FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! Five Teams to Compete in Copa Jerez U.S Finals

Chef/sommelier teams will compete to represent the United States at the International Finals in Spain

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sherry Council of America is proud to announce the five finalists chosen to compete in the U.S. finals for 2011 Copa Jerez food and Sherry pairing competition. On October 6th, 2010, these finalists, who are from some of the nation's most renowned restaurants, will showcase their best culinary talents and expertise in Sherry wines before a live panel of four judges in hopes of moving on to the final competition to be held in Spain in January 2011.

The 2010 finalists are:

The Bazaar- Los Angeles; Often referred to as Spain's unofficial ambassador to the U.S., Chef Jose Andres of The Bazaar is known for both avant-garde and traditional Spanish cooking. The Bazaar is famous for its playful atmosphere and sophisticated, Spanish cuisine. Team: Chef Joshua Whigham and Sommelier/Beverage Director Lucas Paya.

The Broadmoor- Colorado Springs; The Broadmoor has been known as an international culinary hub in the western United States since 1918, and its diverse range of restaurants offer everything from classic American cuisine to European fine dining.  Team: Chef Bertrand Bouquin and Sommelier Timothy Baldwin.

Casa Mono- New York City; The menu at Casa Mono is sure to excite with the creative tastes of Chef Andy Nusser and his team. Chef Nusser mixes classic dishes from his fishing village in Spain with a range of adventurous dishes, from cockscombs to pig's feet. Team: Chef Anthony Sasso and Wine Director Ashley Santoro.

La Boca- Santa Fe; One of the most well-known restaurants in Santa Fe, Chef James Caruso's restaurant uses traditional Spanish ingredients but succeeds in showcasing them with a completely different angle. Team: Chef James Campbell Caruso and Sommelier Adam Johnson.

Michy's - Miami; A local favorite in Miami, Chef Michelle Bernstein and her team utilize seasonal ingredients and draw upon local farmers and fisherman to create whimsical bistro dishes, a style she coins as "luxurious comfort food." Team: Chef Michelle Bernstein and Sommelier Allegra Angelo.

"It was a tough decision. The caliber of chefs and sommeliers this year is fantastic, and we look forward to a great Final in New York," said Sonia Smith, director of the Sherry Council of America.  "It's wonderful to see the trend for Sherry growing, as chefs and sommeliers become excited about pairing Sherry with their food."

The U.S. Final will be held as a live cook-off at the Astor Center in New York City, with teams presenting before judges on October 6th. The winning U.S. team will be announced at 8pm.

Now in its fourth year, the Copa Jerez competition is one of Spain's leading culinary events. The winning national teams will compete for the international title this January in Jerez, Spain where renowned chefs and sommeliers from around the world judge the menus.  International chef and sommelier teams from countries such as Japan, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, and France compete with their most innovative recipes and Sherry wine pairings.

Authentic Sherry wine can only come from the Jerez, region in Spain – a town in Spain's southern-most province of Andalucia. Jerez is Spain's oldest wine-making region, with 3500 years of tradition of producing unique wines. Elements unique to this tradition include Jerez's microclimate, experiencing 300 days of sunshine with stiff ocean winds, and the unique chalky soil known as Albariza.

For more information on Copa Jerez 2010, visit our website at www.sherrycouncil.com

Sherry Council of America is the official U.S. representative of the Federacion de Bodegas del Marco de Jerez (Fedejerez), the trade organization for all Sherry producers of the Jerez region of Spain. Based in Washington, D.C., the Council works to expand knowledge of the unique geographic characteristics, rich cultural traditions, and generations of winemaking expertise that are central to creating the distinctive range of flavors found in Sherry wines. The Council also works to raise awareness among U.S. policymakers, consumers, and other audiences about the importance of protecting the Sherry name.

SOURCE Sherry Council of America