[Tikievents] Beachbum Berry in New Orleans Feb 22/23

Author Jeff "Beachbum" Berry reveals NOLA connections to birth of Tiki cocktails.

NEW ORLEANS (December 13, 2007) - Tales of the Cocktail, the annual culinary and cocktail festival, presents Tales of the Tiki Cocktail, a dinner and tropical drink history and tasting, on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, at The Pelican Club.

Author Jeff "Beachbum" Berry, who has written multiple books on "tiki" and tropical drinks, will be in New Orleans to host the dinner and tasting with Pelican Club chef Richard Hughes. Berry will discuss how New Orleans was the birthplace of these revolutionary rum cocktails and the local restaurants who were most known for this type of drink.

"Don The Beachcomber, who kicked off the national craze of Tiki drinks was actually born in New Orleans," said Jeff Berry. "Chef Hughes and I are going to take our guests on a culinary journey of exotic cuisine and vintage tropical drink recipes." Berry is the author of "Beachbum Berry's Grog Log," which has been called "the best bar guide for tropical drinks ever published" (National Review). Jeff's next two books, "Intoxica!" and "Taboo Table," have made him the toast of the global tiki bar revival. His original cocktail creations are now being served at tiki bars around the world.

Ann Rogers, founder of Tales of the Cocktail notes that the annual summertime event is expanding its educational outreach. "We are now hosting events throughout the year, such as Tales of the Tiki Cocktail, in addition to our annual festival," said Rogers. "Now locals, as well as visitors to New Orleans can attend fantastic tastings and seminars on any given weekend or weekday on subjects from tiki drinks to holiday cocktails!"

All Tales of the Cocktail events support the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, which raise funds to support its mission of preserving New Orleans dining and drinking history. Reservations are required to attend Tales of the Tiki Cocktail and tickets are $95 a person inclusive of tax and gratuity. Tickets can be purchased by calling 504-377-7935. Tales of the Cocktail's host hotel, The Monteleone, is offering a special rate of $179 on the evening of the event. Mention the promotional code, TIKI when calling to reserve a room at 800-535-9595.

Tales of the Cocktail, a culinary and cocktail festival on July 16-20, 2008, features award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers in the New Orleans French Quarter at five days of cocktail events such as dinner-pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more. Measuring some of their success in garnishes, Tales of the Cocktail 2007, used 7250 mint leaves, 3580 lime wedges, 800 watermelon cubes, 560 gin soaked dried cherries, 1390 orange slices, 2 tons of ice and more for 12,000 sippers!