Katalyst Public Relations

Valentine’s Day Cheat Sheet

Katherine — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 03:12:02 +0000

Flowers? Check. Chocolates? Check. Pulling off the perfect Valentine’s Day? Priceless. February 14^th marks the lovely day where we get to show a little extra care for the special people in our lives. How will you be spending Valentine’s Day this year? Maybe these ideas can help!

A fun activity for the whole family: Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill have brought back their take home Valentine’s Day Pizza Kits. Make heart-shaped pizzas in your own kitchen! Every kit includes pizza dough, Mozzarella Cheese, Sauce, Basil, Recipe/instructions, and a $5 Off $20 Sammy’s coupon. Packages start at $6.50 each with partial proceeds from all pizza kits benefiting the American Heart Association. Pick up your Pizza Kit from one of these Sammy’s locations.

Looking for the perfect spot for a romantic dinner? Acqua al 2 located in downtown San Diego will be having a special Valentine’s Day menu. Enjoy a sampler of five items from the first course list, soup, and salad, a choice of a main entrée, and a dessert selection for $60.00.

Mollie of byLangley reveals her picks for Valentine’s Day. Elegant Chemises, delicate lace bralets, and flirty PJ’s are sure to amp up the romance! Free shipping on all orders. Order by February 10 for delivery by February 14.

Haven’t found the right gift for that special Valentine yet? Cups located in downtown La Jolla now has “sweethearts”-inspired organic cookies for Valentine’s Day. These yummy treats are available in traditional organic or gluten free options. Get creative and write your own message on each cookie!

Super Bowl Game Day Specials

Katherine — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:00:52 +0000

Let the drinks flow, gatherings commence, and yelling ensue. That’s right folks, February 3rd is Super Bowl Sunday. This Baltimore Ravens will go head to head with the San Francisco 49ers. Who will you be rooting for?

The Super Bowl has largely become recognized as a de facto American holiday, and justifiably so. I have fond memories of Super Bowl Sunday where the whole family would gather around the television and take in every frustrating fumble and each glorious touchdown. Commercial breaks were sure to carry the year’s catchphrases and the halftime show was hotly anticipated. Since moving to San Diego I have forged a few traditions of my own. With so many great establishments in the area, ringing in the Super Bowl has largely become a collective experience within the San Diego community. This year, three local mainstays have announced their fun plans for the upcoming Ravens v. 49ers battle.

Puesto Mexican Street Food located in downtown La Jolla has created a Party Pack exclusively for Super Bowl Sunday; the stacked meal package serves five and includes 15 tacos, chips & housemade guacamole, and three Mexican street cups made with fresh fruits & veggies. Order yours in advance so you don’t have to worry about running to the grocery story to fight off the rest of San Diego for hot dogs and hamburger patties.

Bub’s at the Ballpark has announced their game day specials! $5 dollar Fernet Branca shots when Raven scores and $5 Fireball shots when the 49ers score. The special will stay the same until the other team scores. For all those who are not fans of either team or the shots, you can get a Bud Light pint for $3.50 and pitcher for $13.50 and Shocktop pint for $4 and pitcher for $14.

Also, don’t forget that Bootlegger is the ONLY San Francisco bar in San Diego. It will where all the true 49er fans hang out so it’s bound to get heated!

Have a wonderful Super Bowl Sunday!
- Alice, Publicity Assistant, Katalyst PR

Local Restaurants Raise Funds for Hungry Schoolchildren

Katherine — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:31:21 +0000

For many, food is a hobby. A pleasure. Yet many children in our own community view food solely as a means to survival. An abundance of chronically hungry elementary school children surround us. State-funded food programs at schools suppress these children’s hunger pains on schooldays, but it’s a sad, true story that many students return to class every Monday having barely eaten since the previous Friday.

Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank aims to change all that. It launched the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program in 2008 to discreetly provide children in need with backpacks full of nutritious, child-friendly food each weekend. The program has expanded from 75 students from two schools to 1150 students in ten different districts throughout San Diego County. Despite its growth, certain schools remain on the program’s waiting list, anxious to help their own students.

That’s where community support comes in.

In 2009, Jacobs & Cushman launched a fundraiser to support the San Diego Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids program called “Dollar-a-Dish.” Dollar-A-Dish is a fundraiser entailing that local food businesses in San Diego pick a best-selling dish and, for every time the dish is sold during the month of August, one dollar goes toward the Food 4 Kids program.

Acqua Al 2′s Assaggio Di Primi

This August, Toast Enoteca & Cucina, Acqua Al 2 Ristorante, Puesto Mexican Street Food and St. Germain’s Café – along with 39 other restaurants – will donate $1 for every best-selling dish ordered. Acqua Al 2’s featured dish is its Assaggio Di Primi, perfect for sharing and highlighting five chef’s choice dishes from the restaurant’s first course menu of pastas and risotti. Acqua Al 2’s sister restaurant, Toast Enoteca & Cucina, presents the Lasagna Degli Asparagi (lasagna baked asparagus) filled with rich parmesan, from its summer menu. In Encinitas, St. Germain’s Café & Bistro brings to the table its new Pan-Seared Wild Atlantic Salmon with lemon vinaigrette. Puesto Mexican Street Food in downtown La Jolla will donate $1 for every frozen horchata, a traditional Mexican beverage, sold during August.

For a full list of restaurants participating in the Dollar-A-Dish program, check out http://sandiegofoodbank.org/dollar-a-dish/.

Fabulously Featured: Bliss 101

Katherine — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:40:13 +0000

San Diego souvenir shops: step aside. No more do we want your keychains, magnets or ill-fitting message tees printed on crewneck shirts. No, no, and definitely no.

Enter: Bliss 101. This 4,000 square foot Encinitas boutique opened in February 2011 shows diehard souvenir shoppers where to invest their hard-earned money, like canvasses of paintings and photographic prints from painter Wade Koniakowsky and pro surfer Rob Machado, a Cardiff native. Indonesian boats are morphed into uber-beachy wine racks and bookshelves by world-renowned furniture designer Thomas Bina, and display tables are overloaded with an ever-changing selection of breezy home décor. It’s so… not made in China.

Inside Bliss 101 at Encinitas' Pacific Station

For those of you as serious as we are about waging war with crewneck tees (yes, we’re back to that), slide to the back room of this boutique for a treasure trove of colorful, beachy and dreamy dresses and bags. Then try your hand at resisting an impulsive purchase of matching, hand-crafted earrings, pendants, baubles and rings lovingly created by local artists with an eye for beauty.

Local designer Kerri Jones' Tenthings Drops of Jupiter earrings

Longtime Encinitas resident Helen Zeldes opened Bliss 101 in February 2011 to inspire sustainable living, and does just that with a diverse collection of arts and gifts to enrich what matters most: life and home. Bliss 101 lives up to its mantra by supporting fair trade, sustainability and philanthropy, and this eco-friendly establishment supports over 50 local, regional and international artists, craftsmen and designers. Simultaneously, the space plays venue to community events like live local music, artist receptions, fashion shows, jewelry design classes and potlucks to encourage a feel of community, unity and connection with nature.

Bliss 101 encourages all who have stepped foot inside its doors to live a more inspired, peaceful and blissful life, and for those of you returning to a less paradise-like clime after your San Diego vacation, consider taking a little piece of bliss back home.

Located perfectly along California’s scenic Highway 101:

Bliss 101
687 S. Coast Hwy 101 Suite #151
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 487-1900.
www.bliss101.com

Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bliss101.Encinitas and Twitter @shopbliss101.

Katalyst’s Picks: July Food Events

Katherine — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:59:21 +0000

If you’ve inhabited San Diego longer than three seasons, you know summer means a whirlwind of food festivals and restaurant specials that locals and tourists alike will gravitate toward like a tide to the shore. July marks the first full month of our hot season, leaving May Gray and June Gloom in the rearview, so consider leaving your beach towel for a day to check out these July food events and specials:

Cups Culinary Cooking Class Hosted by I Love Poke Festival Winning Chef Antonio Friscia

Following the I Love Poke Festival, Executive Chef Antonio Friscia of downtown’s new Gaijin Noodle + Sake House will lead a cooking class at Cups Culinary to reveal his winning poke dish. Friscia took first place in the non-traditional “Any Kine” category at the I Love Poke Festival, with a dish involving local yellowtail, bay scallops and octopus with preserved chili yuzu, uni, and micro shiso. In the same class, Friscia will teach participants how to recreate Gaijin-style Asian fusion dishes. The class will also be led by I Love Poke Festival event founder Nino Camilo, who regularly hosts Hawaiian cooking classes at Cups Culinary. More information and sign ups available at www.cupslj.com/classes-parties.

