Grape commission to meet with Food Network staff
Grape commission to meet with Food Network staff
FRESNO, CA -- Representatives of the California Table Grape Commission, accompanied by a celebrity chef, will be going to New York City in August to meet with the staff of the Food Network, according to Jim Howard, communications director for the commission.
"We will talk to [the Food Network staff] about fresh California grapes," including their versatility, recipe ideas, the history of the industry, health benefits of grapes and "ways in which [the Food Network] can incorporate grapes in all of their programming," he said.
"We are taking Chef Jonathan Benno," the chef de cuisine of Per Se Restaurant in New York City, Mr. Howard said. "He will be there actually demonstrating some of his recipes using grapes for that staff while we talk to them."
Per Se was opened a couple of years ago by Thomas Keller, who owns the famous French Laundry restaurant in California's Napa Valley. Mr. Benno, who had worked with Mr. Keller at French Laundry before Per Se opened, has ties to California. "Having worked in wine country, he understands grapes. And he is a big believer in fresh California grapes," Mr. Howard said. Mr. Benno was recently "named one of Food & Wine magazine's best new chefs for this year," he said.
A similar meeting is planned with the Southern Progress Group in Birmingham, AL, which publishes Southern Living and Cooking Light magazines as well as various cookbooks, Mr. Howard said. "[We will] talk to them about applications, uses of grapes, health care information ... and ways in which they can incorporate grapes in their publications."
Other public relations activities scheduled by the commission this summer include "a second mailing out to newspaper food editors with recipes and photos" and a mailing to dieticians and health professionals with nutrition and health information.
On the advertising side, the commission will continue with its outdoor advertising campaign with billboards in 14 markets: New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Philadelphia; Boston; Houston; Tampa, FL; Denver-Boulder; Pittsburgh; Baltimore; Indianapolis; Kansas City; and Bentonville, AR.
The billboards feature grapes in a snack context, reminding people that grapes "are a healthier alternative when it comes to snack foods," Mr. Howard said. Various billboards depict grapes in ice-cream cones, in a popcorn box, in a chip bag or in a french fry box, with appropriate tag lines.
Traffic radio advertising tags are also associated with the billboards for retailers "who are doing a front-page ad or a multiple-variety ad," said the commission's Cindy Plummer. Various tags are offered, including back-to-school tags, snack tags and a 5 A Day tag tying in with National 5 a Day Month in September.
"We will talk to [the Food Network staff] about fresh California grapes," including their versatility, recipe ideas, the history of the industry, health benefits of grapes and "ways in which [the Food Network] can incorporate grapes in all of their programming," he said.
"We are taking Chef Jonathan Benno," the chef de cuisine of Per Se Restaurant in New York City, Mr. Howard said. "He will be there actually demonstrating some of his recipes using grapes for that staff while we talk to them."
Per Se was opened a couple of years ago by Thomas Keller, who owns the famous French Laundry restaurant in California's Napa Valley. Mr. Benno, who had worked with Mr. Keller at French Laundry before Per Se opened, has ties to California. "Having worked in wine country, he understands grapes. And he is a big believer in fresh California grapes," Mr. Howard said. Mr. Benno was recently "named one of Food & Wine magazine's best new chefs for this year," he said.
A similar meeting is planned with the Southern Progress Group in Birmingham, AL, which publishes Southern Living and Cooking Light magazines as well as various cookbooks, Mr. Howard said. "[We will] talk to them about applications, uses of grapes, health care information ... and ways in which they can incorporate grapes in their publications."
Other public relations activities scheduled by the commission this summer include "a second mailing out to newspaper food editors with recipes and photos" and a mailing to dieticians and health professionals with nutrition and health information.
On the advertising side, the commission will continue with its outdoor advertising campaign with billboards in 14 markets: New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Philadelphia; Boston; Houston; Tampa, FL; Denver-Boulder; Pittsburgh; Baltimore; Indianapolis; Kansas City; and Bentonville, AR.
The billboards feature grapes in a snack context, reminding people that grapes "are a healthier alternative when it comes to snack foods," Mr. Howard said. Various billboards depict grapes in ice-cream cones, in a popcorn box, in a chip bag or in a french fry box, with appropriate tag lines.
Traffic radio advertising tags are also associated with the billboards for retailers "who are doing a front-page ad or a multiple-variety ad," said the commission's Cindy Plummer. Various tags are offered, including back-to-school tags, snack tags and a 5 A Day tag tying in with National 5 a Day Month in September.
