2012 TASTE AWARDS Winners Announced in Hollywood

Food, Fashion, TV, Radio and Web celebrities gathered on Thursday, January 12th at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to celebrate the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS.

The event featured an exciting lineup of celebrity presenters including the Food Network's Carrie McCully, Tanya Holland, Manouschka Guerrier, and Candice Kumai, Bravo TV's Fabio Viviani, Nyesha Arrington, and Danielle Keene, Public Television's Joanne Weir and Nathan Lyon, ION TV's Michelle Harris, food broadcast gurus Bobby Bognar, Zuzy Martin Lynch, and Susan Irby, plus food and drink humorists Zane Lamprey and Jolene Sugarbaker.

Special Achievement Honoree Awards presented during the evening went to Kung Fu Panda 2 (The Seiji Horibuchi Award for Outstanding Animation) and Debi Mazar (Outstanding Passion). Mad Fashion (Bravo), Kaitlyn's Beauty Journal (KTSF), and Nail Files (TV Guide) were given the Breakout Fashionistas of the Year Award, and Cuisine Culture (Public Television), Ludo Bites America (Sundance Channel), and Restaurant Impossible (Food Network) were given the Kikkoman Award for Breakout Foodies of the Year.

Among the evening's Award Winners were television programs such as the Travel Channel's "No Reservations" for Best Food Program and for Best Food Travel Series, Zane Lamprey's HDNet series "Drinking Made Easy" for Best Drink or Beverage Program, Cooking Channel's "Originals with Emeril" for Best New Series and "Extra Virgin" for Best Home Chef in a Series, Lifetime's "Project Runway" for Best Fashion or Design Program, Bravo's "Top Chef: Just Desserts" for Best Single Topic Series and "Top Chef" for the Kikkoman Award for Best Reality Series - Food or Drink, the Food Network's "Aarti Party" for Best Green or Organic Program, and ABC's "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" for Best Chef in a Series.

Public Television series "Check Please, Bay Area" picked up Best City or Regional Program, and "Mexico - One Plate at a Time" received the award for Best Ethnic Program.

Web winners included "My Drunk Kitchen" for Best Comedy Series, "Without Borders" for Best Food Travel Program, "Style.com" for Best Fashion or Design Programs on the Web, "Average Betty" for the Best Critic or Review Series (on TV or Web), "Raising the Bar with Jamie Boudreau" for Best Drink or Beverage Program, and "Food Wishes", which was presented by Austin Lau of YouTube and which won the award for Best Food Program on the Web, along with a foodie trip to Estonia. "Bon Appetit" magazine won for Best Newspaper or Magazine Program.

In the film category, "Magnum Ice Cream Original Short Film Series by Karl Lagerfeld" picked up the award for Best Film or Documentary, and in the new Radio category, "Good Food on KCRW" got the win, along with "Come Dine With Me" (BBC America) for Best International Program.

A full list of Award Winners, Honorees, and Nominees, plus event photos and coverage, can be seen on the site, www.TheTasteAwards.com.

The TASTE AWARDS celebrate the year's best in Food, Fashion, and Home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.


See:
The TASTE Awards
The New Media Tastemakers Summit

TasteTV.com, TasteTV

2012 Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America Announced

TasteTV is pleased to announce that the 2012 Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America Award Winners have been released. The awards are for the titles of Grand Master Award Winners, Master Award Winners, and Excellence Award Winners.

The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America are based on the combined total number of Gold and Silver Awards received by each entrant in the 2011 TasteTV Chocolate Salons in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa, Seattle, and Fall (SF) and Chocolate Salon Award Competitions for Chicago and the Bridal Category.

Among the 2012 Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America, the Grand Master title goes to Amano Artisan Chocolate, CocoTutti, Seattle Chocolate Company, The Tea Room Chocolate, and William Dean Chocolates.

Master Award Winners are Choclatique, Chocolot, Forte Chocolates, Halletts Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Kollar Chocolates, Marti Chocolatt, MDP Signature Chocolates, Monterey Chocolate Company, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Posh Chocolat, and Toffee Talk.

