For Immediate Release – April 26, 2012
Orange County Welcomes the Inaugural Golden Foodie Awards September 30
A Season of Local Foodie Events Lead Up to the Glamorous Culinary Awards Show
[Orange County, Calif.] ---- Orange County is pleased to present the 2012 Golden Foodie Awards. The inaugural red carpet culinary awards show will celebrate the best in local food, restaurants and chefs. The Golden Foodie Awards season will launch in June with a calendar of special foodie events at restaurants and venues throughout the county leading up to the main Awards night gala on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at The Fairmont Newport Beach.
“Food unites us all,” comments Pamela Waitt, Creator of the Golden Foodie Awards and President of the OC Restaurant Association. “So we wanted to honor that unity with a season long grand celebration of everything culinary.”
Honoring food, passion and glamour, the Golden Foodie Awards will recognize culinary excellence in 30 categories. 6 Best Restaurant categories will include Best Mexican, Italian, Seafood, Sushi, Indian, and Vegetarian. 4 Cuisine categories span Best French, Asian, Mediterranean, Californian, and American. 8 Best specialty menu item awards will be honored in the categories of Best Steak, Burger, Pizza, Taco, Dessert, Wine List and Beer Menu. 11 additional special award categories will honor, Excellence in Service, Best Chef, Pastry Chef, Food Truck, Happy Hour, Mixologist, Cocktail, Food Writer or Blog, Restaurant Design, Restaurant Branding, and student competition category the Next Best Chef Presented by The Art Institute of California – Orange County.
Award category nominees are selected by public votes. Foodie fans can vote for their favorite chef, restaurant and dish online at http://goldenfoodieawards.com beginning July 1 through September 1. Foodies can also vote via smartphone by downloading the free Golden Foodie Awards app courtesy of Iconosys from the website.
During the nominee-voting season, “The Golden Dine Out” will take place August 5 through 31. Orange County restaurants in each Award category will be participating in the month long dining event, creating specialty “Golden Dine Out” menus at affordable prices to encourage the public to enjoy a meal out and vote for their favorite restaurant in the Golden Foodie Awards. The list of restaurants participating in The Golden Dine Out will be available at http://goldendineout.com
3 final nominees in the various Golden Foodie Awards categories will be announced weekly online athttp://goldenfoodieawards.com during the Golden Dine Out month. The Golden Foodie Awards Guild will select the final winners of the categories Excellence in Service, Best Chef, and Pastry Chef. The public will select the winners in all other Awards categories. The Guild is comprised of respected star restaurant and industry professionals.
Advance tickets to the Golden Foodie Awards event on September 30 are $150 and will go on sale July 1. August 1 ticket prices will increase to $250. At the event red carpet arrival leads guests to interactive culinary stations presenting an overwhelming array of the best in food and cocktails covering the savory, sour, salty, sips, sweets and sexy sensory. Then guests will be seated for more specialty desserts and libations while enjoying the Awards ceremony intermixed with live music and entertainment throughout the evening.
Stay connected with the Golden Foodie Awards through the exciting season of food, community, and culture to stay up to date on the participating restaurants, nominees, announcements and fabulous culinary events.
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Golden Foodie Awards would like to thanks its sponsors:
The Art Institute of California – Orange County, Fairmont – Newport Beach, Iconosys, Sub-Zero Wolf, Melissa’s, Orange Coast Magazine, SoCal PBS, Playlist Radio 92.7FM, OC Metro, The District at Tustin Legacy, Edible Orange County, Thunder Fish, Nomad Communications, OC Foodies, Cabot Cheese, Kitchen Paddles, Mighty Leaf Tea, The ACE Agency, Code 4 Media Group.
Media Contact
The ACE Agency, Ashley Eckenweiler
(949) 285-9239, ashley@theaceagency.com
Spring 2012 OC Restaurant Week Date Announced
OC RESTAURANT WEEK: February 26th - March 3rd , 2012
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., OCTOBER 2011 - The Orange County Restaurant Association has announced the dates for theregion's fastest growing and most anticipated culinary event, Orange County Restaurant Week. The 2012 Orange County Restaurant Week will be held February 26th through March 3rd. The Association has decided to limit the number of participants to 100 restaurants again per year.
"As we enter our fourth year, we have been able to evaluate past events to determine that quality is priority when it comes to OC's favorite dining event, Orange County Restaurant Week. With that said, producing this event only once a year and limiting the number of restaurants involved, will make this dining celebration more treasured by all who enjoy it and allow the community to come together annually for a grand celebration," commented Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association. "By limiting the event to restaurants who can offer the best menus, we can ensure that diners will be presented with a truly special event with the county’s crème de la crème offering great incentives during this one week. After all, the goal is for everyone involved to have fun!”
