ANNOUNCES EVENT PROGRAM AND TICKET SALES
San Francisco Takes its Place at the Top of the List in
National Food and Wine Festivals

San Francisco, CA-May 22, 2009- SF Chefs. Food. Wine. announces ticket sales and the complete weekend program for the first annual interactive urban food and wine weekend experience in San Francisco, to be held August 6-9, 2009. Pre-sale tickets for the City's long-deserved urban culinary festival are on sale for Visa Signature cardholders now through May 22, after which tickets will be available to the general public on May 23. The four-day festival's program is finalized, complete with participating speakers, restaurants, wineries, and evening events, and will go live on www.sfchefsfoodwine.com, when tickets go on sale.

Thousands of food and wine lovers will converge on San Francisco's historic Union Square over the weekend, where a tented tasting pavilion will stand center-stage. Additionally, culinary classes and events will be held at The Westin St. Francis Hotel, as well as surrounding establishments, including Restaurant Michael Mina, Macy's Cellar and E&O Trading Company, among other surrounding venues.

"San Francisco's vibrant and expansive restaurant scene defines the high quality of life that Bay Area residents cherish," says Mayor Gavin Newsom. "We stand behind the festival's objective of celebrating our restaurants and insisting that San Francisco takes its rightful place at the top of the list of national culinary festivals."

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. will be the ultimate platform to showcase San Francisco's one-of-a-kind culinary scene, including the history, talents and successes garnered by sourcing the bounty of Northern California. "The Bay Area chef and wine community came together to create a program which reflects our creative spirit," said award-winning pastry chef Emily Luchetti of Farallon and Waterbar and a chef-advisor for the event. For four days acclaimed experts including chefs, winemakers, mixologists, farmers, artisans, and visionaries will join forces to educate and entertain guests through classes, tastings and evening galas.

The program was developed in partnership with Northern California chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, artisans, winemakers and bartenders, along with the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Visa Signature, the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco magazine/Modern Luxury, Gourmet magazine and epicurious.com.
Chefs-made video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yQYBH3BE-c

Evolving and current program and details can be found at http://www.sfchefsfoodwine.com/Schedule.aspx.

Printable version of the program is available here: http://www.andrewfreemanandco.com/documents/SFChefsPreProgramGuideJune.pdf

Visa Signature® is the presenting sponsor. From benefits that save time to benefits that help to safeguard purchases, Visa Signature helps cardholders get the most out of life. In addition to a choice of numerous airline, hotel and other premium reward partners, cardholders enjoy access to around-the-clock complimentary concierge services; epicurean events and reservations at the hottest restaurants; premium merchant offers; and access to exclusive events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl and the Tony Awards, as well as preferred access and seating at local sporting events, concerts and movie screenings. Visa Signature cardholders receive special perks and savings at SF Chefs.Food.Wine.

SF CHEFS. FOOD. WINE. is the premiere interactive urban food and wine weekend experience set in the epicenter of culinary innovation - celebrating notable chefs, vintners, culinary personalities, regional ingredients and Northern Californian flair. Union Square, August 6-9, 2009. More information can be found at www.sfchefsfoodwine.com.