New York, New York – May 15, 2011 – Chef Maria Loi, an award winning culinary talent from Greece, is honored to participate and exhibit at the famed Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.   Chef Loi will present the culinary industry enthusiasts and international press with her favorite authentic Greek offerings.

Throughout the five Grand Tastings, she will showcase luxury Greek dining with matchless recipes such as Horiatiki or Greek salad, presented on a skewer for a modern twist; Botargo (carp roe) on a pear with a walnut and goat cheese flat ravioli; grilled shrimp with toasted almonds and a sweet pomegranate sauce; Apaki sliders, a pulled pork served on barley rusks and for dessert, pistachio Gastrin, the ancient forefather of Baklava.  Each show attendee who stops by to meet Chef Maria Loi will receive a copy of her cookbook, “Authentic Greek Cuisine”.

Chef Maria Loi, along with the Greece’s premier olive oil producer from the island of Crete and her official sponsor, Elyros Extra Virgin Olive Oil, will donate a New York State of Mind Weekend Package for the event auction.  The package will include a 2-night stay in a luxury New York hotel for two, either at The Pierre, The Mandarin Oriental or The Four Seasons, private car service to and from the new Maria Loi Restaurant “LOI” opening in September and a jeroboam of Elyros Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Chef Maria Loi had her own popular cooking show for years on Greece’s most successful morning program and on the country’s leading TV network, Mega Channel.  An acclaimed author of several cookbooks dedicated to the art of Greek cooking, Chef Maria Loi’s book ‘Ancient Dining” was selected as the official book for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.  Today, she spends her time cooking, writing and educating the world about the timeless traditions of Greek cuisine and the benefits of a healthy Mediterranean diet. She has recently developed and co-produced a new TV show “It’s All Greek” which will air internationally this fall.  Her show will demonstrate that Greek cuisine can be simply prepared, and mastered by anyone who has a desire to learn.

For 28 years, the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen has been the premier culinary and wine event of its kind. Each June, FOOD & WINE magazine hosts 5,000 highly targeted consumers, members of the restaurant industry and press in Aspen. The three-day weekend brings FOOD & WINE to life with cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. Seminars led by wine and food superstars such as Mario Batali, José Andrés, Jacques Pépin, Gail Simmons, and Joshua Wesson provide a world-class experience.

Bettina Klinger, President, Chief Strategic Officer, KlingerVision, Inc. is a retail pioneer and marketing expert. Currently her expertise spans focusing on strategic thinking, long range image and brand planning, flexible profit formulation in marketing business-to-business and business-to- consumer products and concepts through multiple distribution channels.  She developed KlingerVision with an aim to service emerging brands and brands in need of repositioning, to help successfully define, understand and reach their target clients or customers. 

For additional information on Chef Maria Loi or to schedule interviews, speaking engagements or public appearances, please contact Bettina L. Klinger, President, KlingerVision, Inc., (212) 592-1385 or email bklinger@klingervision.com .

Chef Maria Loi's new website will include popular recipes and menus, the essential Greek pantry, cooking tips and episodes of her new show, www.cookingwithmarialoi.com.