Chef Jo�l Antunes Invited To Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival

ATLANTA (February 19, 2008) - Chef Jo�l Antunes has been selected to be a guest chef at the prestigious Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival. This invitation is extended to only 35 chefs throughout the world and provides a unique opportunity for Chef Antunes to showcase his subtle blends of French, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine.

The first annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2008 through Sunday, March 30, 2008 on the beautiful Pebble Beach coastal strip in Pebble Beach, CA. The festival will host 35 internationally-acclaimed chefs as well as 200 of the world's most prominent wineries. The gorgeous setting combined with world-class chefs and wineries will provide an unparalleled food and wine experience for all. Guests are invited to take advantage of several premium packages (Jeroboam, starting at $2,000 and Imperial, starting at $4,750) or to enjoy individual items such as cooking demos, wine tastings, lunches and dinners a la carte starting at $100.

With the purchase of an Imperial Premier VIP Package, the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival will donate $1,000 in your name to the charities of the weekend and you will receive special name recognition in the event program for your generosity. Charities include the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, whose mission is to inspire and empower the youth of Monterey County to realize their full potential to become responsible, healthy, productive and successful citizens, and CASA of Monterey County, an organization dedicated to the safety, well-being and best interests of the children in the Dependency System of Monterey County.

Tickets are available at www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com, or you can call 1.866.907.3663 for more information. Reservations at one of four luxurious resorts (The Inn at Spanish Bay, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Casa Palmero or The Beach and Tennis Club) can be made through Tonyia Sampognaro at tonyia@pebblebeachfoodandwine.com.

Since 2001, national accolades for JO�L include "Best New Restaurant" by Esquire Magazine and one of "America's Best Restaurants" by Gourmet Magazine. Regional awards include being named one of Atlanta Magazine's top 100 restaurants. Chef Antunes, after being nominated in 2003 and 2004, won the James Beard Foundation Award for "Best Chef - Southeast" in 2005. In Oct. 2007 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution awarded JO�L the highest honor in the city - their coveted five-star rating.
JO�L is located at 3290 Northside Parkway in the Piazza at Paces just .5 miles off the West Paces Ferry exit of Highway 75. Complimentary valet is available during peak times; otherwise, ample self-parking is available in the adjacent office building. For information or reservations call 404.233.3500 or visit www.joelrestaurant.com.

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