FIRST ANNUAL TRUFFLE FEST WILL BE A NORTH CAROLINA AFFAIR

(PRLEAP.COM) Asheville, N.C. (January, 2009) — Held amid the tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is ready to show us they know all about fine wine and dining. The National Truffle Fest is the first festival of its kind in North America, dedicated to sharing the experience of truffles with the growers, chefs, and food and wine lovers. Included in the three day event is truffle hunting, dog training, cooking demonstrations, tours, seminars and tasting dinners, a competitive "Perigord Truffles and Pasta Cook-off" and Winemaker Dinners, along with Saturday’s "Chefs’ Gala," a 7-course truffle-laden dining experience prepared by some of the nation’s top chefs.

Guests can view the art exhibition entitled "The Interpretation of the Truffle" where amateur celebrity and professional artists compete for top prize. This is a rare opportunity for serious truffle lovers and curious consumers alike to have stimulating conversations, learn about truffles, wines and their pairings, while indulging their senses in honor of the coveted truffle.

KEY MESSAGES:

• Move over, Perigord: The black diamonds known as truffles are quite happy to grow in North Carolina: WashingtonPostWNC Magazine
• Have scientists proven that "Manna from Heaven" in the bible was, in fact, desert truffles? Youtube.com
• Defying the economic downturn, a pound of truffles sold for over $200,000 in Italy: News24
• It’s truffle harvesting time and enjoying a truffle is as easy as baking a potato, shaving a few slivers of the black, marbled flesh into the potato’s creamy interior, adding a touch of fresh butter and sea salt, and heaven is on your plate!: Garland Truffles

For more information about this special Winemaker Dinner program and the National Truffle Fest, visit www.NationalTruffleFest.com.

The National Truffle Fest will feature prolific truffle growers in North America and beyond, including Jose Barbarín, General Manager, Arotz, Soria, Spain, the largest truffle orchard in the world with 350,00 truffle trees; Rosario Safina, author and founder of da Rosario Truffle Products; Tom Michaels, PhD, Tennessee Truffles, Tim Terry, Truffles Australis speaking on the Australian truffle industry and market, Franklin Garland, President, Garland Truffles, Inc. (shown here holding a truffle found on December 10, 2008 in NC), Robin Weant, founder, Patria Properties, specializing in real estate for vineyards and truffle orchards, Jack Ponticelli, CEO and co-founder, Piedmont Valley Truffles, largest orchard in North Carolina.

Culinary masters will intrigue truffle aficionados and the epicurean folks with cooking demonstrations, fine Winemaker Dinners, the Truffle Cook-Off, and will culminate in a rare seven-course meal prepared by 7 chefs from around the world including Todd Gray, chef/owner of Washington D.C.’s Equinox Restaurant, Walter Royal, Iron Chef winner, one of 50 master chefs in the United States, one of Top Five Chefs in the Southeast, and executive chef of the Angus Barn in Raleigh, N.C; Jim Anile, Owner and Executive Chef, Revolution Restaurant and James Beard volunteer; Giorgios Bakastias, chef/owner of 7 diverse restaurants; Phillip Ponticelli, Chef de Cuisine ,Walt Disney World’s Signature restaurants, Citricos; Carlos Cordon, owner Los Ranchos (written up in the Miami Herald as the best steak house in Central America) and Kakao, with chains in Guatemala, Brazil, and Miami; Jules Pernell, Jr., CEC, FMP, Executive Chef/Instructor, University of South Carolina Colleges Of Hospitality; Paul Kellum, Executive Chef, The Umstead Spa and Hotel; Chef Sam Poley, Durham Catering Company; Kyle Krieger, Executive Chef, Noble’s Restaurant; Susi Gott Séguret, Director, Swannoa School of Culinary Arts for ½ of year, chef in France for ½ of year; Colin Auchincloss, Executive Chef, Azure Grill; Mary Beth Manning, L’Acadamie de Cuisine, Maryland.

Tickets to the National Truffle Fest start at $100, with all-inclusive guest passes starting at $500 before January 31, 2009 and $750 thereafter. To register, visit www.NationalTruffleFest.com.

CONTACTS:
Rebecca Antonelli
919-740-3008
Rebecca@NorthAmericanTruffleFest.com

Betty Garland
919-593-6214
Betty@GarlandTruffles.com

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