Excellence Awards Winner titles go to Alter Eco, AMELLA, Au Coeur Des Chocolats, Beijo de Chocolat, Bootleg Chocolates, Butterfly Brittle, Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co., Chocoveda, Chuao Chocolatier, Ciel Chocolatier, Clarine's Florentines, Dandelion Chocolate, David Bacco Chocolatier, Divine Chocolate, Dolce Bella Chocolates and Cafe, Droga Confections, Fabrica de Chocolate Momotombo, Gateau et Ganache, Gem Chocolates, Ghirardelli, Goat Milk Candy Co, Guittard Chocolate Company, Intrigue Chocolates, Jer’s Chocolates, Kallari Chocolate, Kika's Treats, La Chatelaine Chocolat Co, Landru Chocolates, Madecasse, Marich Confectionery, Mignon Chocolate, Moonstruck Chocolate, Neo Cocoa, New Tree, Pacari Ecuadorian Organic Chocolate, Permano, Plumeria Flours, Salt Side Down Chocolates, Saratoga Chocolates, Sixthcourse Artisan Confections, Snake & Butterfly, Socola Chocolatier, Sterling Confections, Taza Chocolate, The French Quarter, The Toffee Box, Toffeeology, Valrhona Chocolates, Vibrant Chocolate, Vice Chocolates, Victoria Chocolatier, and Australia’s Zokoko.
More information can be found on the Awards website, www.TasteTV.com/intlchocolatesalon_12awards.html

Upcoming TasteTV Chocolate Salons are scheduled for San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Austin, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, and Toronto. See www.InternationalChocolateSalon.com for more details.

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon

ION's Michelle Harris joins as a TASTE AWARDS Presenter

ION Life television host Michelle Harris joins the TASTE AWARDS as a presenter.

Television personality and actress Michelle Harris is the host and co-creator of the television program "Alive & Well with Michelle Harris," which airs on the Ion Life network.

Michelle helps viewers to reach their goals and look and feel their best. Her knowledge on living well helps to educate audiences in an entertaining way and create positive change.

She has been featured on shows such as Hollywood Green with Maria Menounos, Showbiz Tonight, and CNN. Michelle has also been seen in magazines such as In Touch, Women's World, Natural Beauty and Health, Celeb Life, and People Pets.

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTE Awards

TASTE AWARDS to Honor Food and Fashion TV & Film Stars Jan. 12th in Hollywood

The stars and celebrities of food and fashion television and film are preparing to revel in Hollywood on January 12th at their own one-of-a-kind awards show, the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS. The TASTE AWARDS (also known as the TASTY Awards) is the premier awards show honoring the year's best in Food, Fashion, and Home Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.

Fans, networks, producers and sponsors could not be more excited. The Awards Show features a star-studded lineup, including presenters and attendees such as Joanne Weir (PBS), Robert Irvine (Food Network), Tanya Holland (Cooking Channel, Food Network), Nathan Lyon (Fit TV, Discovery Health, PBS, Food Network), Bobby Bognar (History Channel), Austin Lau (YouTube), Danielle Keene (Bravo), Amy Paffrath (MTV, G4, E!), Ludo Lefebvre (Sundance Channel), Ashley James (Public Television), Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos (Cooking Channel), and more.

Jamie Oliver, Average Betty, Anthony Bourdain, Top Chef: Just Desserts, Project Runway, What Not to Wear, and Rick Bayless lead the awards finalists with several nominations each. Special Achievement Honors have been announced for Ming Tsai, Lidia Bastianich, The Chew, Steve Jobs, Taste Buds, Kung Fu Panda 2, Stanley Tucci, All on the Line (Sundance Channel), Mad Fashion (Bravo), Kaitlyn's Beauty Journal, Nail Files (TV Guide), Beverly Hills Fabulous (VH1), Famous Foods (VH1), LX TV, Debi Mazar, and Tabatha's Salon Takeover.

VIEWERS CHOICE voting took place through December 8th for Best Food Travel Series: Web, Best Food or Drink Radio Broadcast, Best Home Chef in a Series, Best Fashion or Design Program: Web, Best Comedy Series, and Best Film or Documentary. To vote or for limited availability show tickets, go to www.TastyAwards.com, as well as get updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TastyAwards. The Official Hotel of the 2012 TASTE AWARDS is the Thompson Beverly Hills.

