Kissam Consulting

David Gilbert, of San Antonio, Texas, won the IFWTWA 2012 Emerging Writer Scholarship Award for his story, “The American Apprentice,” an engaging and often humorous account of his stint as an apprentice in a high-end Amsterdam restaurant.

An elegant and memorable wine tasting event held at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda (Orange County). Guests have an opportunity to sample wines from 40-50 wineries all across California and also enjoy hors d'oeuvres.

IFWTWA is reaching out to all wine, food, travel writers to expand and enhance their travel, culinary or wine writing career. Writers joining before Jan 2013, will receive free membership until the end of 2012 along with their paid dues for 2013.

Chris Cole of Odyssey Trails from Sarasota, FL has been awarded a 2012 third quarter IFWTWA Tourism Excellence Award. Chris earned the Tourism Excellence Award for being an outstanding tour operator and guide.

The IFWTWA prestigious Excellence Awards are awarded quarterly and recognize the best of the best in culinary and hospitality around the world. The award nominations are recommended by IFWTWA members.

Erik Elvejord, Director of Public Relations for Holland America Line, earned IFWTWA's Cruise Excellence Award for his consistently dependable follow through while assisting the IFWTWA arrange three conferences at sea.

Recipients for 1st quarter of 2012: a Hospitality Excellence Award for Katherine Frelon, chef/owner of La Ferme de la Lochere, and a Culinary Excellence Award for Hervé Laurent, chef/owner of the School of Culinary Arts Central America.

Executive Chef Brian Puett of the Metate Room Restaurant in Mesa Verde, Colorado is awarded a Culinary Excellence Award by the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association.

Infinity Publishing is sponsoring the 2012 IFWTWA award based competition for International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) writer, blogger & photography members.

The Heather Van Gaale Artist Reception will be held Friday, February 24th, 2012, from 6-9pm at Lorimar Winery in Old Town Temecula, CA. The event features free appetizers and live music by Kristine Turner. Wine sold by the glass.