STOWE AREA ASSOCIATION
51 Main St., Box 1320
Stowe, VT 05672
(802) 253-7321
www.gostowe.com

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jo Sabel Courtney, (802) 253-7321 extension 219, josc@gostowe.com

VERMONT CULINARY CLASSIC RETURNS TO STOWE JUNE 13- 22, 2008;
2nd Annual Event Promises an Extraordinary Celebration of Vermont’s Culinary Diversity

Gastronomical adventures will abound in Stowe, Vermont as the Vermont Culinary Classic at Stowe returns for a second year, bringing to life an incredible celebration for the senses. Building on the highly successful 2007 “Classic,” this 10-day event for “foodies” and families alike will feature a wide array of festivities that exult the bounty of spring and Vermont’s rich culinary heritage.

Highlighting the calendar are several “marquee-makers” including the Bounty Festival, held at Stowe Mountain Resort, which brings together dozens of area restaurants, artisans, farmers and food-related purveyors for a special day-long gathering chock-a-block with things to see, do, eat, and enjoy. This year’s Festival line-up promises to echo 2007 as Vermont places its world-famous fresh local ingredients in the spotlight via bountiful tastings, an Iron Skillet-style cooking competition, a wild edibles walking tour, chef-hosted seminars, a pancake eating contest, petting zoo and children’s activities, live music and much more. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit local children’s charities that promote healthy eating.

The following weekend (June 21-22) the renowned Trapp Family Lodge (of Sound of Music fame) hosts The 10th Annual Stowe Wine & Food Classic, a premier multi-day extravaganza featuring a gala dinner, wine tasting, and auction, to benefit Copley Hospital Foundation of Morrisville, VT.

These events flank a week filled with enticing happenings at many of Stowe's award winning restaurants and throughout the area – from meet-the-chef engagements to interactive how-to classes on cooking, grilling and baking to “who’s who” dinners featuring indigenous ingredients and notable wine, beer, cheese, and food offerings. In addition, tours of Vermont farms, wineries and foraging walks will also be presented, giving food-loving visitors a true taste of the vast wealth of this New England state’s natural resources.

As Vermont Hospitality Council’s Vermont Chef of the Year Michael Kloeti, owner of Michael’s on the Hill states, “I feel blessed to live in a community that offers such a wonderful bounty of food artisans and farmers! It nurtures my passion for food and makes my job extremely fulfilling.” The Vermont Culinary Classic at Stowe is designed to allow everyone a taste of this bounty – and of the incomparable area that begets it. Special lodging packages for the event will be available March 1. Review details of our 2007 event at http://www.gostowe.com/seasonal/culinary.php and look for more info regarding 2008 events -- coming soon -- at www.gostowe.com/VTculinaryclassic
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