Mohegan Sun Newsroom

Chef Showdown, a Grape Stomp competition and the 7th Annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open take place during the weekend’s Grand Tasting

 A culinary face-off, mashed grapes and oyster shucking will highlight a competition-filled weekend during SUN WINEFEST 2010. A variety of events will take place on Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31st including the 6th Annual Chef Showdown, 7th Annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open and the first-ever Grape Stomp competition.

Sponsored by Hatfield® the 6th Annual Chef Showdown kicks off Saturday, January 30th at 1:45pm on the main stage in the Uncas Ballroom during the Grand Tasting. Chefs who submit the most creative, unique and inspiring recipe utilizing Hatfield® Flat Iron Pork Sirloin and Quick Ribs will be chosen as finalists to  prepare their dishes for a chance to take home $4,000, an exclusive VIP stay at Mohegan Sun, a custom Championship Chef’s Coat and a feature in an upcoming issue of Hartford Magazine. Second place will take home a $1,000 prize. Aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts can still enter their original recipes for a chance to compete. Visit sunwinefest.com/chefs for registration.

Following the 6th Annual Chef Showdown, Sun WineFest’s first-ever Grape Stomp sponsored by [yellow tail] ® begins at 4:15pm, January 30th, on the main stage. Teams will kick off their shoes and have three minutes to channel their inner Lucille Ball and stomp out as much grape juice as they can. To enter, potential participants can contact Event Director, Vicky Cirilli at 860.874.7742. First place will win $1,500, an overnight stay at Mohegan Sun and a complimentary dinner for two at Todd English’s Tuscany. Second place will take home $1,000 and third will receive $500.00, respectively. The SUN WINEFEST 2010 Grape Stomp will benefit the American Diabetes Association. 

Finally SUN WINEFEST 2010 concludes the action during the 7th Annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open sponsored by Bud Light. Elite shuckers from the best restaurants, raw bars and shellfish and seafood companies on the Eastern Seaboard will compete to take down last year’s champion William “Chopper” Young of Wellfleet, MA at 4:15pm in the Uncas Ballroom on January 31st. The deadline for Oyster Open registration is January 1st. For more information, please visit sunwinefest.com/oyster_open.

All three competitions can be viewed during the Grand Tasting. Tickets for the Grand Tasting are $70.00 for a one-day pass and $110.00 for a weekend pass and may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 1.800.745.3000 or in-person at Mohegan Sun’s Box Office.  The Grand Tasting runs from 12:00pm – 5:00pm on January 30th and 31st.

SUN WINEFEST 2009 is a production of Life Marketing and Events, a West Hartford, Connecticut-based, full service firm that specializes in marketing, event management and production, public relations, sponsorship, advertising sales, creative design, promotions, publishing and more.

Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States.  Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country.  More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.

Package includes overnight stay with coupons to Summer Shack,Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Leffingwells Martini Bar

Good news for those whose summer went by too fast: the best parts of the season can still be enjoyed daily at Mohegan Sun. Leisurely clambakes, appetizers and tropical treats with a water view and drinks under the stars are all part of Mohegan Sun Indian Summer package.

Package includes:

• A luxurious overnight stay at Mohegan Sun.
• Two complimentary drinks under the stars at Leffingwells Martini Bar.
• A $50.00 coupon to Jasper White’s Summer Shack, inspired by a traditional New England clam shack featuring local and regional favorites and a fresh raw bar
• A $25.00 coupon to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, an island oasis where guests can enjoy tropical drinks or a Cheeseburger in Paradise, all while overlooking the Thames River.

Package price starts at $114.00 per person plus tax and gratuity based on double occupancy.

To make a reservation for Mohegan Sun’s Indian Summer package, please call 1.888.777.7922 and mention code PTIND.

 Restrictions may apply. Pricing is based on a one-night stay and double occupancy. Taxes and gratuity are not included. Package is based on availability. For more information, visit mohegansun.com/staying.

Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States.  Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country.  More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.

Restaurants to feature special menu dishes and desserts on Thursday, November 26th
 
Mohegan Sun’s restaurants and buffets are excited to present some special dining offerings covering everything from traditional Turkey dinners to mouthwatering Prime Rib in celebration of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th.

Todd English’s Tuscany will showcase a four-course Chef’s Tasting meal that starts out with Pear Salad mixed with fresh Field Greens, Gorgonzola and Walnuts.  The second course will offer Butternut Tortelli with Sage Brown Butter followed by Turkey Crépinette with Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pumpkin Risotto, Wild Mushroom Stuffing and Cranberry Port Sauce.  The course is topped off with Chestnut Bread Pudding with Caramelized Apple and Dulce de Leche for dessert.   This meal will be offered at $47.00 per person and with wine pairings it is offered at $82.00 per person.  Todd English’s Tuscany will serve a dinner menu throughout the day in lieu of their Tuscan Table and lunch menus.

The Longhouse will serve a Carved Roast Turkey (white and dark meat) with sides that include Traditional Stuffing, Brown Sugar Roasted Yams, Buttermilk Chive Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy, Haricot Verts with Cranberry Pecan Butter as well as Roast Winter Vegetables.  Dessert will feature a Deep Dish Pecan Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Sauce, Cinnamon Cream and Caramel Garnish.  This special Thanksgiving meal will be offered at $26.00 per person.  The Longhouse will be open from 12:00pm – 8:00pm. 

Pompeii & Caesar will offer a Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Lentils, Goat Cheese topped with Roasted Walnut Vinaigrette dressing.  The second course is a Turkey Saltimbocca with Sweet Potato Gnocchi covered in Sage Brown Butter and Spicy Broccoli Rabe.  Dessert is a Deep Dish Pecan Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Sauce, Cinnamon Cream and a Caramel Garnish.  This three-course meal is offered at $32.00 and will be served from 5:00pm – 10:00pm.

Birches Bar & Grill will offer a customary Thanksgiving dinner that starts out with a choice of salad or soup.  The main course includes Turkey with Apple Craisin Stuffing, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Chef’s Vegetables, Cranberry Sauce and Giblet Gravy.   Dessert will feature a Deep Dish Pecan Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Sauce, Cinnamon Cream topped with a  Caramel Garnish.  This meal is priced at $21.95 per person.  Birches Bar & Grill will be open from 11:30am to 3:30am.

Sunburst and Seasons Buffets will offer a variety of choices for Thanksgiving.  Both buffets will have a Roasted Turkey dinner with all the usual Thanksgiving fixings.  Sunburst Buffet will also feature Prime Rib of Beef with hot sides that include Home-Style Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Fresh Asparagus with Spicy Citrus-Basil & Roasted Pecans.   Guests can find a variety of desserts available in both buffets such as Apple or mixed Fruit Cobbler, Mohegan Sun’s Famous Bread Pudding, Toll House Cookie Bars and Cinnamon-Raisin Rice Pudding.  Seasons Buffet will be offered at $16.98, plus tax and will serving the Thanksgiving dinner selections form 11:00am to 10:00pm. Sunburst Buffet will be offered at $19.81, plus tax and will be open from 10:30pm to 9:00pm.

Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the largest, most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and meeting destinations in the United States.  Situated on 240 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country.  More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com.