SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pei Wei Asian Diner, the fast-casual restaurant concept by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (NASDAQ: PFCB), announced their international blogger decision today. After a 10-week national search and more than 500 applicants, Alice Shin, 27, was chosen to travel with Executive Chef Eric Justice and acclaimed Chef Mark Miller on an 18-day culinary tour across Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea in search of inspiration for new Pei Wei dishes.
Chef Justice regularly travels to Asia for culinary exploration, but this marks the first time a Pei Wei fan and blogger will join the journey and share the unique experience with guests back home.
Alice, a senior copywriter at Miami agency SapientNitro, is an Elite Yelper with a passion for Asian cuisine, exploring restaurants and outdoor activities. “There’s nothing I love more than introducing my friends to the deliciousness and lustfulness of Asian food,” she wrote in her Pei Wei blog entry.
In her new role as the international blogger, Alice will travel to Kyoto, Seoul, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hoi An, Saigon, Bangkok and Hong Kong, documenting the adventure in daily posts, photos and videos. As part of the journey, Alice will learn to prepare authentic ramen, sample dishes ranging from live octopus to the most scorching Thai chilies, experience Chinese-style BBQ, explore local markets and taste the signature cuisine of every city.
“We were extremely impressed by the quality and quantity of applicants for the international blogger position,” said Executive Chef Eric Justice. “While it was a very difficult decision, we thought Alice’s writing talent, personality and appreciation of Asian culture made her an ideal fit for the position. We look forward to bringing her onto the Pei Wei team and sharing her experience with our fans back home.”
Throughout the trip, Chef Justice, Chef Miller and Alice will seek out culinary innovation across the five Asian countries that influence Pei Wei’s menu, searching for flavors to inspire new dishes. In addition to the experience of a lifetime, Alice will also receive $10,000 for her international blogger role.
Pei Wei has extended an offer to all five blog search finalists to play an ongoing role in the launch and development of Pei Wei’s blog throughout 2011.
The Blog Asia trip begins February 24 and ends on March 14. To follow the journey and view Alice’s blog entry, visit: www.peiwei.com/blogasia.
About Pei Wei
Pei Wei Asian Diner, owned and operated by P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, offers a menu of fresh, high-quality Asian cuisine. The restaurant provides a comfortable, quick and casual dine-in experience as well as the flexibility, speed and convenience of take-away service. From the exotic aromas rising from the sizzling 600-degree woks, to relaxing environment and hip décor, Pei Wei Asian Diner serves freshly prepared & made-to-order dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam in a modern diner environment. Pei Wei currently operates 169 restaurants in 22 states. For more information please visit www.peiwei.com.