Selected TASTE AWARD winners will be featured in the Summer 2012 edition of Intermezzo Magazine. In addition, TASTE AWARD winners of the Best Food Travel Series: Web will receive a Foodie Trip to Estonia, compliments of the Estonian Consulate.

Award Winners will be announced at the TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet event and reception at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on January 12th, as well as filmed for later broadcast. The full list of nominees and categories for the 2012 TASTE AWARDS, including Best Food Program, Best Drink Program, Best Film, Best Fashion Program, and Best Organic Program can be seen on www.TheTasteAwards.com, or www.TastyAwards.com.

The TASTE AWARDS are for food, fashion, and home lifestyle programming what the Grammys are for music and the Oscars are for Film.

ABOUT THE TASTE AWARDS
The Annual TASTE AWARDS (also known as the TASTY Awards) in Hollywood celebrate the year's best in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.

It has included appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms such as the Food Network, the Style Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Sony Pictures, and more.

Official Partners for the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS include Kikkoman, the AmericaOne television network, PR Newswire, TasteTV, Intermezzo Magazine, Cuisine Noir Magazine, Drink Me Magazine, Ferrara Flame, SummerJasmines, Schiltz Foods, Peju Winery, Raymond Vineyards, R&B Cellars, Ecogenics, Jenuinely Pure, Sella All Natural Skincare, Deep River Snacks, Food Should Taste Good, Mediterranean Snacks, Cinda's Toffee, Toffee Break, Toffee Talk, the Estonian Consulate, thinkThin,Tequila Alquimia, the Thompson Beverly Hills, Yelp, and Eventbrite.

The viewer appetite and response to food and style programs has surged over the last decade, making them some of the highest watched and sponsored video content. The TASTE AWARDS spotlight the year's best achievements in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on television, in film, and on the web.

A limited quantity of TASTE AWARDS event tickets are available on a first come basis. For details, go to www.TheTasteAwards.com, or www.TastyAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The TASTE Awards

2nd Annual FALL CHOCOLATE SALON

A unique event with limited tickets available for attendees, the Fall Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 28 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans.

An intimate setting, the Fall Chocolate Salon is the perfect place to find the perfect Holiday gift, while tasting and savoring the chocolate lovers experience.

Advance Tickets available through November 12th, while quantities last. www.FallChocolateSalon.com

Participants include Amano Artisan Chocolate, CocoTutti, Jade Chocolates, Snake & Butterfly, Permano, Leonidas Fresh Belgian Chocolate, Saratoga Chocolates, Victoria Chocolatier, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Sterling Truffle Bar, Toffeeology, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Monterey Chocolate Company, Marich Confectionery, Sixthcourse Artisan Confections, Toffee Talk, Dandelion Chocolate, MDP Signature Chocolates, Au Coeur Des Chocolats, Seattle Chocolate Company, Butterfly Brittle, Be A Gourmet, Urban Legend Cellars, The Winery SF, Jerk'NPickle, TasteTV, and more.

NEW: Private screenings at the Salon, plus Producers Q&A, of the new public television program, "Chocolate FRENCH," based on the bestselling book, "Chocolate FRENCH." The series pilot will air locally on KRCB public television (Ch. 22, 722) on December 17th at 4pm.


TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTE AWARDS

The TASTY Awards become the TASTE AWARDS

The Awards Committee has announced that the TASTY Awards are now called The TASTE AWARDS.

The 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS celebrate the year's best in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.

NOMINATIONS are being accepted through August 25th for the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS (aka the Tasty Awards). To submit a nomination for any category, go to www.TastyAwards.com or www.TheTasteAwards.com.

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTE Awards

The Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on 9/25

Chocolate lovers, en garde! The premier major chocolate show in the Los Angeles area this millenium takes place at the 5th Annual Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON on Sunday, September 25th, 2011.

Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

This year's event will take place in the new and beautiful Ballroom at the Pasadena Center, in the center of old town, surrounded by restaurants, lounges and upscale boutiques.