Presenting sponsors for the 2012 Orange County Restaurant Week include Orange Coast Magazine, Playlist 92.7, Moxxe PR, OCMetro, LA Times, OCfoodies, AnaheimOC, and Yelp. Additional sponsors include OCStandard, OpenTable, Dining Out Magazine, Edible Orange County, and GreersOC.. For general information, or to learn about participation or sponsorship opportunities during Orange County Restaurant Week, please visit www.OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com. To learn about or join the Orange County Restaurant Association, visit www.OCRestaurantAssociation.org.
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For more information, contact: Mona Shah-Anderson, Moxxe PR at +1 818 749 1931 or mona@moxxepr.com
The OC Restaurant Association Introduces 2011 OC Wine and OC Beer Weeks!
OC WINE WEEK: September 25 – October 1, 2011 | OC BEER WEEK: October 2 – 8, 2011
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., March 2011 - The Orange County Restaurant Association has announced the dates for two new events set to debut this year: OC Wine Week, September 25th through October 1st, and OC Beer Week, October 2nd through October 8th. These back-to-back weeklong events will offer food, wine and beer aficionados fantastic dining options and unbeatable prices at Orange County’s top restaurants.
This unique culinary celebration will replace the fall OC Restaurant Week with prix-fixe menus and wine-pairing options during OC Wine Week, September 25th through October 1st. Immediately following will be OC Beer Week, October 2nd through October 8th with equally interesting beer offerings throughout the county.
“Our goal is to keep things fresh, fun and delicious, so it seemed natural to shake things up by producing OC Restaurant Week just once per year and introduce an event that many other Metro areas throughout the U.S. already know and love,” commented Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association. “The back-to-back weeks of wine and beer fun will offers options for every taste and budget so that those interested may take advantage of amazing deals at the best restaurants in OC and maybe even try new restaurants. Really, there will be something for everyone!”
All participating locations and menus will be posted online at http://www.ocwineandbeerweek.com/, the official site for both events.
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 OC Wine Week and OC Beer Week include AAA, Orange Coast Magazine, OC Metro, M Magazine, KOCE, Jill-FM 92.7, Moxxe PR, OCStandard, AnaheimOC.org, OpenTable, Grey Goose Vodka, Orange County Performing Arts Center and OCfoodies. For general information, or to learn about participation or sponsorship opportunities for the Orange County Restaurant Association, please visit www.OCRestaurantAssociation.org.
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For more information, contact: Mona Shah, Moxxe PR at +1 818 749 1931 or mona@moxxepr.com
Orange County Restaurant Association Designates
OC Restaurant Week Annual Event & Limits Restaurants
OC RESTAURANT WEEK: February 27 – March 5, 2011
OC Wine Week & OC Beer Week to debut in late 2011
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., DECEMBER 2010 - The Orange County Restaurant Association has announced that the region's fastest growing and most anticipated culinary event, Orange County Restaurant Week, will now be an annual event, held only one week during the calendar year. The 2011 Orange County Restaurant Week will be held February 27 through March 5. In addition, the Association has decided to limit the number of participants to 100 restaurants per year.
"As we enter our third year, we have been able to evaluate past events to determine that quality is priority when it comes to OC's favorite dining event, Orange County Restaurant Week. With that said, producing this event only once a year and limiting the number of restaurants involved, will make this dining celebration more treasured by all who enjoy it and allow the community to come together annually for a grand celebration," commented Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association. "By limiting the event to restaurants who can offer the best menus, we can ensure that diners will be presented with a truly special event with the county’s crème de la crème offering great incentives during this one week. After all, the goal is for everyone involved to have fun!”
In addition, debuting in late-2011 will be OC Wine Week & OC Beer Week, a two-week event during which restaurants throughout Orange County will create fantastic meals to enjoy with wine or beer pairings.
“Wine Week and Beer Week are growing in popularity across the country, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity for Orange County to enjoy both! We are anticipating that this event, which will allow diners to explore fabulous pairings of both wine and beer, to become an instant favorite,” added Waitt. “For the two-week event, with back-to-back weeks of wine and beer fun, the selections will be varied for every taste and budget so that those interested may take advantage of amazing deals at the best restaurants in OC and maybe even try new restaurants."
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 Orange County Restaurant Week include Orange Coast Magazine, OC Metro, M Magazine, KOCE, Jill-FM 92.7, Moxxe PR, OCStandard, AnaheimOC.org, OpenTable, Grey Goose Vodka, Orange County Performing Arts Center, AAA and OCfoodies. For general information, or to learn about participation or sponsorship opportunities during Orange County Restaurant Week, please visit www.OrangeCountyRestaurantWeek.com. To learn about or join the Orange County Restaurant Association, visit www.OCRestaurantAssociation.org.
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For more information, contact: Mona Shah, Moxxe PR at +1 818 749 1931 or mona@moxxepr.com
Happy Hour, All Day...All Week!
