Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2014
Contact: Ryan Downey, 757/728-5328
[email protected]
Mary Fugere, 757/728-5327
[email protected]
MEDIA ALERT
Embassy Suites Cyprus Grille Restaurant One of Two Finalists in
VA Tourism’s Culinary Madness Challenge for
Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken Dish
--Public is invited to sample Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken in Embassy Suites’ atrium
from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. today--
Hampton, VA- Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken, submitted by Chef Kyle Fowlkes of
Cyprus Grill restaurant at Embassy Suites Hampton Roads (in Hampton), is one of two
finalists in VA Tourism’s Culinary Madness Challenge. Through end of day tomorrow
(Tuesday), we’d like to generate as many votes possible for Nana’s Buttermilk Fried
Chicken on www.Virginia.org/culinarymadness. It’s all about the votes!
VA Tourism will be at Embassy Suites from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. today and the public is
invited to Embassy Suites’ atrium to sample Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken during this
time. Nana’s Buttermilk Friend Chicken is pitted against Martinsville’s Dipper’s
Homemade Peanut Butter ice cream.
-More-
Embassy Suites Cyprus Grille Restaurant One of Two Finalists in VA Tourism’s
Culinary Madness Challenge for Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken Dish- Page 3
This is the first time VA Tourism has issued the Culinary Madness Challenge to
emphasize the culinary aspect of travel and tourism. VTC asked the industry to nominate
a dish representing local food favorites and farm-to-table dining. The contest began with
78 nominations; after first round eliminations these nominations were narrowed to 16,
then to four, and now to two.
Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken is based on a recipe from Embassy Suites’ Chef
Fowlkes’ grandmother’s recipe. She is from Emporia.
From VTC’s web site
We've reached the Championship round! Congratulations to our two finalists – the
scratch-made Peanut Butter Bang Sundae from Dippers Ice Cream in Ridgeway
and the classic Southern dish, Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken, from Cyprus Grill
in Hampton!
Each of these restaurants is hosting an event today to celebrate their success at
making it from our original 70 plus nominees to this final group of two. Come out
and celebrate with VTC!
Dippers Ice Cream in Ridgeway just outside Martinsville will be handing out free
samples of their Peanut Butter Bang Sundae. Usually closed on Mondays, Dippers
will be open from 2-4 pm exclusively for this event.
Cypress Grill in Hampton is also offering free samples of its entry, Nana's
Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Come meet the chefs and staff at this great restaurant.
Today is the last day to put in your vote. We’re well on our way to crowning the
Virginia is for Lovers Culinary Madness Champion. Let your taste buds be heard!
Partially bordered by the Hampton Roads harbor and Chesapeake Bay, Hampton, with
the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, is located in the center of the
Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Hampton is the site of America's first continuous
-More-
Embassy Suites Cyprus Grille Restaurant One of Two Finalists in VA Tourism’s
Culinary Madness Challenge for Nana’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken Dish- Page 4
English-speaking settlement and is home to such visitor attractions as the Virginia Air &
Space Center and Riverside IMAX Theater, Hampton History Museum, harbor tours and
cruises, Hampton University Museum, Fort Monroe, award-winning Hampton Coliseum,
The American Theatre, among others.
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