Gourmet News

Dollywood Flower & Food Festival Ready to Bloom Again

Published April 25, 2022

For a third year, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (April 22 – June 5) presented by Covenant Health blossoms against a Smoky Mountain backdrop to deliver brilliant floral hues to guests. During this year’s installment of the festival, guests can appreciate the vibrant beauty of more than a million blooms, explore the fresh flavors of spring with an immersive tasting pass and delight in entertainment offerings.

In 2021, the Flower & Food Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., was honored with the inaugural Brass Ring Award for “Best New Food and Beverage Festival or Special Event” by the International Association for Amusement Parks and Attractions. The festival features elaborate floral installations that emerge throughout the park to translate nature into living art, each coming together to create a breathtaking display of more than a million blooms in total. In fact, the Flower & Food Festival grows by 30 percent, thanks to new displays, entertainment and interactive elements.

Mosaiculture icons include a peacock, a beekeeper tending to a hive and a mallard duck. These whimsical new additions join a lineup of beloved displays: the signature butterfly umbrella, woodland animal friends and the touching depiction of Dolly’s mother crafting the Coat of Many Colors. These sculptures are designed in partnership with Mosaicultures International, a Montreal-based company that specializes in the art of elaborate floral decorations.

“Spring has always been so wonderful to me, because the flowers start growing, the sun shines for a little longer, and the birds start singing a new song,” Dolly Parton said. “When I was little and the weather started warming up, all us kids would gather on the porch in the afternoon and enjoy lemonade that Mama brought out for us. That’s springtime to me – getting to make memories with my family and taking in the beautiful colors everywhere.”

“I hope that when families come to Dollywood during our festival, they get those same feelings of joy. This year, our guests can take a walk in my special butterfly garden and even see my Mama making my coat of many colors. I think the festival will continue to bloom even bigger and brighter right here in these beautiful mountains.”

While admiring the vivid colors blooming throughout the park, guests can explore a menu crafted with inspiration from fresh spring flavors and Smoky Mountain flair. Returning for this year is the tasting pass, which allows guests to partake in multiple food items at different festival locations.

The tasting pass, which can be purchased in the park or online, is $34.99 plus tax or $31.99 plus tax for gold and diamond passholders. With this pass, guests can sample five food offerings at any Flower & Food Festival culinary location. This year’s festival menu features a Cuban sandwich with mojo sauce, Reuben spring roll, chicken and andouille skillet, beef bulgogi nachos, seafood mac and cheese, berry and honey funnel cakes and hand-decorated flower-themed cookies and cupcakes among many other tasty spring dishes.

A highlight of the festival this year is entertainment, including “Dolly’s Butterfly Garden” and the return of a former guest favorite to the park. Dolly’s Butterfly Garden is an immersive experience that allows guests to interact with nature elements in a new way. Created by Montreal, Canada’s Moment Factory, this exhibit will take place in Adventures in Imagination throughout the festival. Performers from Australia combine theatrical elements and acrobatics for a thrilling new show called “Bloom!” that takes place high above ground while performers are situated atop sway poles.

Dollywood’s streets are filled with music during the Flower & Food Festival. The Hall Sisters, an energetic quartet of country pop performers, will set the stage in Craftsman’s Valley. A returning favorite show, “A Brighter Day,” features five daily performances at the Back Porch Theater. All shows are included with park admission. A full schedule of live performances is available at Dollywood.com.

Back to provide shade along Showstreet is the mesmerizing Umbrella Sky, which brings together hundreds of colorful umbrellas in a brilliant, suspended arrangement that makes for an “Instagram-worthy” background. Guests looking to capture picture-perfect memories at Dollywood can stop by several locations in the park for an amazing photo. These include the Hillside Carpet Display that brings a florally crafted sunset to Rivertown Junction, the pathways of Adventures in Imagination that are decorated with creative chalk art portraits, and Dolly’s Butterfly Garden exhibit in Adventures in Imagination.

Festival elements carry over into Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, where guests find festive décor and stunning floral accents. Daily mocktails and cocktails will be served in The Lounge at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, each drawing inspiration from the essence of springtime. Families can enjoy live entertainment in the lobby atrium, festival-inspired cuisine at Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery and festival-themed activities at Camp DW. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa hosts a Winemaker’s Dinner for guests on May 21 inside Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery. This unique dining experience pairs festival-inspired culinary creations with exemplary wines. Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling (865) 868-1246.

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Albertsons Sets ESG Goals, Long-Term Sustainability Strategies

Published April 21, 2022

Albertsons Companies has launched long-term sustainability goals and strategies focused on maximizing the company’s positive impact across four pillars: Planet, People, Product and Community. The company’s Environmental, Social and Governance framework, called “Recipe for Change,” further solidifies Albertsons Cos.’ commitment to using its national presence and resources to drive meaningful, proactive change.

