PHILIPSBURG:--- Chef Marc Forgione, currently a contestant on the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef and owner of New York's Marc Forgione restaurant, has been added to the first "Flaavors of St. Maarten Food & Wine Festival" (www.Flaavors.com), taking place Nov. 10 – 14, 2010. The "Flaavors of St. Maarten" offers five days of cooking, wine pairing, instruction and culinary excitement for food lovers from around the world.The "Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione" will take place at Porto Cupecoy on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at 7 pm and will feature renowned French champagnes of Piper Hiedsieck and Louis Roederer. The cost for the event is $150 per person.
"We are thrilled to have Chef Marc Forgione participate in the inaugural Flaavors of St. Maarten Festival," said Regina LaBega, director of tourism for the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. "Chef Forgione's expertise in the culinary world raises the bar and adds even more excitement for the event as participants can walk away with tips and culinary know-how from a renowned television personality," LaBega added.
Chef Marc Forgione recently received a two-star review from the New York Times for his namesake Tribeca restaurant as well as a second consecutive Michelin Star from the 2011 New York City guide, making him the youngest American-born chef and owner to receive the prestigious honor. Forgione's formative years were spent learning from his father Larry Forgione, an American culinary legend and under industry luminaries like Patricia Yeo and Laurent Tourondel, as well as several posts in France studying classical technique and enhancing his relationship with ingredients. The Marc Forgione restaurant and Chef Forgione have garnered many awards and distinctions including "Star Chefs Rising Star of the Year Award 2010," "Key Newcomer" by Zagat Guide 2009, and "Rising Star 2008" from Restaurant Hospitality magazine.
Flaavors of St. Maarten
"Flaavors of St. Maarten" will bring together the island's top chefs with celebrity chefs from around the world. Participants will be able to experience intimate winemaker dinners, a Grand Champagne Tasting, and formal sit-down celebration dinners. On the final day of the event, visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy festivities while sampling hundreds of different types of foods and wines along the Philipsburg beachfront and boardwalk.
Participants will be delighted by the food of great chefs and the sublime wines of the best vineyards from around the world. Additionally, those who attend will have the opportunity to learn to cook from master chefs, the correct way to taste great wines, and experience what it takes to achieve culinary greatness.
Following is the Schedule of Events for Flaavors of St. Maarten which can be accessed via: http://www.flaavors.com/events.html.
- Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 - The Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione at Porto Cupecoy, 7 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
- Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 - The Oakville Ranch Winemaker Dinner with Chefs Wayne Nish, Doug Psaltis and Dino Jagtiani at Temptations Restaurant, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
- Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 - The St. Maarten Celebration Dinner & Benefit Auction at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 7 pm. Ticket: $150 per person. Auction proceeds will benefit the St. Maarten National Culinary Team.
- Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 - Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations by Chef Wayne Nish at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, 10 am, and chef Ken Frank at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 10 am. Tickets are $40 per person for each event.
- Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - "Napa Valley Rocks" conducted wine tasting by the Napa Valley Vinters Association, 12 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. Participating wineries: Flying Horse Winery, Grgich Hills Winery, The Hess Collection, Jones Family Vineyards, Luna Vineywards, The Miner Family Vineyards, Oakville Ranch Vineyards and Peju Vineyards. Participating panelists: Dan Bailey, The Jones Family Vienyards; Paula Kornell, Oakville Ranch Vineyards; and Michael Davis, Hart Davis Hart Wine Company.
- Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - The Luna Vineyards Winemaker dinner with Chef Ken Frank at Aura Restaurant, 7:30 pm. tickets: $150 per person
- Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - St. Maarten Flaavors Festival (Phillipsburg Beachfront and Boardwalk), 12 pm - 5 pm. Tickets: $45 per person. Participation by 40 of the top restaurants and wine distributors in St. Maarten as well as the Napa Valley Vintners Association, among others.