Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet Press Release

Second Annual Oasis Award For Outdoor Kitchen Design Announced

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet™ and Garden Design Magazine Sponsor Awards for Second Year

CHICAGO, IL (April 11, 2008) – The Oasis Award for Outdoor Kitchen Design is the only national competition created to recognize exceptional outdoor kitchen design. The 2008 competition deadline is Friday, August 1, 2008, with architects, landscape architects, landscape designers, kitchen designers and interior designers, as well as students, invited to enter this annual event.

The competition recognizes site-specific residential outdoor rooms with an outdoor kitchen as a primary feature. The project may be real or conceptual.  All entries must incorporate components of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet’s Custom Outdoor Kitchen Collection as central features of the outdoor kitchen. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet™ and Garden Design magazine have partnered for the second year to present the 2008 Award.

An expert judging panel, consisting of six individuals with a vast understanding of outdoor kitchen design, will work to determine the 2008 winner. The judges for the 2008 Oasis Award for Outdoor Kitchen Design are:

• Sara Ann Busby, CKD                                                   
  President, National Kitchen & Bath Association
• Richard Frinier, MA, IDSA, ASFD
  Principal, Richard Frinier, LLC
• Deborah Krasner, CCP
  Designer/Author, Kitchens for Cooks
• Bill Marken
  Editor Emeritus, Garden Design magazine
• Mario Nievera, ASLA
  Founder/President, Mario Nievera Design
• Art Smith
  Chef/Author/Restaurateur, Table 52

The panel of judges will review the overall design quality of the outdoor living space, including innovative incorporation of Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet kitchen components and effective kitchen design, integration of the outdoor kitchen space with the overall environment, creative and effective use of materials, and design value to the potential client.

The winner will receive national recognition through media and website coverage as well as exposure at the 2008 ASLA Conference. Complete entry information is available at www.OasisAward.com.

About Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet has been bringing gourmet lifestyles outdoors for more than 100 years and is the one-stop resource for creating the ultimate outdoor kitchen. From revolutionary hybrid grills that cook with charcoal, wood and gas, to the most powerful and energy efficient outdoor refrigeration available, Kalamazoo is the leading manufacturer in outdoor cooking and entertaining equipment. The complete line includes grills, refrigerators, freezers, wine chillers, keg tappers, weather-tight cabinets, wok cooktops, lobster boil pits, martini bars and a countertop pizza oven.

Please visit www.KalamazooGourmet.com for more information or call 1.800.868.1699 to speak with an outdoor kitchen design expert.

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Media Contact:
Chris Mordi
Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet
Phone: 312-423-8714
E-Mail: cmordi@kalamazoogourmet.com