The First-Ever Happy Hour Week To Debut in Orange County April 12 – 18, 2009
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., March 2009 – Restaurants, bars, pubs and breweries throughout Orange County will unite for the launch of Happy Hour Week, to be held April 12-18, 2009. The week-long event, the first of its kind, will promote the best drinks and appetizers with “Happy Hour, All Day...All Week.” The official Happy Hour Week website, www.HappyHourWeek.com, will list participating establishments and their special bar menus for both food and beverages, many of which will include specialty “mocktails” (non-alcoholic options). Happy Hour Week is produced by the Orange County Restaurant Association.
Happy Hour Week is made possible by the Orange County Restaurant Association and its many sponsors, including Orange Coast Magazine, Cox Media, 104.3 MYfm, Coca-Cola, Bacardi, 944 Magazine, OC Life Magazine, Laguna Beach Magazine, OCFoodies, OCStandard and Moxxe PR.
In addition to an annual Happy Hour Week, The Orange County Restaurant Association produces Orange County Restaurant Week (February and September) and Kid's Restaurant Week (June 2010).
“"Happy Hour Week was created to offer some light-hearted fun and to promote Orange County's diverse food and beverage offerings. This is a great time to gather with friends and enjoy various atmospheres,appetizers, and, of course, tasty libations, featured across the region,” commented Pamela Waitt, president of the Orange County Restaurant Association, which produces Happy Hour Week. “The Orange County Restaurant Association strives to create innovative events to help Orange County shine and help reaffirm its place in the culinary world. This event gives the Association’s members an opportunity to get creative and have fun; and with our participants’ varying offerings, from wine and cheese pairings, to nachos and beer, there is something to satisfy every guest.”
Mixologist Masters...Happy Hour Week Comes to the Home Store at Bloomingdales! Don't miss this amazing opportunity to watch OC's TOP Mixologist prepare very happy concoctions.
Seven dynamic mixologists from Orange County's top restaurants will demonstrate their skills behind the bar as they showcase cocktails featured on their Happy Hour Week menus! The demonstration will include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (guests may sample one alcoholic beverage if over the age of 21). Some demonstrations may be accompanied by the serving of a bar appetizer available at the participating restaurant. Download Mixology Masters Press Release
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., February 2009 – Restaurants across Orange County’s vast dining landscape will unite for the launch of what is expected to become one of Orange County’s most anticipated culinary events, Orange County Restaurant Week, to be held February 22-28, 2009. During the region’s inaugural week-long event, participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus that will, no doubt, showcase some of the region’s most talented chefs who will personalize each menu to reflect their culinary style and highlight locally grown, seasonal ingredients. The prix-fixe menus will priced at $10 and $20 per person for lunch, and $20, $30 or $40 per person for dinner, exclusive of beverages, tax and gratuity. http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/restaurant_week_pr.html
Cooking with the Experts at the Bloomingdale’s Home Store - Come watch OC's Rockstar Chefs live!!
Orange County Restaurant Week Comes To Bloomingdale’s Home Store at South Coast Plaza
For two weeks in February, 13 Chefs participating in the inaugural Orange County Restaurant Week, will be conducting demos at the Bloomingdale’s Home Store at South Coast Plaza. The demos will begin prior to the start of OC Restaurant Week (schedule below) and each Chef will prepare one or more dishes that will be featured on their special three-course OC Restaurant Week menus. Sample delicious cuisine, meet the Chef and receive a print out of their fabulous recipe...
http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/cooking_with_the_experts.html
OC Restaurant Association Launch Party A Huge Success!
Orange County, CA., September 18, 2008 -- More than 300 guest enjoyed the Launch Party of the OC Restaurant Association on Tuesday, September 16th. The party was held at the Orange Coast Art House by Cuvee Estates. Bringing together many of Orange County's top restaurateurs, chefs and industry professionals.
Everyone indulged in delicious food and drinks provided by our wonderful sponsors. SteerCrazy International BBQ delighted guest with his trademarked Appetini's. The Art Institute of California, Orange County impressed all with their amazing cuisine and service. Gorgeous bread baskets and pastries by Solomon's, Veggie and fruit platters by Melissa's, Cheese by Champignon, Downey's Chocolates, KAI Vodka, Regal Wines, Beer by The Bruery, Sole Mineral Water, Coca Cola, Glace Luxury ice.
The party was over the top, Orange County Restaurants have a lot to look forward to. "I'm looking forward to being part of the community and creating new dishes for Orange County Restaurant Week" said Chef Joe, from Savannah at the beach. Guest were pleasantly surprised by the elaborate details of the party. "Everyone in the restaurant industry works very hard. We wanted to provide them with an evening to remember" said Pamela Waitt, President & Gina Mims, Vice President. A first class night out with everything from delicious food and drinks to live entertainment and fabulous gift bags - the OC Restaurant Association has officially launched with an amazing party to kick it off... See Press Release