HITS, Inc. would like to congratulate our own Pfizer Million Chef Ric Orlando, of New World Home Cooking, Co., following his spectacular victory on Tuesday night on the Food Network’s popular and highly competitive program, Chopped.

Those attending the Pfizer Million will get to experience Orlando’s incredible talents first hand, as he will prepare the special Grand Prix Luncheon on Sunday in The Pfizer Million Clubhouse. Continental breakfast will be served Wednesday to Saturday, and lunch will be served buffet style from Wednesday to Saturday, but then on Sunday, Orlando will take center stage to present an exclusive and delicious Pfizer Million luncheon in his infamous “Chef Ric” style.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Pfizer Million event at HITS,” said Orlando, just 12 hours after being crowned Chopped Champion. “I’m planning an extra special ‘Hudson Valley menu’ for the VIP Club that will include some of my signature dishes as well as a couple of surprises. One thing I can promise is that the food in the VIP will be befitting of the biggest Grand Prix in the world and a concert by one of the greatest musicians of our time!”

VIPs will not only partake in fine dining, but also be able to take advantage of a cash bar Wednesday to Saturday and enjoy complimentary Champagne, wine and beer on Sunday.

Orlando, who owns, New World Home Cooking in Saugerties, NY, and oversees the kitchen and management of New World Bistro Bar in Albany, NY, won the Chopped episode titled “Wok This Way” on Tuesday night.  Using bold flavor combinations and fearless culinary creativity, Orlando surprised and ultimately wowed the judges. In fact, judge Mark Murphy declared that Ric’s Rum Raisin Jerk Quail “might be the best dish I’ve ever had on Chopped”.

Orlando commented on the judges challenging his use of so many ingredients, saying, “Complex and exciting flavors like Thai Curry, Jamaican Jerk, Mole Oaxaca, these blew me away the first time I tried them. The magic of spices really made me want to learn to be a chef,” he smiled.

Orlando captured the victory on “Wok This Way” with his dishes “Misty Mountain Trout,” “Rum-Raisin Jerk Chicken,” and “Papaya-Lemon Curd with Stinky Cheese.”

The dishes Orlando cooked up for Chopped will be incorporated into the menus at both New World Home Cooking, Co. in Saugerites and the New World Bistro Bar in Albany for a limited time, so patrons interested in tasting the meals that helped crown him Chopped Champion will get their chance.

In addition to Orlando’s cooking, The Pfizer Million VIP Clubhouse and the Chalets-on-the-Finish Line, and will be run by the talented VIP hospitality team of Bobby Drennan and Chris Pace. HITS Saugerties, welcome Drennan and Pace from the Thermal Oasis Club in Thermal, CA, where they are known for their superior VIP services.

Located directly in between the two respective stages for the aforementioned events of the Sunday spectacular, The Pfizer Million Clubhouse offers VIPs the opportunity to watch the Pfizer Million in the stunning and expansive stone-enclosed Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Arena, and then simply turn their chairs to watch the John Fogerty concert that will take place in the Main Hunter Stadium, another exquisite stone-enclosed arena on the other side of The Pfizer Million Clubhouse.
 
Tables for eight are priced at $2,500 for the entire show week, and include every amenity you could imagine!

In addition to wining and dining, VIPs will receive eight concert tickets to watch the concert from their table, as well as VIP Parking and the opportunity not only to walk the very course that will determine the ultimate champion of the Pfizer Million, but also to get an exclusive tour of the stable area and an inside look at the preparation that goes into readying horse and rider for a class of such prestige.
 
The Chalets-on-the Finish Line provide the perfect solution for those looking to entertain a larger number of guests. Holding up to 50 people, the chalets will be located on the east berm of the Stongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium. The 20′ x 30′ tents enclosed by a picket fence will include tables and chairs, while catering must be arranged separately through HITS. Following the Pfizer Million, those who were in the chalets will have 50 tickets per chalet to enter the Preferred VIP seating section of the Chalet Backstretch tent, which is located just south of the Chalets-on-the-Finish Line and directly overlooks the concert stage. Chalets-on-the-Finish Line packages will also include a chance to meet the Pfizer Million riders for an up close and personal autograph session, as well as the aforementioned opportunity to walk the course and tour the stable area.
 
This once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the finest Grand Prix show jumping in the world from every vantage point is one you will not want to miss!

For more information on VIP arrangements, please contact Tony Hitchcock at tony@HitsShows.com.
 
General admission tickets are on sale now and available through Ticketmaster as well as the HITS Corporate Office box offices.
 
More information regarding the Pfizer Million and the John Fogerty concert can be found at www.HitsShows.com.
 
HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.