NEW ORLEANS WELCOMES STARS OF COCKTAILS AND CUISINE AT SUMMER’S MOST SPIRITED EVENT – TALES OF THE COCKTAIL

Five-day extravaganza blends food, cocktails and fun at Hotel Monteleone and other historic French Quarter locations on July 19-23, 2006

NEW ORLEANS – June 19, 2006 – When looking for a bit of relief from the worries of summertime, New Orleanians and visitors to the city can find sophisticated fun at Tales of the Cocktail on July 19-23, 2006.

The five-day event celebrates the history and spirit of thecocktail with seminars, book-signings, cooking and mixing demonstrations, cocktail parties, luncheons, dinner pairings, a design showcase and much more – all centered on the cocktail.

New Orleans, often named as the birthplace of the cocktail, welcomes 50 VIPs of cocktail culture – authors, chefs, mixologists, bartenders and writers – from around the world to recognize New Orleans as an influential and necessary city in the world of dining and drinking.

Special guests include Kevin Brauch from FINE LIVING NETWORK’S TV series, “The Thirsty Traveler,” mixologist/author Dale DeGroff, chef Suvir Saran and chef Marcus Samuelsson among many others.

Tickets are still available to the more than 30 events and can be purchased individually or in two packages at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com or by calling 800-299-0494.

Note to editors: A complete schedule is available online at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com. Photos and interviews available.

Contact: Sara Gootee; 504-914-3252; sara@talesofthecocktail.com