Freeport, Grand Bahama – The Grand Bahama Branch of The Bahamas National Trust is very excited and ready for the 13th Annual Festival Noel, which will be held at the Rand Nature Centre on December 7th, 2007 beginning at 7pm. Bristol Wines & Spirits are back once again as one of the major sponsors of this year’s event along with co-sponsors, Cool 96, Parfum de Paris, John Bull, Ginn Sur Mer and Freeport Advertising & Printing.

Bristol Wines & Spirits, who have been a sponsor of Festival Noel since its inception, are pulling out all of the stops as they provide a wide selection of wines from all over the world. With over 25 different wine selections that will have you “toasting” for more. According to Robbie Butler, Sales Manager at Bristol Wines & Spirits, he will be serving “white wines like Sauvignon Blancs, crisp, dry and refreshing Pinot Grigios that produce a taste of honey, pear and lemon. Chardonnays and Rieslings. Red wines like Chiantis, which are simple and elegant as well as Cabernets and Merlots. The wines come from countries all over the world like France, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and America”. Of course, no event is complete without champagne, which will be opened late in the evening. Also back by popular demand is the Bacardi Mojito Bar, which will feature Peach rum, and guests will also have an opportunity to try Martinis too. So even if you are not a wine connoisseur, Bristol Wines & Spirits will have you covered.

To compliment the various wines that will be served at Festival Noel, the annual Chef Noel competition will return. This year, many of the best restaurants from all over the island will vie for your vote as they compete in this year’s Chef Noel Competition. Last year’s winner, The Harbour Room, will be returning to defend their title and are all geared up and ready to show Grand Bahama what great food is all about. “We are always excited and ready to support the Bahamas National Trust and be a part wherever food, wine and culinary art is concerned,” says Jeff Butler of the Harbour Room. Mr. Butler also continued to say that they are back to win the competition, once again stating, “Our motto is creating a higher standard.”

The competition is already heating up, as restaurants, such as Sabor, Chef Worly’s newest restaurant at Pelican Bay, are ready to show exactly what it is they “bring to the table!” The Ferry House will return to the competition with their new head Chef, Pascuel Burrows. Added in the mix will be returning restaurant Grouper Grill from Ocean Reef Resort and Our Lucaya’s China Beach. The committee is also pleased that the students from The College of The Bahamas, School of Hospitality, under the direction of Chef Maycock, are also attending thanks to the efforts of Chef Boulet and Luciano’s. Don’t worry about being a pig out there, because you won’t be the only one. Joe Ret will have one roasting; doing what he knows best, roasting a sweet and succulent pig over an open fire, just the way anyone would like it.

To top off the great wine and delicious food that everyone can enjoy, sponsors John Bull and Parfum de Paris have donated some fabulous items to this year’s silent auction. John Bull has donated his and hers Movado Watches, a Dooney & Bourke Tote Bag, David Yurman Earrings, an Olympus Digital Camera and Dolan-Bullock Cuff Links. Parfum de Paris has also donated a large basket of perfume for the silent auction and will promote four new fragrance lines on the night. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Grand Bahama branch of National Trust fundraising efforts.

With everything going on at Festival Noel, it is safe to say that this is one event that you do not want to miss out on. So no matter what your taste is, there is something for you at the 13th Annual Festival Noel. Tickets are on sale at Bristol Wines & Spirits, John Bull and The Rand Nature Centre. They are $50 dollars in advance and $55 dollars on the day and if you are a BNT member, you can receive a $5 dollar discount when you purchase your ticket from the Rand Nature Centre. So come out an enjoy “An Evening Under The Stars”, it’s not to be missed.