Walla Walla, WA—Antonio Campolio, Executive Chef at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, has been invited to prepare a meal at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City on December 12, 2012. The talented Campolio will represent both the hotel and Walla Walla, joined by his Executive Sous Chef Erik Johnson and Pastry Chef Mandi Wendt, who will help him prepare a dinner for 80 or so guests.
“We chose 12/12/12 for the date because it’s certainly a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime day for a very special opportunity,” Campolio said.
The meal features three to five passed hors d’oeuvre followed by a five to six course tasting menu including dessert with a wine pairing for each course. Local wineries participating are Woodward Canyon Winery, TERO Estates, L’Ecole No 41 Winery, Leonetti Cellars, and Three Rivers Winery, with the winemakers in attendance.
The dinner will include an array of local and Washington State ingredients sourced, foraged, harvested and grown by: Frog Hollow Farms, Three Rivers Culinary Garden, Rick Small, Locati Farm, Welcome Table Farm, Klickers, Spring Creek Farm, Edwards Family Farm, Monteillet Fromagerie, Upper Dry Creek Ranch, Double R Ranch, Seattle Caviar, Montrail Bison and Pleasant View Farms.
Being invited to prepare a meal at the James Beard House in the Greenwich Village is an honor of which many chefs dream. It is a salute to Campolio’s talent and the reputation he is creating as executive chef at the MWH.
“We are very excited to see Chef Antonio invited to the James Beard House to share his culinary talents and represent Walla Walla at this once-in-a-lifetime event. Antonio’s passion for food and culinary creativity has consistently exceeded our expectations and we look forward to sharing this experience with our guests in New York City on 12/12/12,” said Kyle and Brenda Mussman, owners of the Marcus Whitman Hotel.
The James Beard House is the former townhouse of culinary icon James Beard. More than 200 days a year, a chef from somewhere across America is creating the best of his or her craft for a meal diners won’t forget. Some have called the experience New York’s best-kept gastronomic secret.
“This is truly an honor. My team and I look forward to representing both the hotel and Walla Walla. We’ll do our best to make this unforgettable date an unforgettable experience for all those who attend,” Campolio said.
Stay & Dine at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center: The historic Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, located in downtown Walla Walla, originally opened in 1928. Today, the property offers 127 beautifully-appointed guest rooms, dinner service daily at The Marc Restaurant as well as The Vineyard Lounge, and more than 13,000 square feet of conference and event space. The hotel offers comfortable lodgings and is conveniently located near downtown wineries in the heart of Walla Walla’s historic district.