CIA at Greystone.

Renown for producing a number of unique, high profile epicurean events, Karlitz & Company will manage all aspects of event production, including securing all sponsors, chef and wine talent.  A leading culinary event-marketing company, Karlitz & Company produces a range of high profile events, including the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival.  

More details will be announced in the coming weeks, and tickets will go on sale on May 16 at www.flavornapavalley.com.

SOURCE The Napa Valley