Brand New Public Television Series Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth Premieres October 2009

Brand New Public Television Series Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth Premieres October 2009

Travel to Exotic Cooking Schools Around the World Alongside Gourmet Editor in Chief Ruth Reichl

BOSTON and NEW YORK, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In creating the content for Gourmet's May 2008 "cooking vacations" issue, the staff discovered that the best way to experience another culture, is to "stand at a stove with a wonderful cook." Inspired by this revelation, Gourmet magazine and WGBH Boston bring the world of cooking vacations to public television this fall with the brand new series Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth, premiering October 17, 2009 (check local listings). The show invites viewers to travel the globe alongside host and Gourmet editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl as well as celebrity guests and Gourmet companions, as they visit exotic cooking schools and experience the local foods and traditions that surround them.

"This partnership is perfect for us in that we are able to do what we do best," Nancy Berger Cardone, vice president and publisher of Gourmet magazine said. "We are able to execute a multi-channel integrated marketing program in order to reach our audience, support innovative content, and ensure success for our corporate sponsor."

In its first season on public television Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth will visit cooking schools abroad in Mexico, Italy, England, Morroco, Brazil, Laos, and China; and in the United States in Washington and New York, with the series premiere episode set in Tennessee. There, Ruth and actress Frances McDormand visit Blackberry Farm, a culinary resort that exults farm-to-fork eating by producing its own organic vegetables, honey, eggs, preserves, and artisan cheeses. Gourmet editors Doc Willoughby and Ian Knauer, along with numerous celebrities who share Ruth's passion for food and travel are featured over the course of ten half-hour episodes. In addition to McDormand, celebrities making appearances this season include Dianne Wiest, Lorraine Bracco, Tom Skerritt, and Jeffrey Wright.

American Airlines is the exclusive corporate sponsor for Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth. "American Airlines is an excellent fit for this innovative new show," said Rick Wilbins, Managing Director-Brand and Advertising for American Airlines. "For our premium customers especially, food and travel are part of the adventure associated with experiencing other cultures, and Ruth Reichl is the perfect guide for our customers."

This is the second public television collaboration for WGBH Boston and Gourmet magazine. Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie premiered in October 2006, and recently concluded its third season.

For further information about Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth, please visit http://www.gourmet.com/adventureswithruth (launching September 2009).

Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth is a Production of WGBH, Zero Point Zero Production Inc., and Gourmet Magazine, in association with National Geographic Channel. Distributed by American Public Television. Exclusive corporate funding is provided by American Airlines. Executive Producer for WGBH is Laurie Donnelly. Executive Producers for Gourmet are editor in chief Ruth Reichl and VP/Publisher Nancy Berger Cardone. Series Executive Producers/Directors for Zero Point Zero Production Inc. are Chris Collins and Lydia Tenaglia.

ABOUT WGBH BOSTON

WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcasting producer, the source of fully one-third of PBS's prime-time lineup, along with some of public television's best-known lifestyle shows and children's programs and many public radio favorites. WGBH is the number one producer of Web sites on pbs.org, one of the most trafficked dot-org Web sites in the world. WGBH is a pioneer in educational multimedia and in technologies and services that make media accessible to the 36 million Americans who rely on captioning or video descriptions. WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors: Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards. . .even two Oscars. In 2002, WGBH was honored with a special institutional Peabody Award for 50 years of excellence. For more information visit www.wgbh.org.

ABOUT GOURMET MAGAZINE

Gourmet is the ultimate resource for 6.1 million people who are passionate about today's culinary culture. Food, travel and entertaining are the essential ingredients for life's best experiences--and only Gourmet brings these to life in an unrivaled environment of modern luxury and classic style. Gourmet. The Magazine for Readers who are HUNGRY FOR LIFE.

ABOUT ZERO POINT ZERO PRODUCTION INC.

New York City-based filmmakers Chris Collins and Lydia Tenaglia have worked together for the past eleven years producing, directing, and shooting over 200 episodes of documentary/reality television. In 2004, Collins and Tenaglia completed work as co-creators and producers of the series "A Cook's Tour," which explores food, culture and lifestyle through the bleary eyes of a New York cook, Anthony Bourdain, author of the best sellers Kitchen Confidential and A Cook's Tour. Collins and Tenaglia also completed work on the one-hour award-winning special, "Decoding Ferran Adria," which takes an in-depth look at the world of this Spanish culinary genius; they are currently in production on season five of "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations," a series for Travel Channel that follows best-selling author, culinary adventurer, drinker, and hedonist Anthony Bourdain around the world on his quest to explore culture through food.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com , provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE:AMR)

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Source: Gourmet Magazine

CONTACT: Ann Petruccelli, Senior Account Executive of WGBH Boston,
+1-617-300-5331, ann_petruccelli@wgbh.org; or Jennifer Petrisko, Director of
Public Relations of Gourmet, +1-212-286-6523, jennifer_petrisko@condenast.com;
or Photography Contact, Julianne Smith, Assistant Account Executive of WGBH,
+1-617-300-5361, julianne_smith@wgbh.org

Web Site: http://www.gourmet.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment