August 18, 2006
For Immediate Release
PR/Marketing Chair, SJIRA
856-296-3682
www.sjhotchefs.com
sjhotchefs@comcast.net

“SJ HOT CHEFS” JOIN WITH LOCAL FARMERS TO CREATE THE “FARM TO FORK” DINNER SERIES
FEATURING THE FRESHEST PRODUCE LOCAL SJ FARMERS HAVE TO OFFER

South Jersey:  The SJ Hot Chefs have a message for the dining public – “If it’s locally grown, It tastes better!” 

With this in mind the chefs have teamed up with South Jersey Farmers to present a series of multi-course dinners featuring locally grown produce.  The dinners take place at select restaurants and feature a pre-fixe meal, with each course centered around a specific farm’s products.

The series is both culinary and cultural.  The farmer shares the spotlight with the host chef explaining how the food is grown, protected and harvested.  “Our hope is that people will have the most delicious, educational experience of their lives”, explains Farmer John Ebert, co-owner of Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill.  Ebert recently co-hosted a sold-out “Farm to Fork” Dinner at The Tortilla Press in Collingswood this past July with Chef/Owner Mark Smith.

A current schedule of “Farm to Fork Dinners”, and more info on The SJ Hot Chefs’ commitment to local farmers, can be found at www.sjhotchefs.com .

“It’s well known that South Jersey residents love their farms”, explains Chef Robert Minniti, owner of Bacio Italian Cuisine in Cinnaminson and President of The SJ hot Chefs.  “As chefs, we have a culinary wonderland here in the Garden State.  We have the freshest produce, fruit and herbs right here at our doorstep.  All we have to do is bring that intense flavor and freshness to the meals we serve our guests.”  Minniti continues, “We do not operate with massive amounts of frozen and pre-prepared food like chain restaurants do.  That is not who we are.  Like independent farmers, we endeavor to bring awareness of good and fresh food to the public.”

The SJ Hot Chefs’ “Farm to Fork” program will continue through 2007 culminating in “Farm to Fork Week”.  This event will take place July 22nd thru Friday, July 26, 2007 where each of the member restaurants, (27 at this time and growing), will offer a 4-course, pre-fixe menu featuring the bounty of the local South Jersey farms, prepared by the host chefs.

As an excellent resource for the chefs, as well as a free service to all visitors to their website, the SJ Hot Chefs have developed a Local Farm Directory offering contact information on SJ local farms, specifics on what they grow and their cultivation methods.

The SJ Hot Chefs, (The South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association), over the past two years, have launched an expansive campaign to raise public awareness of the excellent dining opportunities available in South Jersey.  For more info go to www.sjhotchefs.com

####