FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elizabeth Williams Weber
Arnold Media Services
303-863-8803
elizabeth@arnmedia.com
Date: April 4, 2006
THE FORT GARNERS NATIONAL PUBLICITY
Renowned Colorado Institution Wins Several Local and National Awards
Morrison, CO – The Fort restaurant, internationally known for its adventurous fare of the Early West period, is proud to announce that it has recently been featured in several national publications and has won many prestigious awards.
The Fort is a full-sized adobe replica of Bent’s Fort, an 1830s fur-trade post on the Santa Fe Trail. The Fort opened in 1963, introducing Denver diners to a new version of Early West cuisine that teased their palates and piqued their curiosity. Today The Fort serves more buffalo steaks than any other independently owned restaurant in the United States and prides itself in preparing delicious game meats as well as hearty vegetarian fare. The Fort also offers a wide selection of historic appetizers, desserts, libations, and an extensive wine list.
Below is a list of recent awards and press mentions:
Wine Spectator Award
The Fort’s wine program recently received a 2005 Restaurant award from Wine Spectator magazine. The Fort was one of the few restaurants selected from over 3,500 applications. The award will be listed in the August dining guide issue of Wine Spectator.
Every year since 1981, Wine Spectator has honored restaurants around the world for excellence in their wine programs, dinner menus and wine lists. An internationally distributed magazine with over 1.1 million readers, the three-tier Wine Spectator awards are considered the most prestigious and respected in the world. Wine lists were judged based on vintage depth, breadth of offerings from major wine growing regions, number of selections and thematic match to the menu in both price and style.
International Association of Culinary Professionals honors Dr. Sam Arnold
Dr. Sam Arnold, founder and proprietor of The Fort, recently received the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP). The Award was given to Arnold during a ceremony on April 16th at IACP’s annual conference in Dallas, Texas. The IACP Awards of Excellence are presented annually to honor members of the Association whose outstanding achievements and unending pursuit of excellence embody the highest standards of the association.
Past winners include Julia Child, James Beard, Jacques Pépin and last year to Marcella Hazan. Arnold is the first Lifetime Achievement Award winner from Colorado IACP recognized Arnold for his work to keep the traditions of the Old West alive.
Courier Magazine: CrossSphere
The Fort was featured on the cover of the November 2004 issue of Courier Magazine, the official licensed publication of CrossSphere, the global association for packaged travel. The Fort’s famous fare was also featured in the article “Food for Thought” about restaurants who serve their diners in culinary culture in addition to the food itself.
CrossSphere, formerly known as the National Tour Association, is the premier association for travel professionals who have an interest in the packaged travel sector of the industry. The association, which is made up of nearly 4,000 members, brings together those who package travel – group as well as individual trips – with suppliers and destinations who represent the various components of a trip.
Destinations Magazine: American Bus Association
The Tesoro Foundation’s 2005 Indian Market and Powwow at The Fort was recently named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association. The honor was published in a special supplement to Destinations Magazine, the association’s monthly publication. This year, the 5th Annual Indian Market and Powwow will be held at The Fort on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, 2005 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The powwow competition and authentic demonstration art show will fill the grounds of The Fort with exquisite art and culture native to Colorado and the Southwest.
The Indian Market and Powwow was selected by a panel of eleven judges from among hundreds of events nominated by state tourism offices and local convention and visitor bureaus. The American Bus Association is the North American trade organization of the intercity bus industry. Its membership includes bus companies that offer tours, charters, and scheduled service; travel members representing virtually every segment of the travel and tourism industry; and associate members who supply the industry with goods and services.
5280 Magazine
The Fort was named one of the “Top Five Classic Restaurants” by 5280 Magazine in the March 2006 “Dining in Denver” issue. According to the editor, “Locals and visitors alike flock to taste a bit of Western history with each bite of the hearty Colorado cuisine.” Chef Dave Woolley “dishes up big eats from elk chops to prime rib of buffalo to rattlesnake.”
Westword
The Fort was named “Best Dinner Destination for Impressing the Folks” by Westword Best of Denver 2006. “Housed in an a replica of the original Bent’s Fort and offering an unparalleled view of the mountains and the sky…”
“Unwrapped” for the Food Network
For the 2006 season, “Unwrapped” will air a Wild, Wild West episode which features The Fort’s famous Early West fine dining. Original air date for the Wild, Wild West episode is April 3, 2006.
Top of the Rocky
The Fort was also recently named the “Top Dinner to Impress Visitors” by the Rocky Mountain News’ 2004/2005 Top of the Rocky feature. The Rocky lauded The Fort for its “splendid view of Denver’s glow at night” and Chef David Woolley’s “captivating mountain-man menu of duck, steak, elk, and of course, lots of buffalo.”
Citysearch
The Fort was voted the “Best Fireside Dining in Denver” during the 5th annual “Best of Citysearch” guide, which highlights the very best businesses Denver has to offer. Winners were chosen by Citysearch editors and with the results of a six-week long audience poll.
Citysearch is the nation’s leading Internet local guide. Each month, more than 10 million diverse users access Citysearch sites to find out where to go and what to do in their areas. Citysearch provides business information, reviews, ratings, and “insider tips” for restaurants, nightlife, movies, arts and live music, shopping and spas.
Open Table
Since joining OpenTable.com, in November, The Fort has consistently been in the Top 10 most booked restaurants.
Open Table is a computerized reservation & guest management system that allows guests to make real-time online reservations. Dining consumers can tap into the Open Table network and make reservations online at www.opentable.com, and also through the company’s many distribution and content partners including America Online, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times. Open Table’s customers include leading hotel chains and thousands of the nation's top restaurants.
“Taste of America” for the Travel Channel
The Fort will be featured on the Travel Channel’s new show “Taste of America” in June 2005. In an episode that was filmed in early February, host Mark DeCarlo prepared a buffalo steak with Executive Chef David Woolley and sampled buffalo delicacies with owner Samuel P. Arnold.
Rocky Mountain News
The Fort was named “Top Must-See Dining” restaurants in the March 2006 Dining Guide.
The Fort is located just 22 minutes southwest of downtown Denver on Highway 8, just north of the Highway 285 intersection. Reservations are strongly encouraged. For more information or to make reservations, call The Fort at 303-697-4771 or book online at www.thefort.com.
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