On Friday, April 6, 2012, Restaurant Kelly Liken will host its “When Masters Unite” winemaker dinner in conjunction with The Taste of Vail 2012, the premier food and wine festival showcasing the region’s finest chefs including celebrity chef Kelly Liken. The venerable chef who has appeared on Food Network’s Iron Chef and Bravo’s Top Chef will present a five course tasting menu (120++) paired with Jack Rabbit Hill wines and CapRock Spirits. “I can’t think of a more ideal pairing than the wine, spirits and food that all originate from the same earth and terroir within Colorado,” Liken says. “I enjoy discovering the nuances in the food, wine and spirits that together bring the flavors and essence of Colorado to the table.”
Colorado winemaker, spirit distiller, and 2012 James Beard award nominee for outstanding wine and spirits professional, Lance Hanson, will make an appearance starting the evening with aperitif cocktails featuring the CapRock Organic Gin and CapRock Organic Vodka. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a selection of passed appetizers to pair with each cocktail. The spirits are all certified organic with water sourced from the “caprock” lava rock formations 20 miles from the distillery. The menu to follow will be hand crafted to reflect the best market ingredients and woven into each course will be a selection of Jack Rabbit Hill wine pairings.
Showcasing his estate grown, certified organic and biodynamic wines, Hanson will feature the 2011 Round Tower White, 2009 M & N, and 2009 Barn Red from his 70-acre farm located in western Colorado’s North Fork Valley. Each have been thoughtfully paired with the menu as prepared by chef and owner Kelly Liken and is entirely inspired by the Rocky Mountain region featuring products and seasonal spring ingredients sourced from Colorado’s finest farmers and purveyors. Made from locally sourced, organic and biodynamic grapes, the wines reflect Colorado’s bourgeoning and versatile terroir. Throughout dinner, Lance will highlight the intricate story behind the distilling process practiced at Peak Spirits as well as will provide insights on Colorado winemaking and the selections for the evening.
Details:
Date: Friday, April 6, 2012 – 6:30 p.m. Reception; 7:30 p.m. Dinner Seating
Reservations are required and can be made by calling Restaurant Kelly Liken at 970.479.0175
Cost: $120++ per person for a five-course pairing menu
Location: RESTAURANT KELLY LIKEN – 12 Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657 at 970.479.0175 www.kellyliken.com
ABOUT KELLY LIKEN:
Kelly Liken is the award-winning chef and owner behind her namesake restaurant located in the world-class resort town of Vail, CO. James Beard nominee for Best Chef Southwest (2009, 2010, 2011), Liken’s enthusiasm and passion for utilizing ingredients unique to the Rocky Mountain region is exemplified in her extraordinary seasonal American fare and customized tasting menus as well as her attention to detail.
Liken works with local farmers, ranchers, and artisan purveyors and can often be found throughout the summer foraging for her own ingredients—many of whom grow or supply ingredients especially for the restaurant—to develop a culinary program that reflects the seasonal bounty of Colorado.
Liken has recently appeared on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Season 7 of Bravo’s Top Chef D.C. Restaurant Kelly Liken is located in the Gateway Building at 12 Vail Rd. at the entrance to Vail Village and is open for dinner seven nights a week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations, which are strongly recommended, call 970.479.0175. Valet parking is provided. Visit the website at www.kellyliken.com for additional information. Interested parties may also keep up with high-altitude happenings via www.facebook.com/restaurantkellyliken or by following Liken on Twitter.