The Joy Writer PR

Wrap up of Grand Food & Wine Affair & Chef David Linville

By Joy A. Kennelly

Just to mix things up, here's highlights of Chef David Linville's involvement in the recent Grand Food & Wine Affair during Sunday's Bistro Brunch in Sugarland, TX. I have uploaded numerous more pix on my Facebook account so go here for the whole pictorial experience ok?

This is all about Chef Dave only.:)

 
 

 

 

 

 

  

For a more detailed write up of the festival as a whole, please go to www.thejoywriter.typepad.com. Thanks! Here's my edited wrap-up press release:

Celebrated award-winning Executive Chef David Linville of The Shore Restaurant and chefs from all over the world offered samplings at the Sixth Annual Grand Wine & Food Affair which took place April 22 – 26, 2009 in Houston, TX.

One of Hollywood’s A-List Chefs, Executive Chef David Linville, formerly of The Standard Sunset Strip, Viceroy Hotel, St. Regis Hotel and Mastros Beverly Hills, served a CA Style Gazpacho with roasted bell peppers topped with avocado, bay shrimp and cilantro during the Grand Tasting, a highlight of the Houston-area festival which took place Friday, April 24, and again during the Grand Finale Bistro Brunch on Sunday, April 26, 2009, both at the Marriott Sugar Land Town Square.  Over 2000 attended.

Chef David Linville was also a featured Celebrity Chef at Los Angeles Magazine’s Food Event ’08 and featured in the recent Scottsdale Culinary Festival’s Cooks & Corks event. He is currently working on a cookbook of his internationally inspired CA cuisine.

Chef David Linville in Grand Food & Wine Affair coming soon!

By Joy A. Kennelly

I've been catching up on other client's work since returning home because I wasn't able to write while I was away. That said, stay tuned because I promise to have a nice write up of Chef David Linville's involvement in the wonderful Grand Food & Wine Affair soon!

The Joy Writer PR & Marketing updates - lots of good stuff happening

By Joy A. Kennelly

What I love about what I do is the constant variety.

Today I'm working from a Starbucks in Sugarland, TX while my client, Chef David Linville of The Shore Restaurant and Lounge, prepares his food to present during the Grand Food & Wine Affair's Grand Tasting later on this evening and the Bistro Brunch on Sunday morning.

The Grand Tasting is described on the website as "'the hottest ticket in town!' The Grand Tasting will feature wines from all over the world and delicious tastings from forty award-winning chefs including Chef David Linville.

In addition, celebrated New York Chef Laurent Tourondel of BLT Restaurant fame and Robin Miller, New York Times bestselling author and beloved Food Network star of 'Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller' will be participating which should make for a fantastic evening.

We just returned from participating in the 31st Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival this past weekend which was a lot of fun. I've uploaded pictures and highlights from that trip on my personal blog: www.thejoywriter.typepad.com if you're curious.

What I love about attending events as a guest, rather than a producer, is that you always pick up ideas on how to make whatever event you're going to be producing better by virtue of attending others.

For example, The Grand Food & Wine Affair organizer, Keri, has been excellent in providing detailed itineraries for each event Chef David is involved in, detailed information on where Chefs are to register, what photo ops are available, taking care of all travel and accommodations and paperwork including health permits and insurance (huge in the food world!), making sure that promotional information on Chef Dave is properly uploaded on the website, media relations, and connecting us to the proper chefs we've needed to connect to in a timely fashion once on-site.

It has allowed myself and Chef David the ability to relax and focus on what we need to focus on rather than  worry about any details we don't need to when there is so much simply involved in traveling to a place neither of us have ever visited before. (Is that a run-on sentence or what?:))

Makes you really appreciate all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make an event this large such a success. We should have more pictures to show of Chef David's involvement in the actual The Grand Food & Wine Affair this go round because everything is running very smoothly.