Cost: $65 per person

When: Tuesday, July 24th from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where:
Cups Culinary
7857 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858 ) 459-2877
www.cupslj.com

: Chef Antonio Friscia Wins 1st Place at the I Love Poke Festival

Acqua Al 2 Ristorante in the Gaslamp Quarter Hosts a Franciacorta-themed Wine Dinner

Acqua Al 2 Ristorante, the traditional Italian restaurant created to mirror its original counterpart in Florence, Italy, will host a four-course wine pairing dinner showcasing the hilly Italian region of Franciacorta. This completes the trio of spring-summer wine pairing dinners that sister restaurants Acqua Al 2 and Toast Enoteca & Cucina have offered in downtown San Diego. View the full Franciacorta menu here.

Cost: $70 per person

When: Thursday, July 12th at 7 p.m.

Where:
Acqua Al 2 Ristorante
322 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 230-0382
www.acquaal2.com

: Acqua Al 2 in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter

St. Germain’s Café & Bistro Extends Happy Hours for Summer

St. Germain’s Café & Bistro in Encinitas will extend its happy hours to run from 3 to 7 p.m. this summer. This happy hour menu includes drink specials like the Blood Orange Moscato Float (like a root beer float) and the restaurant’s popular red and white sangrias.

When: Monday through Saturday, 3 to 7 p.m.

Where:
St. Germain’s Cafe
1010 S. Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 753-5411
www.stgermainscafe.com

: St. Germain’s Cafe & Bistro’s White and Red Sangria

Hot Dog On A Stick Launches Hot Dog Happy Hour, New Seasoned Fries and Watermelon Lemonade

Hot Dog On A Stick’s Encinitas location (the only “street store” in San Diego county) celebrates summer with the launch of limited edition menu items, including barbecue flavored French fries and watermelon lemonade. The fries are first in a series of what will be Hot Dog On A Stick’s special quarterly flavor of French fries. The watermelon lemonade replaces last quarter’s limited lemonade flavor: mango.

This Encinitas location will also offer a Hot Dog Happy Hour every Tuesday now through Labor Day. Original menu items like hot dogs on a stick and hand-squeezed lemonades will be available for only $1 each on Tuesdays between 4 and 6 p.m.

When: Fries and lemonade launch July 1st/Hot Dog Happy Hour runs Tuesdays 4 to 6 p.m.

Where:
Hot Dog On A Stick
260 North El Camino Real, Suite B
Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-7020
www.hotdogonastick.com

: Hot Dog On A Stick’s Classic Menu

Award-Winning Chefs Will Lead Poke Cooking Classes

Katherine — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 22:59:26 +0000

It feels a little strange writing “poke cooking classes” with poke (pronounced “poh-KEH”) being a traditionally raw dish, but that’s what’s happening this June and July. This year’s I Love Poke Food Festival & Competition produced 6 placing chefs from a competition to create the best poke in the city (and here’s a kicker for you proud San Diegans: three of those winning spots were claimed by Orange County chefs). Check out the final results of this competition, judged by the likes of Top Chef star Brian Malarkey, Anuhea, contemporary Hawaiian singer and celeb, Transworld Surf Magazine Editor-in-Chief Chris Cote and nine others:

Traditional (use of tuna required):

1^st: Primo Beer (Chef James Harris) – Orange County

2^nd: Hapa J’s Kitchen Bar Lounge (Chef Justin Shea) – Orange County

3^rd: Peohe’s (Chef David Bland) – San Diego

Any Kine (anything goes):

1^st: Gaijin Noodle + Sake House (Chef Antonio Friscia) – San Diego

2^nd: Hapa J’s Kitchen Bar Lounge (Chef Justin Shea) – Orange County

3^rd: Peohe’s (Chef David Bland) – San Diego

Chefs Antonio Friscia, Justin Shea and David Bland receive their hard-earned awards at the I Love Poke Festival

