Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson and Fashion Designer Adrienne Vittadini Highlight Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival, September 9, 10 & 11

Saratoga Springs, NY – Marcus Samuelsson, internationally acclaimed chef/owner of Red Rooster Harlem, best-selling author and restaurateur, and award-winning fashion designer Adrienne Vittadini will serve as Honorary Chairs for the 2011 Saratoga Wine & Food and Fall Ferrari Festival, September 9, 10 & 11 in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The Italian Trade Commission returns as presenting partner of the festival, a fundraiser to support the world-class cultural programming at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and the Saratoga Automobile Museum. The three-day festival encompasses several unique tasting and lifestyle events including the main attraction, the Grand Tasting and Concours d’Italia – an extravaganza of fine wines, artisan food and luxury Italian automobiles.

CHEF MARCUS SAMUELSSON

Marcus Samuelsson caught the attention of the culinary world at the early age of 24, at Aquavit where he received consecutive four-star ratings in Forbes and two impressive three-star ratings from the New York Times, the youngest person ever to receive such an accolade.  The author of several award-winning cookbooks and frequent guest on The Today Show, the Martha Stewart Show, The Inner Chef on Discovery Network and Iron Chef, Chef Samuelsson’s new Harlem restaurant, the Red Rooster, opened in January to rave reviews. He is also the founder of online site, FoodRepublic.com, aimed at encouraging men’s interest in cooking and healthy eating.

“I relish the opportunity to share my passion for great food with festival guests and look forward to bringing a taste of Harlem to beautiful Saratoga.  Living a quality life starts with the food we create in the kitchen and put on the table each day to enjoy with our families and friends.  Spending quality time with loved ones and sharing a healthy meal motivates me as a chef and is a message that I try to convey as often as possible. As part of the festival, I look forward to offering my insights on how to achieve that, while celebrating with festival guests, the outstanding wines, food and events taking place throughout the weekend,” said Marcus Samuelsson.

Among the events Chef Samuelsson will participate in are Friday’s “Live on Stage” Gala and Saturday’s Grand Tasting, which will include a book-signing for his latest cookbook, the New American Table, a tribute to regional culinary traditions and recipes that have shaped modern American cuisine.

DESIGNER ADRIENNE VITTADINI

Also featured at the festival will be award-winning fashion designer Adrienne Vittadini whose signature knitwear designs transformed women’s fashion and launched her brand to the top of the apparel industry. In her collections, she balanced her love of European elegance in design with American practicality and ease.

“Excellence in design propelled Adrienne Vittadini to the top of the fashion world – a position she held for more than three decades. Her elegant career-to-casual designs pioneered a new style for the modern woman and for the industry by using textiles as the defining element in design,” said White.

Honorary Co-Chairs for the festival also include ANDREA ZAGATO, third-generation director of the world-famous Carrozzerie Zagato and master wine connoisseur KEVIN ZRALY, winner of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award. 

All of the Honorary Chairs will participate in festival events throughout the weekend, including the centerpiece of the festival, the Grand Tasting and Concours d’Italia on Saturday, September 10. Under a large, elegant tent, guests can sample exquisite international wines, savor delicacies prepared by the region’s top chefs, participate in seminars and bid on rare wines, travel, dining and other luxuries at an extensive silent auction. Guests can also enjoy a Concours d’Italia presented by the Saratoga Automobile Museum, featuring an invitation-only judged concours on SPAC’s lawns for selected Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati Lamborghini and Fiat-Abarth automobiles. 

The premier Italian food magazine, La Cucina Italiana, is the media sponsor for the 2011 festival and will present a Saturday seminar entitled, "Wonders from the Ancient World: Amphora Wine." Led by noted sommelier and restaurateur Joe Campanale, the seminar will feature a presentation and guided tasting of exciting new Italian wines aged in amphora, a craft that dates to the dawn of winemaking and is being rediscovered by some of Italy's most . innovative winemakers.