Iron Chefs Morimoto, Food Network star Fieri set for AC Food & Wine Fest

ATLANTIC CITY -- The Food & Wine Festival is coming to the Atlantic City Convention Center Oct. 12-14. The festival will feature cooking demonstrations, wine and food tasting from area restaurants, wineries, breweries and more.  Celebrity chefs from around the country, most notably chef Guy Fieri, “The Next Food Network Star” season three winner, who now stars on his own Food Network shows, “Guy’s Big Bite” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” will be creating dishes while entertaining the crowd. Chef Mashaharu Morimoto, of the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” and “Iron Chef America,” whose renowned restaurants include Morimoto in New York, Philadelphia and Atlantic City, will also entertain the crowd with his unique dishes.
At the heart of the festival is a plethora of exhibits for the food lover, including gourmet gifts, kitchen design materials, utensils and appliances, as well as cookbooks, spices and sauces. I’ve been to the festival the past four years and have found a great assortment of holiday and special event gift ideas.
The festival also features more than 200 new wines and 15 specialty beers from the region’s wineries and breweries, with free selections and more gift ideas.
New Jersey restaurants will set up shop in the “Restaurant Row Pavilion” providing free samples of their menu items and offering discounts for in-restaurant dining.  The “Veal Oscar” Awards Competition will reward the festival’s best dish in numerous categories. 
“Spotlighting some of the region’s finest restaurants, wineries, and breweries, this year’s festival promises to be the best ever,” said Chris Myers, director of the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival.  “We are extremely excited to have Guy Fieri, who is sure to wow guests with his food flair and fun, spicy personality.”
Other celebrity chefs scheduled to appear and partake in the live cooking demonstrations include Masharu Morimoto, Adrien Sharp, Tommy Grella, George Kralle, Ron Duprat and chef Lee.
“If you love to eat, love to cook or love to watch the art of other people cooking, the 2007 Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival is a must-attend event,” said Myers.
Tickets for The 2007 Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival can be purchased at the door or online at www.gourmetshows.com/AC.  General admission is $17 before Oct. 7, $25 after.  The Guy Fieri/Morimoto Seating Main Stage (along with admission) is $27 before Oct. 7, $40 after.  The Wine seminar is an additional $20 and the Beer Seminar an additional $10.  The show is open on Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 398-4450 or visit www.gourmetshows.com/AC  for more information.