|
Warning to all Florida Crayfish: Your Life May be in Danger15 Award-Winning Destin-Area Eateries will Compete for Top Honors in the 15th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-Off at Sandestin Golf and Beach ResortEdited by Madelyn MillerWith live Cajun music, door prizes, and gumbo served by 15 Destin-area restaurants at The Market Shops at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the 15th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-off is sure to spice up anyone’s afternoon. On January 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public is invited to participate in this hearty event. The day will be fun-filled with live authentic zydeco music by The Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band and cooking demonstrations at Kitchenique. Attendees can savor samples of gumbo recipes from 15 award-winning eateries including Sandestin’s own Sunset Bay Café, as well as Acme Oyster House and Another Broken Egg Café from The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Other restaurants vying for the grand prize are AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, Buster’s Bar & Grill, The Crab Trap on the Boardwalk, The Grill at Silver Shells Beach Resort, Kenny D’s New Orleans Cuisine, Pompano Joe’s, Red Lobster, Rick’s Crab Trap, Royal Palms Restaurant at Radisson Beach Resort, Sandcastles Coastal Cuisine, Vin’tij Wine Boutique and The 331. Regional celebrity judges will hold a “blind” judging for “The Critics’ Choice” awards, as well as a “Best Display” award for the best overall visual presentation by the participants, while festival attendees will vote for “The People’s Choice” award. By voting for “The People’s Choice” award, guests will register themselves to win lunch or dinner certificates to the Cook-off event’s participating restaurants. The awards ceremony will begin immediately following the judging at approximately 2:30 p.m. At last year’s cook-off, the best of the best were recognized for serving the most delicious gumbo, and included Rick’s Crab Trap which took home top honors with “The Critic’s Choice” Grand Prize award. Buster’s Oyster Bar & Grill captured 1st Runner Up, as well as the “People’s Choice” award, while Red Lobster of Destin secured 2nd Runner Up. Judges also recognized Sandestin’s own Sunset Bay Café for having the “Best Display.” All restaurants are participating again this year to defend their titles. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 in person and will be available at The Market Shops at Sandestin or participating restaurants. Tickets can also be purchased by calling The Market Shops at 850/267-8092 or online at www.sandestin.com. A portion of the net proceeds from the Gumbo Cook-off will benefit the Covenant Hospice and the Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Service, Inc., both of which are United Way agencies. “This fabulous event has evolved into one of the largest and most popular annual events along the Gulf Coast,” said Shawn Chick, director of commercial property at Sandestin. “The fact that this event benefits the local community makes it even more enjoyable.” Gumbo isn’t the only thing Sandestin will be serving up in 2004. Guests can look forward to enjoying wine, art, jazz, seafood, picnics, holiday festivities—all part of the 12 exciting months of traditional celebrations, which are sure to secure the resort’s reputation as the most dynamic and sought-after year-round destination in the South. Among the events returning this year are the 18th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival in April, the 2nd Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic in June, and the 18th Annual Triathlon in August—three not-to-be-missed festivities that will make each guest’s stay memorable. For more information on the 15th Annual Great Southern Gumbo Cook-off, call 850/267-8092. For specific questions regarding Sandestin’s Special Events Calendar, call 850/267-8135. For more information on Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, call 850/267-8000 or visit www.sandestin.com/pr.asp. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a 2,400 acre resort located in Northwest Florida, between Pensacola and Panama City, eight miles east of Destin. Sandestin is an award-winning resort located on 7.5 miles of beach and bayfront property with 1,300 accommodations and 65,000 square feet of meeting space. Sandestin guests enjoy a wide variety of complimentary amenities, including the new Village of Baytowne Wharf, property-wide tram service, daily use of the Sandestin health club (adults only), complimentary use of bicycles, canoes, kayaks, boogie boards and tennis court time, plus free children's fishing licenses for the many stocked ponds. To further enhance the guest experience, Sandestin introduces the Surf Club, the new exclusive VIP section of www.sandestin.com. Intrawest Corporation (IDR: NYSE; ITW: TSX) is the leading developer and operator of village-centered resorts across North America. The company owns nine mountain resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, North America’s most popular mountain resort. Intrawest also owns Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and has a premier vacation ownership business, Club Intrawest. The company has a 45 percent interest in Alpine helicopters Ltd., owner of Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and is located on the World Wide Web at www.intrawest.com. GREAT GUIDEBOOKSODDBALL FLORIDA INSIGHT GUIDE FLORIDA EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES FOGHORN OUTDOORS COASTING TASTE OF FLORIDA Savoring Sandestin: Recipes and Memories from Sunrise
to Sunset Fest. FLORIDA CITRUS COOKBOOK |
|
TM