SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Campari®, the
legendary one-of-a-kind red spirit, today applauds New York's PDT for winning the first-ever
James Beard Foundation "Outstanding Bar Program Award" presented by
Campari.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120508/CL02878
)
Campari is the inaugural presenting sponsor of this new award
category that recognizes excellence in cocktail, spirits, and/or
beer service. Gerry Ruvo,
Chairman and CEO of Campari America, and Steve Olson, Wine & Spirits Chair of the
James Beard Awards, personally bestowed the award on stage to
Jim Meehan, Managing Partner, PDT,
at the James Beard Awards Gala, which was held at Lincoln Center's
Avery Fisher Hall in New York.
More than 2,000 culinary and beverage luminaries, sophisticated
foodies and media attended the much-anticipated annual event
tonight.
"Cocktails and bars have been a part of restaurants ever since
there have been restaurants and chefs," said Meehan. "But
today, bartenders and mixologists are standing on the same stage
with our heroes. It's a special moment. On the way
over, I told my staff that this is the first Outstanding Bar
Program award, but we're completely at home. Campari has
served as a bridge between the mixology and food worlds. It
is historic, it's part of many classic cocktails and it's long been
enjoyed by our culinary peers."
Click here to view an interview with winner Jim Meehan:
http://blip.tv/insider-productions/campari-awards-first-ever-prize-for-outstanding-bar-service-6133035
The presentation of the "Outstanding Bar Program Award" marks
the first time a leading U.S. culinary organization has provided
this level of acclaim to a bar program, a recognition that shows
the importance of the category on today's restaurant scene.
The other nominees were Bar Agricole (San
Francisco), Pegu Club (New
York), The Aviary (Chicago)
and The Violet Hour (Chicago),
which were selected from 24 semi-finalists. The category
attracted over 2,200 online entries.
"Take a bow, Jim, Campari salutes your grand achievement," said
Ruvo. "For bar programs to be embraced at the highest level
of the culinary establishment was unimaginable only ten years
ago. Today, the best of the food and mixology worlds have
come together as one. It is truly a historic moment."
About Campari
Campari is a contemporary classic. Bold, passionate and
completely unique, Campari makes a dry and refreshing cocktail that
can be enjoyed anytime. The recipe, hand-crafted according to the
same secret family recipe invented in Italy in 1860, is the base for some of the
most famous cocktails around the world, including the Negroni and
the Americano. Campari's unique taste is obtained through an
infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit, creating the
consummate aperitif. With its distinct red color, aroma and flavor,
Campari has always been a symbol of passion.
About the James Beard Foundation
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to
celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America's culinary heritage
and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary
excellence. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic
knowledge about food, James Beard,
who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped
educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food
enthusiasts. Today, the Beard Foundation continues in the same
spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include
educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to
culinary schools, and publications, and by maintaining the historic
James Beard House in New York City's Greenwich Village as a "performance space" for
visiting chefs. For more information, please visit
jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard
Foundation's blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James
Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on
Twitter.
About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide
Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM),
together with its affiliates Gruppo Campari. At the heart of
Campari America are two legends in the American spirits
industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in
San Francisco back in 1992 by the
entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is
the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been
making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's. Both
companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they
form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its
quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among
distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America
manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading
brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey®
Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®,
Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolon®
Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®,
Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaca and
Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Campari America is also the exclusive US
distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky,
Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch®
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori®
Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The
Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.
Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More
information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com,
www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and
www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands
responsibly and in moderation.
About Gruppo Campari
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates
("Gruppo Campari"), is a major player in the global beverage
sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading
position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence
in the USA and Continental Europe.
The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three
business segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits
segment its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari,
Carolans, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey stand out. It also has
leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, Camparisoda,
Cynar, Frangelico, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur,
Zedda Piras and the local Brazilian
brands Dreher, Old Eight and Drury's. Its wine segment boasts
the global brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands
including Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa, Riccadonna, Sella Mosca and Teruzzi&Puthod. The soft
drinks segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and
Lemonsoda as well as its respective line extension dominating the
Italian market. The Group employs over 2,200 people. The
shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters
CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock
Exchange. www.camparigroup.com
More information on the company can be found at
http://www.camparigroup.com/en/group/main.jsp
Media Contacts:
Hanna Lee/Jen Neugeboren
Hanna Lee Communications
hanna@hannaleecommunications.com
jen@hannaleecommunications.com
SOURCE Campari