Celebrating its anniversary, the 2011 Fifth Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans, such as Choclatique, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Mignon Chocolate, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Jer's Chocolates, Chocoveda, David Bacco Chocolatier, Seattle Chocolate Company, Chava Vital Chocolate, Ciel Chocolatier, Amella, Monterey Chocolate Company, The Toffee Box, Butterfly Brittle, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Blissed Out Chocolates, Bootleg Chocolates, Farm Fresh To You, Gourmet Blends, Precept Wine, The New York Times, Shell Vacations, Yelp, Meetup.com, TasteTV, Chocolate Television, and more.

Salon highlights features chocolatiers, confectioners and other culinary artisans, with chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks, wine tasting and ongoing interviews by TasteTV's Chocolate Television program. (Salon Entry includes all chocolate & wine tastings, demos, etc.).

New this year: New Ballroom location. A celebrity tie-in with the 3rd Annual TASTY Awards, including an attendee Taste-Off for the People's Choice picks in specific artisan food and wine categories.


EVENT SUMMARY

LOS ANGELES
5th Annual Luxury Chocolate Salon
Event: Sept. 25, 2011
Hours: 11am-5pm
Site: www.LAChocolateSalon.com

Do you love chocolate? Watch ChocolateTelevision.com

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

Awards announced for Bridal Chocolate Salon and Chicago Chocolate Salon

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announced the Awards for the 2011 Bridal Chocolate Salon and the Chicago Chocolate Salon.

This year's competitions saw a variety of new and existing artisans with a wide range of exciting new products. The submissions highlighted the ongoing increase and focus on quality, innovation, and taste.

Award winners in various categories can be seen on the sites: www.BridalChocolateSalon.com and www.ChicagoChocolateSalon.com.



TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

Celebrity Wine TASTE-OFF and TASTY Awards Launch Party

An intimate, exclusive, food & wine celebrity-filled party celebrating the launch of the 3rd Annual TASTY Awards takes place on July 17th in San Francisco.

Celebrate with food, wine and fashion TV celebrities scheduled to attend such Leslie Sbrocco (PBS, Thirsty Girl TV), Dominique Crenn (Food Network - Next Iron Chef), Brian Boitano (Food Network), Marisa Churchill (Bravo, Top Chef, Author), Justin Kan (http://Justin.tv), Elizabeth Howes (The Next Food Network Star), Philip Gums (JE Model), Chef John Mitzewich (Food Wishes), Vikrant Mathur (http://iFood.tv), Zuzy Martin Lynch (Cooking for the Clueless), celebrity chefs and designers, and more. (subject to change)

Join this once a year event at the bohemian-glam San Francisco club, 330 Ritch, and taste great Cabernets and Sparkling Wines, plus food from culinary artisans from around Northern California and beyond. Be a judge in the TASTE-OFF competition for the "Viewers Choice Cabernet of the TASTY Awards".

Culinary and winery participants include Peju Province Winery, Raymond Vineyards & Cellar, Punk Dog Wines, East Bay Vintners Alliance,Permano Toffee, Bellwether Farms artisan cheese, the Bread Project's french pastries, Mumm Napa, VAD Vodka, Winery-SF and Sol Rouge, featuring 2010 Winery-SF “Sparkle” Sparking Wine, 2008 Winery-SF Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Sol Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County, and 2007 Sol Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (Double Gold Medal Winner, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition). Also tasting will be Schiltz Foods Roasted Goose, the "Official Poultry of the TASTY Awards."

www.DomaineDeTaste.com

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

The NextGEN Science Fair

TasteTV is pleased to announce the NextGen Science Fair 2011, the first and only event for Next-Generation Products, Technology, and Ideas, welcoming hundreds of consumers, thought-leaders, media outlets, buyers, speakers, partners, and more to San Francisco.

San Francisco NextGEN Science Fair participants and speakers in 2011 include innovators such as Neurosky (Brain-Computer Interface technology), Nissan LEAF (100% electric vehicle), IndieGoGo (crowdsourced project fundraising), DIY bio (biotechnology entrepreneurs and community biotech), Reprap (self-replicating, desktop 3D printers), Keyglove (portable computer input and control glove), Glocal Systems (sustainable vertical farming), OpenPCR (desktop sized DNA xerox machine), LearnBoost (Cloud-based education software), ViVoEye, Magic Beans Incubator, Project Light Bright (wearable, modular LED display panels), Kinect Hacks, high school robotics teams, and much more.

