Chef Marechal of Savannah Red a Finalist in the Best Dish in NC Contest!

CHEF JEAN-PIERRE MARECHAL OF SAVANNAH RED

SELECTED AS FINALIST FOR “BEST DISH IN NC” COMPETITION

Special Contest Menu Will Be Featured July 11 Through August 8

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 1, 2011) — Jean-Pierre Marechal, Executve Chef at Savannah Red Restaurant at the Charlotte Marriott City Center, has been selected as a finalist in the 2011 “Best Dish in North Carolina” restaurant contest.  Diners will be able to sample his special menu from July 11 through August 8.

Sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Our State Magazine, the competition recognizes and rewards the efforts of restaurants and chefs who use North Carolina products regularly in their menus. Anonymous judges will visit each finalist to sample the entries and judge each restaurant on its use of North Carolina products, creativity, presentation, taste and promotion. Winners will be announced in November.

Chef Marechal’s “Best Dish in North Carolina” menu features:

Cornbread made with Clyde Valley Farm’s Corn Meal and Kudzu Butter w/ Kudzu Queen Blossom Jelly courtesy of Kudzu Connections Farm

Heirloom Tomato and Bibb Lettuce Salad with Leading Green Farm’s Bibb Lettuce served with Hilda Rico Tipton’s Farm Zebra Stripe Heirloom Tomatoes, Adawehi Farm’s Roasted Garlic, Brioche Croutons and a Looking Glass Creamery Goat Cheese and Port Wine Vinaigrette

Sorbet with Glenreid Farm’s Strawberry with Green Family Thyme and Black Pepper

Piri-Piri Ashley Farm’s Guinea Hen - Spicy Marinated Ashley Farm’s Guinea Hen served with Golden Valley Honey Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Braised Rainbow Swiss Chard from Charlene's Garden Farm and garnished with Edible Violet Flowers from Ann and Russ's Flower Garden in Rutherford County, NC

Krispy Cream Bread Pudding with Makers Mark Caramel Bourbon Sauce and Crème Anglaise

The price of the dinner will be $30.00 per person excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations call: 1-704-358-6524.

Chef Marechal has been creating quite a buzz in Charlotte because of his partnerships with local farmers. He currently has 60 area farms working for him to grow fresh produce and has even inspired some to try growing things they had never harvested before including purple potatoes, purple beans, zucchini blossoms, and more. His contest menu showcases the remarkable variety of fresh, local ingredients from farmers in the region.

About Savannah Red at the Charlotte City Center Marriott:

Savannah Red restaurant in Center City Charlotte is a unique, upscale restaurant that elevates the time-tested flavors of traditional Southern cooking to new heights. Perfectly fusing imagination and wit into the standbys of southern cuisine, Executive Chef Jean-Pierre Marechal creates a culinary experience as striking as the interiors. The bold use of color and modern furnishings -- as well as superb service -- will set the tone for a truly unforgettable meal at Savannah Red. Savannah Red's menu has its roots in the Old South with an added twist of New South sassiness in its offerings. With awe-inspiring dishes, the restaurant has something that will please the most discerning palate. For additional information, visit www.MarriottCityCenter.com.