The Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival

The Strater Hotel's Executive Chef Dave Cuntz has received and accepted a very special invitation to be a Three-Day-Exhibitor at the 2008 Food Network South Beach (SOBE) Wine and Food Festival this February 22nd - 24th.

"The SOBE festival has become one of the largest and most publicized event of its kind.  The national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcases the talents of the world's most renowned wine and spirts producers, chefs and culinary personalities."  What an honor and a pleasure it will be to bring the Strater Hotel and Durango to such a massive new arena/audience.  Besides being asked to be The Strater's Executive Chef, this opportunity ranks highest on the list of Chef Dave's greatest and professional achievements.  He has always aspired to be recognized on a national level and get the opportunity to meet, collaborate with and learn from the best in the business.  The SOBE festival is just the place, and it comes fresh of the heels of another wonderful invitation extended to him this past April, when he was featured as a main stage demonstrator at the 2007 29th Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival.  This has certainly become a most stellar 40th year for Chef Dave.  Not only has it brought about new culinary adventures and culture, it is boosting his career at The Historic Strater Hotel and Durango's culinary scene to new levels of distinction.  Chef Dave's updated bio, resume, professional photo and additional computer links are avaiaable for review upon request.

At the SOBE festival Chef Dave and Executive Sous Chef Jason Hayner plan to prepare the Strater's Signature Pepper Steak Herbert, wich are pan seared or grilled filet medallions, with a peppered mango chutney.  The dish has been a local favorite in Durango for many years and should prove to go over well.

Come visit the Mahogany Grill today to try Chef Dave's Pepper Steak Herbert, don't miss out on what the nation will be talking about!

WISH AND THE HOTEL CELEBRATE SOBE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL 2008

WITH TWO NIGHTS OF CULINARY MAGICWish Chef Michael Bloise and Guest Chef Dave Cuntz dish up delights To celebrate the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Chef Michael Bloise of Wish at The Hotel of South Beach and guest chef Dave Cuntz of the historic Strater Hotel in Durango, Colorado, are preparing two nights of culinary magic sure to please.  “It’s always an adventure having another chef in your own kitchen,” says Bloise, who is hosting Chef Cuntz while he’s in town for the festival.  “Dave’s style and mind are different enough to create a cool contrast and it was a lot of fun coming up with these events.”   For the first, an elegant rooftop pool party at The Hotel, taking place on Saturday, February 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., for $90 per person, Bloise and Cuntz will dish up an endless array of sumptuous goodies from the grill, with selections to include Italian sausage and Thai basil crostini, paella Italiana and beer-BBQ chicken skewers, among others. The party will offer pristine views of the ocean, a towering raw bar, cool lounge music and open wine bar.   For those looking for a true culinary adventure, the duo is offering a fabulous five-course tasting menu at Wish on Sunday, February 24.  Priced at $110 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), the menu brilliantly melds Bloise’s eclectic style with Cuntz’s internationally-influenced New American cooking. 

Menu below: 

*Lemongrass-Yellow Corn Vichyssoise with Blue Crab, Sweet Pea Sprouts,and Enoki Mushrooms

*Jumbo Sea ScallopFennel Pollen, Jalapeno Rice Cake, and Orange Julius Cream Sauce

*Crispy Rock ShrimpCilantro, Chinese Sausage Aioli, and Red Snapper Chips

*Garam Masala Grilled Foxfire Farms Lamb ChopPotato Latke with Asparagus Studs and Truffled Tomato Fondue

*Frozen Goat Cheese and Pistachio ParfaitHuckleberries and Sweet Beet Syrup 

The Saturday grilling and chilling event is limited to 100 guests.  The special Sunday collaborative dinner will be served at Wish during regular dinner hours, 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Reservations recommended for both.  Valet and municipal parking available.  Telephone: (305) 674-9474.   www.wishrestaurant.com.