DECATUR – This week, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) held a press conference and luncheon to help the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) launch a new national tourism campaign. For the state of Alabama, 130 culinary destinations are on the list for the ARC’s Bon Appétit Appalachia, a tourism mapguide of unique culinary destinations published as an insert in Edible, a magazine dedicated to celebrating the local food culture with a focus on farms, orchards, wineries, specialty shops, food artisans and home cooks.
Media representatives and tourism guests enjoyed a luncheon, prepared by Chef Jakob Reed of Albany Bistro of Decatur, held at 1818 Farms in Mooresville. Among the officials attending the media event and luncheon were, ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl, Governor’s ARC Representative Jim Byard, Jr., and ARC State Program Manager Al Jones.
Bon Appétit Appalachia showcases approximately 900 of the Appalachian Region’s most distinctive food destinations, including 130 in Alabama. Approximately 195,000 copies of the map-guide are provided as an insert in the summer 2016 issue of thirteen Edible partnering publications. The full-color oversized map highlights culinary destinations in the Appalachia region by showcasing unique, local foods behind each destination and is designed to educate travelers and residents on local farms, farmers markets, farm-to-fork restaurants, chefs featuring local ingredients, vineyards and award-winning wineries, craft breweries and distilleries, heritage food festivals, and other distinctive culinary events. The map-guide is also prominently featured on www.visitappalachia.com and includes detailed information and searchable maps to locate food businesses, attractions and events throughout the 13-state region. The website makes for a very interesting read. The campaign is a marketing effort by the ARC designed to boost tourism and to stimulate economic development in the 13 states comprising the Appalachian region.
bon appetit appalachia map 2016
The Quad-Cities Daily attended the event and took a few photos. We present them here…