I'm also very happy to report that I'm publicizing Coach/Mentor, Lori Ketkar, CEO & founder of Stand Up Leadership. Lori has an amazing leadership event planned with two highly respected speakers, CAPT "Luke" Lukenbill and Juliane Gallina, in addition to Lori speaking herself, on Thursday, May 21, 2009 which I'm pasting info here for you to review:

More details on this event coming soon. Hurry and register because this event is going to sell out!

I love working with smart people because then they sharpen my skills and experience just by virtue of being around them.

Speaking of which, I just read the book, The Art of Influence, Persuading Others Begins with You by Chris Widener which is a quick and easy read. I highly recommend picking up.

"A fantastic little book that reminds us of the importance of integrity and attitude in leadership. A fresh and fun look at the subject of influence." (taken from the reviews on Amazon)
--Jeffrey Fox, New York Times bestselling author of How to Become CEO

I think that's all for now. Hope you enjoyed the read.

Now to get back to everything I've got spinning!:)

Chef David Linville to appear at the Grand Food & Wine Festival April 24 & 26, 2009

By Joy A. Kennelly

Happy also to announce that we just confirmed Chef David Linville's appearance at the prestigious Grand Food & Wine Festival in Sugarland, TX on April 24 & 26, 2009. I will be traveling with him as his publicist which will be fun.

Check out the link above! If you care to join us, feel free. Over 3500 people normally attend.

Here's the press release and some pix for your review:

The Grand Wine & Food Affair

A

Texas

Classic

 

Celebrated award-winning chefs from all over the United States to South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, France, Spain, and many others are proudly offering exotic and sumptuous samplings at The Grand Wine & Food Affair.   Over 100 wineries will be in attendance to make these five inspiring days truly memorable.  Choose from vintner dinners, wine tastings, an elegant grand tasting, a seminar conducted by a Master Sommelier, a wine blending seminar,  an outdoor casual sip and stroll and the around the world bistro brunch among many others. 

In its sixth year, The Grand Wine & Food Affair attracts some of America's most brilliant winemakers and chefs to the Houston area for a five-day cultural and culinary celebration.  During this festival, to be held April 22 – 26, 2009, visitors will be exposed to an exhilarating array of wines from stellar vintners, and cultural cuisines from many regions in the country.

Kicking off the series of events is the ultimate in elegance, One Enchanted Evening with Frank Family Vineyards owner, Rich Frank and winemaker Todd Graff—a black-tie gourmet dinner — slated for Wednesday, April 22.  Rich, a long-time Disney executive, purchased a home in the eastern hills of Napa in Rutherford and began creating one of Napa Valley’s most unique wineries, Frank Family Vineyards.  The event held at Beford, Houston’s newest fine dining restaurant created by Chef Robert Gadsby.   Known for his cross cultural American cuisine, Gadsby is designing a menu in collaboration with the winemaker and will oversee the preparation of this sumptuous multi-course dinner, pairing the finest seasonal fare with artisan local ingredients to create an unparalleled dining event.  

W.J. Deutsch & Sons, presents Vineyard Belles luncheon at The Houstonian Golf & Country Club on Thursday, April 23.  This event includes a wine tasting followed by a fabulous four course gourmet lunch paired perfectly with carefully selected wines from Covey Run, XY Zin, Columbia Winery, Georges Duboeuf among others.  This is just one of many events enjoyed during the five-day festival taking place April 22 – 26 at The Grand Wine & Food Affair.  Award-winning author, speaker, wine consultant and television host, Leslie Sbroccos entertaining approach makes learning about wine and food fun and she brings her delightful and high energy approach as host of Vineyard Belles.  Covey Run winemaker Kate Michaud will headline the stellar panel of wine experts. 

Thursday, April 23^rd Leslie Sbrocco presents Ten Great Bargain Wines the Will Blow You Away.  Guests will taste her top picks for affordable wines and walk away with a list of wines that can be enjoyed.  This event will take place at the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce at 5:45 PM. 

