Three Celeb Chefs To Stir Up Kennebunkport Festival Palates June 4-8

 
KENNEBUNKPORT, ME. Feb. 3 - Three celebrity chefs will stir culinary palates at Kennebunkport's June 4-8 4th Annual Arts in the Inns Festival 2008.

Rob Blood, festival coordinator, announced the stellar line up this week. They are Sam Talbot, one of Bravo TV's Top Chefs; Rebecca Charles of New York's legendary Pearl Oyster Bar; and Jonathan Cartwright of the White Barn Inn. This trio will create visual-arts-inspired presentations over nearly a week at this quintessential coast-of-Maine village.

Talbot also has notoriety in Manhattan where the New York Post pegged him as one of the city's top 10 sexiest chefs and the New York Times praised his innovative menus.  Prior to starring in Top Chef he was also chef-owner of the Williamsburgh Café in trendy Brooklyn, NY.

Chef Charles is the author of Lobster Rolls & Blueberry Pie: Three Generations of Stories and Recipes from Summers on the Coast of Maine.

Chef Cartwright is a star in his own right, presiding over his five-star, five-diamond Relais & Châteaux kitchen that draws foodies from the world over. 

Blood says that guests can anticipate, among other offerings, lobster rolls and blueberry crumble a la Charles, which she will present at the historic Seaside Inn on Gooch's Beach on June 7. Talbot will stir up his own creative version of a Maine Clambake on June 7 on the lawn of the Breakwater Inn.  And Cartwright will open festivities with a June 4 four-course wine cellar feast. His work is on display again on June 6 at a Twilight Soiree where guests will devour his canapés inspired by the land, sea and sky.

This 4th annual event pairs palates with palettes for five days on the Maine coast where visitors can mingle with artists and chefs in intimate settings.
 
Blood says there will be artists in residence at inns, chefs creating elaborate four-course, artist-inspired meals and artists painting in plein air during this cultural and culinary immersion.
 
Events begin June 4, 2008, with art-inspired menus stimulating conversation amongst guests, artists and chefs in centuries-old homes.  In addition to receptions, gallery walks, a children's art festival and art-themed activities, the core of the festival continues with the Artists in Residence program. This brings original works and the artists to 16 participating inns so that the public and inn guests can query and mingle at will.
 
Proceeds from the event will benefit local cultural programs and help fund an art scholarship for a local high school student.
 
For Festival ticket and lodging information please visit www.artsintheinns.com or call 207.423.9868.

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