Visit The NextGen Science Fair 2011 and discover the latest green, organic, biotech, artisan, design, app, gaming and technology consumer products that can improve your quality of life, your company's success, or your future. Meet the movers, innovators, advocates, and creators of tomorrow's products and sevices. Network, promote and partner with "Next-Gen Generators." Don't miss this unique opportunity. The future is coming today.

www.NextGenScienceFair.com

Napa CHOCOLATE SALON Awards Announced

We are pleased to announce the award winners of the

2nd Annual Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon

Reviewed by our talented judges (who included award winning chefs and food and travel media), winners have been selected for various categories, including Best Dark, Best Milk, Best Truffle, Best Caramels, and more.

To view the winners, please go to www.NapaChocolateSalon.com

The 2nd Annual Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON is the most prestigious artisan and premium chocolate and confection event in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary and wine areas. Participants include Amano Artisan Chocolate, The Tea Room Chocolate Company, Toffee Talk, Permano, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, TOFFEEOLOGY, Monterey Chocolate Company, Kollar Chocolates, Salt Side Down Chocolates, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Landru Chocolates, Seattle Chocolate Company, Sterling Confections, CHAVA Vital Chocolate, Extraordinary Blends, Farm Fresh To You, Honest Tea, TasteTV.



www.NapaChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The TASTY Awards

Napa Chocolate Salon - June 5th

Chocolate lovers, en garde! only major chocolate show in Napa and Sonoma Valleys this decade takes place at the Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary regions.

The 2nd Annual Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans, such as: The Tea Room Chocolate Company, Toffee Talk, Permano, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, TOFFEEOLOGY, Monterey Chocolate Company, Kollar Chocolates. Salt Side Down Chocolates, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Landru Chocolates, Extraordinary Blends, Farm Fresh To You, TasteTV and more.

Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon: www.NapaChocolateSalon.com


TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

The NextGEN Science Fair - June 19th

TasteTV is pleased to announce the NextGen Science Fair 2011, the first and only event for Next-Generation Products, Technology, and Ideas, welcoming hundreds of consumers, thought-leaders, media outlets, buyers, speakers, partners, and more to San Francisco.

For professionals and family alike, the The NextGen Science Fair (tm) brings together under one roof 15-20 of the most exciting new and futuristic products, services, ideas, discoveries and content available now or very soon

Visit The NextGen Science Fair 2011 and discover the latest green, organic, biotech, artisan, design, app, gaming and technology consumer products that can improve your quality of life, your company's success, or your future. Meet the movers, innovators, advocates, and creators of tomorrow's products and sevices. Network, promote and partner with "Next-Gen Generators." Don't miss this unique opportunity. The future is coming today.

www.NextGenScienceFair.com

Seattle Chocolate Salon on May 14th

Chocolate lovers, en garde! The premier chocolate event in the Northwest this millenium returns with the 4th Annual Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on May 14, 2011.

The 4th Annual Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON is the most prestigious artisan and premium chocolate and confection event in the Northwest. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas. Participants include Amano Artisan Chocolate, Intrigue Chocolates, Halletts Chocolates, Forte Chocolates, La Chatelaine Chocolat Co., Posh Chocolat, Seattle Chocolate Company, The French Quarter, CocoTutti, Taza Chocolate, Vibrant Chocolate, Blendissimo, the Tea Room chocolate company, Divine Chocolate, Goat Milk Candy Co., MDP Signature Chocolates, Precept Wine Brands, Honest Tea, Yelp, TasteTV and more.

Salon highlights include chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks and ongoing interviews by TasteTV's Chocolate Television program. (Salon Entry includes all chocolate & confection tastings, demos, and more.
In addition, we are happy to add Keren Brown, the Frantic Foodie, as our keynote Speaker, who will discuss the release of her greatly anticipated upcoming new book, "The Food Lovers' Guide to Seattle."

