Celebrity Butcher Pat LaFrieda - Food Network's "Meat Men" Master Sommelier Janine Lettieri of "Lot18".
MEAT MEETS WINE THIS GRILLING SEASON!
Called "The Magician of Meat" by NY Magazine and featured in everything from
Men's Vogue, to Saveur, and The New York Post to name a few, Pat LaFrieda is
a third generation meat purveyor and burger guru. The family owned business
began over 90 years ago in the meatpacking district spearheaded by Pat's
grandfather. Pat took the reins in 1993 and is now NYC's go-to meat
purveyor, boasting an impressive client list, which includes the finest
restaurants in Manhattan, Miami, Chicago, Las Vegas and more.
Janine Lettieri is the Imported Wine Director for "Lot18" a members only
website that offers a curated selection of quality wine and artisanal
products at an attractive cost, custom selected by staffed sommeliers and
wine gurus for an experience you'll love. Exclusive wine and gourmet-themed
travel excursions along with dinners at the country's top restaurants are
just another unique experience Lot18 offers. Janine has worked in New York
City fine dining for over a decade with sommelier roles at Fleur de Sel, the
three-star Michelin restaurant Le Bernardin, and the Waverly Inn. She holds
certificates from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the American Sommelier
Association, as well as a Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and
Spirit Education Trust. Janine is pursuing the Master of Wine credential,
which only 30 Americans hold.
LOUISIANA LT. GOVERNOR JAY DARDENNE
LIVE FROM THE LOUISIANA COAST IN GRAND ISLE
Two years after the BP oil spill disaster just off the Louisiana coast, tourism in the Louisianacoastal parishes is still suffering major declines based on pre-spill data.According to Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition Chairman Violet Peters,
"Our coastal business owners who rely on tourism are still feeling the
impact of the spill. Many charter fishing operations are booking fewer than
half the charters they were booking prior to the spill, and yet the fishing
is better than ever." The Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition created the
state's first-ever coastal tourism campaign with a $5 million outlay from BP
tourism funds, but the campaign ends in June. Said Peters, "When reviewing other oil spill disasters as a model, it is evident that it can take more than five years for disaster areas to recover fully as a tourism
destination.
We are just now starting to experience some uptrends in some of
our coastal tourism areas and the campaign is coming to an end." The BP oil
spill disaster occurred on April 20, 2010. The Louisiana Tourism Coastal
Coalition is comprised of 10 tourism leaders who represent the coastal
Louisiana tourism offices. According to coalition members, charter fishing
operations are experiencing the biggest downtrend in out-of-state tourists,
but parks, recreation and other coastal tourism attractions in Louisiana are
also still feeling the impact. Louisiana Charter Fishing Association members
have also indicated their concern regarding the end of BP's assistance to
promote the full return of their business. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will
be live on the Gulf of Mexico at Sand Dollar Marina in Grand Isle,
Louisiana. He is available to discuss what steps are next for Louisiana and
why the state needs the support of BP to bring tourists back to the
Louisiana Coast.
About Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne (Dar-Den) - Jay Dardenne was reelected to a
four-year term as Louisiana's Lieutenant Governor in October 2011. He
previously served one year in that position, filling an unexpired term. He
also served four years as Secretary of State and fifteen years as a State
Senator. During his legislative service, he chaired the Senate Finance
Committee. In 2003, he was named National Republican Legislator of the Year.
This interview is provided by the Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition
"ERIK" IS THE "FOODTREKKER"
At FoodTrekker we are more than a group of passionate people helping you
find the perfect food & drink experiences anywhere on the planet. We are
also passionate about helping support local businesses by bringing
communities and people together through food & drink. Everyone who works at
FoodTrekker believes in the importance of preserving and promoting unique
culinary cultures around the world. So much of our ability to relate to, and
interact with, other cultures revolves around and depends on food & drink.
So we are building FoodTrekker to ensure the survival of local independent
businesses everywhere. Chances are, if you're reading this, you agree. Local
businesses have a hard time competing against chains. And we know that you
yourself don't need help finding an internationally recognizable burger or
latte. So we exclude global, national, and regional chain businesses from
FoodTrekker and give local business a chance to shine. (We do allow local
chains, within reason). It is an immutable law that anyone working at
FoodTrekker be an avid foodie. When we aren't working hard to build the
largest food & drink portal in the world, you can find us wandering the
streets of local neighborhoods or the aisle of a specialty grocery store
looking for unique and memorable food and drink experiences. More curious
and clever than anyone at seeking out and finding these experiences for you
is our very own Foodie the Fox who you can follow on Facebook. Together with
Foodie the Fox and our partner the International Culinary Tourism
Association, we hope you enjoy FoodTrekker and welcome your suggestions and
comments.
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