Year With Mixologists, Chefs, and Cocktail Gurus From Around the Globe

By: PR Newswire
Mar. 10, 2008 02:00 PM


NEW ORLEANS, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Tales of the Cocktail, the annual culinary and cocktail festival that takes over New Orleans every year from July 16-20 enters its sixth year. Tales of the Cocktail hosted kick off events in New Orleans on February 20th at the Hotel Monteleone's Tennessee Williams suite and in New York on March 3rd at Flatiron Lounge. In each case, the cocktails served were reflective of the city. The festival held annually in New Orleans welcomes locals and visitors alike either professionals or cocktail enthusiasts to drink in history. Five days of first-class food and drink events showcase the world's finest mixologists, chefs, authors and all around cocktail gurus with jam packed days and nights of seminars and events.

"In the last five years, the Tales of the Cocktail has grown from a two-day celebration to a five-day intensive cocktail and culinary festival that celebrates the history and culture of dining and drinking in New Orleans, the birthplace of the cocktail, as well as acting as a think tank of trends to come," said Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail.

Mixologists, authors and world-renowned personalities include: Dale DeGroff, King of Cocktails, Tony Abou-Ganim, the Modern Mixologist, George Riedel (Riedel glassware), Roy Blunt Jr. (author and humorist), Sylvia Weinstock (Weinstock Cakes), Gary Regan (mixologist), Audrey Saunders (Pegu Club), Kevin Brauch, host of The Thirsty Traveler, and Chef David Myers.

In 2008, five days encompass more than 75 events -- including a few listed below on the following subjects:

-- The Return of Absinthe to America and the First ever Book Signing by Absinthe Museum Founder and Curator, Marie Claude Delahaye -- Green Spirits and fitting Organics into your bar program -- Eggs in Cocktails and Beers as an ingredient in cocktails -- Molecular Mixology and The Flowing Punch -- Bartender Techniques 101 -- Bourbon and Blues and Rum and All that Jazz -- Creating your Own Elixirs and Cocktail Ingredients -- Creole Drinks and Traditions and Famous New Orleans Spirits -- World Bloody Mary Championships -- 2nd Annual Bar Chef Competition -- Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards -- Behind the Bar, a photo exhibit to create an exhibit capturing bartenders at their finest And many more! About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to benefit hospitality industry members, produces Tales of the Cocktail annually. Its mission it so preserve the rich history of the restaurants and bars of New Orleans and the unique culture of dining and drinking famous to the city, while educating locals, visitors, and the hospitality industry about this culinary heritage.

About Tales of the Cocktail

Tales of the Cocktail, a culinary and cocktail festival on July 16-20, 2008, features award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers in the New Orleans French Quarter for five days of cocktail events such as dinner pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book signings and much more. Measuring some of their success in garnishes, Tales of the Cocktail 2007 used 7250 mint leaves, 3580 lime wedges, 800 watermelon cubes, 560 gin soaked dried cherries, 1390 orange slices, 2 tons of ice and more for 12,000 sippers!

For more information on Tales of the Cocktail, visit http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/ and register your name to receive email updates, ticket-sales announcements and to view the exciting line-up of events and celebrity presenters for 2008. Tickets on sale April 1, 2008.
Tales of the Cocktail

CONTACT: Ann Tuennerman of Tales of the Cocktail, +1-504-343-4285,
ann@talesofthecocktail.com; or Debbie Rizzo, darizzo@gmail.com, for Tales of
the Cocktail

Web site: http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/