The 3rd Annual Culinary Kickoff Comes to Houston with Chefs Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, Danny Trace, Adam Sobel and friends to benefit The Culinary Institute of America

HOUSTON, Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Third Annual Culinary Kickoff, hosted by chefs Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, Danny Trace, Adam Sobel, and friends will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2017 from 6 pm – 2 am at Brennan's of Houston and will benefit the Culinary Kickoff Scholarship Fund for The Culinary Institute of America. The Fund provides scholarships for future culinarians and is designed to develop culinary artistry, creativity, and excellence in students as they complete a rigorous academic culinary program.

As a precursor to Super Bowl SBLI and its festivities, this celebrity chef and vintner event will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a four-course dinner with one course prepared by each featured chef along with wine pairings from the event's winery partners: Tuck Beckstoffer Wines, Kosta Browne, AldenAlli, John Anthony, The Withers, and Charles Woodson Winery.  LaMarca Prosecco and JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay will also be served. Guests can also enjoy Lagunitas beer and a full range of premium spirits. The dinner portion of the evening will conclude with a special, live performance by musician, filmmaker and humanitarian Michael Franti, followed by an exclusive after party.

The Culinary Kickoff will also be supported and attended by major NFL names and personalities including NFL Hall of Fame Running Back and NFL Network Host, Marshall Faulk and co-emcee ESPN analyst, Sage Steele.  Fusing the palate and the 'playbook,' the previous year's Culinary Kickoffs have been attended by notable guests and celebrities including Tommy Lee, Michael Franti, Michelle Branch, Patrick Carney, and Leon Bridges as well as athletes Dhani Jones, Justin Tuck, Charles Woodson, Rich Aurilia, Rick Mirer, Tim Tebow, Ronnie Lott, and others.

Williams Sonoma will be the official gift sponsor for the second year in a row. Williams-Sonoma will also host a private Kickoff event benefitting the CIA for customers at their Houston Highland store on Wednesday, February 1st from 6-8pm with chefs Michael Mina, Charlie Palmer, Adam Sobel, and Danny Trace.

The event will be produced by The Vega Group.

Visit The Culinary Institute of America's website to purchase tickets or tables and for more information. Proceeds benefit The Culinary Institute of America.

About The Culinary Institute of America

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu.

If you cannot attend the event, you can donate directly online at http://culinary.imodules.com/givenow (in drop down menu for program choice, select "Culinary Kickoff"). Follow Culinary Kickoff on Facebook at Culinary Kickoff, twitter @CulinaryKickoff and Instagram at @CulinaryKickoff.

About Charlie Palmer Group

Charlie Palmer Group grew out of Aureole, American cuisine pioneer Charlie Palmer's landmark restaurant, originally located in a historic townhouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Today, Palmer's flagship Aureole is strategically located at the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park. Other coast-to-coast locations encompass an expanding collection of award-winning restaurants and luxurious boutique hotels, each designed with distinctive personalities to provide unique experiences. These properties include: Aureole, Charlie Palmer Steak, Upper Story by Charlie Palmer, Charlie Palmer at The Knick, and Crimson & Rye (New York), Aureole at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Charlie Palmer Steak at The Four Seasons Hotel (Las Vegas), Charlie Palmer Steak (Washington, DC), Charlie Palmer Steak (Reno, Nevada), Dry Creek Kitchen at Hotel Healdsburg & Hotel Healdsburg (Sonoma County, California), Harvest Table and Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer (St. Helena, CA), Burritt Room, Burritt Tavern and Mystic Hotel by Charlie Palmer (San Francisco, CA). Learn more at www.charliepalmer.com.

Follow Charlie Palmer on Facebook at Chef Charlie Palmer, twitter @CharliePalmer and Instagram at @ChefCharliePalmer.

About Mina Group

MINA Group is a San Francisco-based restaurant management company specializing in creating and operating upscale, innovative restaurant concepts.  MINA Group is led by Chef/Founder Michael Mina whose accolades include James Beard Foundation's "Who's Who of Food and Beverage" inductee in 2013, Bon Appétit Chef of the Year, Food Arts Silver Spoon Award Winner, San Francisco Magazine Chef of the Year, and International Food and Beverage Forum's Restaurateur of the Year.  Operating since 2003, Mina Group currently manages 30 concepts including MICHAEL MINA in San Francisco (Esquire Magazine's Restaurant of the Year 2011); RN74 at Millennium Tower in San Francisco and RN74 at the Joshua Green Building in Seattle; PABU and THE RAMEN BAR at 101 California in San Francisco; CLOCK BAR at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square in San Francisco; BOURBON STEAK, BOURBON PUB and Michael Mina's Tailgate at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara; STRIPSTEAK Waikiki at the International Market Place; STRIPSTEAK at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas; MICHAEL MINA Bellagio at Bellagio in Las Vegas; BARDOT BRASSERIE at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas; PABU at Millennium Tower in Boston; MICHAEL MINA 74 and STRIPSTEAK at Fontainebleau Miami Beach; Locale Market and FarmTable Kitchen at Sundial St. Petersburg in Florida; and THE HANDLE BAR in Jackson Hole.  For a complete list of restaurants please visit http://michaelmina.net.

Follow Michael Mina on Facebook at Michael Mina, twitter @ChefMichaelMina and Instagram at @ChefMichaelMina.

About Williams-Sonoma

Since its founding by Chuck Williams in 1956, the Williams Sonoma brand has been bringing people together around food. A member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio of brands, Williams Sonoma is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience. Products include cookware, cooks' tools, cutlery, electrics, bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Each store has a professional demonstration countertop for cooking classes and tastings conducted by expert culinary staff. A comprehensive gift registry program for weddings and other special events is available in stores and online. On williams-sonoma.com and the Williams Sonoma blog, Taste, customers can find recipes; tips and techniques that help them create delicious meals and wonderful memories.

About Brennan's of Houston

Known as the crown jewel of Bayou City Creole cuisine and Southern hospitality, Brennan's of Houston opened in 1967 as a sister restaurant to the world-famous Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Frequently recognized as one of the top restaurants among both local and national press, the restaurant creates memorable dining experiences amid a charming New Orleans-style backdrop. With Executive Chef Danny Trace at the helm, Brennan's of Houston's classic yet innovative cuisine combines Texas ingredients and sensibilities with a focus on Creole flavors. In the dining room, servers treat guests to a tailored food and wine experience enhanced by personable, professional service and elegant ambiance. Brennan's of Houston consistently ranks among the best restaurants in the city (topping Houston Chronicle and Houstoniamagazine's lists of the 100 Best Houston Restaurants) and Chef Trace was named "Chef of the Year" in the 2016 My Table Magazine Houston Culinary Awards.

Follow us on Facebook @BrennansofHouston and on Twitter @BrennansHouston http://www.sb.culinarykickoff.com.

For sponsorship inquiries, please email [email protected]

SOURCE Culinary Kickoff