For those who couldn’t make it to the sold out I Love Poke Festival, or those wanting to relive the festival, event founder Nino Camilo and both 1^st place chefs offer enthusiasts one more chance to sample the best poke in our city – via cooking classes at Cups Culinary in La Jolla. Winning chefs James Harris and Antonio Friscia will each lead a poke cooking class, during which participants will learn to recreate that chef’s winning poke dish. Class schedules and details are as follows:

Friday, June 29th from 6 to 9 p.m. - Chef James Harris, winner in the I Love Poke Festival’s Traditional category, will teach participants to produce his ahi poke dish, made with macadamia nuts, sesame oil, Hawaiian salt and taro chips.

Tuesday, July 24th from 6 to 9 p.m. - Chef Antonio Friscia of Gaijin Noodle + Sake House, winner of the I Love Poke Festival’s non-traditional “Any Kine” category, will lead a demonstration of his winning poke dish, made with local yellowtail, bay scallops and octopus with preserved chili yuzu, uni, and micro shiso. In the same class, Friscia will also teach participants how to recreate Gaijin-style Asian fusion dishes.

Chef Antonio Friscia's 1st place "Any Kine" poke

Cups Culinary is located at 7857 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037. Priced at $65 per person and limited to 20 people per class, interested parties can reserve their space online now at www.cupslj.com/classes-parties.

I Love Poke Festival Returns to San Diego on May 30

Katherine — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:21:45 +0000

This year, the I Love Poke Food Festival & Competition tapped Katalyst Public Relations to handle its media exposure, and we couldn’t be having more fun promoting this Hawaiian culture and foodie fest. The I Love Poke Festival is an event we’d attend even if it weren’t our job (tough job, that one). Want to join us? Tickets are available here.

Check out a bit more about how this annual celebration of Hawaii is making its mark on San Diego, and how you can get involved:

The I Love Poke Festival returns to San Diego’s Bali Hai Restaurant on May 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. Poke (pronounce ”POH-keh”) is a Hawaiian delicacy traditionally made with raw ahi tuna, cut into cubes and seasoned lightly to accentuate the natural flavors of the fish with spices like soy sauce, limu (seaweed) and sesame oil. YUM!

This event pits San Diego’s top chefs against one another in a competition to discover who can create the best poke in the city. In addition to all the “onolicious” poke you can eat, 15 of San Diego’s best restaurants and food brands will give party-goers tastes of Hawaiian, Asian and South Pacific Island-inspired cuisine (come hungry)! A full line-up of competing chefs and participating restaurants can be viewed at ILoveMusubi.com.

Want to be even more involved? A coveted judging spot next to Top Chef star Brian Malarkey is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. All proceeds from this auction, plus $5 from each event ticket purchased, will go to benefit the Kona-California Scholarship so start your bidding!

The I Love Poke Festival will take place at Bali Hai Restaurant, located at 2230 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106.

Bliss 101 Launches Rob Machado Photography Exhibit

Katherine — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:20:15 +0000

This past month, Katalyst Public Relations took on a task we knew would be a media frenzy: the launch of pro-surfer Rob Machado’s photography exhibit at Bliss 101, an art and furniture gallery and gift and home décor shop in Encinitas’ Pacific Station.

After years of surfing in global destinations (and right here at home), Rob Machado has collected countless photos taken around the world as well San Diego’s own North County coast. This past Saturday, May 5, Machado launched his collection of photography at Bliss 101, which will be the only retailer in San Diego County to carry the surfer’s work moving forward.

Bliss 101 threw a bash on Saturday evening that was, to say the least, completely packed with surf and art enthusiasts hoping to meet Machado and view his work and, with any luck, get an autographed photo, tee shirt or copy of Rob’s latest surf film Melali: The Drifter Sessions. Editor-in-Chief of Transworld Surf Magazine Chris Cote introduced Machado to the crowd while Solace & Moonlight Lounge and Rimel’s Rotisserie served tray-passed appetizers. Primo Beer, Snake Oil Cocktail Company’s Snake Hunter Beer, Witch Creek Winery and Whole Foods Encinitas provided a bevy of beer and wine for attendees of age.

