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A Glamorous Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Enter to Win a Bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne

“I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not.” – Coco Chanel

Nothing says Valentine’s Day like Champagne – especially when it’s pink! So in honor of this most romantic holiday, I’m happy to announce a glamorous Valentine’s Day Giveaway featuring a luxurious bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne that will go to a very lucky winner (a $100 value)!

In the 1960’s, making a non-vintage rosé Champagne was virtually unthinkable but Bernard de Nonancort, the charismatic Chairman and CEO of Laurent-Perrier at the time, was just the man to make it happen. Laurent-Perrier’s Cuvée Rosé was launched in 1968 in an elegant bottle inspired by French King Henri IV.

This gorgeous sparkler is a lovely, salmon pink hue with seductive aromas of fresh red berries, minerals, and smoke. The palate is lively and layered with notes of strawberry, black currant, gingerbread, and a hint of anise followed by a delightfully lengthy finish. While perfect on its own, the Cuvée Rosé pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes including foie gras with red currants, roasted chicken with mushrooms, beef tenderloin – or whatever your heart desires!

To enter the glamorous Valentine’s Day Giveaway for the Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne, simply leave a comment at the end of this post sharing your idea of the most romantic Valentine’s Day meal. So whether it’s a multi-course tasting menu complete with wine pairings at your favorite restaurant OR indulging in your favorite comfort food lovingly prepared at home by either you or your Valentine – I want to hear about it! Entering the giveaway is as simple as that and for additional chances to win, you can (1) sign up to receive my weekly newsletter by clicking here and/or (2) leave a comment on another blog post. Each additional comment left on a blog post here on my website will count as one additional chance to win.

This Valentine’s Day Giveaway is open to anyone 21 years of age or older who lives in the continental United States and ends Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 6:00pm EST when a winner will be randomly drawn. The lucky winner will be contacted immediately to arrange shipment/delivery in time for Valentine’s Day – the cost of which is included as part of the contest!

Thanks in advance for your participation, best of luck and remember, you have to play to win so please leave your comments now. I’m looking forward to drawing a winner on Sunday and can’t wait to hear your Comments!

Cheers,

The post A Glamorous Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Enter to Win a Bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.

Inspiring Women of Food + Wine: James Beard Foundation President, Susan Ungaro

While interviewing world-renowned Chef Marcus Samuelsson at last month’s Chefs & Champagne was an honor and privilege indeed, I also interviewed another very special someone on that glorious Hamptons evening. Someone I’m very excited to feature as this month’s “Inspiring Woman of Food + Wine,” James Beard Foundation President, Susan Ungaro.

You see, the 2017 Chefs & Champagne event had special significance not only because of its amazing honoree, fabulous sponsors and talented Chefs. It was also the last for Ungaro in her official capacity. After eleven years with the foundation, she announced just weeks before this year’s event she would be stepping down in December.

And as the woman behind one of the most revered culinary organizations in the country, not to mention one of my favorite foodie events of A L L time, I just couldn’t let that happen without giving this inspiring lady some major props!

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But Ungaro’s role with the foundation was not this accomplished woman’s first rodeo. Prior to joining the JBF, she made a name for herself during her twenty five years at Family Circle Magazine, twelve of which she spent as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief. Here, she received numerous accolades and awards for her achievements and only left in 2005 after the magazine sold.

Ungaro assumed the reigns of the James Beard Foundation in 2006 during a very tumultuous time, rife with financial scandal. Previous President, Leonard Pickell, Jr., had recently been convicted and imprisoned for embezzling over one million dollars from the organization, leaving it seemingly inextricably tarnished.

