Campari Announces Sponsorship Of First-ever James Beard Foundation

Campari, the legendary one-of-a-kind red spirit, today announced it will be the presenting sponsor of the James Beard Foundation Awards' first-ever "Outstanding Bar Program Award." The debut award category breaks new ground by recognizing a restaurant or bar that has demonstrated excellence in cocktail, spirits, and/or beer service. This year more than 2,200 entries for this new category were submitted from across the country and 24 semi-finalists were announced by the Foundation.

The James Beard Foundation Awards program is the nation's most prestigious recognition program honoring professionals in the food and beverage industries. This year's awards attracted 57,000 online entries for the Restaurant and Chef Awards including outstanding chef; wine and spirits professionals; best new restaurant; and rising star chef.

"We are honored to present the James Beard Foundation's inaugural Outstanding Bar Program Award," said Jason Daniel, Campari Brand Director, Campari America. "Campari has long enjoyed the passion and loyalty of the bartending community. It gives us great pleasure to shine the spotlight of recognition on these very worthy practitioners of the craft from across the country. With this new award, the stars of the mixology world will take their rightful place alongside their distinguished culinary peers."

The 24 semi-finalists are listed alphabetically by city, as follows:

Alexandria, Va.
- PX
Atlanta, Ga.
- Holeman & Finch Public House
- The Porter Beer Bar
Boston, Mass.
- Drink
Chicago, Ill.
- The Aviary
- The Violet Hour
Houston, Texas
- Anvil Bar & Refuge
Los Angeles, Calif.
- Rivera
Madison, Wis.
- The Old Fashioned
Minneapolis, Minn.
- La Belle Vie
New Orleans, La.
- Arnaud's French 75 Bar
- Cure
New York, N.Y.
- PDT
- Pegu Club
Park City, Utah
- High West Distillery & Saloon
Philadelphia, Pa.
- The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
- Standard Tap
Portland, Ore.
- Clyde Common
Providence, R.I.
- Cook & Brown Public House
San Antonio, Texas
- The Esquire Tavern
San Francisco, Calif.
- Bar Agricole
- Beretta
Seattle, Wash.
- The Zig Zag Caf�
Washington, D.C.
- The Columbia Room

The nominees will be announced on Monday, March 19, 2012 at a press-only event at The Venetian and The Palazzo's Azure Pool in Las Vegas. The winner will be honored at the James Beard Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception on Monday, May 7, 2012 at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York.

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About Campari
Campari is a contemporary classic. Bold, passionate and completely unique, Campari makes a dry and refreshing cocktail that can be enjoyed anytime. The recipe, hand-crafted according to the same secret family recipe invented in Italy in 1860, is the base for some of the most famous cocktails around the world, including the Negroni and the Americano. Campari's unique taste is obtained through an infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit, creating the consummate aperitif. With its distinct red color, aroma and flavor, Campari has always been a symbol of passion.

About the James Beard Foundation
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America's culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary excellence. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. Today, the Beard Foundation continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiati