Martha Stewart, Antoni Porowski and others join USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience Tour 2019

August 7, 2019 by evebushman

McLean, VA – USA TODAY NETWORK Events, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), announces that the USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience 2019 tour with Martha Stewart kicks off Saturday, September 7 in Brooklyn, New York. Additional cities and dates include Detroit, September 14; Indianapolis, September 28; Cincinnati, October 5; Louisville, October 19; Las Vegas, October 26, presented by MGM Resorts International; Scottsdale, November 2 & 3; Los Angeles, November 9; Chicago, November 16; and closing in Naples, November 23.

“This marks the third year for USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience,” said Andy Yost, chief marketing officer for USA TODAY | Gannett. “Our readers already rely on us for authentic, expert content to tell the story of food in our communities and this is brought to life with USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience’s inspiring culinary showcase that connects participating brands with passionate audiences. We’re thrilled to continue to give consumers direct access to talented chefs, restaurateurs, wine and spirit experts and their products.”

USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is an engaging culinary exploration in each city of the tour where fans and connoisseurs alike taste and celebrate wine and food and see national and regional gourmet leaders at work. These events give sponsors the opportunity to directly and powerfully connect with patrons.

Martha Stewart will appear in Naples, presenting a limited-ticket seminar plus meet and greet, as well as a cooking demonstration for all Grand Tasting guests. In addition, all patrons can enjoy samples from Martha Stewart Wine Co.

Renowned chefs such as The Food Network’s Chopped stars Alex Guarnaschelli and Scott Conant, Netflix Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski are special guests on the tour. Brie and Nikki Bella, also known as The Bella Twins of WWE fame and stars of reality TV show Total Bellas on E!, join the tour with their Belle Radici wine brand. Global wine authorities include SommSelect cofounder Ian Cauble, among only 274 Master Sommeliers worldwide and star of Netflix docufilm “SOMM,” and David Lynch, sommelier, two-time James Beard Award recipient and editorial director, SommSelect. Guarnaschelli will appear in Brooklyn, Detroit, Scottsdale, Indianapolis and Louisville. Conant will be a special guest in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Chicago. Porowski will be a special guest in Brooklyn Scottsdale, Los Angeles and Chicago. The Bella Twins and Cauble and Lynch appear in all 10 tour stops. Special guest chefs for Las Vegas will be announced in the coming months.

Central to each USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience is the Grand Tasting, a flavorful exploration of special chef recipes, wines, craft beers and spirits with diverse gourmet personalities and restaurateurs. Grand Tasting and VIP Grand Tasting tickets include access to a schedule of cooking demonstrations and wine seminars; VIP tickets add early entry and a special lounge with exclusive drinks and bites. In addition, limited-ticket seminars and meet and greets are available with special guest chefs Stewart, Guarnaschelli, Conant, Porowski and others, and sell out quickly.

Tickets are available at WineandFood.USATODAY.com/ Early ticket purchase is recommended as most USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience events sold out in 2018. Consumers and participating brands can engage with USA TODAY Wine & Food Experience on social media via #WFE and @usatodaywinefood.

R Entertainment of Scottsdale, Ariz., which co-developed and produced Scottsdale-based azcentral Wine & Food Experience in 2015, produces the national series in conjunction with USA TODAY.

Sponsorship or participation opportunities are available by contacting Todd Wienke, TWienke@usatoday.com or Mike O’Donnell, mikeod@r-entertainment.com.

Artisan Cheese & Craft Beer in Vermont’s Lake Champlain Region This August

July 8, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK (PRWEB) – Curd nerds and growler geeks can now find fulfillment as they travel with Cheese Journeys on its inaugural adventure to northwestern Vermont, August 8-13, 2019, to some of America’s favorite creameries and breweries, including award-winning Jasper Hill Farms & Cellars and the “Best Brewery in the World,” Hill Farmstead Brewery. The journey will aptly include an exclusive experience at the 11th annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival at historic Shelburne Farms on August 11, 2019.

Officially kicking off the tour in the city of Burlington, food trippers will enjoy a convivial signature cocktail featuring a local spirit and brew, followed by a short introduction to food photography before heading to a leisurely dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants.

