Chef Jean-Pierre Marechal of Savannah Red Restaurant Selected as Finalist for "Best Dish in NC" Competition

CHARLOTTE, NC--(Marketwire - Jun 1, 2011) - Jean-Pierre Marechal, Executive Chef at Savannah Red Restaurant at the Charlotte Marriott City Center hotel, has been selected as a finalist in the 2011 "Best Dish in North Carolina" restaurant contest. Diners at the restaurant in uptown Charlotte, NC 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 at the Charlotte hotel features:

Cornbreadmade 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

Sorbetwith 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 restaurant 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 his hotel restaurant 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.

The Charlotte hotel's many dining and cocktail outlets include fine dining at Savannah Red Restaurant and Wine Bar, spirits and smoking at Cutter's Cigar Bar, a fun and relaxed atmosphere at Champion's Sports Bar & Restaurant, as well as the new Rooftop Garden.

About the Charlotte Marriott City Center
Situated in the heart of downtown Charlotte, NC, the Charlotte Marriott City Center hotel is a prime downtown hotel property featuring spacious guest rooms and suites, with 37" LCD TVs and new Marriott signature bedding as well as completely overhauled wired and wireless Internet. Other facilities include a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and whirlpool. Popular among hotels near Discovery Place, Charlotte, the hotel is also conveniently located near Charlotte Douglas International Airport, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carowinds Theme Park, and the downtown business district. For additional information, visit www.MarriottCityCenter.com or call 704-333-9000.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott International's original and most widely distributed brand, with 500 hotels and resorts in 60 countries. Marriott continues to inspire a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information visit Meetthedriven.com, or follow us on Twitter, at Twitter.com/marriotthotels.

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