Chef Francois de Melogue Creates Unique Kickstarter Campaign with Rewards Perfect for Holiday Gift Giving and Event Planning

    PORTLAND, OR, August 27, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kickstarter campaigns come in all sizes and colors. Crowd funding is like an old-fashioned "barn-raising" in which a community comes together to build a dream barn in a fraction of the time it would take the family to build it on their own.

Recently, Chef Francois de Melogue launched a Kickstarter Campaign to raise funds for producing his New Provencal Cookbook, Cuisine of the Sun: A Ray of Sunshine on Your Plate. In just over a week, he is halfway to his goal of $20,000. "It's humbling," he says. "We're so excited and overwhelmed by the generosity shared."

Much of the success can be attributed to his friends and devotees of his cuisine as well as his creative positioning of contributor levels. There's something for every food enthusiast with opportunities ranging from as little as $10 to an extravagant $10,000. Those interested in joining in should visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aoppdx/cuisine-of-the-sun-cookbook .

Pledge $10 or more
AN AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS AND SIMPLE PROVENCAL MUSSEL RECIPE: an exclusive digital copy of one of Francois de Melogue's all-time favorite dishes - his simple Mussels with Pastis!

Pledge $15 or more
BEAUTIFUL eBOOK VERSION OF THE COOKBOOK: Enjoy on your computer or mobile device as our way of sharing the joy of making this project possible, as well as profuse online gratitude for helping make the book happen!

Pledge $20 or more
PARISIAN RECIPE SET: an exclusive digital copy of three classic recipes not included in the book designed to recreate a perfect Brasserie meal in your home, emailed directly to you in a beautiful layout.

Pledge $25 or more
COOKBOOK PRE-ORDER: Limited, first-edition signed cookbook, 'Cuisine of the Sun' - not available anywhere else!

Pledge $40 or more
COOKBOOK & eBOOK SET: Limited, first-edition signed cookbook, 'Cuisine of the Sun' plus a beautifully laid out eBOOK version to enjoy on your computer or mobile device.

Pledge $48 or more
DUO OF COOKBOOKS: Two (2) first-edition, signed 'Cuisine of the Sun' cookbooks. Makes a great holiday gift!

Pledge $65 or more
TASTE OF PROVENCE GIFT SET: Limited, first-edition signed cookbook, Cuisine of the Sun plus an Herbes de Provence tin filled with all natural, organically grown mixture of the classic, fragrant herbal blend. Bring the flavors of Southern France to your home with one of Francois' favorite recipes incorporating these fragrant herbs.

Pledge $90 or more
COOKBOOK PRE-ORDER: Four (4) first-edition, signed copies of Cuisine of the Sun Cookbook, at a 10% discount. Start your holiday shopping early this year!

Pledge $180 or more
COOKBOOK PRE-ORDER: Eight (8) first-edition, signed copies of Cuisine of the Sun Cookbook, at a 10% discount ($200 value). (Hooray, your holiday shopping is done!)

Pledge $500 or more
ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SESSION: Cooking questions? Not sure how to throw a dinner party? Ask Francois! You'll get a one-hour Skype call with personalized coaching on cooking, dinner parties, photography - whatever interests you! You'll also receive an autographed first-edition copy of the cookbook + Taste of Provence Gift Set (tins of Herbes de Provence and Piment d'Ville with recipes incorporating these special Provencal spices). In addition, your name will be included on the Acknowledgments page of the book.

We'll work together to find a good time to schedule this over the next 12 months.

Pledge $750 or more
TYPICAL OLD SCHOOL FRENCH SUNDAY LUNCH WITH FRANCOIS' FAMILY: Join Francois, his wife and his son for a delightful typical Sunday lunch at their Portland, OR home. A private lunch for 4 of you, cooked by Francois + 4 autographed first-edition copies of the cookbook. You'll also receive 4 autographed first-edition copies of the cookbook + 4 Taste of Provence Gift Sets (tins of Herbes de Provence and Piment d'Ville with recipes incorporating these special Provencal spices). In addition, your name will be included on the Acknowledgments page of the book.

We'll work together to find a good time to schedule this over the next 12 months. No alcohol - sorry Kickstarter's rules, not ours.

Pledge $1,500 or more
PRIVATE COOKING CLASS AND LUNCH: A private cooking class of 3 courses followed by lunch, for 6 people taught by Francois. You'll also receive 6 autographed first-edition copies of the cookbook + 6 Taste of Provence Gift Sets (tins of Herbes de Provence and Piment d'Ville with recipes incorporating these special Provencal spices). In addition, your name will be included on the Acknowledgments page of the book.

