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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 5, 2005

CONTACT: Mary E. Power, President & CEO
Convention Industry Council
(703) 610-9030

APEX FOOD & BEVERAGE CHALLENGE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

McLean, VA – January 5, 2005 – On December 21, 2004 a group of distinguished professional food and beverage editors and critics met in New York City to judge the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) first annual APEX Food & Beverage Challenge.

CIC invited all industry members to participate in the 2004 Challenge by submitting an original recipe in one of the six categories. Aimed to highlight the incredible talent within the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry, gold, silver and bronze level winners were chosen based on creativity, presentation and the best application of at least one APEX principle (ease/efficiency, time savings, cost savings, high standards and consistency).

In addition, all entries were highlighted on the CIC website throughout October 2004. Meeting planners across the industry were encouraged to vote on their favorite entry in each category. The entries that received the most votes were named the winners of the “Planners Choice” Award.

“We had a great first year,” said Mary E. Power, president and CEO of CIC. “We received 37 entries from chefs and food and beverage directors from hotels, conference centers, catering companies and convention centers from across the globe. We are thrilled with the turn out.”

CIC is happy to announce the winners of the first annual APEX Food & Beverage Challenge.

Appetizer:

Gold
APEX Ponzu Marinated Tuna Won Ton submitted by Scott Lahey of the North Maple Inn

Silver
Seared Tuna APEXtizer submitted by Duff Allen of the Meydenbauer Center

Bronze
Tomato at its APEX submitted by Philippe Trosch of the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

Planner’s Choice
Seared Tuna APEXtizer submitted by Duff Allen of the Meydenbauer Center

Salad:

Gold
Crab and Scallop Galette with Apex Greens, Truffle Vinaigrette & Remoulade submitted by Eric Neri of the Don CeSar Beach Resort

Silver
APEX Caesar Salad submitted by Kevin Philp of Delta Chelsea

Bronze
Mixed Greens, Asparagus, Oranges, Asiago Cheese and Fried Goat Cheese w/ Hoisin Balsamic Vinaigrette submitted by Jayaprakash Alagarsamy of the Greensboro-High Point Marriott

Planner’s Choice
Mixed Greens, Asparagus, Oranges, Asiago Cheese and Fried Goat Cheese w/ Hoisin Balsamic Vinaigrette submitted by Jayaprakash Alagarsamy of the Greensboro-High Point Marriott

Entrée:

Gold
APEX Ginger-Crusted Roasted Lamb Sirloin submitted by Daniel Bruce of Hilton Hotels

Silver
APEX Crispy Skin Salmon with Smoked Tomato Broth and Roasted Portobello Mushrooms submitted by Scott Lahey of the North Maple Inn

Bronze
APEX Vegetable Pave' submitted by Mark R. McCaskey, CMP & Chef Stephan Toevs of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott

Planner’s Choice
The APEX Political Promise “Two Chicken Lobsters in Every Pot!” submitted by Chef Anthony Troio of the Babson Executive Conference Center

Dessert:

Gold
APEX Vanilla Pepper Brulee with Port Poached Fig and Balsamic Reduction submitted by Scott Lahey of the North Maple Inn

Silver
APEX Pistachio Chocolate Torte submitted by Mark R. McCaskey, CMP & Chef Patrick Gerac of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott

Bronze
APEX Pie submitted by David Ramirez & Michael Waki of Loews Hotels

Planner’s Choice
APEX Pistachio Chocolate Torte submitted by Mark R. McCaskey, CMP & Chef Patrick Gerac of the Woodlands Waterway Marriott

Cocktail:

Gold
APEX Pacific Paradise submitted by David Ramirez & Michael Waki of Loews Hotels

Silver
APEX Pacific Breeze Martini submitted by David Ramirez & Michael Waki of Loews Hotels

Bronze
Berry APEX-tation submitted by Jeffrey Klein & the Nautilus Bar & Grill Team of the Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Planner’s Choice
Berry APEX-tation submitted by Jeffrey Klein & the Nautilus Bar & Grill Team of the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Other:

Gold & Planner’s Choice
Papaya-APEX Sunrise submitted by Martin T. Batis of the Loews Coronado Bay Resort

“Judging was extremely difficult,” says Robert Prewitt, APEX Challenge judge and a Partner at Dana Communications. “The talent that has been displayed through this competition is extraordinary. All entrants should be very proud.”

In addition to being recognized in the January edition of the monthly APEX E-News, all winners will be featured on the Convention Industry Council’s website throughout the month of January.

A dinner and ceremony with the panel of judges is also schedule to be held for all Gold Award winners in January 2005 in New York City. For a full description of all awards Click Here.

Details on the second annual APEX Food & Beverage Challenge will be posted on the CIC website in the next several months. Visit www.conventionindustry.org for more information.

APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange), an initiative of the Convention Industry Council, is developing and implementing industry-wide accepted practices which are creating and enhancing efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

The Convention Industry Council's 31 member organizations represent more than 98,000 individuals and 15,000 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Formed in 1949 to provide a forum for member organizations seeking to enhance the industry, the CIC facilitates the exchange of information, develops programs to promote professionalism within the industry, and educates the public on its profound economic impact. In addition to the APEX initiative, the CIC is also responsible for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program. Other programs include Project Attrition, the Hall of Leaders, and the CIC Economic Impact Study.

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©2004 Convention Industry Council
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