The next day travelers head to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom to visit renowned Jasper Hill Farm, one of America’s most innovative and successful artisan cheese businesses. An exclusive visit to the creamery with founders and brothers, Andy and Mateo Kehler, will not only include tasting some of the most prized cheeses in the US and abroad, but will also provide an opportunity to learn about their philosophy of cheesemaking, affinage, and sustainability. A stop at Jasper Hill’s Randi Albert Calderwood Cropping Center, the Farm’s state-of-the-art hay drying facility which allows the company to produce much of their herd’s own feed, contributing to the true taste of Jasper Hill’s products, underscores the meaning of “terroir.”

A behind-the-scenes tour of the Burlington Farmers Market will offer an overview of many of Vermont’s best artisan producers of cheese, meats, cider, and even veggie fermenters. Mad River Distillers and Lake Champlain Chocolates are just two of the several specialty food makers that will be visited. During an exclusive Vermont Cheesemakers Dinner, including cheesemakers (naturally) and the director of the Vermont Cheese Council, Tom Bivens, guests will learn about the Vermont cheese scene in more depth.

At the 11th annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival, idyllically located on the shores of Lake Champlain, travelers will enjoy VIP admittance as they meet up with nearly fifty cheesmakers as well as local wine, craft beer, and numerous other food and beverage purveyors in attendance. Presentations about farmstead and artisan cheesemaking, cooking demos, workshops, and educational seminars are all awaiting at the festival.

A return to Shelburne Farms with a cheese-tasting and tour of the grounds, as well as a stop at Shelburne Vineyards to enjoy their award-wining wines will add to the appreciation of this region’s agricultural heritage and diversification.

Finally, no cheese venture to Vermont would be complete without a stop at Vermont Creamery, one of the country’s best-known goat dairies. Company president, Adeline Druart, will reveal how co-founders, Allison Hooper and Bob Reese, developed their highly-acclaimed fresh and aged goat cheeses, cultured butter, and other European-style dairy products 35 years ago.

Cheese Journeys founder, Anna Juhl, will lead this adventure throught the back country of Vermont, accompanied by two co-hosts: Tenaya Darlington, author and academian who goes by ‘Madame Fromage,’ and Jeff Roberts, author and one of Vermont’s food-scene experts. Believing in the importance of cheese education, Curds & Co (Brookline, MA), The Cheese Shop (Concord, MA), and Fairfield Cheese Company (Fairfield, CT) are collaborating with Cheese Journeys on this trip. FREE travel to and from Burlington, VT is available at each of these three locations.

Charles Krug Winery and the Napa Valley Film Festival Team Up Again for Sunset Cinema 2019

July 3, 2019 by evebushman

Napa, California (PRWEB) – Charles Krug Winery (https://www.charleskrug.com/), Napa Valley’s oldest winery and home to California’s first tasting room, is excited to announce its renewed collaboration with the Napa Valley Film Festival (https://www.napavalleyfilmfest.org/) to produce Sunset Cinema 2019 (https://sunsetcinema2019.eventbrite.com), a summer film series with screenings in July, August and September. The renowned estate will host the series on their expansive Great Lawn with the Napa Valley Film Festival curating three award-winning films from last year’s festival. The films will screen at sunset on the third Friday of each month, and attendees will be able to enjoy the balmy Napa Valley summer nights with signature Charles Krug wines, gourmet pizzas and live music prior to each screening.

A continued leader and innovator in Napa Valley hospitality, the Sunset Cinema Series is part of ongoing efforts by Charles Krug to act as a hub for cultural activities in the region. “At Charles Krug we are always working to integrate new cultural events that serve the Napa Valley community”, comments co-proprietor Peter Mondavi Jr. “By hosting the Sunset Cinema Series we are able to extend the warm hospitality we are known for even further.”

“Charles Krug Winery has been an incredible partner of the Napa Valley Film Festival since 2016. Through our partnership, the winery has presented several legendary actor awards, hosted many memorable Vintner Circle Dinners, and each year transforms their historic Carriage House into one of the festival’s most unique screening venues. Audience members have been known to camp out at Charles Krug during the festival, watching films and sipping on their incredible wines all week long. We’re elated to partner with Charles Krug to extend that opportunity to the community year-round at the 2nd annual Sunset Cinema film series,” said NVFF Experience Director Fearon DeWeese.

In its second year, the Sunset Cinema Series is primed for continued success with a diverse line-up of past festival favorites on the docket. The series kicks off on Friday, July 19th at sunset on the Charles Krug lawn with a screening of Pick of The Litter. The feature documentary follows a group of puppies on their two-year quest to become guide dogs. Directors Dana Nachman and Don Hardy introduce viewers to a group of adorable canine characters along with their human counterparts. The film acts as a reminder of the remarkable relationship between us and man’s best friend.