We'll work together to find a good time to schedule this over the next 12 months. No alcohol - sorry Kickstarter's rules, not ours.

Note: If outside the Portland area, airfare & lodging is not included.

Pledge $2,500 or more
PRIVATE DINNER PARTY IN PORTLAND: A private dinner party for 8 of a Pacific NW inspired meal using the best ingredients available right now, including wild Columbia River King Salmon, wild Matsutake mushrooms (highly sought-after, very hard to find, Japanese Truffle equivalent), cooked by Francois, with suggested wine pairings by Wine Guru Peter Zitz. You'll also receive 8 autographed first-edition copies of the cookbook + 8 Taste of Provence Gift Sets (tins of Herbes de Provence and Piment d'Ville with recipes incorporating these special Provencal spices). In addition, your name will be included on the Acknowledgments page of the book.

We'll work together to find a good time to schedule this over the next 3 months. No alcohol - sorry Kickstarter's rules, not ours.

Pledge $5,000 or more
THE MENTOR AND THE PUPIL: Exclusive 5-course Chef Table Dinner prepared in tandem by Francois and Celebrity Chef Beau MacMillan, for up to 6 guests at the luxurious Sanctuary Resort on Camelback Mountain, just outside Phoenix. Enjoy this once in a lifetime, intimate and interactive private chef table dining experience on a mutually agreeable date within the next 12 months. You'll also receive 6 autographed first-edition copies of the cookbook.

Price does not include transportation, lodging, alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

Pledge $10,000
SACRE BLEU, THE ULTIMATE TRUFFLE EXPERIENCE IN PROVENCE: Private Truffle Hunting Tour and complete Truffle-themed Provencal Christmas meal cooked & hosted by Francois and family, including the traditional 13 desserts. Package includes Tour & Meal for up to 6 people and 6 autographed first-edition signed copies of the cookbook. You'll also receive 6 autographed first-edition copies of the cookbook + 6 Taste of Provence Gift Sets (tins of Herbes de Provence and Piment d'Ville with recipes incorporating these special Provencal spices).

We'd also like to include a super thank you to you in the book: a few sentences about you in the acknowledgements section. Whether to include this is totally up to you!

Airfare and Lodging not included. No alcohol - sorry Kickstarter's rules, not ours. To be held over Christmas weekend, 2016.

About Chef Francois de Melogue

Throughout his lifetime, Chef Francois de Melogue has developed an extraordinary palate and masterful technique in preparing Provencal and Mediterranean food. His resume reflects his natural talent and keen culinary sensibility. After graduating at the top in his class from the notable New England Culinary Institute, De Melogue began his career in a number of highly acclaimed kitchens across the country, including Chef Louis Szathmary's restaurant The Bakery in Chicago, the Old Drovers Inn, a Relais and Chateaux property in New York, and Joel Robuchon's Gastronomie restaurant in Paris. Francois tight headshot in kitchen 300 pixels w borderIn 2003 he was the opening chef for the award-winning restaurant Pili Pili in Chicago, rated in the Top Ten new restaurants in the World by Food and Wine magazine in 2003.

Ever the culinary adventurer, de Melogue has worked on Prince Edward Island in Canada and in wine country in Mendocino County, California, always establishing a stellar reputation wherever he has cooked. In 2013 he was chosen, after an extensive search, to be the executive chef of the highly regarded Figue Restaurant & Bar Mediterranean in La Quinta, California. It was an acclaimed showcase for his cuisine and was named the best restaurant in the Palm Springs area.

He has made many appearances on television and radio including an exhilarating experience as the winner of Guy's Grocery Games on the Food Network.

Chef de Melogue is extremely partial to locally produced, high-quality ingredients and he is a devotee of Chef Robuchon's culinary philosophy of "Cuisine Actuelle," which showcases the natural flavor in the ingredients used to create the dishes. He specializes in simply prepared Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that is enhanced by his appreciation and knowledge of fine wine, craft beer, charcuterie and cheese. In line with his belief that food should be prepared without unnecessary distractions or alterations, Chef de Melogue creates honest, healthy and delicious cuisine that is approachable and always delightful.

For more information about the Cuisine of the Sun cookbook please visit the Kickstarter campaign at bit.ly/KickstartSunshine.

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