Tyler Florence Designs the 2011 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year 7/18

The much-anticipated House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year, returns to Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Monday, July 18. Tyler Florence, star chef, Food Network host, best-selling author, and House Beautiful contributing editor is bringing his unique Northern California esthetic to this fully-functioning, 1,000 square foot state-of-the-art Kitchen of the Year. The Kitchen will be the perfect union of tradition, functionality and warm, welcoming design -- hallmarks of Florence's style incorporating heritage and quality craftsmanship. Creating his personal vision for the kitchen as "the new American living room," Florence will pull together all his passions: family, cooking, entertaining, comfort, design and heritage.

Presented in tandem with "Tastes of Summer," the outdoor food festival featuring Rockefeller Center's premier restaurants, House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year is a must-see destination for everyone from culinary enthusiasts and design devotees, to visitors looking for new and unique entertaining ideas.

For the first time, there will also be a fully-functioning outdoor kitchen on 1,500 square feet of stone patio, which actually makes this year's Kitchen of the Year two kitchens.

The Kitchen will be open daily from Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 22. Tyler Florence fans will have a chance to meet the renowned chef at free events throughout the week. In addition, visitors will enjoy daily cooking demonstrations, tastings, kitchen tours, design presentations and more. House Beautiful will update the Kitchen of the Year Web site as additional details are confirmed: www.housebeautiful.com/KOTY.

"We're excited to have Tyler designing our Kitchen of the Year this summer. His personal style of creating a warm space the entire family will enjoy really resonates with our readers," said Newell Turner, editor-in-chief of House Beautiful. "His vision for a family's kitchen is more than just where they cook delicious meals -- it's what a home is built around and where the family entertains, lives, and reconnects with each other. It's the new living room."
Located in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza where the famous Christmas tree stands every holiday season, the Kitchen of the Year brings the pages of House Beautiful to life, allowing visitors to experience, first hand, innovative products and unique design ideas to create a dream kitchen.

Tyler Florence said, "Having lived in New York City for 14 years, I've seen House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year and it's fantastic. I'm really excited about adding my own twist to it. We're going to bring a Northern California sensibility to it, a more rustic and cozy feel, and a fantastic point of view right in the middle of Rockefeller Center. I can't wait to do it -- this is going to be a dream come true."

The 2011 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year partners include Belgard Hardscapes by Oldcastle, Bimbo Bakeries, caesarstone, KitchenAid, KraftMaid Cabinetry, Kate Spade new york, KOHLER, Restoration Hardware, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Shaw Floors, Sunbrella, The Container Store, and Truvia.

In addition to opening the Kitchen of the Year, House Beautiful will also present "Tastes of Summer" on Rockefeller Plaza, which will offer visitors a sampling of delicious food and beverages for a nominal fee from some of New York City's most popular restaurants daily from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. from Tuesday, July 19, through Thursday, July 21. Participating restaurants include AJ Maxwell's Steakhouse, Bill's Bar & Burger, Brasserie Ruhlmann, Magnolia Bakery, Morrell's Wine Bar & Café, Rock Center Café, The Sea Grill, and 'wichcraft.

"For the past four years, House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year and 'Tastes of Summer' have brought unique kitchen design and world-class chefs to the Plaza," said Thomas Madden, Managing Director, Tishman Speyer. "This year is no exception, and we are thrilled to once again showcase exciting and diverse cuisine for New Yorkers and visitors alike here at Rockefeller Center."

For design enthusiasts outside of the New York City area, the Kitchen of the Year will be featured online at www.housebeautiful.com/KOTY with videos, podcasts and other special features as well as in the October 2011 issue of House Beautiful which is available September 13.

ABOUT HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
House Beautiful (www.housebeautiful.com) is a leading authority on American home design and decoration, reaching more than seven million readers every month. Founded in 1896, House Beautiful is the oldest continuously published shelter magazine in the United States. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with House Beautiful mobile (m.housebeautiful.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, House Beautiful publishes two editions around the world.

ABOUT TISHMAN SPEYER
Tishman Speyer is the co-owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, the world-famous real estate, shopping and dining complex in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Rockefeller Center is the site of numerous public exhibits and events, including large-scale installations of public art by world-renowned artists including Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons and Jonathan Borofsky. Tishman Speyer has earned a worldwide reputation for innovative utilization of public art in its signature commercial properties, which include Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Center. Tishman Speyer is committed to the preservation and restoration of Rockefeller Center and recently refurbished and reopened the historic Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center, making it one of New York's top attractions. Each day an estimated 350,000 people visit the Rockefeller Plaza complex, which during the holidays is home to the most famous Christmas Tree in the world