Scheduled to screen on August 16th is Cold Brook. The drama, directed by William Fichtner, follows best friends Ted and George. The two ordinary maintenance workers from a small town in Upstate New York go about their daily routine when they spot a mysterious intruder. After some investigating, the intruder turns out to be more than meets the eye. Cold Brook is praised as a truly heartwarming story that viewers of all ages will appreciate and enjoy.

The series concludes on September 20th with Summer ‘03. In the midst of a family crisis, 16-year-old Jamie, played by Joey King, wades through the difficult waters of her love life. Gritty, honest and relatable, the coming-of-age comedy was met with rave reviews by critics and is the perfect book end to the Sunset Cinema Series. Director Becca Gleason, will be on had to answer audience questions in a post film Q&A session.

Prior to each screening, guests can enjoy the wine and culinary offerings Charles Krug is known for accompanied by live music.

For more information on the Sunset Cinema Series, visit (https://sunsetcinema2019.eventbrite.com).
Follow the Sunset Cinema conversation @charleskrugwinery @napafilmfest and #nvffsunsetcinema

About Charles Krug:
In 1943 Italian immigrants Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the historic Charles Krug property the oldest winery in the Napa Valley and longest-running tasting room in California. The brand was built on a foundation of family values, hard work and a European winemaking tradition; it remains a family-owned winery today, producing estate-driven, top of the line Napa Valley wanes. The wineries are under the direction of Peter Mondavi Jr. and Marc Mondavi, who steward the family business passed to them by their father, legendary Napa Valley wine icon Peter Mondavi Sr. The family is now proudly welcoming members of the fourth generation to the business, continuing a legacy started over 70 years ago and setting a foundation for generations to come. For additional information, please visit https://www.charleskrug.com/.

About the Napa Valley Film Festival:
The Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) is a 5-day celebration that blends the art of film, food, and wine together. Discover the best new independent films of the year, savor exquisite cuisine paired with legendary wines, and create lasting memories found only in the Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Film Festival is presented by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. Cinema Napa Valley’s mission is to celebrate the cinematic arts and enrich the community by presenting an annual world-class festival and year-round education and outreach programs. The Napa Valley Film Festival takes place November 13-17, 2019. Visit https://www.napavalleyfilmfest.org/ for more information on passes and festival events.

2019 Filoli Summer Nights Schedule Announced

June 20, 2019 by evebushman

WOODSIDE, Calif. (PRWEB) – Filoli Historic House and Garden, a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and one of the last country estates reminiscent of the Gilded Age, is proud to announce the 2019 edition of its Summer Nights series.

Summer Nights are increasingly popular among Filoli’s guests. Only last year, nearly 300 guests every Thursday enjoyed themed evenings with special events, music, and activities for the whole family. All activities are included with admission, and some require advance registration.

“We are very excited to announce the third edition of our Summer Nights series, a now awaited season for our visitors to enjoy extended hours and experience the Summer like nowhere else in the Bay Area. This is also an excellent way for our members to bring a guest for free to experience Filoli during the evenings. At the same time, Summer Nights is also an opportunity for us to bring new and exciting programming to our growing and more diverse audience,” said Kara Newport, Chief Executive Officer for Filoli.

The 2019 Summer Nights take place on Thursdays through August 29. During this time, the House and Garden remain open to the public during extended hours, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, a beautiful time to visit the gardens. Filoli offers special programming for all guests and exclusive activities for members. Every night is themed differently, so a visit every Thursday is highly encouraged to take advantage of the wide array of activities that Filoli offers during this series.

Members enjoy activities planned exclusively for them every night, including posy making, honey and fruit tastings, aromatherapy lotion making, among others. Hikes and tours include: architecture tours, access to the second floor of the House, rose and orchard tours, sunset hikes and bird walks. Exclusively for members, Filoli’s popular greenhouses are also open on select evenings. The Quail’s Nest Cafe will remain open on Thursdays during Summer Nights.

For more information on Filoli Summer Nights schedule of events, please visit: https://www.filoli.org/summernights, or contact Marijose Alvarado, Filoli Marketing Manager at (650) 364-8300 Ext. 235 or via e-mail at: marketing(at)filoli(dot)org.

