Gnocchi Battle, Pane Caldo

Pane Caldo is a tucked-away gem in Chicago's renowned Gold Coast neighborhood. Offering diners a cozy and intimate atmosphere suitable for a casual get-together, business dinner or special occasion, Pane Caldo’s contemporary Northern Italian menu changes daily, offering the freshest ingredients possible to guests, and the internationally recognized wine list presents over 1,200 different selections of wines from around the world.

Initiative:

Vagus led the public relations for Pane Caldo including media relations, cooking contests and special events including creating the media-friendly cooking contest - “Gnocchi Battle!”

In honor of National Potato Month, Pane Caldo hosted a “Gnocchi Battle,” seeking out the Chicagoan who can make the pasta-like, potato dumplings best. Recipes were submitted and four finalists battled it out in front of a panel of judges for the chance to be crowned “Chicago’s Gnocchi Champion” and win a trip to Italy. Vagus oversaw the conception, planning, execution, and media outreach.

Results:

• Sponsors: Secured grand prize sponsors including Beivuma Fine Italian Wines and Ghiomo Winery in Italy
• Celebrity Chef Paul Virant entered the contest and won
• Garnered significant media coverage including: