Long Island-Born Celebrity Chef Antonia Lofaso Named Official Chef of the Longines Masters of New York

Lofaso to Curate Menu for the Who’s Who of the Longines Masters in New York debut and Series Finale

EEM, creator of the Longines Masters Series, is proud to announce that renowned celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso will be the culinary mastermind behind the ultra-exclusive Masters Club at the Longines Masters of New York. A Long Island native, Chef Lofaso will curate an original menu for the grand finale of the International Show Jumping Series when it makes its debut at NYCB Live, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, with Longines as the Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of the event.

The Masters Club is an exclusive VIP section hosting 22 VIP tables of 8-people with three Suites. Flowing with champagne and wine, the ringside dining section offers a chance for spectators to get close to the action while dining over an exquisite 3-course meal. The menu will infuse local ingredients and recipes into the Longines Masters’ traditionally European cuisine, offering guests from around the world a unique take on American gastronomy. As they witness the world’s best show jumpers compete at one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world, Masters Club guests like show jumpers Georgina Bloomberg, Ariana Rockefeller, and Jessica Springsteen will be able to enjoy delectable dishes such as overflowing charcuterie, braised oxtail, and homemade pastas like seafood fra diavolo and rigatoni. For those with a sweet tooth, her signature cannolis will be offered throughout the four days, April 26-29, 2018.

“I am so excited to go back to my New York roots to be part of the Longines Masters of New York,” said Chef Lofaso. “It is an honor to be the first American chef to curate a menu for such a prestigious international competition. To be able to share my passion for food with guests from around the world is a truly special experience.”

Best known for her roles on Top Chef Season 4 and Top Chef All Stars, Antonia Lofaso is one of America’s most beloved chefs. She joined Joe Bastianich and Tim Love for the second and third seasons of CNBC’s “Restaurant Startup,” and can be seen as a regular judge on Food Network. Antonia has partnered in the launch of several restaurants, including Scopa Italian Roots and Black Market Liquor Bar, two Los Angeles favorites, and will be opening Pablo’s, a Latin-inspired restaurant in Downtown LA later this spring. Having developed a keen eye for business opportunities in the culinary world, Antonia recently launched Chefletics, an apparel line and lifestyle brand for chefs, along with Antonia Lofaso Catering.

Masters Club guests will have exclusive access to Chef Lofaso’s curated menu and the ultimate in sporting event hospitality. For information on how to book your Masters Club table at the 2018 Longines Masters of New York and full information on the event, visit www.longinesmasters.com.

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ABOUT EEM
A passionate of equestrian sports, Christophe Ameeuw - CEO of EEM and Founder of the Longines Masters Paris-Hong Kong-New York Series - founded the Ecuries d’Ecaussinnes in 1997. Based in Belgium, the stables are internationally reputed for their activities in trading sport horses and high-standard breeding. They are also home to an offering some of the best teaching available in the field. In opening EEM, Christophe Ameeuw and his teams were in pursuit of a challenge: to reinvent show jumping by organizing equestrian events of an entirely new kind. The company built its development by creating the concept of the “Masters”, which together, under the same roof, the best of show-jumping, resplendent displays and art de vivre. After the successes of the Audi Masters in Brussels and the Gucci Masters in Paris, EEM came out with one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, the Longines Masters Series, on three continents, in Paris, Hong Kong and New York. Inspired by the Grand Slam in Tennis, EEM created a concurrent “Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping”, approved by the FEI, this intercontinental challenge is offered to the world's elite in show jumping, with two prize levels: The Super Grand Slam - a €2,250,000 super bonus for the three consecutive wins in the Longines Grand Prix, in the season order -  The Grand Slam - a €1,000,000 bonus for three successive victories at Longines Grand Prix straddling two Longines Masters seasons.

In 2017, EEM created a new iconic competition, the Riders Masters Cup. Offered to the public alongside the EEF (European Equestrian Federation) and alternating between Europe and the United States, this battle pits the world's two leading powers in show jumping against one another: Europe and the United States. On the Asian continent, “Asia Horse Week”, rallying point for the international equestrian community there, also serves as a prime setting for the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, illustrating EEM's determination to develop the sport's international arms in the Asia-Pacific Region. Firmly set on putting equestrian sports front and center and making them accessible to all, EEM rolled out a new digital TV channel on November 14, 2017. EEM.tv offers viewers the chance to follow live and free of charge all EEM events worldwide.

ABOUT THE LONGINES MASTERS
Set in the three of the world's most emblematic metropolises - Paris, Hong Kong and New York - the Longines Masters series is recognized as one of the most prestigious events in the equestrian world. Created by EEM and inspired by the Tennis Grand Slam, the series quickly expanded their international reach (Hong Kong in 2013, Los Angeles in 2014). In 2015, the inter-continental trilogy turned into the Longines Masters Series.  Alongside it, EEM created the “Grand Slam of Indoor Show Jumping”, approved by the FEI, the Grand Slam Indoor is the ultimate challenge for the world's elite in show jumping, with two levels of prizes:The Super Grand Slam: a bonus of 2.25 million Euros for winning 3 consecutive Longines Grand Prix in the same season. The Grand Slam: a bonus of 1 million Euros for three successive victories in the Longines Grand Prix from one season to the next. The TV broadcast of the Longines Masters Series reachers, to over 120 countries, almost 320 million households, a coverage increased this year by the launch of EEM.tv, the new digital channel of EEM. It allows everybody to freely livestream the all competition and events during the four days. Save the date : Paris 2017 : November 30th – December 3rd Hong Kong 2018 : February 9th – February 11thNew-York : April 26th – April 29th
For more information, see www.longinesmasters.com

ABOUT LONGINES
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.
Information: Longines International Public Relations - 2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
Site : www.longines.com - Email : publicrelations@longines.com