Ticket & Membership Information
For more information or to purchase tickets for the Summer Nights special workshops, please visit: https://filoli.org/summernights/ or call the Filoli Tickets Office at 650-364-8300. Tickets may also be purchased via email: tickets(at)filoli(dot)org. Interested in becoming a member at Filoli and getting free access to some of the events and special programming listed above? Visit https://filoli.org/membership/ for more information.

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About Filoli
Located in Woodside, CA, Filoli boasts 654 acres of historic beauty nestled along the slopes of California’s coastal range. The historic property features a 54,000+ square foot Georgian revival style mansion, 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman’s Orchard, and a nature preserve with over 7 miles of hiking trails. Established as a private residence in 1917, Filoli was open to the public in 1976 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Filoli is dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the cultural traditions and is considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century. For more information about Filoli, visit https://filoli.org/.

Address:
Filoli Historic House and Garden
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, CA 94062

Visit Temecula Valley Announces New Offerings

March 14, 2018 by evebushman

Temecula Valley, CA (PRWEB) – 2018 aims to be a banner year for Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country with growth, expansion, openings, and new beginnings hitting the scene throughout the region. In 2018, visitors to Temecula Valley will have the option to dine at new restaurants, stay at new and newly remodeled hotels, know the secret password to enjoy access to local speakeasies, take new brewery tours, sip exclusive varietals at premier tasting rooms, and enjoy world-class live entertainment.

New for 2018: Hotels and Hotel Renovations

Pechanga Resort and Casino finalizes its $285 million expansion this spring, with an exciting new lobby, additional meeting space, an entire 568 room wing of AAA Four-Diamond rooms and suites, luxury 25,000 square foot spa and additional 4 ½ acre pool complex with lagoon, swim-up bar and waterslides, doubling down on the already award-winning resort.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Temecula Valley Wine Country also recently completed its own multi-million dollar renovation of suites and meeting spaces, while Best Western Plus will finish building its first property location, complete with upgraded amenities in an upscale setting, in Temecula, set to open this year.

New for 2018: Wineries, Brewery Tours and Speakeasies

Temecula Valley’s wine and brewery scene will receive a substantial amount of growth in 2018.

From The Winery Hopper Facebook page.

On the wine and vineyard front, Akash Winery, featuring a selection of zinfandels, cabernet sauvignons, roses, and petit sirahs, is set to open this year while Wilson Creek Winery recently began its Upper Room Tasting Experience, an exclusive guided tour of reserve wines paired with small bites and appetizers prepared by their Executive Chef. Sweet Oaks Ranch, home to a premier equestrian riding facility, will soon open Sweet Oaks Winery, which will also feature live entertainment. The new Wine Cave Tour by Aall in Limo includes dining at a Temecula Valley restaurant, a Wine Cave tour at Oak Mountain Winery with wine tasting, and transportation is included. The Winery Hopper is also a brand new company that offers drop off and pick up to all the wineries; advance reservations are not required and hop-on, hop-off schedules make wine tasting a breeze. Winery tours are now being offered by air with Air Temecula. Both helicopter and airplane tours can take visitors to wineries in the highest style.

Hip, new speakeasies opened in Old Town this year, including Thompson & Twain, located between Crush & Brew and Espadin in Old and The Apparition Room, located next to Devilicious Eatery in Old Town. But don’t tell anyone we told you.

New brewery tours will be offered in 2018, including a new Brewery Tour at Karl Strauss, offered both weekdays and weekends. The tour takes visitors into the 7 BBL facility, showcases the stages of brewing process, history, and equipment; tours include a tasting flight. Brewery Tours are also now available in Temecula Valley from outside vendors including Aaal in Limo, Temecula Winery Transportation , Little Bus Tours, and Grapeline. Visitors won’t want to miss Craft Beer Month featuring specials, events, and activities at Temecula breweries throughout the month of May.

New for 2018: Restaurants

Temecula will welcome a handful of new restaurants this year to add to their culinary collection. Espadín Mezcal + Cocina, which recently opened its doors in Old Town Temecula, features a menu that highlights several regions in Mexico with authentic ingredients and food always made from scratch.

The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars recently reopened after a multi-million dollar expansion which will add space (both indoor and out) as well as updated amenities for the popular restaurant, rated #1 winery restaurant by USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice and Best Restaurant in the Inland Empire for four consecutive years. Their seasonal selections, created by Executive Chef Daragh Matheson, are prepared from scratch in the kitchen daily.

