Wednesday, October 1, 2008
bluehour Restaurant & Bar
Portland, Oregon
OREGON BOUNTY SHAKES IT UP WITH AMATEUR OREGON MIXOLOGISTS AND CRAFT SPIRITS
“Unofficial Official Oregon Cocktail” To Be Crowned at bluehour Oct. 1
WHAT: After pouring through nearly 200 submissions, Travel Oregon is ready to kick off a season of celebrating Oregon’s harvest and artisan producers by naming the “Unofficial Official Oregon Cocktail.”
As part of the annual statewide Oregon Bounty celebration, the “Create the Oregon Bounty Cocktail Contest” took place earlier this summer. Cocktail recipe entries were required to feature Oregon artisan spirits and products representative of the state’s seven distinct regions: Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, the Willamette Valley, Portland Metro and Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge. Seven finalists were announced on Sept. 10 and will each receive weekend getaways around the state.
The seven finalists’ creations are:
Central Oregon: “Cascade High”
Eastern Oregon: “Hike, Fish & Go Camping Punch”
Mt Hood/Columbia River Gorge: “Hood to Coast”
Oregon Coast: “Over the Bar”
Portland Metro: “East Meets West”
Southern Oregon: “Goose’s Pear’d Up”
Willamette Valley: “Cherry-Hazelnut Smash”
Complete descriptions are available by downloading the Oregon Bounty Recipe Book at www.TravelOregon.com/Bounty.
The contest’s panel of judges is prepared to make its final decision Oct. 1 during a special judging session, followed by the Oregon Bounty Happy Hour presented by KINK-FM. At the happy hour, the public can enjoy a selection of the regional finalists’ cocktails paired with complimentary hors d’oeuvres matched to the spirits. The grand prize winner will receive Nambé barware from Macy’s and a two-night getaway to meet and taste with Oregon’s artisan distillers at the Oregon Distillers Guild Spirits Tasting, Oct. 11, at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale.
WHERE: bluehour Restaurant and Bar
250 NW 13th Ave., Portland
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 1
Invitation-Only Cocktail Judging
• 2:30 p.m.: Media are invited to view the final judging take place and the winner being named.
Public Event
• 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Oregon Bounty Happy Hour presented by KINK-FM begins, where guests can enjoy three of the cocktail finalists – the Cascade High; Hike, Fish and Go Camping; and Goose’s All Pear’d Up – paired with complimentary Oregon-inspired appetizers created by bluehour chefs.
WHO: Contest finalists
Cocktail contest judges
Oregon artisan distillers
Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon
WHY: This event is part of Oregon Bounty, the annual statewide promotion that celebrates the state’s abundance with two months of unique travel experiences, fresh hop beer “Tastivals,” artisan spirit events, fall harvest festivals and special overnight packages at historic inns and hotels, all designed to highlight Oregon’s diverse and plentiful culinary landscape. In addition, more than 60 restaurants throughout the state will feature three-course prix fixe menus matched with Oregon wines, beers or spirits. The Oregon Bounty celebration runs Oct. 1 – Nov. 30 across the entire state. Visit www.TravelOregon.com/Bounty for details.
About Oregon Bounty and Travel Oregon
Oregon Bounty is produced by the Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon—with support from the Oregon Wine Board, Oregon Brewers Guild, Oregon Distillers Guild, Oregon’s regional destination marketing organizations, Oregon Lodging Association, Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, and Brand Oregon, among others—with the goal of encouraging economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in Oregon through a strengthened economic impact of tourism statewide. Travel Oregon collaborates extensively with local communities, industry associations, government agencies and private businesses, and is proud to grow the Oregon Bounty promotion as a key campaign in the state’s growing $8.3 billion tourism industry, helping Oregon to be recognized as a not-to-be-missed culinary travel destination. Visit www.TravelOregon.com for more information.
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