The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon. www.SeattleChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

San Francisco International Chocolate Salon 2011

The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon is coming on April, 17, 2011 to Fort Mason.

The premier chocolate show on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the 5th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, April 17th, 2011 at the Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

Featuring the "Best of the Best" selected and curated by the Organizers, International CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 50 master chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans such as The Tea Room chocolate, Guittard Chocolate Company, Christopher Michael Chocolates, Plumeria Flours, Saratoga Chocolates, Choclatique, Divine Chocolate, Landru Chocolates, Alter Eco Fair Trade Chocolate, Goat Milk Candy Company, Snake & Butterfly, Clarine's Florentines, Salt Side Down Chocolates, Dolce Bella Chocolates and Cafe, Neo Cocoa, Fabrica de Chocolate Momotombo, CocoTutti, Her Coconess Confections, Marti Chocolatt, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Gateau et Ganache, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Coco-luxe Confections, Vice Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co., William Dean Chocolates, Seattle Chocolate Company, Jade Chocolates, and Kika's Treats.

More information at www.SFChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The New Media Tastemakers Summit

This blog from the contributors, producers and correspondents at TasteTV at TasteTV.com. technorati tags:TasteTV, restaurants, video, content, food, Chocolate, wine, recipes, cooking, Restaurant Reviews, Chef, ITV, fashion, seafood

TASTY Awards Winners Announced

Food, fashion and TV celebrities gathered on Thursday, January 13th at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to celebrate the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards.

Hosted by comedian Zane Lamprey, the show featured a distinguished line up of celebrity presenters including the Food Network's Brian Boitano Tanya Holland, Darryl Robinson, Manouschka Guerrier, and Aida Mollenkamp, E! Entertainment's Amy Paffrath, the Style Network's Jeannie Mai and Peter Ishkhans, food gurus Leslie Sbrocco and Bobby Bognar, TV fashionista Luciene Salomone, and Celebrity Chefs Hubert Keller, Nathan Lyon, Kevin Roberts, Candice Kumai and Fabio Viviani.

Among the evenings winners were television programs like Bravo's "Top Chef" for Best Food Program, Lamprey's HDNet series "Drinking Made Easy" for Best Drink or Beverage Program, "No Reservations" on Travel Channel for Best Food Travel Series, Food Network's, "The Great Food Truck Race" for Best New Series and Lifetime's "Project Runway" for Best Fashion or Design Program. PBS series "Check Please, Bay Area" picked up two awards: Best City or Regional Program and Best Critic or Review Series.

Web winners, who also went home with Flip Video Cameras courtesy of Flip Video, included "Thirsty Girl TV" for Best Drink or Beverage Program, "Without Borders" for Best Food Travel Program, "Style.com" for Best Fashion or Design Video Podcast, PBS' "Avec Eric" for Best Food or Drink Podcast and "Chow.com" which won the Kikkoman Award for Best Food Program. Food & Wine magazine won for Best Newspaper or Magazine Program, and "Food Wishes" for Best Home Chef in a Series.

In the film category, Sony's "Eat, Pray, Love" picked up the award for Best Film or Documentary.

Individual awards went to Food Network's Alton Brown for Best Male Host in a Series and Best Chef in a Series, and Giada De Laurentiis for Best Female Host in a Series. Both Rick Bayless and Jamie Oliver also won, and Brian Boitano was named the TASTY Awards Global Ambassador for 2011. A full list of winners can be seen on the site.

Food and wine for the event was provided by purveyors such as Supperclub, Starry Kitchen, Pure Dark chocolate, Mignon Chocolate, The Toffee Box, Punk Dog Wines, Salisbury Vineyards, Quady Winery, VAD Vodka, and Qure Water, along with conributions from sponsors like Kikkoman, Food Should Taste Good, RezVez, SummerJasmines, Ferrara Flames, Valcooks, Cooking.com, The Flip HD, and PR Newswire.

The TASTY Awards are the premier awards show celebrating the year's best in Food, Fashion, and Home Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, and Online.


TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

Viewers Choice Voting: The TASTY Awards

VIEWERS CHOICE VOTING in selected categories has begun and ends on January 5th for six specific TASTY Awards categories. See the site for the nominees.

The Viewers Choice Categories are:

Best Film or Documentary
Best Comedy Series
Best Home Chef in a Series
Best Chef in a Series
Best Male Host in a Series
Best Female Host in a Series

Nominees for the other categories can be seen on the site for the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards in Hollywood:

www.TastyAwards.com

The Fall Luxury Chocolate Salon on November 14th

The Fall Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 30 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans. An intimate setting, the Fall Chocolate Salon is the perfect place to find the perfect gift, while tasting and savoring the chocolate lovers experience.



Participants include TCHO, Saratoga Chocolates, The Tea Room chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Salt Side Down Chocolates, CocoTutti, Landru Chocolates, Choclatique, Coco-luxe Confections, Sterling Confections, Coco Delice Fine Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Gateau et Ganache, ALTER ECO Fair Trade, CJ's Bitz, Snake & Butterfly, Jade Chocolates, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Carlos Mann Nicaraguan Artisan Chocolates, Clarine's Florentines, Au Coeur Des Chocolats, Poco Dolce, Vice Chocolates, Plumeria Flours, Christopher Michael Chocolates, Farm Fresh To You, Carolyn Tillie Designs' Chocolate Jewelry, Quady Winery, Punk Dog Wines, Rigolo Cafe, 122° West Wines, Garden Creamery sorbet, TasteTV, and more.

www.fallchocolatesalon.com

Nominees for the 2nd Annual TASTY AWARDS to be announced Nov. 9th at 1pm

The 2nd Annual TASTY Awards, the premier awards show honoring the year's best in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, and Online, will announce Nominees on Tuesday, November 9th.

The Nominee announcement will be webcast live on TastyAwards.com at 1pm (PST) at a press conference streamed from chef Traci Des Jardins' acclaimed Jardiniere restaurant in San Francisco.

The final TASTY Award Winners will be announced on Thursday, January 13, 2011, during the Awards Show at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The TASTY Awards are for lifestyle programming what the Grammys are for music.

CELEBRITY PRESENTERS

The host for the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards is Zane Lamprey (Travel Channel, HDNet), with other presenters including Tanya Holland (Cooking Channel, Food Nework), Leslie Sbrocco (PBS), Nathan Lyon (Fit TV, Discovery Health, PBS, Food Network), and Bobby Bognar (History Channel), along with newcomers such as Candice Kumai (Lifetime, Bravo's Top Chef), Brian Boitano (Food Network), Daniel Green (ShopNBC), Luciene Salomone (WE tv), Amy Paffrath (E! Entertainment Television), Jeannie Mai (Style Network), Kevin Roberts (TLC), and Aida Mollenkamp (Food Nework, Cooking Channel).


TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards

TASTY AWARDS: Nominees to be Announced on November 9th

The TASTY Awards Committee is proud to announce that the final Nominees, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Honorees, for the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards will be announced in a livestreamed press conference on November 9th, 2010 in San Francisco.

The 2nd Annual TASTY Awards and Red Carpet, the premier awards show for food and fashion programs and films, will take place on January 13, 2011 at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, with television celebrity Zane Lamprey returning as the show's host.

Other returning celebrity presenters include Tanya Holland (Cooking Channel, Food Nework), Leslie Sbrocco (PBS), Nathan Lyon (Fit TV, Discovery Health, PBS, Food Network), and Bobby Bognar (History Channel), along with newcomers such as Candice Kumai (Lifetime, Bravo's Top Chef), Brian Boitano (Food Network), Daniel Green (ShopNBC), Luciene Salomone (WE tv), Amy Paffrath (E! Entertainment Television), Jeannie Mai (Style Network), Kevin Roberts (TLC), and Aida Mollenkamp (Food Nework, Cooking Channel). More presenters to be announced shortly.

JUDGES

The Judges Panel for 2011 has been expanded from 85 to over 200 industry experts, gurus, peers, and media.