New for 2018: Festivals, Events, & Services

The inaugural Temecula Blues Festival will take to the streets of Old Town Temecula this April, showcasing local, regional, and national artists. A Vendor Blues Village will complement the event with food, beer, wine, and merchandise.

2017’s last minute Western Days will be showcased this coming year, back by popular demand. The event will feature a gunfighters shoot-out at high noon, street vendors, and plenty of family activities.

Temecula Lavender Company, a popular artisan gift store in Old Town, will begin hosting Farm Tours this June that allow visitors to explore the Lavender fields before harvest.

For visitors traveling to and from Temecula, Temecula Air Shuttle is a new service that provides transportation from all major airports to Temecula Valley.

The Alpaca Hacienda and Temecula Valley Alpacas both offer unique farm tours for groups and individuals wishing to learn about and even interact with alpacas. Advance reservations are required.

Vail Headquarters, originally founded in 1867, is the site of the newest hip and happening scene to settle in Temecula. With specialty shops, boutique stores, and living history festivals and activities offered weekly, Vail Headquarters is a great spot for family-friendly entertainment and dining.

About Visit Temecula Valley

Visit Temecula Valley is the region’s official tourism marketing organization and an online resource for visitors at VisitTemeculaValley.com. Temecula Valley Visitors Center is located in Old Town Temecula (Third Street and Mercedes). For visitor information and assistance, call (888) 363-2852 or (951) 491-6085.

ItzFun App and Web Tells Users Where “It’s Fun” at Any Moment

February 18, 2018 by evebushman

PALO ALTO, Calif. (PRWEB) – VenueLytics, provider of the only fully integrated customer experience & venue management platform, today announced the availability of “ItzFun” consumer solution via Mobile App, Web & Desktop. ItzFun is a real-time personalized digital concierge service for consumers with premium mobile services like VIP bottle and table reservations, food and beverage orders, guest list, party packages, fast pass, events & ticketing, deals and even private event booking.

“ItzFun Web & Mobile App currently has over 75,000 venues and thousands of active users. Venues can claim their page and/or list their business for free and choose to offer premium services across multiple channels,” said Baskar Manivannan, co-founder and CEO of VenueLytics.
Consumers using ItzFun digital concierge services can:

Discover venues by category: restaurants, casinos, bars, clubs, lounges, resorts, golf, stadiums, karaoke, wineries and bowling alleys
Get real-time information about venues, like crowd population, gender ratio, bottle/table and private event booking availability.
Use mobile order and pay at participating venues.
“Skip the line” to avoid waiting at featured and supported venues
Get updates about games, tournaments, and leagues at venues like casino and bowling
Gain access to real-time deals and offers (e.g. $2 shots for ladies until 10pm)
Get up-to-the-minute news on upcoming events including performing artists
Track lost and found
Arrange for valet parking, ride sharing, cab services, and locate my car feature
Have real-time interaction with venues, promoters, hosts and artists
See visuals on VIP bottle/table service floor maps and private halls before booking
Crowd source your experience at the venue
Invite and share with friends

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN: Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, New York, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Boston, Miami, Austin, Washington DC, Chicago, New Orleans, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Atlantic City, Palo Alto, Seattle, Portland, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Mountain View, Livermore, Sacramento, Oakland, Cupertino, Sunnyvale,, Redwood City, Oakland, Santa Cruz, Walnut Creek, Los Gatos, Berkeley, Long Beach and various parts of Bay Area, with more locations from Canada, South America, and Asia being added daily.

About VenueLytics
Through its venue management and entertainment platform, VenueLytics helps bars, nightclubs, restaurants, casinos, hotels, and others in hospitality increase traffic and revenue by automating services and providing analytics that enable customers to find, order, and manage services on their own mobile device. For more information, visit: http://www.venuelytics.com.

All trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

The Buzz from the FIRST Cocktails on the Roof

October 2, 2015 by evebushman

A whiskey distiller, a long list of email sign ups for more info from the L.A. Scotch Club, a favorite local mixologist, an author, beer cocktails, a bitters lesson/tasting, a sake expert, a professional dancer, gin in a sparkling wine, dozens of restaurant owners, a fun DJ, killer orangecello, whiskey under the table, a guest that bought a $200 bottle at the event to sip on with pals, boozy bundlets, thick mocktails, dancing the Macarena, a free bakery, spirits from a winery, an appreciative school board…why do I need to write an article? Read for yourself what the guests thought of the first Cocktails on the Roof below, in the coverage here from KHTS hometown station, here in the Signal newspaper and check out the red carpet photos too!

