2008-12-04 20:34:01 -
Amateur chefs across the country recently discovered a secret that top chefs have long known"Rías Baixas Albariño wines create a perfect match for foods from around the world. During its third Annual Recipe Contest, contestants from across the nation logged onto the campaign website to enter their recipes that included Italian, American, Middle Eastern and Spanish cuisines. After judging entries based on taste, creativity, practicality, and of course, pairing with Rías Baixas Albariño, judges Harold Dieterle, Top Chef Season One winner and Chef/Owner of Perilla Restaurant, and Ray Isle, Deputy Wine Editor of Food & Wine were surprised by the number of the mouthwatering recipes. Judging was a challenge, but the winners can now be revealed!
Edwina Gadsby
of Great Falls, Montana took home the Grand Prize for her Spicy Thai Crab and Sweet Corn Fritters recipe. Edwina was awarded a Williams-Sonoma gift certificate for $1,000, a selection of Rías Baixas Albariño wines, a gift certificate to Perilla Restaurant, and a signed copy of the Top Chef cookbook. "I was delighted to find that consumers are really stepping outside of the box and pairing Rías Baixas Albariño wines with such a variety of dishes," stated Chef Harold Dieterle at the final recipe judging. "Entries represented a variety of cuisines and certainly showed that consumers look beyond the traditional pairing of these wines with Spanish and seafood dishes," he added. "The real winner is Rías Baixas Albariño wines." Two runners-up (see below) each received a case of Rías Baixas Albariño wines and a gift certificate to Williams-Sonoma, valued at $250. The winning recipes, delicious on their own, pair wonderfully with Albariño"s refreshing acidity and fruity characteristics.
Runners Up:
- Smoked Trout Almondine Brandade by Erin Evenson of Brooklyn, NY
- Pancetta Wrapped Oysters and Broiled Lemons by Michael Weiler of Minturn, CO
To view winning recipes, read the Rías Baixas Albariño blog recounting the contest judging, or for more information on Rías Baixas Albariño wines, please visit www.riasbaixaswines.com.
Cornerstone Communications, Ltd.
Alison Seibert, 212-605-0370
Fax: 212-605-0371
aseibert@cornerstonepr.com 
