FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MENTONE SPRINGS HOTEL LAUNCHES GUEST CHEF SERIES CELEBRATING YEAR OF ALABAMA FOOD
Chef Jason Daniel to showcase local farm community with Valentine's dinner Saturday February 11

Mentone, AL February 6, 2012--- Chef Jason Daniel is no stranger to Southern kitchens and is indeed at home in Alabama. He has been in the food service industry for twenty-five years and played an essential role in the creation of eight restaurants: six in Huntsville, Alabama, 801 Franklin, The Chophouse, Humphries Bar & Grill, Cotton Row Market, Sazio, and Starfish, one in Tuscaloosa – Alabama, DePalma's Italian Café, and one in Athens, Georgia, DePalma's Eastside. 801 Franklin, Starfish and The Chophouse all received The Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine with Chef Jason on board.

"We asked Chef Jason to launch the guest chef series celebrating Valentine's and The Year of Alabama Food, and were so pleased that he was available," said Darlene Rotch, of Mentone Springs Hotel. "We have known Jason and have admired his work for sometime and look forward to having him prepare one of his fabulous meals for our guests.

" The Orlando, Florida native attributes his love of cooking to his mother, Nancy and his Nana, Hilda Leigh, who taught him the value of fresh ingredients and elbow grease at an early age. Whether he's recalling his Nana's passion for bringing the family together in the kitchen or his mother's love of handwritten family recipes, he is a firm believer that comfort and food go hand-in-hand with family and tradition.

Chef Jason will serve a five-course surf and turf prix fixe meal incorporating local vegetables from Mentone's area farmers. The menu includes a miniature Duck Confit Hoe Cake with Satsuma Gastrique and Local Slaw, Dry Creek Farm Braised Greens with Belle Chevre Croutons and Candied Bacon with Honey Citrus Vinaigrette, McEwen and Sons Grit Soufflé with Alabama Gulf Shrimp and Tomato Cream, and Peppercorn Encrusted Beef Tenderloin with Blackberry Reduction and Roasted Root Vegetables.

To top off the meal, he has created a desert using Granny Hester's Sweet Potato Biscuits (Ft.Payne, AL), homemade Praline Ice Cream, and Cici's Chocolate Pound Cake with Macerated Berries and Farm Fresh Whipped Cream.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and price per person is $39. Reservations are required. Please call the Mentone Springs Hotel today at 256.634.4040 to secure your seat at this special event as we celebrate the love we have for the local farm community and the love you have for your sweetheart.

About The Mentone Springs Hotel
The Mentone Springs Hotel was built in 1884 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is listed in the New York Times Best selling book, "1000 Places to Visit Before You Die," and was recently featured in Southern Living Magazine. The all wood Victorian mansion serves as a bed and breakfast to visitors wanting to experience laid-back living Mentone-style. Situated as the centerpiece of the Mentone community on Lookout Mountain, the hotel features wrap around front porches for dining and relaxing, and a trio of fireplaces in the main living room for guests enjoyment. For more information visit www.mentonespringshotel.com, contact us at 256-634-4040, or visit us on Facebook.

Media Contact
Darlene Rotch
Panorama Public Relations
205-531-5181
Darlene@prview.com

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