THE INTERNATIONAL WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
WAS A SMASHING SUCCESS!

 

  By: Gloria Consolacion  T. Cressler

 International Editor/Host: Black Tie Magazine & TV

 

Photographs: Bill Lee Lanndis Talent Director  

 

The International Wine & Food Festival of New Paltz for 2014 was held for three days from May 30th to June 1st at this gorgeous castle named Mohonk Mountain House. The building looked so beautiful, majestic, and glorious that I thought that I was in one of the castles that I enjoy staying at when traveling in Europe.  I met with the Director of Marketing Nina Smiley of Mohonk, and told her how much I liked their unique place.

 

The festival was hosted by the International Wine Masters headed by the hardworking couple Sam and Dushka Ramic and their group who all did such a terrific job. The first night we thoroughly enjoyed a beautiful cocktail reception which began at the terrace with the Wine Producers, Food Producers, Sponsors, VIP guests, and members of the Press, where everyone had a grand time socializing. Of note, these were global wine producers coming from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bosnia, Chile, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Portugal, Spain,
and the United States. 

 

Vodka and Cognac was represented by the President of Emperors Brand Zina Mashin and her father David Mashin Emperor's Brand very own Napoleon Bonaparte, representing the GIORGIO G Cognac (by famous designer Giorgio GUCCI) and Emperors Vodka. Emperors Vodka won the Double Gold as BEST VODKA of the year in 2013, a great win, this was against the other vodkas from all over the world. Truly an exceptional Vodka one understands why it had won double gold. The Giorgio G Cognac of Giorgio GUCCI is so delicious and so smooth and is the best Cognac that I have ever personally tasted. Believe me, since I travel all over the world and taste and check out different products when traveling, that is why I know. This Cognac has been conceived and created with the same high quality standards as the fashion designs that GUCCI is recognized for. You can order all of his products through wineworldwideinc@aol.com Attention: Sam.

 

After the cocktail reception we all moved to the main floor where they have several entertainers singing entertaining the guests while sumptuous food was being served in the middle of the room comprised of steak, seafood, pastas, all kinds of salads, all kinds of desserts, a fabulous array of delicious food. Several chefs were helping in serving the roast beef, and yes, there is also an incredible ROAST PIG. I asked the Chef to give me lots of the skin because I love the taste and crunch of the crispy skin of a roasted pig. And to add this delicious food were the different wine producers serving their own wines to guests. They all had table wine displays around the room and some were on the terrace of the hotel connected to the venue area.

 

The next day I met with several of the chefs who were preparing the food starting with the Executive Sous Chef of Mohonk Anthony Verni, Chef Michael Swift, Chef Ramon Cuffie, and finally Carlos Hernandez of Culinary Institute of America.  I also met the owner of Le Express Bistro & Bar John Lecki and his chefs were cooking scrumptious foods the whole day, of which we our palates truly enjoyed.

 

There were a continual throng of events throughout the program including a Silent Auction, Cru Tasting, Saber Ceremony, wine seminars, and a cooking contest battled out by different student chefs from Culinary Institute of America. And the judges were headed by the famous Chef & Restaurant Owner Lydia Bastianich who also has cooking show on TV and has written several cookbooks. Since knowing all the chefs and we were positioned at the back, where the food preparation was underway where we had the opportunity to taste these incredible morsels of food - all so very delicious.

 

The place was surrounded by display tables with wines and food from different producers, some art, jewelry, furniture, and bottles of wines that were painted by an artist from Italy, and several tables with chefs cooking and serving their foods the whole day. When you went outside Chef Rossana from Italy was cooking and serving her food with a wine pairing. These were all great foods, wines, Vodka and Cognac. Oh we were all so satiated! I meant me, Janet Strackhouse, and Talent Director Bill Lanndis who took the photographs at the event for the Black Tie International Magazine.

 

That evening was a gala dinner for the VIP GUESTS and the WINE & FOOD PRODUCERS where more great foods and wines were being served, very good entertainment and also live auction to benefit our charities. There were several bottles of wines placed at our table to pair with our delicious foods and Bill Lanndis was seated at the table with Lucia Sutera Sardo and Emiliano Paolilli of Tenuta di Collosorbo Winery of Italy, Pamela Bicchi of Comune di PRATO Winery of Italy, and Giorgio Boeri of Boeri Vini Winery of Italy,

 

Some other guests at the other tables included were Elias Lopez Montero of Verum Bodegas y Vinedos of Spain, Chile Alberca of Maison Rouge Winery of France. Edoardo Freddi of PRATELLO Winery of Italy, Daniele Malavasi of Malavasi Azienda Vitivinicola of Italy, and earlier during the day I was able to have a conversation with Piera the owner of Piera Martellozzo Winery from Italy. I was first introduced to her wines by Patrick who used to be her Export Manager, a very good looking and gracious gentleman, and now the job has been taken over now by Frantiska Kasparova. I also got the chance to meet Kimberly Smith, the District Sales Manager of Upstate New York & Massachusetts of Celebrity Cruises and many more wine producers and guests.   

 

This event was partnered with the Italian Trade Agency, Wine World Wide Inc.  and sponsored by Belpoggio Winery, Bellussi Winery , Collesole Cantine Winery, Bastianich Winery, Piera Martellozzo Winery, Empire State Bank, Casa Cornoer Winery, Verum Winery,  Vignobles Terroirs De France, Apuzzo Kitchens, Chronogram, The Lost Tribe Expectations, Emperors Brand, CTG Export & Marketing, IWG and many more.

 

Other Chefs in attendance were Chef Marcus Guiliano, Chef Ric Orlando, Chef Miquel Apalacious, and others who wowed all the guests with their amazing foods. Well the whole weekend was truly delectable.  I can hardly wait for next year for another fun, appetizing and satiating experience!

 

Let me know if you will be interested in joining us next year? This is going to be another fun event!

 

Now that I personally know what to expect, I will try to diet before our next festival… in order to be well prepared to satiate myself fully with good food, great wine pairings, stupendous drinks of vodka and cognac, the socializing, and the making of new friends. In this 3 days event there were over 700 wines opened and represented by 85 International and USA Exhibitors

from different  15 different countries.

 

The next International Wine and Food Festival of New Paltz  next year will be on May 29-31 2015. To join go to www.internationalwinemasters.com. We will see you all next year. 

 

 

                                     

 

We have a cookbook that we recently Launch called FABULOUS COLLECTION OF EURASIAN AMERICAN RECIPES WITH A FLAIR OF HAWAII. Portions of these Proceeds will benefit Several Veterans Charity Organizations and Children Organization. This is a good gift for your self  & to give as a gift, and at the same time helping different charities. The cost is $ 14.00 plus $ 3.95 for shipping. You can pay with PayPal to the email address queenglori@aol.com or to send a check, write and mail the check to Gloria Cressler Enterprises at 8801 51st Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Anybody who buys the cookbook will also get a FREE E-Book copy.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

 

This is your host signing off.  

Gloria Consolacion T. Cressler

International Editor/Host: Black Tie international Magazine TV

President/Founder: Elite Professional Networking Group

Member: United Nations Associations & UN Foundation

Ambassador: Power Team International