MEDIA CONTACTS:
Henri Boucher, Show Producer (616-447-2860 / henrib@showspan.com)
Cathleen McDonald, Show Manager (616-447-2860 / cathleenm@showspan.com)
Dianna Stampfler, Show Publicist (269-330-4228 / dianna@promotemichigan.com)

Sue Dow Launches New “Get Fresh with Sue Chef”
on Michigan Public Television Stations
Sue Chef Returns as Guest Chef at Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich) – One of the returning Guest Chefs at the 2009 Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival, November 12-14 in the Steelcase Ballroom inside DeVos Place, has just launched a new PBS television series. Sue Dow’s “Get Fresh with Sue Chef” premiered in early October on seven stations throughout Michigan, including WGVU/WGVK in West Michigan (airing on Saturdays at 1pm).

 

This educational cooking show focuses on cooking with fresh local produce and goods from Michigan. During the first part of the program, Sue meets with the local growers and producers, showing how food gets from farm to table, while also sharing the difficulties and joys of farming in Michigan. The show also provides Sue a chance to get her hands dirty, and she can often be found digging in with the harvest or driving farm equipment. For the second half of the show, Sue heads into the kitchen and whips up some gourmet treats using the products she gathered during her farm visits.

 

"We realized early on, with a limited budget and small production team, we were going to have to rely on spontaneity and the home-grown aspects of putting on a show,” Sue says about her newest endeavor. “It's real, down to earth and fun. With this sort of relaxed format, we appeal to most home cooks and folks just looking for educational and informative TV."

 

To go along with the show, Sue has just published a 120-page cookbook called Get Fresh! With Sue Chef, featuring some of her favorite recipes using local ingredients featured on the show. Sue will be selling copies of the book at the show for a special show price of $14.96, and will autograph them for those interested in a personalized touch. The book will also be available in Meijer stores, statewide, beginning November 15.

 

Sue Dow is widely known for her international tasting / educational tours, as an advisor to countless retail and food service entities, and for her line of cooking spices and seasonings. In 2000, she launched Sue Chef – a personal chef service, creating custom, healthy meals in the homes of her clients. In 2002, Sue moved into the grocery retail arena by opening the first ever recreational cooking school in the Midwest – located in Grand Rapids.

 

Currently Sue Chef is working with Meijer stores on several projects including the Meijer demo kitchen at the Cascade store. Sue Chef shares many of her quick and easy recipes daily at the store where you can sample as well as take home the recipe cards. Over the years, she has successfully evolved from a personal chef to culinary consultant and recreational culinary educator, to now PBS cooking show hostess and cookbook author.

 

"I was excited when Sue brought me the idea of her cooking series - what a great way to feature a local chef, using Michigan ingredients,” says WGVU Programming Manager Carrie Corbin. “And to top it off, Sue is an absolute natural for television.  The program is a perfect addition to our schedule."

 

Sue will present two workshops on the Meijer Food Stage at the Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival, including “A 15-Minute Appetizer Party” presented along with Shari Steinbach at 5pm on Friday, November 13 and “Sue Chef Talks Turkey” at 5pm on Saturday, November 14. Both recipes are also included in Sue’s Get Fresh! cookbook.

 

“I have always had a passion for food and eating healthy,” says Sue Dow. “My theory on healthy eating has always been variety and fresh whole ingredients. If you choose unprocessed ingredients that are fresh and high quality, your cooking will naturally be healthy and delicious.”

 

Sue is also responsible for the selection of the “secret ingredient” and training of local radio personalities from Regent Broadcasting (WTRV, WLHT, WNWZ, WGRD and WGFR) for the 2nd Annual Tin Foil Chef Cook Off, which takes place at 6:30pm on Thursday, November 12. The week of November 2, Sue will provide hands-on training of the personalities at the Cascade Meijer (dates/times available upon request).

 

The 2nd Annual Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival is expected to draw some 10,000+ individuals throughout the three days, making it the largest food and wine festival in the state and one of the premiere events of its kind in the Midwest. From the connoisseur who lives and breathes for the finer things in life to the novice looking for an introduction to the world of wine, food and other culinary delights, the International Wine & Food Festival in Grand Rapids delivers a grand experience that is sure to please every palette.

 

For more information about the 2nd Annual Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festival: www.GRWineFestival.com or 800-328-6550.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

PRODUCED BY:
Wine and Food Festival, LLC
2121 Celebration Dr NE • Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 • 616-447-2860 •  FAX: 616-447-2861
www.ShowSpan.com • Events@ShowSpan.com