Rob Machado launches photography at Bliss 101 in Encinitas

Rob Machado donated 100% of his proceeds from the sale of his photography to the Rob Machado Foundation, a California based 501c(3) not-for-profit private foundation, Bliss also donated a percentage of their proceeds. Founded in 2004, RMF was created to support environmental programs worldwide. Its primary mission is to provide funding and initiate educational programs focused on helping children understand their contribution towards a healthy earth.

Bliss 101 is located at S. Coast Hwy 101, Suite 151, Encinitas, Calif. 92024.

For more information please visit www.Bliss101.com and connect with Bliss 101 on Facebook and Twitter at @ShopBliss101.

Want to know more about the launch of Rob Machado’s photography? Check out this small sampling of the media coverage Katalyst Public Relations secured for this event:

Rob Machado Photography Exhibit Opens in Encinitas (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Photography For a Cause With Surfing Legend Rob Machado (San Diego 6 News)

Photography Unveiling at Bliss 101 (TheInertia.com)

Hot Dog On A Stick in Encinitas Celebrates Anniversary with Free Hot Dogs & Lemonade

Katherine — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:40:09 +0000

The Hot Dog On A Stick location in Encinitas is celebrating their 1-year anniversary May 5 and 6 by giving away free lemonade with every food purchase all weekend long and free hot dogs on a stick from 3-4 p.m. each day.

No mall visit required to get your hot dog fix; this Hot Dog On A Stick “street store” is only the second store in this Carlsbad-based company’s 65-year history to be placed outside of a mall.

Throughout the weekend, raffle tickets for two $25 gift cards to Hot Dog On A Stick can be purchased for $1 each, with proceeds going to the local Encinitas Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito.

Hot Dog On A Stick Encinitas is located at 260 N. El Camino Real, Suite B, Encinitas, Calif. 92024.

For more information please visit www.hotdogonastick.com and connect with Hot Dog On A Stick on Facebook and Twitter (@hotdogonastick1).

Supporting San Diego’s Lady Chefs

Katherine — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:08:45 +0000

The Katalyst PR team is passionate about food and supporting local restaurants and purveyors. So we are delighted to announce that our client, St. Germain’s Bistro & Café recently launched a new concept that empowers local female chefs and showcases their culinary stylings!

In February, St. Germain’s launched a quarterly guest chef “Lady Chef” series featuring San Diego’s top female chefs. Once per quarter a different Lady Chef will create a special dinner menu for St. Germain’s similar to how an art gallery features new artists. The menu is being prepared in collaboration with St. Germain’s own lady chef, executive chef, Kaitlin Ramos. We are delighted to savor the specialty menu items from these dynamic duos, which will be seasonally inspired and feature fresh local fare.

February – March 10: Isabel Cruz, restaurateur, chef and author, Isabel’s Restaurants, Barrio Star, Coffee Cup, Isabel’s Cantina and Seaside Cantina. Due to popular demand we have extended Isabel’s series through March 10!
May: Kari Rich, owner and executive chef, Food Farm Truck
August: Dawn Parks, owner and executive chef, The Wild Thyme Company-Catering and Events
November: Alvanette Kauwalu, a personal chef specializing in Hawaiian and Asian cuisine

St. Germain’s is giving these local ladies time to shine and show off their talents. Take advantage of this limited time opportunity and show your support for local chefs and our favorite Encinitas dining establishment St. Germain’s! On March 7, Isabel Cruz will be signing her best-selling book, Isabel’s Cantina: Bold Latin Flavors from the New California Kitchen, at St. Germain’s.

Also, be sure to leave your comments and feedback about the Lady Chef Series on the St. Germain’s Facebook page!

The Lady Chef series was curated by Nino “Neens” Camilo. Creator of the I Love Poke Festival, which is making it’s return to Bali Hai on May 30th.

Pictured from left to right: Alvanette Kauwalu, Personal Chef; Kaitlin Ramos, executive chef, St. Germain’s Bistro & Cafe; Dawn Parks, owner and executive chef, The Wild Thyme Company-Catering and Events; Kari Rich, owner and executive chef, Food Farm Truck; Isabel Cruz, restaurateur, chef and author, Isabel’s Restaurants. Photo credit: Nino “Neens” Camilo.