C'est magnifique! Covey Run winemaker Kate Michaud hosts this one of a kind vintner dinner at the famed Ragin Cajun Seafood & Oyster Bar on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 Pm. Covey Run excels in crafting award-winning Washington State wines. Covey Run wines have been awarded 20 "Best Value" awards by Wine Spectator, the world's leading wine magazine. You are assured a great time at this fabulously fun vintner dinner experience with Wilfred Chevis and the Texas Zydeco Band. Laisser les bons temps rouler!

The Fred Parks Wine Lecture Series presents Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost.  Frost is one of three wine experts to hold such a distinction and will  host this survey of the hot new areas in Spanish wine, including a look at Spain's native grapes (Tempranillo, Garnacha and Albarino, among others) and some of the regions that are suddenly making great and delicious wines.  This event takes place on Friday, April 24 from 5:30 PM at the Marriott Sugar Land Town Square. 

The Grand Tasting, a highlight of the Houston-area festival will take place on Friday, April 24, at the Marriott Sugar Land Town Square, featuring wines hand-picked by Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost and wine expert and author Leslie Sbrocco.  Other local experts such as Central Market’s wine buyer Martin Korson, will present his top six favorites.  You will enjoy tastings from more than 40 award-winning chefs including Houston's culinary superstars and Chef David Linville from CA.

The region’s largest wine tasting party takes place on Saturday, April 25, 1-4 p.m., at Sienna Plantation.  The outdoor tented event will transform into a sensory summit for the Sienna Sip & Stroll. Wine connoisseurs and culinary enthusiasts will be tantalized by samplings from over 50 wineries and culinary delights displayed at 40 tasting tables. The GOTEXAN big top will feature some of our state’s greatest cuisine, wines and cooking demonstrations by the dining diva, Molly Fowler.  Enjoy the private Cigar Cigar club and visit with cigar connoisiuer, author, singer-songwriter and potentially, the future Governor of Texas Kinky Friedman. 

Always wanted to be a winemaker?  This is your opportunity in this hands-on blending seminar held on Saturday, April 25 at 10:30 AM at the Sugar Land Marriott Hotel.  Swirl up your own house blend and learn a little bit more about winemaking.  Is it as easy as you think?  Experts, led by WJ Deutsch & Sons own Director of Education, Jorge Hernandez will guide you through the red varietals of Geyser Peak Winery and then each team will create their own proprietary blend using barrel samples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Teams will blind taste the samples and the team with the winning blend will receive a delicious prize.  A little sipping and blending and voila your signature vintage.

Saturday, April 25^th at 7:00 PM, experience an Old World Vineyard Feast.  Haak Vineyards & Winery invites you to step back in time to provide an entertaining experience not to be missed.  Guest will be greeted by winemaker Raymond Haak and his wife who will serve as hosts for the event.  The first stop is on the patio for a Texas Gulf Coast Shrimp and wine.  Dinner is in the vineyard for a feast of roast suckling pig and all the trimmings including ample servings award winning Haak wine.  The evening includes a stroll through the vineyard estate, Port and chocolate in the one-of-a-kind wine cellar and Madeira and cigars around the outdoor fireplace.  There is an optional Vineyard Feast shuttle which will pick up guests from both the Marriott Sugar Land Town Square and Sienna Plantation.

Capping the event on Sunday, April 26, is the Bistro Brunch at Sugar Land Town Square which Chef David Linville will be participating in. The grand finale celebrates the world’s major wine-producing regions with vintages and food from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Oregon, Washington, California, and, of course, Texas.  Paella Master Ignacio Fonseca, of Rioja will prepare a 52 inch paella over a wood fired grill.

of The Grand Wine & Food Affair is proud to support a permanent endowed scholarship fund at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Restaurant and Hotel Management. At the University of Houston.  This fund will provide opportunities to students pursuing a bachelor of science in hotel and restaurant management, which includes mastery of the culinary arts, wine and spirits education, event management, customer service and marketing.

For registration information, visit online at www.TheGrandWineAndFoodAffair.com or call 713.SIP.WINE (713.747.9463). (Please note, the publicist for this event wrote this press release and allowed me to re-publish it with David's involvement.)

 

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