SAN FRANCISCO DEBUTS PREMIERE; INTERACTIVE URBAN FOOD AND WINE WEEKEND

Celebrating Chefs, Wine and Spirits Over Four Days and Nights
Extraordinary Culinary, Wine and Spirits Classes, Tastings and Events
August 6 To 9, 2009 On Union Square
March 6th 2009 – San Francisco, CA: SF Chefs. Food. Wine. announces the debut of the annual premiere interactive urban food and wine weekend experience planned for August 6 to 9th, 2009 in San Francisco. Set in the epicenter of culinary innovation, SF Chefs will highlight the local talent, regional ingredients and Northern Californian flair of this city by the Bay during four days of tastings, classes, dinners, and events. During the weekend, a tented tasting pavilion will be housed on the historic Union Square, with culinary, wine and cocktail classes and events held at The Westin St. Francis Hotel.
“San Francisco is an international destination for food and wine, and with SF Chefs we will showcase our breed of innovative creators, from chefs to artisan producers, in a series of interactive tastings and events,” stated Kevin Westlye of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association the founder of the event. The Bay area’s proximity to the wine country, farms and Pacific Ocean, “Continues to inspire me and those who cook here,” said James Beard Award winning Delfina chef Craig Stoll. The four-day schedule of speakers, programs and events will be announced in March, and they will including numerous James Beard award winners and the nation’s top wine producers. The programs planned include morning and afternoon demonstrations, chats and sips; mid-day tastings and demonstrations in the pavilion; evening galas and dinners; and several free community classes on Sunday. Tickets will be released in April and will include weekend packages, event tickets and day passes.
For 16 years in a row, Conde Nast Traveler, due to San Francisco’s high restaurant score, has awarded the city “The best city to visit in US.”
Dates: Thursday, August 6 through Sunday, August 9th, 2009. [Possible extension through Monday, August 10th for wine country getaways or tours.]
Website: http://www.sfchefsfoodwine.com/
Founder: Golden Gate Restaurant Association, 70 year old organization with over 900 independently owned and operated restaurants.
Attendees: 3,600 over the weekend
Tickets and travel packages: Will be released in April
Location: On Union Square, San Francisco plus locations off of Union Square including restaurants and hotels.
Presenting sponsor: Visa Signature is the presenting sponsor.
Hotel Sponsor: The Westin St. Francis Hotel
Media sponsors: Gourmet, Epicurious and San Francisco Magazine/Modern Luxury and San Francisco Magazine. Sponsors: Macy’s is a retail partner, OpenTable.com is the restaurant reservations partner and PG&E is the green energy partner.
Community Supporters: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom , San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, Union Square Association, The Hotel Council of San Francisco, Sonoma Valley Vintners, California Tourism and Travel Commission.
Charity partners: to be announced
Chefs, Wine & Spirits Advisory Council: Joey Altman, Chris Cosentino, Gary Danko, David Gingrass, Traci Des Jardins, Elizabeth Falkner, Tyler Florence, Robert Helstrom, Bruce Hill, Adrian Hoffman, Hubert Keller, Emily Luchetti, Michael Mina, Roland Passot, Daniel Patterson, Charles Phan, Leslie Sbrocco, Annie Somerville, Craig Stoll, Joanne Weir, Laura Werlin, Emily Wines, Arnold Eric Wong and Martin Yan.
Visa Signature® is the presenting sponsor. From benefits that save time to benefits that help to safeguard purchases, Visa Signature helps cardholders get the most out of life. In addition to a choice of numerous airline, hotel and other premium reward partners, cardholders enjoy access to around-the-clock complimentary concierge services; epicurean events and reservations at the hottest restaurants; premium merchant offers; and access to exclusive events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl and the Tony Awards, as well as preferred access and seating at local sporting events, concerts and movie screenings. Visa Signature cardholders receive special perks and savings at SF Chefs.Food.Wine.
ABOUT SF CHEFS. FOOD. WINE.
SF CHEFS. FOOD. WINE is the premiere interactive urban food and wine weekend experience set in the epicenter of culinary innovation – celebrating local talent, regional ingredients and Northern Californian flair. More information can be found at http://www.sfchefsfoodwine.com/.