The Great Lakes' premiere culinary event recognized for drawing serious attention to the region's agricultural products, artisanal foods, and local wines and beers -- and for attracting noted chefs and food lovers from around the country -- is making the move from Traverse City to St. Joseph, MI this year with KitchenAid as its presenting sponsor.

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The 6th annual Epicurean Classic, scheduled for August 28-30 in St. Joseph, MI will include dozens of cooking demonstrations, class-style wine/beer/cheese tastings, and a series of chef-hosted dinners and receptions. Among last year's 30 presenting chefs and cookbook authors were James Beard and IACP award winners Joyce Goldstein, Joey Altman, Matthew Kenney, Jennifer McLagan, Laura Werlin, Raghavan Iyer and Brian Smith. Other notables included Jacquy Pfeiffer, founder of Chicago's French Pastry School; and Detroit chef Dan Yamauchi, named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in America. This year's lineup of presenters is expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.

"As the nation's second most agriculturally diverse state, Michigan has so much to offer foodies," notes Debbie O'Connor, Senior Manager of Brand Experience for KitchenAid. "This sponsorship gives KitchenAid an opportunity to showcase our region to the nation's finest artisans and tastemakers, and will play a key part in this year's 90th anniversary of the brand."

The Epicurean Classic joins a number of noted culinary events sponsored by KitchenAid, including the nation's two largest, the Food & Wine Classic at Aspen and South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Among other support, KitchenAid provides full working kitchens outfitted with its products that serve as center stage for celebrity chef demonstrations.

"Epicurean Classic devotees are KitchenAid buzz agents; they have a viral passion for cooking and enjoying great food with family and friends," notes Mark Dressler, Epicurean Classic co-founder. "Our goal is to provide attendees with a memorable and motivating experience and to reinforce the KitchenAid brand, whose valuable tools enrich the processes of cooking and baking in kitchens all over the world."

Event information can be found at EpicureanClassic.com and will be updated as details are confirmed.

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SOURCE: KitchenAid