The Taipei-based American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) plans to host a series of activities to “introduce American-style BBQ and blues music to the people of Taiwan.”
“This is the first time AIT has taken the initiative to link an American food promotion with live American blues music. Blues and BBQ go hand in hand in the United States,” Keith Schneller, the director of AIT’s Agricultural Trade Office (ATO), was quoted as saying in a press release.
In cooperation with the Taichung City Government, the US Meat Export Federation, and various other sponsors, the ATO plans to bring Joey Gilmore, champion of the 2006 International Blues Challenge, to Taiwan to perform and promote US-style BBQ at venues around the country, the AIT press release said.
This will include the opening weekend of this year’s Taichung Jazz Festival next Saturday and Sunday, and an American BBQ and Blues Pavilion at the J1 stage on Jingkuo Boulevard at the Taichung Jazz Festival, which will offer an array of US BBQ products, beer and spirits, it added.
In addition, the ATO, along with Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Hotel Taipei and Hotel One Taichung, will launch special menu promotions of US BBQ and Blues Month.
Chef David Ansted from Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Hotel Taipei has selected Texas and Memphis, Tennessee, barbecue styles for his menu, while chef Nick Alvarez from Hotel One Taichung will prepare Memphis-style smoked barbecued beef using a Tennessee whiskey-glazed BBQ sauce with a touch of coffee, the press release said.
During the promotion, anyone who orders from a US BBQ special menu can participate in a lucky draw for a chance to win Delta/Northwest Airline tickets and gift certificates from participating hotels and restaurants.
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