“As a long-standing neighborhood grocer, we have an ongoing commitment to leverage our resources and expertise to support the communities we serve and the planet we share,” said CEO Vivek Sankaran. “Today, we are unveiling ambitious and measurable goals that will challenge us to be even more deliberate and creative about how we lead positive change.”

Chief Sustainability and Transformation Officer Suzanne Long will oversee execution of Albertsons Cos.’ ESG strategy and sustainability agenda. Long has been in retail and consulting for more than 25 years and has led a variety of major strategic initiatives at Albertsons Cos. Long has been leading the company’s ESG efforts since late 2020.

“Albertsons Cos. has made substantial progress driving sustainability practices in our operations, including reducing energy and fuel consumption, implementing recycling programs, and fighting food insecurity in our local neighborhoods,” said Long. “Recipe for Change is about broadening our existing commitments so we can have an even greater impact.”

The company’s new ESG platform includes the following priorities and goals:

PLANET –

Climate Action: Albertsons Cos. is committed to fighting climate change by reducing carbon emissions through science-based targets.

Achieve Science Based Targets initiative approved carbon emissions reduction goals by 2030.
- Reduce carbon emissions from company operations by 47%.
- Reduce downstream carbon emissions from the use of sold goods by approximately 27%.
- Engage top suppliers to set science-based carbon reduction targets by 2026.
Achieve Net Zero emissions in company operations by 2040.

PEOPLE –

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Albertsons Cos. is committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and providing equal opportunity for all associates.

Increase diverse representation within our management to reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.
Foster an inclusive culture that embraces differences and drives innovation to accelerate growth.
Ensure all associates have equal access to opportunities and resources.

PRODUCT –

Waste Reduction & Circularity: Albertsons Cos. is committed to eliminating food waste, reducing the use of plastic, and accelerating our transition to a more circular economy.

Zero food waste going to landfill by 2030.
Leverage global partnerships and platforms to report on and achieve the company’s Plastics & Packaging Pledge goals, including:
- By 2025, all Own Brands product packaging will be 100% recyclable, reusable, or industrially compostable.
- By 2025, Own Brands plastic packaging will include 20% recycled content.
- By 2022, Own Brands packaging will include standardized recycling communications.

COMMUNITY –

Nourishing Neighbors: Albertsons Cos. is committed to reducing food insecurity at a local level, so all its neighbors thrive.

Enable the donation of one billion meals by 2030.
Champion innovative programs and partnerships to help break the cycle of hunger in the communities we serve.

Albertsons Cos. will share updates and progress against its priorities in its annual ESG impact report this summer.

Stoli Promotion to Benefit World Central Kitchen for Ukraine Relief

Published April 20, 2022

Stoli® Group to Release Limited-Edition Bottle in Support of the Ukrainian People

Stoli Group has launched a limited-edition bottle of Stoli Vodka to benefit Ukraine. Proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization founded by Chef José Andrés that provides fresh, nutritious meals to refugees fleeing Ukraine and those who are staying in cities impacted by the war.

“As Ukrainians continue to suffer unimaginable losses, we are doing our small part to show unequivocal support,” said Damian McKinney, global CEO. “This Stoli Vodka bottle will not only provide financial resources to Ukraine, but is also a symbol of solidarity.”

Drawing from the colors of the Ukrainian national flag, the geometric graphic pattern that adorns Stoli Vodka’s Ukraine limited-edition design is inspired by the communities around the world that have come together to support the people of Ukraine. This special limited-edition will be launched globally as one of the key pillars in reaching the goal of raising $1MM for WCK by Aug. 24 – to celebrate Independence Day of Ukraine.

“World Central Kitchen is grateful for Stoli support and commitment to our mission. They share our belief that a plate of food is more than just nourishment; its hope and a sign that someone cares,” said Jason Collis, WCK’s vice president of relief. “We appreciate Stoli’s quick movement to action and continued support, which will help us to serve meals as long as we are needed.”

WCK has served more than 6 million meals across Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. Working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks to provide nourishing meals at border crossings, shelters, and other refugee communities, WCK serves more than 300,000 meals daily in the region. The limited-edition bottle follows a previous financial commitment to WCK from Stoli.

In addition to the limited-edition bottle, Stoli Group is launching a charitable cocktail program called Cocktails for Ukraine, which encourages bars and restaurants to donate $1 for every Stoli cocktail sold to WCK. Consumers will also have the opportunity to make a direct donation to WCK by scanning the QR code on the menu that links to the Stoli Group fundraising page for WCK – here.

The limited-edition in support of the Ukrainian people will be available for purchase in select stores in the United States and select countries around the world including the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Poland, Latvia and Czech Republic.

Headquartered in Luxembourg, Stoli has production facilities in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and the United States, some of which are steeped in history dating back to the early part of the last century. For more information, visit stoli-group.com.

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