For Immediate Release
March 21, 2004
Contact: Tara McNally
October 12, 2004 212/645-6900 ext.115
tara@jerichopr.com

EASTERN TRADITION MIXES WITH WESTERN HISTORY
AT THE ANNUAL HAY-ADAMS SAKE DINNER

Sake Sommelier Christian S. Choi Will Guide Guests Through This Cross-Culture Culinary Event
As Their Palettes Experience A Japanese Tradition

Washington, D.C. – As our nation’s capital celebrates the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorating Tokyo’s 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees to Washington D.C., The Hay-Adams honors this notable occasion with its annual Sake Dinner, offering guests a one-of-a-kind, authentic cross-cultural culinary event of Japanese delight. Now in its sixth year, The Hay-Adams Sake Dinner was initiated as a way to provide the National Park Service with donated funds to continuously replenish Washington, D.C.’s cherry trees.

Prepared by the property’s award-winning Executive Chef, Peter Schaffrath, The Hay-Adams’ Sake Dinner will provide guests with a six-course Asian-influenced dining experience paired with specifically chosen premium sakes to compliment the flavors of each course. Throughout the dinner, Sake Sommelier Christian S. Choi, Director of Young Won, Inc., will guide guests by explaining the flavors of each selected sake and why it is served with a particular dish.

“At The Hay-Adams, we take pleasure in providing our guests with elegantly enriching experiences, such as our annual Sake Dinner,” says Hans Bruland, General Manager of The Hay-Adams. “In its sixth year, the dinner has flourished into an incredible culinary event providing guests with an authentic Japanese experience, which we take great time and thought in preparing to assure that it meets the expectations of our discriminating guests.”

Prior to the sit-down dinner, beginning at 6:30p.m. guests will be treated to a champagne reception and be able to take part in the Japanese tradition of “breaking the barrel.” During this ceremony, the Sake Sommelier will tap and remove the lid of a customary wooden “barrel,” which is filled with sake. Once the lid is removed, the Sake Sommelier will then pour the sake into traditional wooden cups for all guests to enjoy.

To further enrich the evening and immerse guests in the traditions of Japanese culture, an assortment of vintage Kimonos will be on display throughout the evening and Paul MacLardy, owner of Arise Galleries, which specializes in Asian artifacts, antiques and textiles for 18 years, and co-author of “Kimono - Vanishing Tradition," will be on hand to lend his knowledge of these authentic costumes.

The Hay-Adams annual Sake Dinner will take place on Friday, April 8 beginning at 6:30pm at The Lafayette. Limited to only 60 guests, tickets are $125 per person (plus applicable taxes and gratuities) and includes valet parking. To assure the continued flourishment of the cherry blossoms, a portion of the proceeds from the evening’s ticket sales will be donated to the National Park Service. Reservations for the Sake Dinner can be made by calling 202.638.2570.

For guests wanting to stay at the property after the dinner and enjoy the Cherry Blossom Parade and Festival the next day, The Hay-Adams is offering a special package starting at $545. This package includes two tickets to the Sake Dinner, accommodations for the evening in one of the hotel’s elegantly appointed guest rooms and valet parking.

About the Hay-Adams
Located on Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House, The Hay-Adams offers guests Washington DC’s most prestigious address with views overlooking the White House, Lafayette Square and St. John’s Church. Just minutes from the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, the Mall and many other local attractions, the property has always been a long-standing favorite to both business and leisure travelers. Rich in history, The Hay-Adams boasts 145 elegantly-appointed guest units, two dining options – The Lafayette and the Off The Record Bar, several venues perfect for meetings, weddings and other social gatherings and a warm, welcoming staff. The Hay-Adams is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and Historic Hotels of America, and was recently named to Institutional Investor’s “World’s Best Hotel List.” For more information on the property or to make a reservation, call (800) 853-6807, your travel agent or visit us on the worldwide web at www.hayadams.com.