The Buzz That Night

Starting off with Amy Daniels, Executive Director, Wish Education Foundation – Clearly, people in our beautiful SCV understand the value in great public education and are open to creative, fun, responsible ways to support the WiSH Education Foundation’s mission to assist our students and educators! Cocktails on the Roof was only possible because of the invaluable generosity of our sponsors, participants and a great group of organizers. Cheers to all for the newest, “best party the SCV has ever seen!”

Kathy L. – So much fun tonight at Cocktails on the Roof. Great event Eve Bushman.

Ken and Frances P. – (we) had a great time. Too many people don’t know about LA Scotch Club. Now they do! Thank you Eve!

solita tacos and margaritas – Thank you so much for including us! We truly admire all that the WiSH Education Foundation does and it was an AMAZING event!!!

Kathi D. – Looking forward to the 2016 version…as long as all your terrific vendors (and more?) are back! Great vibe, amazing food and spirits, inventive (and tasty) cocktails, awesome DJ – a fun, fun night for a good cause. Thanks for pulling it all together.

Theresa H. – Such a great time.

Cheryl D. – A most enjoyable evening!

Emily C. – I found new loves of food from every place I tried, I will definitely be frequenting all of these food vendors again, not only for the amazing food they have but for the continual support throughout the community for all of the events that they do…Chicken kabob…Steak kabob, bacon wrapped scallops, scallops Poke, garlic hummus, salmon salad, empanadas, cup cakes, bundt cakes, pasta Bolognese, and a lot and I mean a lot of sweet cocktails…. Oh and bread and oil and bacon wrapped shrimp… So much good food last night my appetite doesn’t want anything else than the wonderful food! Good friends good dancing good cocktails at #Cocktailsontheroof. And had a fun time dancing on the dance floor with the amazing dancer Janine Jones.

Gail P. – Awesome! Great job Eve!

Sonya R. – Excellent time!!! Thank you for all your work and effort!

Kathy W. – The shrimp wrapped in bacon from Salt Creek and those Diego Lara drinks were our fave.

Jennifer C. – What a fun event…beautifully executed!

Dee Dee J. – Great event! Definitely coming next year!

Lori C. – A very nice affair for our city…we just got back from Cocktails on the Roof, a benefit for the William S. Hart District. It was a who’s who of many of our local eateries – with each providing a sample tasting and a signature drink. All we can say is “Wow”! This was on par, nay, even better than many of the foodie events hubby and I have attended. Kudos to our own Eve Bushman for co hosting this event with Marlee Lauffer. The bread, delicious by the way was provided by Scott Ervin of Speakeasy fame.

And more from Lori C. – Loved this event Eve! Santa Clarita needs more of them. Loved how each restaurant made a signature dish and drink to pair with it – and what a selection of eateries both old and new. Location and weather were perfect and the white tents, twinkling lights and trees just added to the elegance. Best of all – not a single t shirt or backwards baseball cap in sight! Thank you for making this such a must attend event. Can’t wait to see what you do next year.

Paul de la Cerda – Excellente!

Margo B. – Great event, well organized, very fun!

Scott E. – What a wonderful event. Can’t wait for next year. Thanks to all of the organizers. *dropsflatonbackfromexhaustion*…Good time all night, but things definitely took a turn for the better after “someone” brought me a special glass of scotch, followed by our neighbors, Salt Creek Grille, handing over some wasabi stuffed, bacon wrapped grilled shrimp in BBQ sauce. Yeah, definitely better… My favorite moment was watching Larry, Larry From Yelp, dance The Macarena.

Shari S. – What a fun night! Thanks for hosting such an organized and unique fundraiser!

Mitch R. – Very proud to be a sponsor and on the organizing committee. Great event for a great cause!

Pam I. – This was a great event. Nice to see so many “new” faces. You were able to pull a different crowd. Food and cocktails were amazing! Janine Jones on the dance floor got the crowd going. Can’t wait until next year!

Jamee B. – Amy and team – kuddos for days!

Danise D. – A sold out crowd under the stars. It was terrific…I had a blast! Glad to be a part of it!

Tamar H. – Best event of the year!

Scott C. – We had a Fabulous time. Great Atmosphere (really, the parking lot was a great idea) Great Vendors, Well Organized, and a great crowd and vibe. There was a great variety of food and the cocktails were delicious. Sign us up for the next one!

Louise C. – There was a red carpet??? Hahaha more bourbon pleeeease.

