McKinzey Crossland (is that a great name or what) of the Texas Department of Agriculture is looking for chefs and restaurants across Texas to participate in the Second Annual GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up. Building on the success of last year’s one-day, statewide event, the Round-Up is expanding to one week to better promote chefs who use local ingredients and drive customers into their restaurants. Jump for her full plea:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
06-15-2009
CONTACT:
Bryan Black
Veronica Obregon
Texas Department of Agriculture
(512) 463-7664
Commissioner Staples Calls all Chefs to “Bring Texas to the Table”
AUSTIN -Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is looking for chefs and restaurant owners who buy local to participate in the second annual GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up. During the statewide dine-out, which runs Sept. 28 – Oct. 2, restaurants can offer special Texas menu items, a food and wine pairing, or a Texas wine list. During the weeklong event, consumers around the state will be encouraged to dine out in support of local chefs and Texas farmers and ranchers.
“The GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up celebrates restaurants across Texas that care about serving the freshest local ingredients,” Commissioner Staples said. “Consumers enjoy buying locally grown products, and the GO TEXAN Restaurant Program is a great opportunity for chefs to highlight those Texas items and encourage consumers to dine out in support of local restaurants and producers.”
Launched in January 2008, the GO TEXAN Restaurant Program includes more than 330 establishments, including Wildcatter Steakhouse in Graham, the Bill Miller Bar-B-Q chain and the landmark Driskill Grill in Austin. To qualify, restaurants must be located in Texas and serve Texas products.
Establishments interested in becoming GO TEXAN restaurants and participating in the dine-out week can visit http://www.gotexan.org/restaurantroundup/.
GO TEXAN restaurants receive:
-Connections to local producers and growers;
-Inclusion in GO TEXAN e-zines, Web sites, advertisements, calendars, directories and newsletters;
-Branding opportunities by using the GO TEXAN mark on menus, printed materials and a window decal; and
-Discounted rates to exhibit at events and festivals spotlighting Texas cuisine, and discounted advertising rates for print publications.
A portion of the Restaurant Round-Up’s proceeds will benefit local food banks, which are seeing heavier demand due to the current economic challenges. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural dine-out day, the event has expanded to five days in 2009.
The GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up also kicks off Texas Wine Month in October.
