NINTH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA DATE CHEF COMPETITION

SET FOR APRIL 19 AT FANTASY SPRINGS CASINO

Public Invited to Taste Gourmet Entries, Vote for People’s Choice

INDIO, CA. – (July 31, 2008) The 2009 California Date Chef Competition is set for Sunday, April 19 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino’s Special Events Center, located off the Interstate 10 at the Golf Center Parkway exit.

            Open to the public from 2 – 4:30 p.m., attendees are invited to taste some 15 gourmet entries created with California Dates, visit with chefs and vote for their favorite to win the People’s Choice award. Tickets to the event are $35 per person. For information, please call 1-800-223-8748 or (760) 347-4510.

            Fifteen professional chef finalists compete for first place prizes in Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert categories, Best of Show and People’s Choice.  Winners take away more than $5,000 in award money, trophies and the opportunity for their restaurant to show off the award winning recipe for a month at their establishment.

            A blind professional judging takes place in the morning where a panel of selected chefs, food writers and experts taste and evaluate the finalists’ entries, judging for best use of dates, originality, flavor and overall presentation for 100 possible points.  

            Sponsored by the California Date Administrative Committee and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, ticket sale proceeds go to culinary scholarships through the California Women for Agriculture.

            Professional chefs currently employed by or owners of any hotel, catering service or restaurant may enter the competition.  Register on line at www.DatesAreGreat.com.

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