Cindy H. – A blast!

Carin C. – Good party vibe...Fantastic evening of fine cocktails, good food and visiting with some good friends and meeting new ones. Eve Bushman, what a tour de force! It was good to finally meet you.

Alex H. – Cocktails on the roof was sooo fun! We had a blast!

Margo B. – Fun fundraising event.

Maureen M. – What a perfect evening for Cocktails on the Roof, which raised money for Wish Foundation, (William S. Hart School District). It was so nice to see so many of our friends there! Great job, Marlee and Eve!

Theresa H. – A wonderful inaugural event at Cocktails on the Roof. Thank you Eve!

Jane B. – Had so much fun forgot to take more photos…I didn’t want to leave! If I put this on again (with a photo of her wristband) right now and tap my shoes 3 times, will I end up back on the roof tonight? #cocktailsontheroof #nextdaywantingmore

Lori D. – Great and well organized event. Look forward to the next one!

Gloria M. – …Great event! A fun time was had by all raising funds for our classrooms. Great job by the WiSH Board in bringing a new signature event to the SCV.

Bruce P. – It was awesome event. Really enjoyed it, thank you.

Michael P. – Great event. All involved should be very proud.

(And a different Michael P.) – Thanks Eve, we had a great time, looking forward to next year!

Larry M. – Exceeded my expectations. Number of guests was not too much. Food and drink were all high end…And I discovered several local restaurants that I now have to try based on their offerings last night.

Sandi N. – Great event!

Roland G. – It was a great time, and the vendor offerings were superb!!! The 90 prof Whiskey wasn’t bad either!

Alexander H. – Cocktails on the roof was sooo fun!! We had a blast!!

Kathy W. – It was a very marvelous event Eve. We had a fun time tasting all the mini cocktails & foods & mingling. All for a great cause. Thank you!

Juliet K: We had a great time!

The Wish Education Foundation – Overwhelmed and thrilled by all of the wonderful comments – we are glad you all had a great time at Cocktail on the Roof 2015 – guess what? SO DID WE!!! Keep your pictures posting, we love to see them smile emoticon Participants and sponsors, we hope the joy you brought comes back on you TENfold!

Who Was Seen Creating A Buzz

Marlee Lauffer and Laine Hedwell, Amy Daniels, Claudia Sheridan, Cheryl Gray, John and Adrienne Carlson, Chris and Jeannie Carpenter, Moe, Alex and Linda Hafizi, Arnold Bryant, Paul de la Cerda and Andrea Nelson de la Cerda, Doron Schleifer and Joyce Carson, Robert and Karen Kaplan, Simon and Shannon Mee, Michael and Karen Perlis, Tyler Bushman, Scott and Lori Cruit, Sandi Naba, Gail Pinsker, Bruce and Liz Pack, Scott and Madeline Ervin, Jeannie Wagner, Louise Castaldo, Lynda and Jennifer Chadwick, Dee Dee Jacobson, Greg and Chell Amsler, Diego Lara, Martha Aguilera, Steve and Carla Corn, Diane DeBoer, Don and Cheryl Dellepiane, Robin Allison, Robin Becerra, Kai Ellis, Bruce Fortine and Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Margo Berg, Carmel Farnsworth, Tracy Hauser, Steve Dole, Theresa Hayes, Les Hershberger, Steve and Elizabeth Hopp, Pam Ingram, Dan and Janine Jones, Michael Parks and Dawn Elliott, Shari Schlaman, Tamar House, Tracy Hallinan-Cookson, Cindy Higgins, Ken and Patrice Rifkind, Danise Davis, Jon and Sonya Rowin, Tim Honadel and Holly Schroeder, Pamela Verner, Mitch and Leslie Russell, Mike Lebecki, Jackie Clavon, Kathleen Marquart, Larry and Stephanie McClements, Derrick and Maureen McKaughan, Kirsten Quinn and Perry Smith, Sue Tweddell, Steve and Julie Sturgeon, Lesley Jacobs Solmonson and David Solmonson, Laurie Auger, Steve and Rose Chegwin, Homayoun Daryani, Michele Buttelman, Dana Turner, Lora Taylor, Andrea Vibe, Mark and Julie White, Lisa Johnson, Julie Wolfe, Ed Masterson, Amanda Benson, Richard Soto and Jane Bettencourt-Soto, James Carling and Manuela Zaretti, Alesia Humphries, Jennafer Madden, Yoshi Murakami, Cathy Craig, Alison Needham, Sherrijon Gaspard, Herve Guillard, Kathi Dirkse, Kat Kombrinck, Angela Freeland, Sonja Randall, Laina and Rob McFerren, Patrick Lage, Roland Gonzaga, Rob Cruikshank and Cathie Baker.

