Visit Saint Paul to Launch Culinary Competition at US Figure Skating Championships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 14, 2016

Contact:

Nick Cusick, Marketing & Media Relations Manager

P: 651.265.4907 | C: 651.341.9422 | ncusick@visitsaintpaul.com

Adam Johnson, Vice President of Marketing & Media Relations

P: 651.265.4904 | C: 651.226.5403 | ajohnson@visitsaintpaul.com

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Nine Saint Paul restaurants will compete for three titles during the Taste of the Championships, a culinary competition organized by Visit Saint Paul that will take place during the 2016 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships from Jan. 15-24.

While the best skaters in the country compete at the Xcel Energy Center, uniquely-created, figure skating-inspired entrées will be offered by Citizen Supper Club, Great Waters Brewing Company, Kincaid’s, Pazzaluna, Rival House, The St. Paul Grill, Sakura, Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub and Vieux Carré.

“Iconic sporting events like the U.S. Figure Skating Championships showcase our city and our members,” said Terry Mattson, President and CEO of Visit Saint Paul. “These nine restaurants stepped up to support Saint Paul in the national spotlight. We know fans will support them.”

This entrée competition last took place in Saint Paul in 2011 during the Taste of the Visa Championships where legendary Olympic coach Bela Karolyi was the celebrity judge. The 2016 version of the Taste of the Championships will be judged by 1988 Olympic gold medalist and foodie Brian Boitano and friends after sampling the entrées on the evenings of Wednesday, Jan. 20, and Thursday, Jan. 21. Boitano hosted his own Food Network show “What Would Brian Boitano Make?” for two seasons from 2009-2010.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this unique Taste of the Championships promotion,” Boitano said. “It is a perfect pairing of my two loves - figure skating and culinary creativity.”

The dishes will be judged on creativity, taste and nutritional value with a medal for each category. The winners will be announced at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, Jan. 23.

The nine participating restaurants and their entrées:

• Citizen Supper Club: “Kiss & Cry” - Sicilian Style sweet and spicy wild striped bass, bulgur wheat, oil-cured olives, roasted artichoke, fennel & orange. A 6-ounce-skin-on-filet of wild striped bass is sautéed until crispy. The bulgur is heated with garlic, chilis, roasted artichoke hearts, roasted fennel. It is finished with fennel pollen, orange segments and extra virgin olive oil. $24.
• Great Waters Brewing Company: “’Tano Jump Pork Tenderloin” - 4 oz. grilled pork tenderloin served on a bed of Minnesota Wild Rice and sautéed vegetables including spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, red onion, and tomatoes. $13.95.
• Kincaid’s: “Signature move Seared Ahi” - Togarashi and Sesame crusted Ahi served on a bed of coconut jasmine rice with Thai Curry Sauce. Finished with limes, red pepper and cilantro. $31.95.
• Pazzaluna: "Trip Jump Bell Pepper Risotto" - Braised beef brisket on smoked bell pepper risotto. $28.
• Rival House: "Season's Best" - Citrus broiled salmon, braised spinach, farro with mushrooms. $18.
• The St. Paul Grill: "Triple Axel Seafood Linguine" - Shrimp, Mussels, Sea Bass and Halibut tossed in a Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce with Fresh Linguine. $35.95.
• Sakura: "Cherry Flip Bento Box" - Fresh sashimi and asparagus beef roll grilled with ginger sauce. Japanese style egg omelet and steamed rice and a salad with Japanese dressing. $15 or $25 with souvenir take-home bento box.
• Tom Reid’s: "Waltz Jump Walleye" - Minnesota’s favorite ice-fishing prize, the walleye, is set on a bed of Kale salad and topped with mango salsa. Combined with spicy wild rice you are left with an unforgettable combination of sweet, savory, and spice. $17.95.
• Vieux Carré: "From the Ice Blackened Walleye" - Blackened Great Lakes walleye, ancient grains bar, local honey, collard greens, herb yogurt and chervil. $21.

For media opportunities, including on-site or in-studio filming with chefs and entrées, contact Nick Cusick at 651.265.4907 or ncusick@visitsaintpaul.com. For more information on Taste of the Championships, go to www.visitsaintpaul.com/taste.

About Visit Saint Paul:

Visit Saint Paul, formerly the Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority, was founded in 1927 as the Saint Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau, making it one of the oldest destination marketing organizations in the United States. The mission of the organization is to generate economic growth for Saint Paul by effectively marketing the RiverCentre campus, Saint Paul and the region as a preferred convention and tourism destination. Visit Saint Paul oversees management of the Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention Center and Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

About the U.S. Figure Skating Championships:

The U.S. Championships serve as the final qualifying events to make the U.S. World Figure Skating Team and the U.S. Olympic Team. The U.S. Figure Skating Championships attract more than 1,600 athletes, coaches, officials and over 110,000 fans annually to the host community and have generated up to $30 million in economic impact for recent host cities. The annual event, held since 1914, is the nation's most prestigious figure skating event, with past winners include Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton. The city of Saint Paul also hosted the 2008 U.S. Championships. Champions included 2010 Olympians Mirai Nagasu, Evan Lysacek, and Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.