The NH Lakes Region Professional Cooks Association today announced that Hanaford Associates NASCAR-Style Driving Experience will be the title sponsor for the 2003 and 2004 NH Lakes Region Ice Carving Competition.

The Hanaford Associates NASCAR-Style Driving Experience 2003 New Hampshire Lakes Region Ice Carving Competition will be held February 15 to 17, on top of Little Squam Lake. The National Ice Carving Association will sanction the competition, and medallist will be eligible to compete in the NICA National Ice Carving Championship. Competitors will carve for thirty-four continuous hours, (Sat, Feb. 15 0700 hours to Sun, Feb. 16, 1700 hours) and compete for prizes ranging in value from $50 to $1000.

The hospitality industry is the largest segment of the commercial U.S economy, employing more persons than any other segment. It is New Hampshire’s second largest economic segment. The NH Lakes Region Professionals Cooks Association was founded in late 2002 to provide training opportunities, networking and professionalism t area cooks and chefs. The Cooks Association is actively pursuing chapter membership in the American Culinary Federation- the national association of culinary professionals. Executive Chef Jeff Kingman continues, “Raising the bar of culinary knowledge, standards and professionalism in the Lakes Region benefits not only the dining public, but also foodservice employers and lodging operations. Developing our young culinarians to the standards maintained by the ACF will make the foodservice operations in the Lakes Region that much more competitive with operations in metropolitan areas and other tourist hot spots. Raising these professional standards will make our local tourism offerings increasingly attractive.”

Sponsorship partners of the Hanaford Associates NASCAR-Style Driving Experience2003 New Hampshire Lakes Region Ice Carving Competition will benefit form broadcast and print media exposure over the following year. Brian Hanaford states; “Marketing partners from any business, in any industry, with any advertising budget can customize this type of relationship with Hanaford Associates throughout the year to fit their own organizational needs. The NH Lakes Region Professional Cooks Association has become a valued partner in marketing our NASCAR driving experience to people throughout New England. For the Ice Carving Competition, we will unveil our Pepsi theme car. This type of sponsorship is an arrangement Hanaford Associates actively pursues to increase our name recognition and corporate presence.”