PALM SPRINGS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL GOES "GREEN" WITH AKEENA SOLAR
By Tim Kennedy
Tickets Now on Sale at Bristol Farms-Palm Desert, PS Wine & Specialty Foods and www.palmspringsfoodandwine.com
The Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival has gone green! Akeena Solar will power the festival with its Mobile Solar Power Station that is used widely throughout the state for the purpose of public education and the promotion of solar photovoltaic power. The truck has a total of 14 mono-crystalline panels 7 of which are the new Andalay 170 watt modules generating a total of 2380 Watts. The electricity is at 120 volts and perfectly clean with no spikes. "With the use of this Mobile Solar Power Station we are able to educate consumers in a public forum who wouldn't typically have access to information on solar power and view the differences between the old technologies versus the new technology spotlighting the Andalay panels," said Kevin Blake, Regional Sales Manager, Akeena Solar.
Food tastings will be served on eco-friendly food service products such as plates, cups, and napkins made of recycled paper products or made from biodegradable corn, rice, sugar or other agricultural products provided by Trade Supplies, Inc. Additionally, Palm Springs Disposal Services, who will be launching a new single stream recycle program in July, will provide recycle containers and roll off bins located through out the festival. PSDS also plans to have an educational booth which will help educate attendees about recycling.
"Our intention in producing this event is to be the green benchmark for all future events in Southern California. Changing the world one step at a time starts locally and everyone CAN make a difference, said Wesley Cole, Associate Producer."
Globally, rainforests are being deforested and/or destroyed by global warming at an alarming rate. The Fiji Tropical Rain Forest will be an educational interpretive center where visitors can find out ways to help save the rainforest and to see what Fiji Water is doing with its worldwide conservation efforts which are making an impact on stopping the tide of global warming.
The Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival is presented by Wells Fargo in association with Spa Resort Casino, Fiji Water, R&R Broadcasting in conjunction with the Viceroy Palm Springs and benefits the Culinary Institute of America's Endowed Scholarship Fund. Located at Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs, this event will be uniquely educational in focus showcasing Palm Springs as a culinary destination.
This Festival is the only one of its kind on the West Coast that benefits the premier culinary school in America, the Culinary Institute of America. Locally, the Festival will benefit the Desert AIDS Project whose mission is to provide crucial services for those with HIV & AIDS. In the spirit of these two organizations and their mission of education, the Festival and all of its partners will have educational components in each of the venues while the attendees experience the finest cuisine and wines from around the world.
On April 11, from 6:00-9:00p.m., Spa Resort Casino will host a Celebrity VIP Event at the Cascade Lounge featuring chef demonstrations, incredible live auction items from Cunard Cruise Lines- a six day transatlantic cruise on the QE2, Viking Range Corporation stainless steel wine cooler and a 4-day private cooking class for two at the Culinary Institute of America's Graystone Campus including accommodations in beautiful St. Helena, California. The cost is $175.00 and includes a ticket to the Grand Tasting in a premium Wine Spectator gift bag.
Master wine maker Chateau Montelena based in Calistoga will provide tastings of their premium vintages paired with cuisine from cooking demonstrations by Executive Chef Paul Woods representing the Steakhouse Spa Resort Casino and Executive Chef Hector Salvatierra, Camelot Café. The evening's cuisine will be courtesy of Spa Resort Casino and the evening will be topped off with tastings from Café Boheme' premium coffee liquor.
Saturday, April 12 from 2:00-8:00p.m. will be the Grand Tasting Event in tented pavilions outside Spa Resort Casino on East Andreas Road and North Calle Encilia with a spectacular backdrop of the San Jacinto mountain range. As attendees walk into this main event there will be a spectacular piazza featuring fountains with lush greenery leading into The America's Pavilion. This area will feature celebrity chef demonstrations, wine tasting and incredibly paired cuisine all focused on wines and foods from North and South America along with tastings of Native American cuisine. The cost of the Grand Tasting is $85.00. The Master of Ceremonies for the event will be the "Voice of the Desert" Miss Joey English.
Foodies can then explore the Taste of Europe Pavilion with a variety of celebrity chefs and foods featuring regions of Italy, France, Spain and Portugal.
The Pan Pacific Pavilion will showcase a variety of CIA graduates including Roy Yamaguchi-Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, Ann Cooper-Executive Chef & Author, Michael Cimarusti- Executive Chef/Owner, Providence Restaurant and Neal Fraser-Executive Chef/Owner, Grace Restaurant and many more while perusing fine wines and foods from the Pacific Rim.
In addition to the main pavilions, visit the Cigar Aficionado Lounge where enthusiasts enjoy complimentary cigars, lighters and cutters.
An incredible day of wine and food tasting will crescendo with the Viceroy Bubble and Groove Lounge sponsored by the Viceroy Palm Springs, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne with outstanding cuisine from the Viceroy Palm Springs and Santa Monica Seafood and live DJ performances. This venue will come together in a dramatic mid-century modern ultra cool Groove Lounge from 7:00-10:00p.m. This promises to be the hottest spot at the Festival. Ticket prices for the Viceroy Bubble and Groove Lounge is $25.00 with the purchase of a Grand Tasting ticket and $45.00 ala carte.
Of course, every great production must have a "wrap." On Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 11a.m.-2p.m. Hotel Zoso is hosting the "Z" Wrap Party featuring cooking demonstrations by ZOSO's own CIA Graduate, Chef Juan Leon @ noon, champagne pouring courtesy Piper-Heidsieck Champagne along with beers from Stella Artois. Poolside there will be tasting stations with incredible brunch style items and live entertainment. Ticket prices for the "Z" Wrap Party is $25.00 with the purchase of a Grand Tasting ticket and $45.00 ala carte.
Tickets Are Available At The Following Locations:
Bristol Farms
73101 Country Club Drive @ Monterey, Palm Desert
PS Wine & Specialty Foods
188 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Or Online at: www.palmspringsfoodandwine.com
For more information on sponsorships, participation or how to be a volunteer, call 760-320-5373
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