Fred Seegal, Susan Ungaro, Marcus Samuelsson

Chair of the JBF Board of Trustees Fred Seegal, JBF President Susan Ungaro, Honoree Marcus Samuelsson seen at the 2017 JBF Chefs and Champagne at Wolffer estate on Saturday, July 29, 2017 in Sagaponack, N.Y. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for James Beard Foundation/Invision)

Jordan Werner, Earlene Cruz, Susan Ungaro, Christina Cassel, Luis Reyes

Scholarship recipient Jordan Werner, Earlene Cruz, JBF President Susan Ungaro, Scholarship recipient, Christina Cassel, Scholarship recipient Luis Reyes seen at the 2017 JBF Chefs and Champagne. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for James Beard Foundation/Invision)

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Ungaro spent the next eleven years restoring the culinary institution’s once sterling reputation and elevating it to new heights. She re-energized the foundation’s scholarships programs which today award over $750,000 in financial aid to deserving students. Ungaro also created the super successful Women in Culinary Leadership Program and even moved the James Beard Awards ceremony, the culinary equivalent of the Oscars, from New York City to Chicago where it will remain until 2021.

Ungaro also expanded the Chefs & Champagne event from a mere “Summer soirée” to a true “party with a purpose” and I was happy to catch up with her before this year’s event on a gloomy evening at Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack. As if on cue, however, the clouds dissipated as soon as guests began to arrive, revealing a stunning blue sky followed by a breathtakingly beautiful sunset…what can’t this woman do?

The warm and welcoming Ungaro was happy to expound on the highlights of her career with the foundation as well as her future plans:

Q: What went into making the decision to step down from your role as JBF President?

A: Well, this is my twelfth Chefs & Champagne and I really feel like I’ve done so many things I really wanted to do with the Foundation and honestly, I really want to think about my next adventure. I’ve had two great careers, one in publishing at Family Circle and this running a foundation as great as James Beard and I want to do things that maybe a little bit simpler, give back, maybe work part time…I’m really not sure.

I’ve got five more months on the job, got a lot of things happening and I’m just going to be here for the board and staff as the next leadership is decided upon and help with that transition.

Q: What has the Chefs & Champagne event in particular meant to you?

A: It was one of my first big events. My very first was the James Beard Awards but I was only on the job two weeks, but the next big event was this one here in the Hamptons when Christian Wölffer was still alive [Wölffer passed away unexpectedly in an accident in Brazil in 2009]. What I’m really proud about was the first year I asked him if we could start a scholarship in his name and he agreed. That’s when we decided we’d make this event a “party with a purpose” and raise more money for our mission and its just grown every year.

Also, our first honoree was Chef Thomas Keller and what’s really special about Marcus [Samuelsson] is he’s been around this tent cooking for other honorees, he’s a man whose always giving back, honoring others and I just think tonight is so special that we’re able to honor him for all the great work he’s done in the food world and his philanthropy work as well.

Marcus Samuelsson, Susan Ungaro,

Honoree Marcus Samuelsson and JBF President Susan Ungaro seen at the 2017 JBF Chefs and Champagne. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision for James Beard Foundation/Invision)

Q: What’s been the highlight of your tenure at the James Beard Foundation?

A: I’m proud that every year is our best ever, you want each year to be better than the last. I’m also proud we’ve never had rain even when it’s forecast (laughs) somehow even if it’s not the sun, the weather is cooperating and I’m proud we’ve named a scholarship for the man who founded this vineyard. This is the twelfth time we’ve honored him and I think his family appreciates that as well.

Q: What are your favorite flavors of Summer?

A: Right now I’m really into peaches and cherries. I like James Beard’s approach of, “whatever’s in season.” When strawberries were in season, I was very into them, the ones that were literally just picked – there’s nothing like a fresh picked strawberry!

Q: Favorite wine or cocktail of this Summer?

A: In the Summer I like Rieslings and I’ve also been going along with the rosé trend so of course tonight along with the Champagne, I’m gonna enjoy some Wölffer Rosé.

Q: Is there anything else about the foundation you’d really like people to know?

A: Yes! The one thing people don’t realize…is that anyone can come to James Beard’s house in New York City. We’re online, on Open Table there’s welcome for anyone to come and enjoy one the over 200 dinners a year at the James Beard House.

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The gracious Ungaro closed with the sentiment, “I’m moving on but my heart will always be involved.” I know all my fellow Glamorous Gourmets join me in wishing her the best of luck on her next adventure and I greatly appreciate her taking the time to chat.

