TASTE OF VAIL ANNOUNCES SPONSORS FOR THE 2008 FESTIVAL

The 18th Annual Taste of Vail spring food and wine festival announced its 2008 sponsors today encompassing a variety of industries. The sponsors will be active participants in the festival and co-host many of the events throughout Vail Valley. The 2008 sponsors include:

Stella Artois. Stella Artois is making its debut as a sponsor of Taste of Vail in 2008. A premium Belgian lager, Stella Artois is presenting a beer pairing and tasting event on Saturday, April 5. The beer and food pairing event will feature Stella Artois, Hoegaarden and Leffe Blonde. The beers will be paired

with delicious cuisine created by Belgian Master Chef Daniel Joly from Mirabelle restaurant in Beaver Creek.

Portmeirion. Portmeirion will be decorating the beautiful tables of Taste of Vail with attractive and original tableware for the first time this year. Portmeirion is a leader in the world of ceramics and credited with introducing “modern casual dinnerware” to the industry and consumers. The best-selling Botanic Garden will be auctioned during the Chef Showcase Dinner and Auction on Thursday evening and a new, modern classic Sophie Conran’s organic cream tableware will adorn the tables at the Chef Showcase Dinner, held at the private Game Creek restaurant.

American Lamb Board. American Lamb Board helped create the highly-anticipated and beloved Colorado Lamb Cook-off four years ago within the Taste of Vail celebration. This year, the American Lamb Board will continue to sponsor the four-day festival and host the kick-off event of Taste of Vail – the 4th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-off on Wednesday, April 2.

Belvedere Vodka. Belvedere Vodka, a leader and founding product in the luxury vodka segment, will be hosting the beloved Bar Chefs’ Mix Off on Friday, April 4. The Bar Chefs’ Mix-Off highlights the new breed of bartenders, “bar-chefs,” and their exceptional, one-of-a-kind cocktails. Using the freshest fruits and finest ingredients, paired with Belvedere Vodka, guests of the festival will enjoy the creative competition, the presentation and most of all, deliciously created cocktails from the best bar chefs in the nation.

Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa. The Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa is joining Taste of Vail this year by co-hosting the Grand Tasting Dinner and Dance – a much anticipated final event, wrapping up four days of great cuisine, fine wine, amazing chefs and superior atmosphere. This event will be held on Saturday, April 5 in the Vail Marriot Mountain Resort ballrooms. Other sponsors of the 18th Annual Taste of Vail include American Express, Avid Design, Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, Grand Marnier, Hospitality Trends, Inc., Navan, Schott Zwiesel, Subaru, Wine Spectator and Vail Resorts, Inc.