Celebrity Presenters Announced for 11th Annual TASTE AWARDS

Chef Joe Sasto (Bravo’s Top Chef)

This year’s Celebrity Award Presenters include Chef Joe Sasto (Top Chef), hosts Michelle Harris (Alive and Well TV, syndicated nationwide) and Emmy nominated actor Kim Estes, Stuart Brazell (TV Host, Actress), Nyesha Arrington (Bravo’sTop Chef and LA Restaurateur), Jolene Sugarbaker (YouTube), and more to be announced.

Radio and TV Host Susan Irby is again one of this year’s Taste Awards Ambassadors.

The Hosts from California Life (NBC) and Courtney Rich

Other celebrities scheduled to appear include Bridget Lancaster (America’s Test Kitchen), Jernard Wells (Cooking Channel, Best Thing I Ever Ate), Paula Brancati (Actor/Producer), Jon Kroll (Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted – Producers/Showrunner), Andrea Feczko (ABC’s Vacation Creation Series, 1st Look TV on NBC), Isaac Lappert (Vice TV, The Ice Cream Show), Courtney Rich (Instagram’s “Cake by Courtney”), Lisa-Renee Ramirez (Entertainment Studios / Recipe.TV),  The Ford Sisters (Instagram), Denise Vivaldo (Women Beyond A Certain Age podcast), Jessica Vilchis and Danielle Nottingham (California Live on NBC), AMC Networks International – Latin America, Discovery Channel, Gusto Worldwide Media, National Geographic television, REBBL, and many more.

Michelle Harris of Alive + Well


 

Prosciutto di Carpegna Partners with the 11th Annual TASTE AWARDS

The TASTE AWARDS Committee is pleased to announce that Prosciutto di Carpegna will be an event partner for the 11th Annual TASTE AWARDS. Prosciutto di Carpegna will serve freshly carved prosciutto at a tasting station during the reception portion of the TASTE AWARDS event in Beverly Hills.

Says legendary Italian-food marketplace Eataly, “Sweet and delicate, Prosciutto di Carpegna has a pleasantly intense aroma and soft texture. The secret blend of lard and spices lend a delicate scent, while the Cervian sea salt infuses the pork with a lightly sweet flavor. Prosciutto di Carpegna is also free of preservatives and additives, giving it a pure, clean taste.”

Renowned family-owned Italian salumi purveyor Fratelli Beretta is the exclusive importer of Prosciutto di Carpegna DOP, which comes to the United States markets for the first time in brand history.  Prosciutto di Carpegna is now featured on menus at prominent New York and Los Angeles restaurants, as well as available for purchase in limited quantities at Eataly Los Angeles and select Gelson’s Market locations. In the U.S. market, Fratelli Beretta offers both a whole boneless leg and a sliced version of the Prosciutto di Carpegna in a 3oz tray.

Prosciutto di Carpegna has been enjoyed in Italy for centuries and I am so proud of our family to be able to introduce such a special tradition…” says Alberto Beretta, CEO of Fratelli Beretta. “This is some of the most exclusive prosciutto in the world and has an incredible history and tradition.”

Prosciutto di Carpegna is made exclusively from Italian pigs known as “Pesante Padano,” or heavy pigs, in one of three Italian regions—Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, or Marche. The Pesante Padano must reach at least 10 months of age before butchering and must be cured for a minimum of 14 months to be certified as a Carpegna DOP product. The 20-month aging process, which uses traditional pork curing techniques that date back to the 1400s, adheres to some of the strictest production guidelines in the world.

At Fratelli Beretta’s sole Prosciutto di Carpegna production facility in Italy, just 10 master butchers, or “Maestri Salumai,” hold the curing secrets for Prosciutto di Carpegna. The salumai coat the product in the famous sea salt of Cervia, a small town located on the western coast of Italy, along with a proprietary blend of lard and spices. This gives the prosciutto its signature flavor profile with aromatic notes, as well as its soft texture. Prosciutto di Carpegna is also free of preservatives and additives, giving it a clean, natural taste.

SEE VIDEO FROM FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE

ABOUT THE CARPEGNA REGION
Carpegna is a small village located inside a territory that stretches between the Emilia Romagna, Marche, and Tuscany regions of Central Italy. Fratelli Beretta’s Carpegna production facility is located in the heart of this territory in the Montefeltro Mountains. Day after day, Fratelli Beretta’s Prosciutto di Carpegna is tended by hand as it slowly ages, using curing traditions of the area that have been proudly preserved since the Middle Ages and continue to be handed down from generation to generation.

About Fratelli Beretta:
Fratelli Beretta first opened its doors as a small local meat processing business in 1812, serving the region since the time when Napoleon Bonaparte reigned in Europe. In the early 1900s, Fratelli Beretta expanded to a manufacturing enterprise with a stable business structure that has thrived through two World Wars. Fratelli Beretta remains the longest existing family-owned business in Italian charcuterie history, focused on providing quality products, and deeply entrenched in tradition while emerging as a leader in innovation.

For more information, visit www.fratelliberetta.com or follow on Instagram @prosciuttodicarpegna.

The 7th TASTE HALL OF FAME Inductees Announced

The TASTE AWARDS Committee, celebrating the best in food, fashion, and lifestyle programming on television, film, online and streaming video, on radio and in podcasts, are pleased to announce the inductees in the seventh class of the TASTE HALL OF FAME.

