Dan Carr of Visconti’s has been selected as Guest Chef for the unity banquet during the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Annual Meeting, Convention, and Trade Show in February of 2014. Carr will lead a culinary team that will present a multi-course dinner, matched with Washington state wines, to over 400 industry leaders. Held at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, the Annual meeting, Convention, and Trade Show draws over 2,000 growers and wineries from around the Northwest for the three day event.
Carr, the Culinary Development Director for the Visconti Restaurant Group, entered the restaurant industry in 1974 starting in the Midwest. By 1980, he became chef and owner of a small restaurant in eastern Washington and began to learn Italian cuisine and Washington wines when he partnered with Candy Mecham at Visconti’s of Wenatchee.
Opening up another branch in Leavenworth in 1999, the two restaurants have received the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 15 years. Until 2000, Visconti’s was carrying over 600 wines from around the world but then decided to only carry Washington and Italian wines allowing staff to focus on knowledge of those wines.
The Visconti’s restaurants have earned multiple awards including the Restaurant Appreciation Award, Winemaker’s Choice Award, and Restaurant of the Year.
“This event is a real showcase for Washington wine and the culinary talent of chefs from throughout the state. Dan’s menu promises to knock your socks off. And the wine won’t be too bad either,” said Vicky Scharlau, Executive Director of the Association.
The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers’ Annual Meeting, Convention and Trade Show is the premier educational opportunity for the Northwest grape and wine industry. One of the largest events of its kind, the WAWGG Convention draws key industry players including wine grape growers, wineries, winemakers, marketers, product and service providers, educators and media from throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers advocates for the Washington wine growing industry by educating, promoting, representing, and unifying the industry and encouraging a positive business environment for continued growth and production of world-class, Washington-grown wines.