MARTINI® and Celebrity Chef Donatella Arpaia Announce New Venture

NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MARTINI®, the most iconic name in Italian winemaking, and Donatella Arpaia, celebrity chef and culinary personality, announce a new venture in which the power duo plan to share their passion for food, wine and entertaining with consumers (21+) and culinary insiders.

"Donatella epitomizes the true Italian lifestyle, heritage and so many of the traits and qualities of the MARTINI brand," says Natalia Iglesias, senior brand manager at MARTINI. "As a food and entertaining connoisseur, we're confident her expertise and diverse culinary background will help create awareness about the quality and deeply-rooted culture of the MARTINI brand and its portfolio of sparkling wines."

As one of the world's premiere winemakers, MARTINI offers an exceptional trio of sparkling wines including a naturally sweet Asti, a bright and flirty Sparkling Rose and a crisp Prosecco. In addition, a velvety and refreshing tasting Moscato d'Asti was introduced this summer, rounding out the brand's wine repertoire. As culinary and entertaining expert for MARTINI, Arpaia will utilize the brand's portfolio to inspire men and women to incorporate glamour and style into their love for food and wine. By creating signature recipes, offering simple-yet-sophisticated pairing suggestions and sharing tips on how to set the stage for the perfect gathering, Arpaia will teach a modern way to entertain and celebrate with friends and family.

"Easy entertaining is all about finding great partners," said Arpaia. "For me, MARTINI is one of those partners. It's like the 'little black dress' of the wine world – it always makes you look good."

Growing up, Arpaia split her free time between her father's lively New York restaurants and the rustic kitchens of her grandmother and aunts in Apulia, Italy.  Her family even had a tradition of jarring their own tomatoes after the summer harvest.  After working briefly as a corporate attorney, Arpaia decided to pursue her true passion and return to the culinary field, opening her first restaurant at age 24 and going on to open nine other successful eateries in the years to follow. Her deep immersion in the New York restaurant industry combined with a strong connection to old-world Italy helped to create her signature style and left her with countless recipes, tips and expertise.

"Sipping MARTINI brings me back to Sunday afternoons in Italy with my family," said Arpaia. "Lounging outside, enjoying each other's company, gathering around the table – MARTINI was always a part of our family get-togethers," she says.

As a culinary personality heralded for her knowledgeable and fun approach to cuisine and entertaining, Arpaia has been a recurring guest judge on Bravo's "Top Chef" and the Food Network programs "Iron Chef America" and "The Next Iron Chef." She released her first cookbook Donatella Cooks: Simple Food Made Glamorous in April 2010 and has also been name one of Crain's "40 under 40" and New York Post's "Most Powerful Woman" in Manhattan.

"I'm honored I have the opportunity to share my culinary knowledge and expand on my on-going relationship with MARTINI through this new venture with the brand," said Arpaia. "I have a great appreciation for the rich history of MARTINI and all it stands for, and I'm excited to use my background in the areas of food, wine and entertaining as an educational tool in support of their top-quality products."

About Donatella Arpaia

Donatella Arpaia is the trailblazing attorney-turned-culinary mogul who has become one of the most influential women in the world of food. Donatella opened her first restaurant in 1998 and then subsequently opened a string of successful and highly acclaimed restaurants in New York City and Miami. Zagat's crowned Donatella as "The Hostess with the Mostest," Crain's named her one of their "40 under 40" and the New York Post named Donatella one of the "Most Powerful Woman" in Manhattan. Her first cookbook Donatella Cooks: Simple Food Made Glamorous was released in April 2010. Donatella holds a recurring guest judge role on the Food Network programs "Iron Chef America" and "The Next Iron Chef" and will debut her own pilot on the Network this fall.  

About MARTINI®  

One of the most iconic brands in the world, MARTINI® is the leading name in Italian winemaking and a purveyor of the highest quality wines, with MARTINI® Asti being the number one-selling imported sparkling wine in the United States and MARTINI® Vermouth, the number one-selling brand in the United States, and the world. Since its founding in 1863, MARTINI® has fostered a pioneering spirit to develop unique products that represent the very best in Italian quality and style.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers.  The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling  premium  rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin  in  the world; CAZADORES® 100 percent blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico and a top-selling premium tequila in the United States; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and  other  leading and emerging brands.  For additional information, visit www.bacardiusa.com.

ENJOY Responsibly.

www.MARTINI.com

©2011 MARTINI AND THE MARTINI BALL AND BAR LOGO ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS. IMPORTED BY MARTINI & ROSSI WINE COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL. ITALIAN SPARKLING WINE.

SOURCE MARTINI(R)