N E W S R E L E A S E
7 September 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MASI Wine & Food Challenge Kicked Off La Vendemmia with the Flavours of Italy
September 6, we kicked off the ninth annual La Vendemmia Italian Wine & Food
Festival with a friendly competition of wine and food matching! The MASIItalian Wine & Food Matching Challenge took place at The Adelaide Apartments in the heart of Little Italy, and invited Preston Street Chefs, as well as any amateur chefs and foodies to present their best food match for our featured wine, MASI Campofiorin.
A total of nine finalists (6 Preston Street Chefs and 3 Amateurs) were selected from the submitted recipe entries. They prepared their dishes for a panel of judges featuring some of Ottawa’s culinary elite.
In the Preston Street Chef Challenge, the dish that scored top marks and the
Gold Medal was the Roast Rabbit Agnolotti, created and prepared by
Phillip Chisholm of Da Sergio Ristorante (338 Preston Street). The other entrants
ranked as follows:
Silver Medals
• Rosemary Gorgonzola Pasta Supreme (by Amos Jarbeau of Stoneface Dolly’s)
• Grilled Veal Medallions with Eggplant Wraps and Polenta (by Andrew
Bridges of La Vecchia Trattoria)
Bronze Medals
• Vitello alla Trinita (by Dominic Carrozza of Trattoria Caffé Italia)
• Chocolate Masi Crème Brulée & Masi Sherbet (by G. Joe Calabro of Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana Ltd.)
• Melenzana Parmigiana Allegro (by Roberto Lemmo of Allegro Ristorante)
Special mention goes to the creative desserts from Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana.Many of the judges commented that although the dishes did not earn high marks for the wine match, they found them to be surprisingly delicious, and some commented that the crème brulée was their favourite dish tasted.
In the
Amateur Challenge, all three finalists scored very close marks, but it was
Maureen Murphy who came out on top with her Caramelized Onion and 3-
Cheese Tart. Maureen is nearing completion of her Sommelier Certificate
studies at Algonquin College and has a passion for wine and food. Close
runners-up were Tara Blasioli with her Pan Fried Polenta with 5-Mushroom
Ragout, and Mark Tandan with his Veal di Valpolicella.
La Vendemmia festivities will continue next week, with Italian wine and food
programming from September 12th to 18th, 2005. Highlights include a cooking
demonstration with celebrity Chef Giuliano Bugialli on Thursday, September
15th, and the finale event Taste Little Italy on Sunday, September 18th.
Complete program details and ticket information are available atwww.prestonstreet.com/lavendemmia.
We are calling all preston street chefs/cooks, & amateur cooks, at-home “chefs”, and foodies to participate in …
The MASI Italian Wine & Food Matching Challenge
Submit your recipe before 2 September 2005 at noon
Selected entries created and plated 6 September 2005 at The Adelaide Apartments, 17 Aberdeen Street
Entry is as easy as:
- Write a recipe to match with our featured wine ~ MASI Campofiorin
- Submit your recipe before 2 September 2005
- Submit $25 entrance fee in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Ottawa
Why Submit a Recipe?
- Potential media exposure
- Take part in La Vendemmia
- Showcase your culinary talents
- Support Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa
Download all the details to submit your recipe before Sep 2/05:
Download information about the wine: MASI Campofiorin, CLICK HERE
How does it work?
- create a recipe with an Italian flair to match with our selected wine: MASI Campofiorin (available at the LCBO – product code 155051, $17.00)
- submit your recipe by 2 September 2005 by noon by email to lavendemmia@prestonstreet.com, fax to 613 482-4774 or by regular mail to Groovy Grapes, 394 Winston Avenue, Ottawa K2A 1Y5
- our panel of judges will select the top 5 recipes to participate in the challenge on 6 September 2005, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. where you will present your dish and have it judged by Ottawa’s culinary elite
- the entry fee is $25.00 to participate, proceeds in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa
About MASI CAMPOFIORIN SUPERVENETIAN
Download a copy of the product sheet by clicking here.
This specialty of Masi, resulting from the refermentation of wine from fresh Veronese red grapes with a percentage of semi-dried grapes of the same varietals, splendidly encompasses the qualities of the Verona area: the excellence of the zone, the highly individual style of the indigenous Veronese grape varieties, and the originality of the techniques of "appassimento" (semi-drying) and double fermentation by Masi. It combines simplicity and grace with power and majesty. It is rich, full-bodied, round and velvety, and has an aging potential of 10 to 15 years. Campofiorin and Ripasso are registered trademarks of the Masi company, a specialist in the production of Amarone and Valpolicella Classico.
All proceeds in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ottawa.
How to Register?
1. Download the participation forms (see links above)
2. Pay your $25 entrance fee online (see below) or send your cheque, payable to Groovy Grapes Inc., 394 Winston Avenue, Ottawa ON K2A 1Y5.
