Regional Meeting Luncheon and/or Fam, Irvine, CA

International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
 Regional  Members Luncheon
 June 18 – Luncheon Only
 June 18-19 Luncheon & Fam Tour
 Hyatt Regency Irvine,  CA

 Please join me in June  for our annual SoCal Members annual summertime luncheon on June 18, 2012.  This year it will be sponsored by Destination Irvine and held at the Hyatt Regency, Irvine. If you have already responded, you do not need to do so again.  If you have not  responded, spots are now limited.  Please reserve your place NOW. This opportunity has been expanded to California, Nevada and Arizona members.

The event comes in two parts.

The luncheon on June 18 is  limited to 15 IFWTWA members (no spouses or guests) and is free. It would  great if attendees would Facebook, Tweet, blog,  or write a short article about their visit to the property.  The second part is an overnight Fam Tour open to 8 of the 15 members who attend the luncheon. Fam Tour participants must be able to place an article about their experience.

Selection for the Fam Tour will be based on your ability to place articles that promote the itinerary below and your updated IFWTWA member profile. Because this is a short  regional  “drive-in” luncheon and Fam, there is no airfare or gas allowance, however those driving in from Arizona and Nevada may opt to come in one day early (comped).

Please send an email to Linda Kissam at  lindakissam@aol.com  no later than May 18, 2012, with any questions or  confirming whether you want to come only to the regional luncheon or would like to do both the luncheon and the Fam Tour. If you will not attend the luncheon unless you are selected for the Fam Tour, please indicate that in your email. If you want to attend the overnight Fam Tour, please tell me where you will be placing your article(s). Of course TV and radio placements are accepted in lieu of an article. Confirmed guests will be sent a confirmation no later than June 4, 2012.

Destination Irvine invites members of the International Food, Wine & Travel  Association to experience the center of Orange County, CA, June 18 for a group luncheon or 18-19 for an overnight Fam Tour.

Irvine offers visitors shopping, golf, diverse dining, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, and  family-friendly activities. Just minutes from the area’s popular beaches and world-famous attractions − Irvine is the ideal location for a true Southern California experience!Because of Irvine’s international community, restaurants also offer favorites from Chile to China,  with a concentration of fast, friendly Asian restaurants you might only expect on the Pacific Rim. Irvine offers foodies true global “cuising,” with a wide election of foods from India, Persia, Thailand, Vietnam and other distant shores: the chance to dine around the world in just over 40 square  miles.

Luncheon Only  Itinerary

Monday, June 18

11:30 a.m. Greeting in the Hyatt lobbyIrvine’s only AAA four-diamond property.

11:45 a.m. Tour of the property

12:15-1:30 p.m. Lunch at the 6ix Park Grill

Boasting a stunning design with a menu featuring California Coastal Cuisine including prime cuts of meat, local seafood and market-fresh produce.

Short presentation by Linda Kissam on IFWTWA activities

Luncheon and Fam Itinerary

Monday, June 18

11:30 a.m. Greeting in the Hyatt lobby Irvine’s only AAA four-diamond property.

11:45 a.m. Tour of the property

12:15-1:30 p.m. Lunch at the 6ix Park Grill

Boasting a stunning design with a menu featuring California Coastal Cuisine including prime cuts of meat, local seafood and market-fresh produce.

1:45 Writers staying overnight check in at the Hyatt

3-6 p.m. Cooking class at The Wine Artist

Taste of Thailand (includes Spring Rolls, Pad Thai, Chicken Curry, Mango Sticky Rice) MJ Hong, owner of The Wine Artist, a private event venue and winery for hosting private events, will led
the cooking class. MJ have always had a passion for entertaining and cooking and  when she purchased The Wine Artist 2 years ago, she incorporated cooking classes  to teach others how to entertain with food and wine by introducing themed based  recipes such as: Taste of Italy, Taste of Spain, Sushi Party, Taste of France, Taste of India, etc.

Attire: Comfortable clothing as they will be cooking and if possible, closed toe shoes.

7-9 p.m. Dinner at Pizzeria
Ortica by Chef David Meyers at South Coast Plaza

Chef David Myers has a passion for Neapolitan-style pizza and the rich, rustic flavors found in
southern Italy-succulent antipasti, vibrant salads, hand-made pastas and  wood-fired pizza. Traditional cooking techniques are paired with fresh, locally sourced ingredients plus select wines and artful cocktails. Experience la dolce vita at Pizzeria Ortica in South Coast Plaza.

South Coast Plaza is the crown jewel of luxury shopping on the West Coast and is recognized international for its unparalleled collections of more than 250 boutiques, award-winning
restaurants, spas and adjacent world-renowned Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Tuesday, June 19

8 a.m. – Breakfast on own

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Bean to Bar Chocolate Tour and Tasting at the Qzina Institute of Chocolate and Pastry. Attendees will start their morning by meeting corporate chef, Francois Mellet, who will take them through the process of making chocolate from the bean to the bar. After learning how to roast, winnow, grind, refine and  conche, Francois will guide you through their chocolate tasting library where you can taste chocolate from their farmer-known fine flavored cacao beans. As the grand finale, you’ll get to see their world record breaking chocolate sculpture, over 18,000 lbs. of solid chocolate carved into a replica of the ancient Mayan temple, Kukulkan at Chichen Itza!

About Qzina Specialty Foods

Qzina Specialty Foods is the premier importer and distributor of specialty chocolate, pastry and dessert ingredients in North America, catering to the food service, hospitality and bakery trade. Founded in 1982 by CEO Richard Foley, Qzina has a rich 30-year history in the world of chocolate and pastry. The company’s broad range of products is supported by a sales team of pastry chefs with an unsurpassed knowledge of product application and a unique level of industry experience. Qzina is headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida and operates 10 locations across North America, including a sourcing office in Belgium.

About Qzina Institute of Chocolate & Pastry

Located in Irvine, California, the Qzina Institute of Chocolate & Pastry is a world-class
destination for chocolatiers, pastry chefs and food enthusiasts. The Qzina Institute features a state-of-the-art training center, demonstration auditorium, research and development test kitchen, and a Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Lab. Also at the institute is a showroom displaying Qzina’s industry-leading brands where customers can select and order the best products from America’s largest
collection of professional chocolate, dessert and pastry ingredients. The Qzina Institute hosts frequent product demonstrations and presentations led by top pastry chefs and master chocolatiers. Weekly classes and a half-day version of the Bean-to-Bar Experience will also be available for food enthusiasts beginning in early summer 2012.

12-1 p.m. Lunch at Itriya Café, Spaghetti & Ssam

The 21st Century’s bold  answer to classic spaghetti and noodle restaurants. Acclaimed restaurateur
Howard Gordon of Cheesecake Factory fame with renowned fashion designer Jenny Lee have combined food and design to usher in a fresh era and a new twist on popular ethnic comfort food. This lifestyle casual dining concept serves multicultural fusion food in a relaxed, fun and imaginative atmosphere. Itriya is aid to be the first know word meaning pasta. The word was
derived from Arabic, Hebrew and Greek languages.

1-2 p.m. Experience Diamond Jamboree

A multicultural dining and shopping experience; featuring a range of services and dining destinations to please every palate, the center is representative of Irvine. A unique Southern California destination that brings together a variety of cuisines and international flavors.

2 p.m. FAM is over

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Linda Kissam
Board Member:
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)SoCal Regional Membership Corrdinator
lindakissam@aol.com
951-526-4540