Thanks To

Sponsors included the Santa Clarita Magazine, elite magazine, Whole Foods Market, California Credit Union, Balfour Beatty Construction, Littler Mendelson, 24/7 Events, Steve Chegwin CPA, SCVTV, SOS, the Signal, Valley Crest Tree Company, Burrtec and KHTS.

Committee members: Amy Daniels (WiSH Foundation), Marlee Lauffer (host), Eve Bushman (host), Claudia Sheridan, Mitch Russell, Ed Masterson, Judy Penman, Lynne Secrest, Chris Donald, Nicholas Javier and Stacie House.

And all of our hardworking volunteers that signed up for Cocktails on the Roof duty: Cathy Craig, Cheryl Gray, Danise Davis, Ellen Hawthorne, Kat Kombrinck, Keisha Williams, Leonard Leto, Michelle Wagemaker-Dawdy, Pat Willett, Steve Dole, Tori Osburn, Verna Velasquez, Vicki White, Yvette Diaz De Tuesta, Brenda Schaecher, Jackie Clavon, Jennifer Primero, Lorraine Beaulieu, Mark Beaulieu, Matthew Williams, Nicole Williams, Robin Wimsatt, Roland Gonzaga, Tricia Decker and Tyler Bushman.

Story in the photos I barely had time to take can be seen here.

Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Apres-Ski Cocktail Classic Returns, Best Cocktail Festival in U.S. March 2015

January 5, 2015 by evebushman

Experience the peak of après ski culture with the Après-Ski Cocktail Classic – March 5-8, 2015
FOUR DAY SPIRIT CELEBRATION MOVES TO THE LITTLE NELL AND OTHER ICONIC ASPEN SNOWMASS LOCATIONS

ASPEN/SNOWMASS, CO – The 3rd annual Après Ski Cocktail Classic returns in 2015 with new dates and a new home base. It was recently announced that the four-day event will take place March 5 through 8, 2015 and move headquarters to The Little Nell in downtown Aspen, Colorado. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Little Nell whose name and reputation is synonymous with superior service and experiences,” states co-founder Joseph Lang, “plus the location is not too shabby either. This event not only brings renowned talent to town, it looks to showcase the unbelievable talent we have here year-round.” Celebrating the union between après-ski and craft cocktails, this winter-schuss extravaganza will feature the best of the best in après-ski culture with everything from seminars and fireside chats to the rejuvenation station at the Grand Tasting Village and unique pop-up experiences throughout Aspen Snowmass.

“Our history has been synonymous with the super-premium vodka experience” says Alex Steppacher, Director of Sales South East at Stoli Group USA, “Sitting slope-side with Stolichnaya, a little caviar and the crispness of the Aspen air… it’s the perfect place to savor the richness of the history of our brand.”

An ensemble of the nation’s top brand ambassadors and spirit aficionados will be on hand, pouring uncommon spirits, champagnes and cocktails to elevate the après-ski experience. Venues will include outlets at the Little Nell including Element 47 & Poolside Terrace, Chair Nine, and the Upper Gondola Plaza, along with Justice Snow’s, Jimmy’s, Bodega and more to be announced.

“William Grant & Sons has had a long history here in Aspen and we’ve been involved with the Aprés Ski Cocktail Classic from year one. “Both consumers and spirit professionals in Aspen are at the pinnacle of the tastemaker market we want to be in front of and the Aprés Ski Cocktail Classic is a perfect fit to reach this audience,” says Portfolio Ambassador Charlotte Voisey.

Events include opening Après celebrations, the Grand Tasting Village, Private Reserve Room, seminars, demonstrations, fireside chats, cocktail-paired dinners & brunches, Après parties, and the Great Après Ski Pub Crawl in eight locations.

Winners of the 2014 Great Aprés Ski Pub Crawl were:
“BEST APRES SCENE” – Chair 9 @ The Little Nell
“BEST APRES SKI COCKTAIL” – Justice Snow’s “The Mooserwirt”
“AUDIENCE FAVORITE” -Chef’s Club / St Regis Aspen – “Smuggling Pears”

For more information on ticket on-sale dates and travel packages visit www.apresskicc.com