Amanda Smith Caterers: Amanda Pilar Smith is the owner and operator of Amanda Smith Caterers, a catering and event planning company established in 2002.

Originally from Mexico, Amanda is a graduate of Cornell University’s Hotel and Restaurant School, where she also received a Masters in Agriculture Economics.

Amanda honed her skills in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Africa before moving back to her native Mexico to work for the multi-national company Del Monte Fresh Produce. There she traveled from coast to coast on the hunt for quality produce to export to the United States, Europe, and Japan.

In 1996, she moved to Paris where she researched and wrote a book about the open-air food markets and their impact on the city’s culture. The book, Paris in a Basket (Könemann, 2000), is fully illustrated with more than 70 recipes and 400 photographs by Amanda and co-author Nicolle Meyer.

Amanda Smith Caterers has catered events for as many as 1,000 guests for prestigious private, corporate and non-profit clients including Aeromexico; Alice Temperley; American Illustration + Photography; Central Park Conservancy; Community Voices Heard; Dominican Republic Tourism Board; Greg Carr Foundation; Head Start; Latin Vision Media; Little John Contemporary; Dine, Murphy, Wood Architects; Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust; Plum Blossoms Gallery; The Rockefeller Group; US Mexico Chamber of Commerce and WITNESS.

Amanda lives in CT with her daughter Maruca and is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. Go the her website www.amandasmithcaterers.com

BMI is a performing right organization: It collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.

As a performing right organization, BMI issues licenses to various users of music, including television and radio stations and networks; new media, including the Internet and mobile technologies such as ringtones and ringbacks; satellite audio services like XM and Sirius; nightclubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants and other venues; digital jukeboxes; and live concerts. It then tracks public performances of its members' music, and collects and distributes licensing revenues for those performances as royalties to the more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers it represents, as well as the thousands of creators from around the world who have chosen BMI for representation in the U.S.

BMI currently represents some more than 6.5 million compositions — a number that is constantly growing. As a result, BMI has, over the years, sought out and implemented a number of technological innovations in its continuing effort to gather the most accurate information available about where, when and how its members' compositions are used as well as ensuring that payment to those whose works have been performed is made in as precise and timely a manner as possible.

Heineken USA the premiere beer importer in the United States. Brewed since 1863, Heineken was the first imported beer to reach America's shores in the 1880s and following the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Since our inception in 1995, Heineken USA has been a leader in the imported beer segment. Go to site www.heineken.com

Moët Hennessy USA is the leading importer and marketer of luxury wines and spirits in the U.S. The Moët Hennessy portfolio includes renowned brands such as: Hennessy Cognac; Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart champagnes; Belvedere vodka; 10 Cane Rum; Grand Marnier; Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt Scotch whiskies; and fine wines, including Chateau d'Yquem, Cheval des Andes, Green Point, Terrazas de Los Andes, Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay, Newton Vineyard and Domaine Chandon California sparkling among others. Moët Hennessy has a strong consumer focus with an uncompromising commitment to building luxury brands.

Nuvo Sparkling Liqueur The worlds first Sparkling Liqueur that celebrates “Joie de vivre”, the Joy of life. Nuvo is the ultimate in refinement. Nuvo’s delicate fruity taste, distinctive pink colour and enchanting bottle allow you to experience a whole new array of sensations like never before.

Made in France with a premium Vodka base, Nuvo then combines a touch of wine, Chardonnay and pinot noir to be exact, raspberry and peach nectar and just enough bubbles!

For more information go to: Nuvo Sparkling Liqueur

Valhorna Chocolates

The story of Le Grand Chocolat begins in 1922 with the creation of the Chocolaterie du Vivarais in Tain l’Hermitage by a pâtissier named Albéric Guironnet. Building on its reputation for tradition and its strong commitment to pâtissiers, bakers and confectioners, and the quality of its products, in 1947, the company changed its name to Valrhona (derived from the Rhone Valley). In 1984, Valrhona turned its attention to non-professional customers by offering a range of delicious creations. Five years later into the 1990s, the company expanded its offerings of exclusive products and services to professionals from the culinary world..

The École du Grand Chocolat, created in 1989 by the celebrated pastry chef and chocolatier Frédéric Bau, is without doubt the best example of Valrhona’s commitment to its clients. A top-flight training and research center for professionals seeking inspiration from all four corners of the world, it is also open to non-professional food enthusiasts who are interested in discovering the secrets of the great chefs and Le Grand Chocolat.

In 2006, Valrhona created its Taste Foundation in line with the company’s philosophy to only seek economic gain achieved through environmently sound practices that benefit the good of society. The Foundation’s activities underline the brand’s ongoing commitment to use its pursuit for excellence in the service of sustainable and harmonious development that is shared by one and all.

Today, with production still centralized in Tain l’Hermitage and an international presence driven by innovation, Valrhona serves over 13,000 clients - with whom the brand has built a special relationship that distinguishes it out from the competition – across over 73 countries. The story of Valrhona is, in fact, a long tale about TASTE. Expertise of fine cacao beans and mastery of taste, pâtisserie creation, and in-depth understanding of the culinary trade, are the key factors in the Valrhona success story.

Nora S. Favelukes entered the wine trade in her native Argentina in 1984. Early professional credits include the post of Export Director at Bodegas Navarro Correas in Buenos Aires and, as of 1988, as New York-based East Coast Sales Manager for Vinos Argentinos.

After a year and a half with Vinos Argentinos, Ms. Favelukes was appointed National Sales Manager for Billington Distributors and was responsible for the introduction of Bodegas Catena to the United States before going on to launch her own business in 1995: Quantum Wines, a consulting firm devoted to the nationwide public relations, marketing and sales of imported fine wines.

From 1995 through 2000, Ms. Favelukes held the position of Director Fine Wines for Palm Bay Imports. She has also represented Bodegas Valentin Bianchi in Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Today, she is consulting for WLIW (PBS NY); is the US representative for Wines of Argentina and is in charge of the Wines of Uruguay Public Relations’ account, and is a consultant for foreign producers and with importing companies in the United States.

Valentin Bianchi: Over the years, the family of Don Valentin Bianchi has been developing the integration of two large scale attempts which today reflect their enterprise: to produce Wines and Champagne of maximum quality and to achieve it by arranging all the production factors at their best. This has meant growing vines of selected vine stocks, using a suitable technology paying special attention to both climate and soil conditions of our area, as well as careful procedures devoted to winemaking. Above all, with enthusiasm, dedication and effort of everyone involved in the task.

The production of our Wines and Sparkling wines demand the contribution of the Bianchi family who represent the encouraging spirit, Agricultural scientists together with the skilled labour in the states who make possible the growth of grapes and, the skills of qualified Winemakers at the winery combined with consultant oenologists from different places of the world specialists on each stage of the vinification process.

For more information go to: Valentin Bianchi

Valle de la Puerta: The winery and vineyards are located alongside olive groves in a 375 acre farm owned and operated by VALLE DE LA PUERTA in the Famatina Valley. This unique valley is 3,280 feet above sea level and near the town of Chilecito in the province of La Rioja, approximately 300 miles north-northwest of Mendoza. The climate is semi-arid with large temperature amplitudes between day and night. The soil is a deep sandy-clay of alluvial origin and drip irrigation is used from deep wells during bud break (Sept.-Oct.), veraison (when the berries change color and start accumulating sugar and water) and after the harvest.

For more information go to: Ecosur Group