City of Dallas Announces Savor Dallas,
a Major Event Featuring a Unique Blending
of Wine, Food, Spirits and the Arts

Celebrity Chefs, Vintners, Dallas Arts District Unite in First-of-its-kind Celebration of Region's Culinary and Cultural Offerings

DALLAS (October 26, 2004) - Savor Dallas, a wine, food and arts event like none ever before in North Texas, will bring world-famous chefs, vintners and cultural institutions together for a winter weekend of flavor and fine art in Big D, announced today by Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, Phillip Jones, President of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, area civic and business leadership.

The official event title was unveiled at a news conference in the courtyard of The Dallas Museum of Art, while Mayor Miller proclaimed February 18 Savor Dallas day in the city. Savor Dallas will showcase its innovation and leadership in the culinary and artistic traditions with a series of dinners, tastings and exhibitions featuring a dazzling array of celebrity chefs, wine and spirits tastings, vintner dinners, beautiful arts venues, fashion and more.

Savor Dallas event is presented through sponsorship of famous fresh-market concept Central Market and Gallo's renowned Rancho Zabaco, Mirassou and Da Vinci wines and premieres February 18-20,2005.

"With more restaurants per capita than any American city and world-famous art collections, Dallas' leadership as a culinary and cultural center is unmatched," said Dallas Mayor Laura Miller. "What better combination to feast the senses with great wine, food and art at Savor Dallas. We are proud that so many diverse groups have come together to make this happen for the first time."

We greatly appreciate the generosity of our presenting sponsors H-E-B/Central Market and Rancho Zabaco, Mirassou and Da Vinci Wines for making this event possible and able to benefit such worthy causes, said Miller.

"Savor Dallas is our latest initiative to create unique festivals and special events that capitalize on our city's wonderful culinary, visual and performing arts," said Phillip J. Jones, president/CEO, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. "By bringing visitors and residents to the heart of our city for a special dining and cultural experience, we have an opportunity to celebrate the qualities that make Dallas unique and to grow an annual festival that will be known regionally, nationally and internationally."

"Savor Dallas Producer Jim White says, "Culinary events have grown to huge significance all over the country. Metroplex wine and food lovers attend events in Aspen, New Orleans and elsewhere. Let's give them, and wine lovers everywhere, a serious event that also showcases Dallas. Great support from our partners will make this possible."

The event will begin in the Dallas Arts District on Friday February 18, as top winemakers pour their favorites at the Belo Mansion, the Margaret and Trammell Crow Collection of Asian Art, the Dallas Museum of Art (featuring the Splendors of China's Forbidden City Exhibit), the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and the Nasher Sculpture Center.

The Latino Cultural Center will host a celebration of Wine, Food and Spirits "South of the Border" featuring Wine Expert Steven Olson, The Cocktail King Dale DeGroff, and celebrity chefs Stephan Pyles, Zarela Martinez and Joanne Bondy on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Event-goers have a chance to be a part of the famous Central Market experience Friday and Saturday from noon until 4 p.m., as the legendary Texas fresh-market showplace opens its doors for folks to tour, taste and take part in celebrity cooking demonstrations.

Saturday, the scene shifts to the Hilton Anatole Hotel: official host hotel of Savor Dallas, for cutting edge info-tainment and more from the industry's leading experts. Anthony Dias Blue, celebrated wine writer from Bon Appetit, Steven Olson, one of the world’s most sought-after wine and spirits educators, Joshua Wesson, founder of "Best Cellars", Master of Wine D.C. Flynt, Master of Wine/Master Sommelier Doug Frost, and Dale DeGroff, America's premier mixologist and author of The Craft of the Cocktail will be presenting seminars. Celebrity Chefs Tyler Florence from The Food Network's "Food 911", Nathalie Dupree, author of "Comfortable Entertaining", Stephan Pyles from Dragonfly, Kent Rathbun from Abacus, Joanne Bondy from Ciudad, Zarela Martinez from Zarela's in New York and other top chefs will be appearing in the Savor Dallas Celebrity Kitchen.

A limited number of wine and spirits enthusiasts will have the opportunity to partake of the finest vintages, and rare tastes during the special "Reserve Tasting" from 5 until 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Hilton Anatole.

Later, over 100 fine wine brands and spirits from around the world will be paired with signature dishes from Dallas's  top chefs at the International Grand Tasting from 7 until 10 p.m.

A late night "Texas Outlaws" party will showcase Texas wine, food, and music from 9 to midnight at the Hilton Anatole.

Sunday's "Domaine Chandon Roast and Toast" at the Hilton Anatole brings Savor Dallas to a delicious conclusion as a lavish brunch is served 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Winners of the first annual "Lone Star Awards" for outstanding achievements in wine, cuisine, spirits and the arts will be announced with a "gentle roast and a hearty toast."

Proceeds from Savor Dallas will benefit North Texas Food Bank, the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association Education and Scholarship Fund, and the Arts Magnet Building and Renovation Campaign for the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

The Wyndham Anatole is offering special Savor Dallas weekend rates of $149 per night, single or double occupancy. For reservations go to WyndhamAnatole.com, visit SavorDallas.com, or call 1-800-WYNDHAM (996-3426). American Airlines is the official travel partner of Savor Dallas.

American Express, American FoodService, Sysco Companies and Bon Appetit magazine are founding partners of Savor Dallas.

Tickets for Savor Dallas are available for individual events and a special weekend package price is also offered. Please go to www.SavorDallas.com for details or call 1-800-729-1029 for more information or to buy tickets.

Presented by Central Market and Rancho Zabaco, Mirassou and Da Vinci Wines.

Benefiting North Texas Food Bank,
Greater Dallas Restaurant Association Education & Scholarship Fund, and the Arts Magnet Building Campaign
Contacts: Phyllis Hammond 214-571-1000
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau

Fran Gallagher 214-932-6072
 Levenson & Brinker Public Relations 

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