2012 is a 'Year of Alabama Food'

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's tourism agency had so much success with its Year of Alabama Food promotion in 2005 that it's doing it again for 2012.

The 2005 event earned Alabama a national tourism award, and the director of the Alabama Tourism Department, Lee Sentell, said he's had lots of requests to bring it back.

The department is planning Alabama Restaurant Week for Aug. 17-26. It is also releasing a new version of the popular brochure "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die," and it will launch the first statewide barbecue trail during Memorial Day weekend.

The Year of Alabama Food will also highlight the many food festivals around the state, such as the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores and the Red Diamond Restaurant Tour in Anniston.