(Hammondsport, NY, 10 September 2010) - Over the past year, the Finger Lakes has been named one of the "Top 10 Lakeside Retreats in the World" by the editors of Shermans Travel as well as one of the "Top 10 Wine Destinations in North America" by TripAdvisor. And year after year, Corning is named one of the "Top 25 Small-City Arts Destinations in the US" by readers of AmericanStyle. People from all over are starting to understand why The New York Times called Corning & the Finger Lakes a "treasury of priceless glass in a land of free-flowing wine" and why the NY Daily News referred to the area as "beautiful and affordable," one that "offers the perfect blend for a wine weekend." They're also starting to realize that we have some extraordinary eateries, as more and more restaurants and B&B's in the area are being run by some very talented chefs.

Two local chefs from the Hammondsport area, Debbie Meritsky and Craig Wilson, will be participating in an exciting event showcasing the talent of some of the finest chefs in the Finger Lakes as they take part in the third annual Slice Dice & Spice event at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua on 13 September for a chance to compete in the finals held on 19 September.

Originally from Cleveland, Debbie Meritsky is the owner of the Black Sheep Inn in Hammondsport, an upscale Bed & Breakfast housed in a newly restored historic Octagon house. With a degree from New England Culinary Institute, Debbie has extensive experience in the upscale Food and Hospitality industries, beginning with integral roles in several high-end dining establishments.

The Black Sheep Inn is an historic piece of architecture, also known locally as the Octagon house, and offers its guests amenities such as private en suite bathrooms as well as the indulgent organic breakfasts utilizing local and seasonal ingredients for which Debbie has become known. The Black Sheep Inn also offers a peaceful retreat for inner growth & outward exploration.

Chef Craig Wilson has been in the restaurant business for more than twenty years starting as a Country Club dishboy in Philadelphia and working his way up to his current position as chef/owner of the Union Block Italian Bistro in Hammondsport, NY. Along the way, Craig lived in Barcelona, rode his bike across much of Europe, and settled in Thailand to learn the cuisine firsthand. In recent years, he has owned and operated restaurants in NYC and here in upstate NY. He has a great passion for impromptu, creative, fresh cooking.

The Union Block Italian Bistro has seen much success after opening last summer and is known for its warm family environment as well as delicious, fresh, and affordable Italian cuisine, not to mention the cozy grotto downstairs where you can listen to live music throughout the month. By creating seasonal, home-style dishes the restaurant supports local farmers and wineries as much as possible while providing guests with a unique dining experience.

"We are very proud to have Debbie and Craig represent the culinary talents of Steuben County," said Peggy Coleman,President of the Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau. "These are just two the many talented chefs that call Steuben County home. By incorporating sustainable practices, not only do these chefs prepare delectable meals, they are also good stewards of the earth. I hope we will see a great crowd rooting for Debbie and Craig on September 13th."

For more information on chefs Debbie Meritsky and Craig Wilson or on other places to find great food in Corning & the Finger Lakes, visit www.CorningFingerLakes.com or call toll-free 1-866-WINE-FUN.

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The Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau was established in 1994. As Steuben County's official tourism marketing agency, our mission is to aggressively promote the visitor industry year-round and thereby stimulate economic growth.