Bon appétit,

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5 Glamorous Getaways for Food & Wine Lovers

I truly adore this quote and if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to travel more, you are in luck!

We’ve covered some fabulous getaways over the last couple years, Glamorous Getaways to be exact, that are perfect for food and wine lovers. From the charming L’Auberge Carmel in Carmel, California to the pet-friendly Park on Main Hotel in Highlands, North Carolina, grab a glass of wine and have fun planning your itinerary while perusing these wonderful options:

1.) L’Auberge Carmel – Carmel, California

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2.) The Cloister at Sea Island – Sea Island, Georgia

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3.) The (Pet-friendly) Park on Main – Highlands, North Carolina

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4.) The Epicurean Hotel – Tampa, Florida

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5.) The Inn on Fifth – Naples, Florida

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Be sure to send us a virtual postcard by using #Glamorous Getaways on social media! What are some of your favorite food and wine related travel destinations? I’d love to hear about them in the Comments section below.

Bon voyage,

The post 5 Glamorous Getaways for Food & Wine Lovers appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.

5 Fabulous Things To Do This Fall!

Labor Day has come and gone and those lazy Summer days have magically transformed into the countdown to Christmas! In many parts of the country the arrival of Fall is heralded by the changing of the leaves and a refreshing dip in the temperature. Here in sunny South Florida, however, the change of season is not as discernible. For all... Read More

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5 Fabulous Things To Do This Fall!

PUMPKIN PATCH, Fall, Autumn

Labor Day has come and gone and those lazy Summer days have magically transformed into the countdown to Christmas! In many parts of the country the arrival of Fall is heralded by the changing of the leaves and a refreshing dip in the temperature. Here in sunny South Florida, however, the change of season is not as discernible. For all you fellow fans of Fall, here are 5 Fabulous Things you can do to usher in the season:

1.) Master a recipe featuring one of your favorite Fall ingredients: Butternut Squash Lasagna, Porcini Mushroom & Barley Soup and Pumpkin Pie Trifle are just a few recipes that beautifully showcase some of our favorite flavors of Fall. Simply pick a recipe based on one of your favorite flavors and practice up. By the time the holidays roll around you’ll be ready to bring a delicious side dish or dessert and who knows, you might even feel like hosting a holiday meal yourself!

2.) Drink those Rosés: Rosé is the quintessential Summer wine and since 99% of rosé produced is best consumed upon release, now is the time to drink up! Maybe an “End of Summer Rosé Soirée” is the way to go depending on how much you have left, but in addition to drinking that rosé while it’s fresh and delicious you also need to make room for those wines best suited for Fall including Viognier, Pinot Noir, and many more (for suggestions, please click here).

3.) Plan a Leaf Peeping Trip: There’s nothing like witnessing the changing of the leaves from vibrant green to magnificent shades of red, gold and brown to put you in the mood for Fall. A great region for leaf peeping might be a quick road trip away so pack your sweater and boots and head to one of the many US regions known for fabulous Fall foliage. Some of our favorites include Boston, Massachusetts; Cashiers, North Carolina; and Boulder, Colorado (for more information, please click here).

4.) Plan a Halloween Party: Do you still like to dress up for Halloween but usually find yourself procrastinating and throwing together a makeshift costume at the last minute? Well throw away that ratty old witch’s hat and plan your own Halloween Costume party this year! Put the word out now so guests will be sure to “save the date” and have fun planning your costume in addition to all the party details while getting in the Halloween spirit.

5.) Listen to the Music: Perhaps one of my favorite things about this time of year is the music. Whether you’re driving in the car, making dinner in the kitchen, or taking a brisk walk be sure to keep your favorite Fall playlist on the ready. Some of our favorite songs for the season include Lady Gaga’s “Orange Colored Sky”; Vince Guaraldi’s “Great Pumpkin Waltz”; and “Autumn in New York” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

I hope these suggestions help make your transition into Fall more enjoyable. What are some of your favorite things that put you in an Autumn state of mind?

Cheers,

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