TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR

2008 DATE CHEF COMPETITION

Sunday, April 27, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Special Events Center

 INDIO, CA. – (April 21, 2008) Plan to attend Sunday’s Gala Awards Champagne Reception at the California Date Chef Competition and vote for People’s Choice.  Held in  the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, tickets are still available in advance at Shields Date Garden, 80-255 Highway 111 at Jefferson Street, Indio. 

            Cost of the tickets is $35 per person and benefits culinary scholarships through the California Women for Agriculture.  Tickets also will be sold at the door, first come-first served.  Or reservations call (760) 347-4510.  

            Doors open to the public from 2 – 4:30 p.m. when guests are invited to sample the Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert entries of the 15 chef finalists and use their ticket ballots to vote for People’s Choice.

            Dishes such as “Date Nor Chili Relleno with Arroz de Coco, Cilantro Date Sauce,” “Lobster Tom Ka with Thai Curry Shrimp and Hoisen Date Peanut Sauce,”  “Scallops Rockefeller with Smoked Bacon and Date Cannelloni” are some of the creative entries that professional judges will rank for first place in appetizer, entrée and dessert categories, as well as best of show, for more than $5,000 in prizes.

            “Guests will have the chance to taste each entry,” said Lorrie Cooper, manager of the California Date Administrative Committee. “From halibut to lobster, filet mignon to scallops, the entrée and appetizer categories are phenomenal.  Desserts are equally creative and include a dessert cocktail, dates with pistachio gelato, apple tarts, mousseline, truffles and banana-mango sorbet.”

            Chefs represent major hotels, casinos and top restaurants throughout the Coachella Valley, as well as Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.  

            The eighth annual Date Chef Competition is sponsored by the California Date Administrative Committee, comprised of Coachella Valley’s date growers and handlers, with platinum sponsor Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

            For reservations or information, please call (760) 347-4510 or visit online at www.DatesAreGreat.com

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