BRAVO's "Top Chef" Contender Chef Tyler Stone Joins Line-Up as Zest Chef

Zest in the West, presented by Kroger, is a food, wine, and craft beer "Zestival" hosted by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce.  Held on Thursday through Sunday, October 20-23, Zest in the West anticipates more than 5,000 west Houston business professionals and residents to attend.  Zest in the West kicks off with a "Grand Zesting" event on Thursday, October 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Houston Westchase located at 9999 Westheimer Rd., Houston, 77042.  The "Grand Zesting" will showcase 150 wines and culinary fare from West Houston's finest culinary talent.  A live and silent auction with extraordinary offerings will generate scholarship funds for the West Houston Leadership Institute.  Tickets are $45 for general admission and $75 for a VIP ticket.On Friday, October 21, Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano Executive Chef Carmelo Mauro and Special Guest Chef Tyler Stone will join culinary forces to host a 5-course meal.  Chef Tyler Stone is the Special Guest Chef of Zest in the West and will be featured in BRAVO's upcoming "Top Chef" competition airing in November.Joining the line up for the weekend festivities Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23, the outdoor "Zestival" comes alive in front of The Great Indoors, 10496 Katy Freeway at Beltway 8, Houston, 77024, with artists, food trucks, wine and beer sampling tents and live music. Open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., guests will enjoy interactive art displays with a glass of wine at "Connoisseurs and Canvas Art & Wine Cove" where over 150 wine selections will be available for tasting as guests can buy great eats from participating west Houston restaurants and Houston's hottest food trucks.Also on tap, "GreatBrewers Foam on the Range," a craft beer tasting zone and educational experience held for beer-lovers.  Patrons can partake in exotic craft and specialty beers from around the world available for the tasting.  Musical entertainment provided by the Robert Hartye Band and host of live musical talent on stage for two full days.For the adventurous foodie, Haute Wheels West will roll in with food trucks galore providing some of the most cutting edge cuisine in Houston.For the kids, a special "Kidz-Chen" area sponsored by Denis' Seafood will be open for the younger set to experience a hands-on cooking lesson with Executive Chef Vernell Powe.  In addition, an entire kids fun zone with Bubble Runner, bounce houses, face painting, games and more.  Kids get into the action with the Kroger cookie station with Halloween cookie decorating for the kids."The Houston West Chamber of Commerce is honored to bring this exciting community event to West Houston residents, employees and businesses," said Freddy Hurst, Bank Office President of Allegiance Bank, Chairman of the Board of the West Houston Leadership Institute and a member of the Board of Directors of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. "Interaction among neighbors throughout the district is part of our mission to grow the Chamber," he said.Jeannie Bollinger, President of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce added, "This is a wonderful opportunity to have fun while meeting fellow residents and leaders in our community, and help raise funds for scholarships in the process.Proceeds benefit the West Houston Leadership Institute, providing scholarship funds for participants of a ten month program that is coordinated by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. The West Houston leadership Institute's purpose is to train and develop leaders in the West Houston community to care for the future of West Houston.Sponsors of this zesty event also include presenting partner Kroger, Absolutely! Magazine, Westchase District, Spring Branch Management District, Republic National Distributing Company, GreatBrewers, Kwik Copy, Yellow Cab, Denis' Seafood House, Sarah's Florist, Carmelo's, Ristorante Italiano, Josephine's Day Spa and Salon, Lawn Management Company, Inc, PJS Services, Nirvana, Office Depot and WHERE Magazine.Tickets to the weekend "Zestival" are $15 for general admission and $35 for VIP entry with kids 12 and under entering free.   Parking is free in the surrounding Great Indoors parking lot.Zest in the West, presented by Kroger, is a "Zestival" designed and dedicated to the residents and employees in the prestigious West Houston Area and is produced by Food & Vine Time Productions, producers of Wine & Food Week, Haute Wheels Houston Food Truck Festival, Red Hot Block Parties, BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival, and the Katy Sip n Stroll.  Food & Vine Time Productions has raised over $400,000 for benefiting charity partners since its inception.  For more information on the Zest in the West, visit www.zestinthewest.com or call 713-557-5732Houston West Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing the economic growth and vitality of the West Houston business community through leadership and business development. The Chamber currently has more than 600 business members representing 45,000 employees.  For more information, visit www.hwcoc.org or call 713-785-4922.