From New Delhi to Paris: Age Gets Better With Wine Buzz Builds

Wine and health continues to be a hot topic for researchers and oenophiles alike, that's for sure. The evidence? Dr. Richard Baxter's recent speech in New Delhi to the Indian Wine Academy plus the award from Gourmand World Cookbooks giving Baxter's new book "Age Gets Better With Wine: New Science for a Healthier, Better & Longer Life" the nod for Best Wine & Health Book in the United States. Will it be chosen best in the world? Let's just say we're sorely tempted to go to the Paris Cookbook Show in February to find out!

In the meantime, pick up a copy at your local Barnes & Noble or Borders or go to http://bit.ly/BaxterAmazon

Sold Out in Seattle

Kudos to Olivier Wevers, PNB Principal Dancer and Artistic Director of Whim W'him, the new dance company launching this weekend at On The Boards with 3 SOLD OUT performances! Can't remember the last time this has happened in the local dance world. Lots of great buzz online (including today's Daily Candy Weekend Guide) and in print about Olivier.

A big shout out to the folks at Puget Sound Business Journal, Seattle magazine, Seattle Metropolitan, Seattle Times, and Seattle Weekly for cheering WW on! A big thanks also to Stacia at the Mayflower Park as well for housing a last minute visiting Artistic Director.

Margo is a Board Member of Whim W'him and has been marketing with gusto. For more news on Whim W'him keep watching www.whimwhim.org

Better Because Shines on Daily Grommet

Authors of the Book Better Because of You, Cathy Haffner and Ginny Hutchinson, are featured on DailyGrommet.com's blog today with an inspiring bunch of tips on bettering yourself in 2010. Share your own story TODAY on what make's life better, and you may win a copy of this great book that's being snapped-up by industry leaders, CEOs and folks like all of us who are seeking simple tips on making our lives just a little bit better. (Recent author appearances at Nordstrom stores have attracted hundreds and hundreds of people hungry for this kind of info.)

Daily Grommet's editor wrote, "We recently found inspiration in the story of two women, Ginny Hutchinson and Cathy Haffner, who’ve launched a movement they call better because. These two friends and former bankers recently left their high-powered corporate jobs and created better because -- a platform, they say, for inspiring positive change through individual actions. Today, they’re sharing a post based on their book better because of you (and giving away a copy to one lucky reader). Hope it inspires you as we dive into a new decade!"

Thanks Daily Grommet! Click on the blog title above to read the story about Better Because... and don't forget to share what makes your life better.

1/28/10 NEWS

SPUR CHEFS BRIAN MCCRACKEN AND DANA TOUGH HONORED WITH TOP RISING CHEF STATUS BY GAYOT (Five, Make that Six, Chefs Chosen Nationally for the Award)

Seattle, WA -- The Chefs of Spur got the nod from industry leader Gayot publications today, being designated together as "one" of the country's Top Five Rising Chefs.

Gayot just announced, "While their peers were partying and procrastinating, these chefs kept their eyes on the culinary prize and paid their dues at an early age. As a result, they are now top chefs at restaurants across the country before their thirtieth birthdays. This year, we have actually discovered six talented young professionals, as two of them form a powerful pair despite their tender years. Look for these half-dozen chefs to continue their culinary careers as top toques in restaurants near you, as well as on television."

Highlights of the editor's review read, "The fresh, creative menu by chef-owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough stretches culinary boundaries and appeals to adventurous palates with bold, concentrated flavors and surprising textures."

Also included in Gayot's Top Rising Chef line up with Spur's McCracken and Tough were Kevin Gillespie of Top Chef Season 6 fame and Woodfire Grill (Atlanta), Summer Genetti of Palace (Cincinnati), Daniel Giusti of 1789 Restaurant (D.C.), and Sylvain Delpique of David Burke Townhouse (New York). Read about the awards at: http://www.gayot.com/best-restaurants/bestyoungchefs.html

Brian McCracken and Dana Tough are the chefs of both Spur Gastropub and Tavern Law. Spur Gastropub has been honored on Food & Wine's magazine's "Go List" of the world's best restaurants and Condè Nast Traveler's "Hot List" of best places around the world. Food & Wine also included Spur in the “Where to Go Next” feature on the country’s six best gastropubs to visit and described Spur’s salmon as having “the ultimate silkiness”. In addition to being cited for the best dishes and drinks of 2008 and 2009 by Seattle magazine, The Seattle Weekly and The Seattle Times-- Seattle Metropolitan magazine recognizes Spur as having "some of the most innovative mixed drinks in town". Seattle magazine described them as having "the most delicious barhopping snack” and Draft magazine put Spur on their list of Five Best New Gastropubs.

GAYOT.com publishes news and reviews on the best restaurants, hotels, spas, travel destinations, movies, automobiles and other lifestyle topics. Gayot Publications also produces www.novusvinum.com (for the wine and spirits enthusiast), www.thefoodpaper.com (comprehensive epicurean information) and www.qualiteas.com (a delicious brew of tea products, books and shops).

Photos are available for press use. Media inquiries to Kat and Margo at spellmans@spurseattle.com 206.755-2341 and on Twitter @KatSpellman