TASTE AWARDS VIP Gift Bags and Swag

In addition to enjoying a great evening and awards ceremony at the TASTE AWARDS in Beverly Hills, attendees at this red carpet event also received VIP Gift Bags. These bags presented products and services from a variety of upscale brands. Several of these brands were officially introduced by the Organizers at the beginning of the awards ceremony.

Below are a sample of what was in the bags

 


PICKETT BROTHERS GINGER BEER

Any fans of ginger beer will find that Brooklyn-based Pickett Brothers Ginger Beer concentrated syrup is a win-win. A few drops in a bottle of sparkling water can transform the entire beverage into a fresh and refreshing ginger beer. The syrup can also be used in drinks, cocktails, and lemonades.


MOLA FOODS SPICES

New Hampshire-based Mola Foods authentic ethnic recipes to create unique and flavorful spice blends. Depending on your tastes their brand allows you to cook cuisine that ranges from New Orleans and the Caribbean, to Cameroon and Central or Northern Africa. Very useful all-purposes spices for fish, poultry, vegetables, and stews.


LITTLE T COUTURE TEA AND TISANE

New York-based Little T specialized in couture teas with unique flavors. The teas are also organic, antioxidant rich, and caffeine free.


DEFONCE CHOCOLATIER

Defonce creates hand-crafted artisan chocolates using the highest quality of cocoa and techniques, combined with legal levels of premium California cannabis. They taste like award-winning chocolate, with benefits.


Michelle Harris, Alive and Well TV

GOWAN’S HEIRLOOM CIDER

Award-winning Gowan’s Heirloom Cider was served to all attendees as part of the evening’s experience, and was also the branded sponsor for the Best Beverage and Drink Program Award.

A Peek at Some TASTE AWARDS Perks

The TASTE AWARDS are pleased to announce that this year’s 10th Anniversary TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet Awards Show, Reception and Ceremony will take place on March 18th in Beverly Hills* (*Advance Tickets Required).

NEW AWARD PERKS

SCHILTZ Foods: Winners for the “Best Food Program – Web”, “Best Home Chef,” and “Best Chef”, categories will receive a delicious gourmet Roast Goose, courtesy of Schiltz Foods (U.S. only).

NEHITA: Selected Presenters and Winners will wear this fresh water pearl necklace on the red carpet, courtesy of Nehita.com

VIP Gift Bags: Included this year’s VIP Gift Bags for award winners and nominees are items from partners such as Picket Brothers, Mola Foods, Defonce Chocolatier, and more.

TASTE AWARDS Official Hotel is the SIXTY Beverly Hills

http://tastetv.com/images/2015sponsors/Sixty-sketch.jpgOFFICIAL HOTEL: THE SIXTY BEVERLY HILLS 

The Official Hotel in Los Angeles of the 10th Annual TASTE AWARDS is the Sixty Beverly Hills (formerly known as the Thompson BH). This luxury boutique hotel is located in the heart of Beverly Hills, just steps from world famous Rodeo Drive. Famous for several features, including its stylish rooftop pool.

The SIXTY is offering a special rate to attendees of the TASTE AWARDS, good from during the week of the TASTE AWARDS Reception in March 2019, available on a first come basis.

Details are below.

SIXTY Beverly Hills is pleased to offer TASTE AWARDS guests the following, good for dates around March 18, 2019:

– King Deluxe – $259, per night

Other special Taste Award Rates offered start at $259

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION HERE.

Guests can book their stay either via the above booking link OR by using Promo code “TASTE19”.

***Rates are offered 3 days pre and post of event date, subject to availability · Rates are quoted exclusive of applicable state and local taxes, currently 15.2%. · Per room, per night, on a room only basis · For single or double occupancy · All reservations under the Courtesy block require a non-refundable 1st night’s deposit and 72 hour notice for any cancellations/modifications.

Guest room specs 

o Sleek and modernly furnished with ebonized hardwood floors
o French step-out balcony
o Custom-made 400 thread count SFERRA linens
o Full Italian marble bathrooms with oversized shower or bathtub
o Terrycloth robes by Frette, bathroom amenities by REN Skincare
o 55” flat-screen TV o iPod docking station
o Mini-bar featuring Dean & Deluca and Joan’s on Third gourmet snacks

Hotel Amenities:

· Caulfield’s Bar & Dining room, as well as A60 Lounge– our rooftop bar
· Rooftop pool access – 360 degree views of Los Angeles (Hollywood sign & hills, Downtown LA, Century City)
– 24hr room service
– Complimentary morning newspaper
– Complimentary shoeshine
– Fully equipped Fitness Center, complimentary
– Just steps away from the upscale shops on Rodeo Drive
– Walking distance to all the amazing restaurants & bars Beverly Hills has to offer
– Easy driving access to West Hollywood, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles

Reservation Procedure:

Attendees should make their reservations with the SIXTY Reservations Department toll free at 1-800-441-5050, or via the Aaron Eschagary on or before the stated deadline.

OR

BOOK YOUR RESERVATION HERE.

Guests can book their stay either via the above booking link OR by using Promo code “TASTE19”.

All guests should request the “The Taste Awards room block” in order to receive the above mentioned special rates.

Rooms and rates are subject to availability. Room types are offered on a first come first serve basis. The earlier guests make the reservations the greater availability options they will receive.  Rooms are not taken out of inventory and no room block is being held by the Hotel as outlined above.