Lantigua Designs and Chef Douglas Rodriguez Serve up Sizzling Hot Latin Food-Themed Greeting Cards at National Stationery Show

Popular chef stars in Latin food-inspired greeting cards.

MIAMI, FL (PRWEB) May 21, 2006 -- Lantigua Designs, Inc. and award-winning Chef Douglas Rodriguez, the father of Nuevo Latino cuisine, have joined together to develop a new line of greeting cards, which features caricatures of the popular chef along with some of his most popular recipes as well as fun and catchy Spanish dichos. Dichos is the Spanish word for sayings.  

Inspired by Chef Rodiguez’s Latin cuisine, Lantigua Designs has created two new lines of greeting cards; Consejos del Chef which means Chef’s Advice, and Sabor Latino, Latin Flavor.  Some of the cards will also include the Chef’s own recipes on the inside.

“As a long-time fan of Chef Rodriguez’s cooking, I am thrilled to be working with him on this new greeting card line. We are both proud of our Hispanic heritage and it is reflected in our individual work, as well as through this joint effort,” said Liz Lantigua, president of Lantigua Designs.

This creative new line of Latin food-themed cards will be on display for the first time at the 60th Annual National Stationery Show in New York City from May 21st to 24th, 2006 at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center.  Additionally, autographed copies of Chef Rodriguez’s best selling cookbooks will be raffled every day. Show participants can enter the raffle by visiting the Lantigua Designs booth # 3272.

“The flavor of the Latin community is not only found in our food but in our humor, family traditions and music, all of which are conveyed in these distinct cards,” said Chef Rodriguez. “It’s another way of sending a greeting with lots of Sabor!”

All of Lantigua Designs cards, including the Chef Rodriguez line, will be available for ordering at the National Stationary Show. First time buyers will receive a 5% discount. Minimum order rules apply. Retailers can preview the cards on our website at  www.lantiguadesigns.com.

A percentage of the proceeds from the Chef Rodriguez line will go to the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families of NYC.

About Chef Douglas Rodriguez:
Chef Douglas Rodriguez, son of Cuban immigrants, was raised in Miami. He grew up with the sights, smells and tastes of Cuban/American cuisine and developed a passion for food early on. In 1989, he opened Yuca, an upscale Cuban style restaurant in Coral Gables. Yuca was a success, and at age 24, Douglas was a celebrated Miami chef, winning the "Chef of the Year, Miami" award from The Chefs of America. Soon after that Douglas headed straight for New York City.

In 1994, Chef Rodriguez became the executive chef and co-owner of the phenomenally successful Patria. It was the laboratory for his new cuisine, which he called "Nuevo Latino." Patria received a three star review in the New York Times. After Patria, Chef Rodriguez opened Chicama, a Peruvian ceviche bar, followed by Pipa, a Tapas bar that became one of the favorite spots for New Yorkers. In 1996, he received the prestigious James Beard Foundation's Rising Star Chef of the Year Award.

Chef Rodriguez is now residing in Miami and oversees four restaurants. In South Florida, his restaurants include: OLA Miami and OLA Steak & Tapas. He also owns Alma de Cuba in Philadelphia and Deseo in Scottsdale, AZ. He is also an acclaimed author of cookbooks. To his credit are: Nuevo Latino, Latin Ladles, Latin Flavors on the Grill, and The Great Ceviche Book. You can visit the Chef online at www.chefdouglasrodriguez.com .

About Lantigua Designs:
Lantigua Designs specializes in Spanish Language, Latin-themed and bi-lingual greeting cards that appeal to Hispanic cultures and ethnicities living in the United States.

Lantigua Designs introduced their line of cards in April 2005 to retailers in the South Florida area. The cards explore situations, customs, traditions and expressions in a nostalgic and familiar manner with a unique and refreshing look. For more information, please visit www.lantiguadesigns.com .

About the National Stationary Show:
The 60th edition of the National Stationery Show is expected to feature some 1,400 exhibitors and attract approximately 14,000 attendees, including retailers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, volume buyers, buying offices and designers.

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