From:
FAIRWAY MARKET
Contact:
DKC Public Relations & Integrated Marketing Bruce Bobbins / 212 981 5190 Susan Graziano/ 212 981 5130 Gary Baronofsky/ 212 981 5140
FOR RELEASE: JUNE 27, 2011 THIS WAS ONE SIZZING HOT EVENT …….. RIDGEFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT TAKES FIRST PLACE IN THE FAIRWAY FIREFIGHTERS FOOD FACE OFF AT FAIRWAY MARKET IN STAMFORD (Stamford, Ct. – June 27, 2011) The Ridgefield Fire Department is now the proud owner of a magnificent first place trophy, a $500 gift card and a donation from Fairway to Social Services of Ridgefield– all for winning the Fairway Firefighters Food Face-Off held in the parking lot of the Stamford store on Saturday, June 25, 2011. In lieu of helmets, hoses, and axes, firefighters from Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 786, Stamford Volunteer Fire Departments, Noroton Heights Fire Department (Darien) and Ridgefield Fire Department, Local 1739 donned aprons, barbecue tongs, and basting brushes to show off their skills as grillers. Each team made beef, and turkey burgers and ribs which were enjoyed by a large crowd of well-wishers who came out for the event. Bobby Valentine, baseball great, ESPN analyst and Public Safety Director for Stamford, Jodi Helman, of the Stamford Patch Chris Preovolos of the Hearst Ct. Media Group. Lou Gorfain of Ct Bites, Steve Jenkins – Fairway’s cheese monger and Ray Venezia, Fairway’s master butcher, determined the first place finisher basing their decisions on taste and originality. The winning team received bragging rights but also a $500 gift card to shop for groceries for their firehouse and the opportunity to name the charity of their choice to benefit from a Fairway “Shopping Night” which the Stamford store will host on July 13. Ray Nobes, firefighter and paramedic of the winning Ridgefield team, says, “On behalf of the Ridgefield Fire Department Local 1739 barbecue team, we would like to thank Fairway Market for providing this opportunity to assist the public via Social Services of Ridgefield, as well as demonstrate our grilling skills. Helping the public is what we’re all about; we like opportunities to get out in the community and assist various charities.” Fairway has a long-standing commitment to firefighters. Its history of supporting fire departments in New York and New Jersey was exemplified in the months following September 11, 2001, when Fairway supplied food for local firehouses throughout the search and clean-up process. Fairway also offers firefighters in uniform a special shopping discount at each of its seven locations to show its appreciation. “We expect the Fairway Firefighters Food Face-off to become an annual event,” said Robert Reinisch, GM of the Stamford store. “It’s a terrific way for Fairway to say thank you to our customers with great food and to pay tribute to the fabulous firefighters in our community with generous prizes. It’s a win-win for all! ###