CELEBRATE THE CRAFT
ART · FOOD · WINE
October 30^th - November 2^nd, 2008

ARTISTS & TOP CHEFS GATHER TO
"CELEBRATE THE CRAFT"

Artists will join San Diego chefs, farmers, ranchers,
and vintners in 2008 for Sixth Annual festival highlighting
California's bounty and natural beauty

LA JOLLA, California (March 2008) - California is a state rich in extraordinary beauty and agricultural abundance, with a tradition of artistry, craft, and culinary innovation. That's why artisans and gourmets converge each year in beautiful La Jolla, California for a unique celebration of California's beauty, bounty, and craftsmanship. The sixth annual gathering to "Celebrate the Craft" will take place Thursday, October 30^th through Sunday, November 2^nd at The Lodge at Torrey Pines® ®.

For the past five years, "Celebrate the Craft" has been one of Southern California's premier showcases for regionally grown ingredients and innovative cooking and winemaking. This past year, an exciting "Art" component was added - "The Torrey Pines Plein Air Invitational". This event showcased one of California's most breathtaking natural environments through the work of gifted artists. Between September 20^th - 22^nd, many of the finest Plein Air ("open air") painters in the country set up their canvases onsite to capture the extraordinary landscape of the Torrey Pines State Reserve, adjacent to The Lodge at Torrey Pines® . The public came to observe the artists as they created depictions of this picturesque setting.

The paintings created were placed in competition for prizes awarded in four categories: Artists' Choice, Maurice Braun, Alfred Mitchell, and KelmanOrtiz. Paintings were sold at silent and live auction at a cocktail and dinner reception on Saturday night and on Sunday during the Food and Wine portion of the event. Proceeds from the auctions amounting to approximately $60,000 benefited the Torrey Pines Endowment Fund.

As in years past, the weekend celebration featured the finest food artisans from across California's broad culinary spectrum, who demonstrated, discussed, showcased, and tasted their way through the vast array of premium food products available throughout the state. "Celebrate the Craft" delights anyone eager for food prepared with natural ingredients and careful craftsmanship.

"The growing season runs year-round in our neck of Southern California, and the local agricultural community takes full advantage, affording us a unique variety of the freshest produce," said Jeff Jackson, Executive Chef at A.R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines® and an innovator of fresh, regional cuisine. "With a daily abundance of fresh food to work with, it's little wonder our local chefs are so creative.".

The food and wine portion of the festival reaches its peak on Sunday, with a full day of cooking demonstrations by participating chefs from San Diego's premier restaurants. Growers, vintners, and culinary artisans from some of California's most renowned farms, bakeries, wineries, and confectioners were on hand to share their skill and enthusiasm.

Highlighted scheduled events at the 2008 "Celebrate the Craft" include:

• Reception and Art Auction: On Saturday, November 1, Cocktails and dinner reception with an opportunity to bid on paintings created during "Celebrate the Craft" . Guests will be able to bid on their favorite paintings in a Silent Auction followed by a Live Auction of award-winning pieces. Proceeds benefited the Torrey Pines Reserve Endowment Fund.
  
  

• Picnic on the Arroyo Terrace: On Sunday, November 2, guests of "Celebrate the Craft" will explore their culinary curiosity by visiting food stations featuring area growers, vintners and suppliers to sample products and meet those who created them. Guests will have one more opportunity to participate in a silent auction for paintings created during "Celebrate the Craft" . The tasting and art auction will run from 11:30am until 3pm.

A portion of the Sunday event's proceeds will be donated to Slow Food, an international educational organization dedicated to promoting ecologically sound food production. For more information please visit www.slowfoodsandiego.org.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines® ®, San Diego's only Five-Diamond resort, embodies the very best of Pacific Coastal living. Designed in the Arts & Crafts tradition of architects Charles and Henry Greene, The Lodge is a loving homage of California Craftsman architecture, emphasizing authentic materials and craftsmanship, respect for the natural landscape, and integration of indoor and outdoor living. For reservations call 888-826-0224, or for further information contact Steve Pelzer at (858) 777-6706, spelzer@lodgetorreypines.com or visit www.lodgetorreypines.com.

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