Judges are from organizations such as 944 MAGAZINE, About.com, America One Television, Bel-Air MAGAZINE, Blogcritics.org, Bloomingdale's, Chicagoist, Frommers.com, Los Angeles Downtown News, Plate MAGAZINE, San Francisco Professional Food Society, Scripps Networks, SF Station.com, SFist (Gothamist), Slow Food Seattle, Styleite.com, Technorati, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), The Orange County Register., Variety MAGAZINE, and Yahoo! Inc.

To view a current list of judges, go to www.TastyAwards.com. (Photo Above: Awards Presenter Jeannie Mai (Style Network))

AWARDS AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD

The historic Egyptian Theatre was the first major deluxe movie palace in Hollywood (built in 1922, by Sid Grauman, also of Grauman's Chinese Theatre). The theatre is home to the critically acclaimed American Cinematheque, which completed a major renovation of the property in 1998. The Egyptian Theatre is a state-of-the-art theatre within a historic shell, and features its original, ornate sunburst ceiling and other artwork; the Steven Spielberg theatre; and a stylish open-air, palm tree lined courtyard. Well-known to Red Carpet aficionados, it regularly hosts special events, screenings, Hollywood premieres, and annual film festivals. Located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, the Egyptian Theatre is near the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel and other historic theaters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Early Advance TASTY Awards Tickets are now available.

OTHER NEWS

In other news, the Committee has selected Qure, as the Official Water of the TASTY Awards, and Pure Dark (tm) as the Official Premium Chocolate of the TASTY Awards.

Food and Wine TASTE-OFF

August 11, 2010
6:30 - 8pm
The Press Club
20 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco, California 94103

Foodies, it's time for your close up!

Do you think a TOP CHEF Judge's job looks like fun? In this case, it will be, because you will be the Judge.

If you love pairing Food and Wine, join TasteTV at The Press Club as it films its 1st Annual Wine & Food Pairing TASTE-OFF.

The Press Club is the San Francisco stylish and modern wine bar, lounge and event space that "summarizes the best of San Francisco's wine scene."

At the Taste-Off, attendees will sample six great food & wine combinations, and help Press Club decide the best new pairing to put on their lounge menu. Attendees will judge seasonal plates paired with four reds and two whites from their six, Northern California partnered wineries: Miner Family Vinyards, Fritz, Saintsbury, Mount Eden Vinyards, Hanna, and Chateau Montelena.

August 11th, 6:30-8:00pm. You be the Judge.

Tickets are Advance Purchase, Space is Limited. Go to:
http://tasteoff-pressclub2010.eventbrite.com/

The Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON Captivates the Northwest on July 11th

Tastebuds rejoice in the Northwest!

SEATTLE, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd Annual SEATTLE LUXURY CHOCOLATE SALON returns on July 11th, 2010 to the beautiful Seattle waterfront, continuing its tradition as the premier chocolate event in the Northwest this millennium. www.SeattleChocolateSalon.com

"Seattle's large variety and selection of artisan chocolate make it a natural destination for chocolate lovers from around the world," notes Lauren Adler of Seattle-based Chocolopolis. "We're looking forward to another great event," adds the Seattle Chocolate Salon's 2009 Best Truffle Winner Dennis Haupt, of Suess Chocolates.

About TasteTV
Chocolate Salon sponsor TasteTV is a leading New Media food, wine and lifestyle network, covering delicious topics ranging from restaurants, food, and wine to chocolate, cooking, fashion, and style. Its videos can be seen online at www.TasteTV.com and on HULU.com. TasteTV Chocolate Salons take place in locations such as San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Napa, Las Vegas and Chicago. TasteTV also organizes the TASTY Awards, celebrating the best food and fashion programs on TV, in Film, and on the Web. (www.TastyAwards.com)

Judges Invitations issued for 2011 TASTY Awards

Preparations for the 2011 TASTY Awards are underway, and one of the first orders of business is at hand: the presentation of invitations to the industry gurus and tastemakers who will be this year's judges.

Who will be a judge? How many? Where are they from, what will they say?

The answers are coming soon.

See the full televised show from 2010 on Hulu.com/tasty-awards

TasteTV Events include:

• The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
• The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
• The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
• ChocolateSalon.tv
• The TASTY Awards