The palate pleasing combination of food tastings from top local restaurants will be paired with well-known

Lowcountry authors and topped with the exciting chefs’ competition “The Heat is On” at Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry’s 3rd Annual Fundraiser, COOKS & BOOKS, on Sunday, February 22, 2009 from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM at The Mall at Shelter Cove.
The Presenting Sponsor is TidePointe, a Classic Residence by Hyatt,
Spearheaded by Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry’s Friends of Literacy, COOKS & BOOKS promises an afternoon of culinary delights and entertainment.  Sonny Dixon of WTOC-TV Channel 11 in Savannah will serve as master of ceremonies.  
    Advance tickets are $15 per person or $20 at the door.  Admission includes unlimited tastings, access to the Lowcountry authors and the chefs’ competition.  Water and soft drinks will be available for $2; beer and wine will be available for $4.
    Tickets can be purchased at Burke’s Pharmacy on Main Street, Hilton Head; at Markel’s Cards & Gifts in Kittie’s Crossing, Bluffton; at Literacy Volunteers’ offices in Hilton Head at 4 Oak Park Drive, in Bluffton at 1-B Kittie’s Landing Way and in Beaufort at 1403 Prince Street; or online at www.lowcountryliteracy.org .
    Among the area’s best restaurants offering  tastings are Alligator Grille, Aqua Grill and Lounge, Antonio’s Italian Cuisine, Charley’s Crab, CQ’s, Flora’s Italian Restaurant,  Kenny B’s French Quarter  Café, May 5th Cantina & Grill, Myrtle’s Bar & Grill, Ocean Grill, Old Fort Pub, Redfish, Sea Pines  Resort, Wise Guys  and Tapas.
    Event goers will have an opportunity to chat with and purchase autographed books from area fiction and non-fiction writers.  Joining the event will be Kathryn Wall, Kim Likens, Cathy Pickens, Caroline Cousins, Nicole Seitz and Roger Pinckney.
    As an added treat COOKS & BOOKS will offer “The Heat is On,” an exciting local chefs’ competition. Preliminary rounds will pit two groups of chefs against each other.  The winners of these rounds will face off for the title of “Best Under Fire.”  Using a basket of mystery ingredients with just thirty minutes to prepare their dishes, chefs will be judged in a blind tasting on creativity, taste and presentation.   Our celebrity judge will be Ron Andrews of the Bray’s Island Club & President of the American Culinary Federation.
    Chefs competing in the event include:  Aqua Grill and Lounge’s Eric Seaglund, Bob Britton of Charley’s Crab, Curtis Lincoln of Myrtle’s, Keith Josefiak of Old Fort Pub, and Stephen Stewart from TidePointe.
     Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry is grateful to the following event sponsors:  
Presenting Sponsor – TidePointe, a classic residence by Hyatt  
Patron Sponsor – Carolina First
Media sponsors include   Pink Magazine, Taste and The Bluffton Breeze   
Venue Sponsor – The Mall at Shelter Cove
Associate sponsors include Judith A. Johnson, CPA/Robinson & Grant Co., P.A., Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Publix Supermarkets Charities and Waldenbooks.
Special thanks are also extended to the Hilton Head Island Rotary, Two Eleven Park Bistro and Billy Wood Appliances
     Prior to COOKS & BOOKS, a Preview Party will be held on Friday, February 20 from 6:00-9:00 PM at TidePointe, a Classic Residence by Hyatt.  The party will feature event authors and participating chefs as well as a silent auction.  Guests will enjoy cocktails and gourmet dishes presented by TidePointe Executive Chef Stephen Stewart.  Tickets to the event are $50.00 per person, space is limited.   
    For further information, please call 815-6616 or visit our website www.lowcountryliteracy.org. Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry is a United Way agency.